'^''^  i-'jp. 


^ 


^''''■.■\. 


A 


JOURNAL 


HISTORICAL  ACCOUNT 


LIFE,  TRAVELS,  SUFFERINGS,  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES, 

AND 

LABOUR  OF  LOVE, 
IN  THE  WORK  OF  THE  MINISTRY, 

OF  THAT 

ANCIENT,  EMINENT,, AND  FAITHFUL  SERVANT  OF 
JESUS  CHRIST,,. 

y 

GEORGE   FOX. 


And  they  that  turn  many  to  Righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  Stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

Ban.  3di.  1- 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED  AT  FRIENDS'   BOOK-STORE, 

NO.  84    MULBERRY   STREET. 
Joieph  &  William  Kite,  Printers. 


THE 


PREFACE; 


SUMMARY    ACCOUNT 


OF   THE 

DIVERS  DISPENSATIONS  OF  GOD  TO  MEN, 

FROM 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  WORLD  TO  THAT  OF  OUR  PRESENT  AGE,  BY  THE  MIN- 
ISTRY  AND  TESTIMONY  OF  HIS  FAITHFUL  SERVANT  GEORGE  FOX,  AS  AN  INTRO- 
DUCTION  TO  THE  ENSUING  JOURNAL. 

DIVERS  have  been  the  dispensations  of  God  since  the  creation  of  the 
world,  unto  the  sons  of  men ;  but  the  great  end  of  all  of  them  has  been 
the  renown  of  his  own  excellent  name  in  the  creation  and  restoration 
of  man :  man,  the  emblem  of  himself,  as  a  god  on  earth,  and  the  glory 
of  ail  his  works.  The  world  began  with  innocency :  all  was  then  good 
that  the  good  God  had  made :  and  as  he  blessed  the  works  of  his  hands, 
so  their  natures  and  harmony  magnified  him  their  Creator.  Then  the 
morning  stars  sang  together  for  joy,  and  all  parts  of  his  works  said 
Amen  to  his  law.  Not  a  jar  in  the  whole  frame,  but  man  in  paradise, 
the  beasts  in  the  field,  the  fowl  in  the  air,  the  fish  in  the  sea,  the  lights  in 
the  heavens,  the  fruits  of  the  earth ;  yea  the  air,  the  earth,  the  water  and 
fire  worshipped,  praised  and  exalted  his  power,  wisdom  and  goodness. 
O  holy  Sabbath,  O  holy  day  to  the  Lord ! 

But  this  happy  state  lasted  not  long :  for  man,  the  crown  and  gloiy  of 
the  whole,  being  tempted  to  aspire  above  his  place,  unhappily  yielded 
against  command  and  duty,  as  well  as  interest  and  felicity;  and  so  fell 
below  it,  lost  the  divine  image,  the  wisdom,  power,  and  purity  he  was 
made  in.  By  which,  being  no  longer  fit  for  paradise,  he  was  expelled 
that  garden  of  God,  his  proper  dwelling  and  residence,  and  was  driven 
out,  as  a  poor  vagabond,  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  to  wander  in  the 
earth,  the  habitation  of  beasts. 

Yet  God,  that  made  him,  had  pity  on  him ;  for  he  seeing  he  was 
deceived,  and  that  it  was  not  of  malice,  or  an  original  presumption  in 
him,  but  through  the  subtilty  of  the  serpent  (that  had  first  fallen  from  his 
own  state,  and  by  the  mediation  of  the  woman,  man's  own  nature  and 
companion,  whom  the  serpent  had  first  deluded)  in  his  infinite  goodness 
and  wisdom  found  out  a  way  to  repair  the  breach,  recover  the  loss, 
and  restore  fallen  man  again  by  a  nobler  and  more  excellent  Adam, 
promised  to  be  born  of  a  woman ;  that  as  by  means  of  a  woman  the 
evil  one  had  prevailed  upon  man,  by  a  woman  also  He  should  come 
into  the  world,  who  would  prevail  against  him,  and  bruise  his  head,  and 
deliver  man  from  his  power :  and  which,  in  a  signal  manner,  by  the  dis- 


IV  PREFACE. 

pensation  of  the  Son  of  God  in  the  flesh,  in  the  fulness  of  time,  was  per- 
sonally and  fully  accomplished  by  him,  and  in  him,  as  man's  Saviour  and 
Redeemer. 

But  his  power  was  not  limited,  in  the  manifestation  of  it,  to  that  time ; 
for  both  before  and  since  his  blessed  manifestation  in  the  flesh,  he  has 
been  the  light  and  life,  the  rock  and  strength  of  all  that  ever  feared  God; 
present  with  them  in  their  temptations,  followed  them  in  their  .travels 
and  afflictions,  and  supported  and  carried  them  through  and  over  the 
difficulties  that  have  attended  them  in  their  earthly  pilgrimage.  By  this, 
Abel's  heart  excelled  Cain's,  and  Seth  obtained  the  pre-eminence,  and 
Enoch  walked  with  God.  It  was  this  that  strove  with  the  old  world,  and 
which  they  rebelled  against,  and  which  sanctified  and  instructed  Noah 
to  Salvation. 

But  the  outward  dispensation  that  followed  the  benighted  state  of  man, 
after  his  fall,  especially  among  the  patriarchs,  was  generally  that  of  an- 
gels ;  as  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  Testament  do  in  many  places  express, 
as  to  Abraham,  Jacob,  &c.  The  next  was  that  of  the  law  by  Moses, 
which  was  also  delivered  by  angels,  as  the  apostle  tells  us.  This  dispen- 
sation was  much  outward,  and  suited  to  a  low  and  servile  state  ;  called 
therefore  that  of  a  schoolmaster,  to  point  out  and  prepare  that  people  to 
look  and  long  for  the  Messiah,  who  would  deliver  them  from  the  Servi- 
tude of  a  ceremonious  and  imperfect  dispensation,  by  knowing  the  reali- 
ties of  those  mysterious  representations  in  themselves.  In  this  time  the 
law  was  written  on  stone,  the  temple  built  with  hands,  attended  with  an 
outward  priesthood  and  external  rites  and  ceremonies,  that  were  shadows 
of  the  good  things  that  were  to  come,  and  were  only  to  serve  till  the 
Seed  came,  or  the  more  excellent  and  general  manifestations  of  Christ, 
to  whom  was  the  promise,  and  to  all  men  only  in  him,  in  whom  it 
was  Yea  and  Amen ;  even  life  from  death,  immortality  and  eternal  life. 

This  the  prophets  foresaw,  and  comforted  the  believing  Jews  in  the 
certainty  of  it ;  which  was  the  top  of  the  Mosaical  dispensation,  and 
which  ended  in  John's  ministry,  the  forerunner  of  the  Messiah,  as  John's 
was  finished  in  him,  the  fulness  of  all.  And  God,  that  at  sundry  times 
and  in  divers  manners  had  spoken  to  the  fathers  by  his  servants  the 
prophets,  spake  then  by  his  Son  Christ  Jesus,  "  who  is  heir  of  all  things ;" 
being  the  gospel-day,  which  is  the  dispensation  of  sonship :  bringing  in 
thereby  a  nearer  testament,  and  a  better  hope,  even  the  beginning  of  the 
glory  of  the  latter  days,  and  of  the  restitution  of  all  things ;  yea,  the 
restoration  of  the  kingdom  unto  Israel. 

Now  the  Spirit,  that  was  more  sparingly  communicated  in  former 
dispensations,  began  to  be  "  poured  forth  upon  all  flesh,"  according  to 
the  prophet  Joel,  and  the  light  that  shined  in  darkness,  or  but  dimly 
before,  the  most  gracious  God  caused  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  and 
the  day-star  began  to  arise  in  the  hearts  of  believers,  giving  unto  them 
the  knowledge  of  God  in  the  face  (or  appearance)  of  his  Son  Christ 
Jesus. 

Now  the  poor  in  spirit,  the  meek,  the  true  mourners,  the  hungry  and 
thirsty  after  righteousness,  the  peace-makers,  the  pure  in  heart,  the  mer- 
ciful and  the  persecuted,  came  more  especially  in  remembrance  before 
the  Lord,  and  were  sought  out  and  blessed  by  Israel's  true  Shepherd. 
Old  Jerusalem  with  her  children  grew  out  of  date,  and  the  new  Jerusa- 
lem into  request,  the  mother  of  the  sons  of  the  gospel-day.  Wherefore 
no  more  at  old  Jerusalem,  nor  at  the  mountain  of  Samaria,  will  God  be 


PREFACE.  V 

worshipped  above  other  places ;  for,  behold,  he  is  declared  and  preached 
a  Spirit,  and  he  will  be  known  as  such,  and  worshipped  in  the  Spirit  and 
in  the  Truth.  He  will  come  nearer  than  of  old  time,  and  he  will  write 
his  law  in  the  heart,  and  put  his  fear  and  Spirit  in  the  inward  parts,  ac- 
cording to  his  promise.  Then  signs,  types,  and  shadows  flew  away,  the 
day  having  discovered  their  insufficiency  in  not  reaching  to  the  inside 
of  the  cup,  to  the  cleansing  of  the  conscience ;  and  all  elementary  ser- 
vices were  expired  in  and  by  him  that  is  the  substance  of  all. 

And  to  this  great  and  blessed  end  of  the  dispensation  of  the  Son  of 
God,  did  the  apostles  testify,  whom  he  had  chosen  and  anointed  by  his 
Spirit,  to  turn  the  Jews  from  their  prejudice  and  superstition,  and  the 
Gentiles  from  their  vanity  and  idolatry,  to  Christ's  Light  and  Spirit  that 
shined  in  them ;  that  they  might  be  quickened  from  the  sins  and  trespasses 
in  which  they  were  dead,  to  serve  the  Living  God  in  the  newness  of  the 
Spirit  pf  Life,  and  walk  as  children  of  the  light,  and  of  the  day,  even 
the  day  of  holiness :  for  such  "  put  on  Christ,"  the  light  of  the  world, 
"  and  make  no  more  provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts  thereof" 
So  that  the  Light,  Spirit,  and  Grace  that  comes  by  Christ,  and  appears  in 
man,  was  what  the  apostles  ministered  from,  and  turned  people's  minds  unto, 
and  in  which  they  gathered  and  builf  up  the  churches  of  Christ  in  their  day. 
For  which  cause  they  advised  them  not  to  quench  the  Spirit,  but  wait  for 
the  Spirit,  and  speak  by  the  Spirit,  and  pray  by  the  Spirit,  and  walk  in  the 
Spirit  too,  as  that  which  approved  them  the  truly  begotten  children  of  God, 
"  born  not  of  flesh  and  blood,  nor  of  the  wdll  of  man,  but  of  the  will  of 
"  God ;"  by  doing  his  will,  and  denying  their  own ;  by  drinking  of  Christ's 
cup,  and  being  baptized  with  his  baptism  of  self-denial :  the  way  and 
path  that  all  the  heirs  of  life  have  trod  to  blessedness.  But  alas!  even 
in  the  apostles'  days  (those  bright  stars  of  the  first  magnitude  of  the  gos- 
pel-light) some  clouds  (foretelling  an  eclipse  of  this  primitive  glory)  began 
to  appear,  and  several  of  them  gave  early  caution  of  it  to  the  christians 
of  their  time;  that  even  then  there  was,  and  yet  would  be  more  and 
more,  a  falling  away  from  the  power  of  godliness,  and  the  purity  of  that 
spiritual  dispensation,  by  such  as  thought  to  make  a  fair  show  in  the  flesh, 
but  with  whom  the  offence  of  the  cross  ceased :  yet  with  this  comfortable 
conclusion,  that  they  saw  beyond  it  a  more  glorious  time  than  ever,  to 
the  true  church.  Their  sight  was  true,  and  what  they  foretold  to  the 
churches,  gathered  by  them  in  the  name  and  power  of  Jesus,  came  so  to 
pass :  for  christians  degenerated  apace  into  outsides,  as  days,  and  meats, 
and  divers  other  ceremonies.  And  which  was  worse,  they  fell  into  strife 
and  contention  about  them,  separating  one  from  another,  then  envying, 
and  as  they  had  power,  persecuting  one  another,  to  the  shame  and  scan- 
dal of  their  common  Christianity,  and  grievous  stumbhng  and  offence  of 
the  heathen,  among  whom  the  Lord  had  so  long  and  so  marvellously 
preserved  them.  And  having  got  at  last  the  worldly  power  into  their 
hands,  by  kings  and  emperors  embracing  the  christian  profession,  they 
changed  what  they  could  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  is  not  of  this 
world,  into  a  worldly  kingdom  ;  or  at  least  styled  the  worldly  kingdom 
that  was  in  their  hands  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  so  they  became 
worldly,  and  not  true  christians.  Then  human  inventions  and  novelties, 
both  in  doctrine  and  worship,  crowded  fast  into  the  church,  a  door  being 
opened  thereunto  by  the  grossness  and  carnality  that  appeared  then 
among  the  generality  of  christians ;  who  had  long  since  left  the  guidance 
of  God's  meek  and  heavenly  Spirit,  and  given  themselves  up  to  supersti- 


vi  PREFACE. 

tion,  will-worship,  and  voluntary  humility.  And  as  superstition  is  blind, 
so  it  is  heady  and  furious  ;  for  all  must  stoop  to  its  bUnd  and  boundless 
zeal,  or  perish  by  it :  in  the  name  of  the  Spirit,  persecuting  the  very  ap- 
pearance of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  others,  and  opposing  that  in  them  which 
they  resisted  in  themselves,  viz.  the  Light,  Grace,  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  but  always  under  the  notion  of  innovation,  heresy,  schism, 
or  some  such  plausible  name.  Though  Christianity  allows  of  no  name 
or  pretence  whatever  for  persecuting  of  any  man  for  matters  of  mere 
religion ;  religion  being  in  its  very  nature  meek,  gentle,  and  forbearing  ; 
and  consists  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  which  no  persecutor  can  have, 
whilst  he  remains  a  persecutor ;  in  that  a  man  cannot  believe  well,  or 
hope  well,  or  have  a  charitable  or  tender  regard  to  another,  whilst  he 
would  violate  his  mind  or  persecute  his  body  for  matters  of  faith  or  wor- 
ship towards  his  God. 

Thus  the  false  church  sprang  up,  and  mounted  the  chair.  But  though 
she  lost  her  nature,  she  would  keep  her  good  name  of  the  Lamb's  bride, 
the  true  church  and  mother  of  the  faithful ;  constraining  all  to  receive 
her  mark,  either  in  their  forehead  or  right-hand,  publickly  or  privately : 
but  in  deed  and  in  truth  she  was  Mystery  Babylon,  the  mother  of  harlots : 
mother  of  those  that  with  all  their  show  and  outside  of  religion,  were 
adulterated  and  gone  from  the  Spirit,  naiure,  and  life  of  Christ,  and  grown 
vain,  worldly,  ambitious,  covetous,  cruel,  &c.  which  are  the  fruits  of  the 
flesh,  and  not  of  the  Spirit. 

Now  it  was  that  the  true  church  fled  into  the  wilderness,  that  is,  from 
superstition  and  violence  to  a  retired,  soUtary,  and  lonely  state ;  hidden 
and  as  it  were  out  of  sight  of  men,  tho'  not  out  of  the  world :  which 
shews  that  her  wonted  visibility  was  not  essential  to  the  being  of  a  true 
church  in  the  judgment  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  she  being  as  true  a  church  in 
the  wilderness,  though  not  as  visible  and  lustrous,  as  when  she  was  in 
her  former  splendor  of  profession.  In  this  state  many  attempts  she  made 
to  return,  but  the  waters  were  yet  too  high,  and  her  way  blocked  up, 
and  many  of  her  excellent  children  in  several  nations  and  centuries  fell 
by  the  cruelty  of  superstition,  because  they  would  not  fall  from  their  faith- 
fulness to  the  truth. 

The  last  age  did  set  some  steps  towards  it,  both  as  to  doctrine, 
worship,  and  practice.  But  practice  quickly  failed,  for  wickedness 
flowed  in  a  little  time,  as  well  among  the  professors  of  the  reformation, 
as  those  they  reformed  from  ;  so  that  by  the  fruits  of  conversation  they 
were  not  to  be  distinguished.  Arfd  the  children  of  the  reformers,  if  not 
the  reformers  themselves,  betook  themselves  very  early  to  earthly  policy 
and  power  to  uphold  and  carry  on  their  reformation  that  had  been  begun 
with  spiritual  weapons  ;  which  I  have  often  thought  has  been  one  of  the 
greatest  reasons  the  reformation  made  no  better  progress,  as  to  the  life 
and  soul  of  religion :  for  whilst  the  reformers  were  lowly  and  spiritually- 
minded,  and  trusted  in  God,  and  looked  to  Him,  and  lived  in  his  fear,  and 
consulted  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  nor  sought  deliverance  in  their  own 
way,  there  were  daily  added  to  the  church  such  as,  one  might  reasona- 
bly say,  should  be  saved.  For  they  were  not  so  careful  to  be  safe  from 
persecution,  as  to  be  faithful  under  it. 

Being  more  concerned  to  spread  the  truth  by  their  faith  and  patience 
in  tribulation,  than  to  get  the  worldly  power  out  of  their  hands  that  in- 
flicted their  suflerings  upon  them  ;  and  it  will  be  well,  if  the  Lord  suffer 
them  not  to  fall  by  the  very  same  way  they  took  to  stand.     In  doctrine 


PREFACE.  Vll 

Jiey  were  in  some  things  short ;  in  other  things,  to  avoid  one  extreme, 
they  ran  into  another:  and  for  worship,  there  was  for  the  generahty 
more  of  man  than  God.  They  owned  the  Spirit,  inspiration  and  revela- 
tion indeed,' and  grounded  their  separation  and  reformation  upon  the 
sense  and  understanding  they  received  from  it,  in  the  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  of  Truth ;  and  this  was  their  plea.  The  Scripture  was  the  text, 
the  Spirit  the  interpreter,  and  that  to  every  one  for  himself.  But  yet 
there  was  too  much  of  human  invention,  tradition  and  art,  that  remained 
both  in  praying  and  preaching,  and  of  worldly  authority  and  worldly 
greatness  in  their  ministers,  especially  in  this  kingdom,  Sweden,  Den- 
mark, and  some  parts  of  Germany.  God  was  therefore  pleased,  among 
us,  to  shift  from  vessel  to  vessel :  and  the  next  remove  humbled  the  min- 
istry, so  that  they  were  more  strict  in  preaching,  devout  in  praying,  and 
zealous  for  keeping  the  Lord's  day,  and  catechising  of  children  and  ser- 
vants, and  repeating  at  home  in  their  families  what  they  had  heard  in 
publick. 

But  even  as  these  grew  into  power,  they  were  not  only  for  whipping 
some  out,  but  others  into  the  temple :  and  they  appeared  rigid  in  their 
spirits,  rather  than  severe  in  their  lives,  and  more  for  a  party,  than  for 
piety :  which  brought  forth  another  people,  that  were  yet  more  retired 
and  select.  They  would  not  communicate  at  large,  or  in  common  with 
others ;  but  formed  churches  among  themselves  of  such  as  could  give 
some  account  of  their  conversion  at  least,  of  very  promising  experiences 
of  the  work  of  God's  grace  upon  their  hearts,  and  under  mutual  agree- 
ments and  covenants  of  fellowship  they  kept  together.  These  people 
were  somewhat  of  a  softer  temper,  and  seemed  to  recommend  religion 
by  the  charms  of  its  love,  mercy,  and  goodness,  rather  than  by  the  ter- 
rors of  its  judgments  and  punishment ;  by  which  the  former  party  would 
have  terrified  people  into  Religion. 

They  also  allowed  greater  liberty  to  prophecy  than  those  before  them ; 
for  they  admitted  any  member  to  speak  or  pray,  as  well  as  their  pastoi 
(whom  they  always  chose,  and  not  the  civil  magistrate.)  If  such  found 
any  thing  pressing  upon  them  to  either  duty,  even  without  the  distinction 
of  clergy  or  laity ;  persons  of  any  trade,  be  it  never  so  low  and  mechani 
cal.  But  alas!  even  these  people  suffered  great  loss:  for  tasting  of 
worldly  empire,  and  the  favour  of  princes,  and  the  gain  that  ensued, 
they  degenerated  but  too  much.  For  though  they  had  cried  down  na- 
tional churches,  and  ministry  and  maintenance  too,  some  of  them,  when 
it  was  their  own  turn  to  be  tried,  fell  under  the  weight  of  worldly  honour 
and  advantage,  got  into  profitable  parsonages  too  much,  and  outlived 
and  contradicted  their  own  principles  :  and,  which  was  yet  worse,  turn- 
ed some  of  them  absolute  persecutors  of  other  men  for  God's  sake,  that 
but  so  lately  came  themselves  out  of  the  furnace ;  which  drove  many  a 
step  farther,  and  that  was  into  the  water.  Another  baptism,  as  believing 
they  were  not  scripturally  baptised ;  and  hoping  to  find  that  presence 
and  power  of  God,  in  submitting  to  that  ordinance,  which  they  desired 
and  wanted. 

These  people  made  also  profession  of  neglecting,  if  not  renouncing  and 
censuring,  not  only  the  necessity,  but  use  of  all  human  learning,  as  to  fhe 
ministry;  and  all  other  qualifications  to  it,  besides  the  helps  and  gifts  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  and  those  natural  and  common  to  men ;  and  for  a 
time  they  seemed,  like  John  of  old,  a  burning  and  a  shining  light,  to  other 
societies. 


Vlil  PREFACE. 

They  were  very  diligent,  plain  and  serious,  strong  in  scripture,  and 
bold  in  profession,  bearing  much  reproach  and  contradiction :  but  that 
which  others  fell  by  proved  their  hurt.  For  worldly  power  spoiled  them 
too  ;  who  had  enough  of  it  to  try  them,  what  they  would  do  if  they  had 
more ;  and  they  rested  also  too  much  upon  their  watery  dispensation, 
instead  of  passing  on  more  fully  to  the  Fire  and  Holy  Ghost,  which  was 
his  baptism  who  came  with  a  "  fan  in  his  hand,  that  he  might  thoroughly 
*'  (and  not  in  part  only)  purge  his  floor,"  and  take  away  the  dross  and 
the  tin  of  his  people,  and  make  a  man  finer  than  gold.  Withal,  they 
grew  high,  rough,  and  self-righteous,  opposing  further  attainment ;  too 
much  forgetting  the  day  of  their  infancy  and  littleness,  which  gave  them 
something  of  a  real  beauty ;  insomuch  that  many  left  them,  and  all  visi- 
ble churches  and  societies,  and  wandered  up  and  down  as  sheep  without 
a  shepherd,  and  as  doves  without  their  mates ;  seeking  their  beloved,  but 
could  not  find  him,  as  their  souls  desired  to  know  him ;  whom  their  souls 
loved  above  their  chiefest  joy. 

These  people  were  called  Seekers  by  some,  and  the  Family  of  Love 
by  others ;  because,  as  they  came  to  the  knowledge  of  one  another,  they 
sometimes  met  together,  not  formally  to  pray  or  preach,  at  appointed 
times  and  places,  in  their  own  wills,  as  in  times  past  they  were  accus- 
tomed to  do  ;  but  waited  together  in  silence,  and  as  any  thing  rose  in  any 
one  of  their  minds,  that  they  thought  savoured  of  a  divine  spring,  so  they 
sometimes  spoke.  But  so  it  was,  that  some  of  them  not  keeping  in  humili- 
ty, and  in  the  fear  of  God,  after  the  abundance  of  revelation,  were  exalt- 
ed above  measure,  and  for  want  of  staying  their  minds  in  an  humble 
dependance  upon  him  that  opened  their  understandings  to  see  great 
things  in  his  law,  they  run  out  in  their  own  imaginations,  and  mixing 
them  with  those  divine  openings,  brought  forth  a  monstrous  birth,  to  the 
scandal  of  those  that  feared  God,  and  waited  daily  in  the  temple,  not 
made  with  hands,  for  the  consolation  of  Israel ;  the  Jew  inward,  and 
Circumcision  in  spirit. 

This  people  obtained  the  name  of  Ranters  from  their  extravagant  dis- 
courses and  practices.  For  they  interpreted  Christ's  fulfilling  of  the  law 
for  us,  to  be  a  discharging  of  us  from  any  obligation  and  duty  the  law 
required,  instead  of  the  condemnation  of  the  law  for  sins  past,  upon  faith 
and  repentance,  and  that  now  it  was  no  sin  to  do  that  which  before  it 
was  a  sin  to  commit ;  the  slavish  fear  of  the  law  being  taken  off  by 
Christ,  and  all  things  good  that  man  did,  if  he  did  but  do  them  with  the 
mind  and  persuasion  that  it  was  so.  Insomuch  that  divers  fell  into 
gross  and  enormous  practices ;  pretending  in  excuse  thereof,  that  they 
could,  without  evil,  commit  the  same  act  which  was  sin  in  another 
to  do ;  thereby  distinguishing  between  the  action  and  the  evil  of  it, 
by  the  direction  of  the  mind  and  intention  in  the  doing  of  it.  Which  was 
to  make  sin  super-abound  by  the  aboundings  of  grace,  and  to  turn  from 
the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  a  securer  way  of  sinning  than  before : 
as  if  Christ  came  not  to  take  away  sin,  but  that  we  might  sin  more  freely 
at  his  cost,  and  with  less  danger  to  ourselves.  I  say,  this  ensnared 
divers,  and  brought  them  to  an  utter  and  lamentable  loss,  as  to  their 
eternal  state ;  and  they  grew  very  troublesome  to  the  better  sort  of  peo- 
ple, and  furnished  the  looser  with  an  occasion  to  prophane. 

It  was  about  that  very  same  time,  as  you  may  see  in  the  ensuing  an- 
nals, that  the  eternal,  wise,  and  good  God  was  pleased,  in  his  infinite 
love,  to  honour,  and  visit  tliis  benighted  and  bewildered  nation  with  his 


PREFACE.  IX 

glorious  day-spring  from  on  high ;  yea  with  a  most  sure  and  certain 
sound  of  the  word  of  light  and  life,  through  the  testimony  of  a  chosen 
vessel,  to  an  effectual  and  blessed  purpose,  can  many  thousands  say, 
"  Glory  be  to  the  name  of  the  Lord  for  ever." 

For  as  it  reached  the  conscience,  and  broke  the  heart,  and  brought 
many  to  a  sense  and  search ;  so  what  people  had  been  vainly  seeking 
without,  with  much  pains  and  cost,  they  by  this  ministry  found  within  ; 
where  it  was  they  wanted  what  they  sought  for,  viz.  the  right  way  to 
peace  with  God.  For  they  were  directed  to  the  light  of  Jesus  Christ 
within  them,  as  the  Seed  and  Leaven  of  the  kingdom  of  God ;  near  all, 
because  in  all,  and  God's  talent  to  all.  A  faithful  and  true  witness  and 
just  monitor  in  every  bosom.  The  gift  and  grace  of  God  to  hfe  and  sal- 
vation, that  appears  to  all,  though  few  regard  it.  This,  the  traditional 
christian,  conceited  of  himself,  and  strong  in  his  own  will  and  righteous- 
ness, and  overcome  with  blind  zeal  and  passion,  either  despised  as  a  low 
and  common  thing,  or  opposed  as  a  novelty,  under  many  hard  names 
and  opprobrious  terms ;  denying,  in  his  ignorant  and  angry  mind,  any 
fresh  manifestation  of  God's  power  and  Spirit  in  man  in  these  days, 
though  never  more  needed  to  make  true  christians  :  not  unlike  those  Jews 
of  old,  that  rejected  the  Son  of  God  at  the  very  same  time  that  they 
blindly  professed  to  wait  for  the  Messiah  to  come ;  because,  alas,  he  ap- 
peared not  among  them  according  to  their  carnal  mind  and  expectation. 

This  brought  forth  many  abusive  books,  which  filled  the  greater  sort 
wdth  envy,  and  lesser  with  rage,  and  made  the  way  and  progress  of  this 
blessed  testimony  strait  and  narrow  indeed  to  those  that  received  it. 
However,  God  owned  his  own  work,  and  this  testimony  did  effectually 
reach,  gather,  comfort,  and  establish  the  weary  and  heavy  laden,  the 
hungry  and  thirsty,  the  poor  and  needy,  the  mournful  and  sick  of  many 
maladies,  that  had  spent  all  upon  physicians  of  no  value,  and  waited  for 
relief  from  heaven,  help  only  from  above  :  seeing,  upon  a  serious  trial  of 
all  things,  nothing  else  would  do  but  Christ  himself,  the  light  of  his  coun- 
tenance, a  touch  of  his  garment,  and  help  from  his  hand,  who  cured  the 
poor  woman's  issue,  raised  the  centurion's  servant,  the  widow's  son,  the 
ruler's  daughter,  and  Peter's  mother,  and,  like  her,  they  no  sooner  felt  his 
power  and  efficacy  upon  their  souls,  but  they  gave  up  to  obey  him  in  a 
testimony  to  his  power,  and  with  resigned  wills  and  faithful  hearts, 
through  all  mockings,  contradictions,  beatings,  prisons,  and  many  other 
jeopardies  that  attended  them  for  his  blessed  name's  sake. 

And  truly,  they  were  very  many  and  very  great;  so  that  in  all  human 
probability  they  must  have  been  swallowed  up  quick  of  the  proud  and 
boisterous  waves  that  swelled  and  beat  against  them ;  but  that  the  God 
of  all  their  tender  mercies  was  with  them  in  his  glorious  authority,  so 
that  the  hills  often  fled,  and  the  mountains  melted  before  the  power  that 
filled  them ;  working  mightily  for  them,  as  well  as  in  them,  one  ever 
following  the  other.  By  which  they  saw  plainly,  to  their  exceeding  great 
confirmation  and  comfort,  "  that  all  things  were  possible  wdth  him  with 
"  whom  they  had  to  do."  And  that  the  more  that  which  God  required 
seemed  to  cross  man's  wisdom,  and  expose  them  to  man's  wrath,  the 
more  God  appeared  to  help  and  carry  them  through  all  to  his  glory :  in- 
somuch that  if  ever  any  people  could  say  in  truth,  "  Thou  art  our  sun 
"  and  our  shield,  our  rock  and  sanctuary,  and  by  thee  we  have  leaped 
"  over  a  wall,  and  by  thee  we  have  run  through  a  troop,  and  by  thee  we 
"  have  put  the  armies  of  the  aliens  to  flight,"  these  people  had  right  to. 

B 


X  PREFACE. 

say  it.  And  as  God  had  delivered  their  souls  of  the  wearisome  burthens 
of  sin  and  vanity,  and  enriched  their  poverty  of  spirit,  and  satisfied  their 
great  hunger  and  thirst  after  eternal  righteousness,  and  filled  them  with 
the  good  things  of  his  own  house,  and  made  them  stewards  of  his  mani- 
fold gifts ;  so  they  went  forth  to  all  quarters  of  these  nations,  to  declare 
to  the  inhabitants  thereof,  what  God  had  done  for  them  ;  what  they  had 
found,  and  where  and  how  they  had  found  it ;  viz.  the  way  to  peace  with 
God :  inviting  them  to  come  and  see  and  taste  for  themselves,  the  truth 
of  what  they  declared  unto  them. 

And  as  their  testimony  was  to  the  principle  of  God  in  man,  the  pre- 
cious pearl  and  leaven  of  the  kingdom,  as  the  only  blessed  means  ap- 
pointed of  God  to  quicken,  convince,  and  sanctify  man ;  so  they  opened 
to  them  what  it  was  in  itself,  and  what  it  was  given  to  them  for;  how 
they  might  know  it  from  their  own  spirit,  and  that  of  the  subtil  appear- 
ance of  the  evil  one,  and  what  it  would  do  for  all  those,  whose  minds 
are  turned  off  from  the  vanity  of  the  world,  and  its  Hfeless  ways  and 
teachers,  and  adhere  to  this  blessed  light  in  themselves,  which  discovers 
and  condemns  sin  in  all  its  appearances,  and  shows  how  to  overcome  it, 
if  minded  and  obeyed  in  its  holy  manifestations  and  convictions :  giving 
power  to  such  to  avoid  and  resist  those  things  that  do  not  please  God, 
and  to  grow  strong  in  love,  faith,  and  good  works :  that  so  man,  whom 
sin  hath  made  as  a  wilderness,  over-run  with  briars  and  thorns,  might 
become  as  the  garden  of  God,  cultivated  by  his  divine  power,  and  replen- 
ished with  the  most  virtuous  and  beautiful  plants  of  God's  own  right-hand 
planting,  to  his  eternal  praise. 

But  these  experimental  preachers  of  glad  tidings  of  God's  truth  and 
kingdom  could  not  run  when  they  list,  or  pray  or  preach  when  they 
pleased,  but  as  Christ  their  Redeemer  prepared  and  moved  them  by  his 
own  blessed  Spirit,  for  which  they  waited  in  their  services  and  meetings, 
and  spoke  as  that  gave  them  utterance,  and  which  was  as  those  having 
authority,  and  not  like  the  dreaming,  dry,  and  formal  Pharisees.  And  so 
it  plainly  appeared  to  the  serious-minded,  whose  spiritual  eye  the  Lord 
Jesus  had  in  any  measure  opened ;  so  that  to  one  was  given  the  word  of 
exhortation,  to  another  the  word  of  reproof,  to  another  the  word  of  con- 
solation, and  all  by  the  same  Spirit  and  in  the  good  order  thereof,  to  the 
convincing  and  edifying  of  many. 

And  truly  they  waxed  strong  and  bold  through  faithfulness ;  and  by 
the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  became  very  fruitful ;  thousands, 
in  a  short  time,  being  turned  to  the  truth  through  their  testimony  in  minis- 
try and  sulfe rings,  insomuch  as  in  most  counties,  and  many  of  the  con- 
^siderable  towns  of  England,  meetings  were  settled,  and  daily  there  were 
added  such  as  should  be  saved.  For  they  were  diligent  to  plant  and  to 
M'ater,  and  the  Lord  blessed  their  labours  with  an  exceeding  great  in- 
crease, notwithstanding  all  the  opposition  made  to  their  blessed  progress, 
by  false  rumours,  calumnies,  and  bitter  persecutions  ;  not  only  from  the 
powers  of  the  earth,  but  from  every  one  that  listed  to  injure  and  abuse 
them :  so  that  they  seemed  indeed  to  be  as  poor  sheep  appointed  to  the 
slaughter,  and  as  a  people  killed  all  the  day  long. 

It  were  fitter  for  a  volume  than  a  preface,  but  so  much  as  to  repeat 
the  contents  of  their  cruel  sufferings  from  professors  as  well  as  from  pro- 
phane,  and  from  magistrates  as  well  as  the  rabble  ;  so  that  it  may  well 
be  said  of  this  abused  and  despised  people,  they  went  forth  weeping,  and 
sowed  in  tears,  bearing  testimony  to  the  precious  seed,  the  seed  of  the 


PREFACE.  XI 

kingdom,  which  stands  not  in  words,  the  finest,  the  highest  that  man's  wit  can 
use,  but  in  power;  tlie  power  of  Christ  Jesus,  to  whom  God  the  Father  hath 
given  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  that  he  might  rule  angels  above, 
and  m.en  below ;  who  impowered  them,  as  their  work  witnesseth,  by  the 
many  that  were  turned  through  their  ministry  from  darkness  to  the  light, 
and  out  of  the  broad  into  the  narrow  way,  bringing  people  to  a  weighty, 
serious,  and  godly  conversation  ;  the  practice  of  that  doctrine  which 
they  taught. 

And  as  without  this  secret  divine  power  there  is  no  quickening  and 
regenerating  of  dead  souls,  so  the  want  of  this  generating  and  begetting 
power  and  life  is  the  cause  of  the  little  fruit  that  the  many  ministers  that 
have  been,  and  are  in  the  world  bring  forth.  O  that  both  ministers  and 
people  were  sensible  of  this !  My  soul  is  often  troubled  for  them,  and  sor- 
row and  mourning  compass  me  about  for  their  sakes.  O  that  they  were 
wise  !  O  that  they  would  consider  and  lay  to  heart  the  things  that  truly 
and  substantially  make  for  their  lasting  peace ! 

Two  things  are  to  be  briefly  touched  upon,  the  doctrine  they  taught, 
and  the  example  they  led  among  all  people.  I  have  already  touched  upon 
their  fundamental  principle,  which  is  as  the  corner  stone  of  their  fabrick: 
and  to  speak  eminently  and  properly,  their  characteristick,  or  main  dis- 
tinguishing point  or  principle,  viz.  the  light  of  Christ  within,  as  God's  gift 
for  man's  salvation.  This,  I  say,  is  as  the  root  of  the  goodly  tree  of  doc- 
trines, that  grew  and  branched  out  from  it,  which  I  shall  now  mention  in 
their  natural  and  experimental  order. 

First,  repentance  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God.  Which 
comprehends  three  operations.  First,  A  sight  of  sin.  Secondly,  A  sense 
and  godly  sorrow  for  it.  Thirdly,  An  amendment  for  the  time  to  come. 
This  was  the  repentance  they  preached  and  pressed,  and  a  natural  result 
from  the  principle  they  turned  all  people  unto.  For  of  light  came 
sight ;  and  of  sight  came  sense  and  sorrow ;  and  of  sense  and  sorrow, 
came  amendment  of  life :  which  doctrine  of  repentance  leads  to  justifi- 
cation; that  is,  forgiveness  of  the  sins  that  are  past  through  Christ, 
the  alone  propitiation ;  and  the  sanctification  or  purgation  of  the  soul 
from  the  defihng  nature  and  habits  of  sin  present;  which  is  justifica- 
tion in  the  complete  sense  of  that  word ;  comprehending  both  justifica- 
tion from  the  guilt  of  the  sins  that  are  past,  as  if  they  had  never  been 
committed,  through  the  love  and  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus ;  and  the 
creature's  being  made  inwardly  just  through  the  cleansing  and  sanctifying 
power  and  Spirit  of  Christ  revealed  in  the  soul ;  which  is  commonly 
called  sanctification. 

From  hence  sprang  a  second  doctrine  they  were  led  to  declare,  as  the 
mark  of  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  all  true  Christians,  viz.  perfec- 
tion from  sin,  according  to  the  scriptures  of  truth,  which  testify  it  to  be 
the  end  of  Christ's  coming,  and  the  nature  of  his  kingdom,  and  for  which 
his  Spirit  was  given.  But  they  never  held  a  perfection  in  wisdom  and 
glory  in  this  life,  or  from  natural  infirmities  or  death,  as  some  have  with 
a  weak  or  ill  mind  imagined  and  insinuated  against  them. 

This  they  called  a  redeemed  state,  regeneration,  or  the  new  birth: 
teaching  everywhere  according  to  their  foundation,  that  without  this 
work  were  known,  there  was  no  inheriting  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Third,  to  an  acknowledgment  of  eternal  rewards  and  punishment,  as 
they  have  good  reason ;  for  else  of  all  people,  certainly  they  must  be  the 
most  miserable :  who  for  about  forty  years  have  been  exceeding  great 


Xil  PREFACE. 

sufferers  for  their  profession,  and  in  some  cases  treated  worse  than  the 
"worst  of  men,  yea  as  the  refuse  and  off-scouring  of  all  things. 

This  was  the  purport  of  their  doctrine  and  ministry ;  which,  for  the 
most  part,  is  what  other  professors  of  Christianity  pretend  to  hold  in 
words  and  forms,  but  not  in  the  power  of  godliness ;  that  has  been  long 
lost  by  men's  departing  from  that  principle  and  seed  of  life  that  is  in  man, 
and  which  man  has  not  regarded,  but  lost  the  sense  of,  and  in  and  by 
which  he  can  only  be  quickened  in  his  mind  to  serve  the  living  God  in 
newness  of  life.  For  as  the  life  of  religion  was  lost,  and  the  generality 
lived  and  worshipped  God  after  their  own  wills,  and  not  after  the  will  of 
God,  nor  tiie  mind  of  Christ,  which  stood  in  the  works  and  fruits  of  the 
Holy  Spirit ;  so  that  which  they  pressed  was  not  notion  but  experience, 
nor  formality  but  godliness  ;  as  being  sensible  in  themselves,  through  the 
work  of  God's  righteous  judgments,  that  without  holiness  no  man  should 
ever  see  the  Lord  with  comfort. 

Besides  these  doctrines,  and  out  of  them,  as  the  larger  branches,  there 
sprang  forth  several  particular  doctrines,  that  did  exemplify  and  further 
explain  the  truth  and  efhcacy  of  the  general  doctrine  before  observed  in 
their  Hves  and  examples.     As, 

I.  Communion  and  loving  one  another.  This  is  a  noted  mark  in  the 
mouth  of  all  sorts  of  people  concerning  them.  "  They  will  meet,  they 
will  help  and  stick  one  to  another."  Whence  it  is  common  to  hear  some 
say,  "  Look  how  the  Quakers  love  and  take  care  of  one  another." 
Others  less  moderate  will  say,  "  The  Quakers  love  none  but  themselves ;" 
and  if  loving  one  another,  and  having  an  intimate  communion  in  religion, 
and  constant  care  to  meet  to  worship  God  and  help  one  another,  be  any 
mark  of  primitive  Christianity,  they  had  it,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  in  an  am- 
ple manner. 

II.  To  love  enemies :  this  they  both  taught  and  practised :  for  they 
did  not  only  refuse  to  be  revenged  for  injuries  done  them,  and  con- 
demned it  as  of  an  unchristian  spirit,  but  they  did  freely  forgive,  yea  help 
and  relieve,  those  that  had  been  cruel  to  them,  when  it  was  in  their 
power  to  have  been  even  with  them  ;  of  which  many  and  singular  in- 
stances might  be  given :  endeavoring,  through  patience,  to  overcome  all 
injustice  and  oppression,  and  preaching  this  doctrine  as  christian  for 
others  to  follow. 

III.  The  sufficiency  of  truth-speaking,  according  to  Christ's  own  form 
of  words  of  yea,  yea,  and  nay,  nay,  among  christians,  without  swearing, 
both  from  Christ's  express  prohibition  to  "  swear  at  all,"  Mat.  v.  and 
for  that  they  being  under  the  tie  and  bond  of  truth  in  themselves,  there 
was  both  no  necessity  for  an  oath,  and  it  would  be  a  reproach  to  their 
christian  veracity  to  assure  their  truth  by  such  an  extraordinary  way 
of  speaking :  but  offering  at  the  same  time  to  be  punished  to  the  full  for 
false  speaking,  as  others  for  perjury,  if  ever  guilty  of  it;  and  hereby  they 
exclude,  with  all  true,  all  false  and  prophane  swearing ;  for  which  the 
land  did  and  doth  mourn,  and  the  great  God  was  and  is  not  a  little 
offended  with  it. 

IV.  Not  fighting  but  suffering  is  another  testimony  peculiar  to  this 
people  :  they  affirm  that  Christianity  teacheth  people  "  to  beat  their 
"  swords  into  plough-shares,  and  their  spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and  to 
"  learn  war  no  more,  that  so  the  wolf  may  lie  down  with  the  lamb,  and 
"  the  lion  with  the  calf,  and  nothing  that  destroys  be  entertained  in  the 
"  hearts  of  people  ;"  exhorting  them  to  employ  their  zeal  against  sin,  and 


PREFACE.  Xiii 

turn  their  anger  against  satan,  and  no  longer  war  one  against  another ; 
because  all  wars  and  fightings  come  of  men's  own  hearts'  lusts,  ac- 
cording to  the  apostle  James,  and  not  of  the  meek  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus, 
who  is  captain  of  another  warfare,  and  which  is  carried  on  with  other 
weapons.  Thus,  as  truth-speaking  succeeded  swearing,  so  faith  and 
truth  succeeded  fighting,  in  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  this  people.  Nor 
ought  they  for  this  to  be  obnoxious  to  civil  government,  since  if  they 
cannot  fight  for  it,  neither  can  they  fight  against  it ;  which  is  no  mean 
security  to  the  state:  nor  is  it  reasonable  that  people  should  be  blam_ed 
for  not  doing  more  for  others  than  they  can  do  for  themselves.  And 
Christianity  set  aside,  if  the  costs  and  fruits  of  war  were  well  considered, 
peace,  with  its  inconveniencies,  is  generally  preferable.  But  though  they 
were  not  for  fighting,  they  were  for  submitting  to  government ;  and  that 
not  only  for  fear,  but  for  conscience  sake,  where  government  doth  not 
interfere  with  conscience :  believing  it  to  be  an  ordinance  of  God,  and 
where  it  is  justly  administered,  a  great  benefit  to  mankind:  though  it  has 
been  their  lot,  through  blind  zeal  in  some,  and  interest  in  others,  to  have 
felt  the  strokes  of  it  with  greater  weight  and  rigour  than  any  other  per- 
suasion in  this  age ;  whilst  they,  of  all  others  (religion  set  aside)  have 
given  the  civil  magistrate  the  least  occasion  of  trouble  in  the  discharge 
of  his  office. 

V.  Another  part  of  the  character  of  this  people  is,  they  refuse  to  pay 
tythes,  or  maintenance  to  a  national  ministry,  and  that  for  two  reasons  ; 
the  one  is,  that  they  believe  all  compelled  maintenance,  even  to  gospel 
ministers,  to  be  unlawful,  because  expressly  contrary  to  Christ's  com- 
mand, who  said,  "  Freely  you  have  received,  freely  give :"  at  least,  that 
the  maintenance  of  gospel  ministers  should  be  free  and  not  forced.  The 
other  reason  of  their  refusal  is,  because  those  ministers  are  not  gospel 
ones,  in  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  not  their  foundation,  but  human  arts  and 
parts :  so  that  it  is  not  matter  of  humour  or  suUenness,  but  pure  con- 
science towards  God,  that  they  cannot  help  to  support  national  ministers 
where  they  dwell,  which  are  but  too  much  and  too  visibly  become  ways 
of  worldly  advantage  and  preferment. 

VI.  Not  to  respect  persons,  was  another  of  their  doctrines  and  prac- 
tices, for  which  they  were  often  buffeted  and  abused.  They  affirmed  it 
to  be  sinful  to  give  flattering  titles,  or  to  use  vain  gestures  and  compli- 
ments of  respect ;  though  to  virtue  and  authority  they  ever  made  a  dif- 
ference, but  after  their  plain  and  homely  manner,  yet  sincere  and  sub- 
stantial way ;  well  remembering  the  example  of  Mordecai  and  Elihu, 
but  more  especially  the  command  of  their  Lord  and  Master  Jesus  Christ, 
who  forbad  his  followers  to  call  men  Rabbi,  which  implies  Lord  and 
Master,  also  the  fashionable  greetings  and  salutations  of  those  times ;  that 
so  self-love  and  honour,  to  which  the  proud  mind  of  man  is  incident,  in 
his  fallen  estate,  might  not  be  indulged  but  rebuked. 

They  also  used  the  plain  language  of  Thou  and  Thee  to  a  single  person, 
whatever  was  his  degree  among  men.  And  indeed  the  wisdom  of  God 
was  much  seen,  in  bringing  forth  this  people  in  so  plain  an  appearance  ; 
for  it  was  a  close  and  distinguishing  test  upon  the  spirit  of  those  they 
came  among ;  shewing  their  insides  and  what  predominated,  notwith- 
standing their  high  and  great  profession  of  religion.  This,  among  the 
rest,  sounded  so  harsh  to  many  of  them,  and  they  took  it  so  ill,  that  they 
would  say,  "  Thou  me,  thou  my  dog :  if  thou  thouest  me,  I'll  thou  thy 
"  teeth  down  thy  throat,"  forgetting  the  language  they  use  to  God  in  their 


Xiv  PREFACE. 

own  prayers,  and  the  common  style  of  the  Scriptures,  and  that  it  is  an 
absolute  and  essential  propriety  of  speech :  and  what  good  had  their  re- 
ligion done  them,  who  were  so  sensibly  touch'd  with  indignation  for  the 
use  of  this  plain,  honest,  and  true  speech  1 

VII.  They  recommended  silence  by  their  example,  having  very  few 
words  upon  all  occasions :  they  were  at  a  word  in  dealing ;  nor  could 
their  customers'  many  words  tempt  them  from  it ;  having  more  regard 
for  truth  than  custom,  to  exa'mple  than  gain,  they  sought  solitude  ;  but 
when  in  company,  they  would  neither  use  nor  wiUingly  hear  unnecessary 
as  well  as  unlawful  discourses ;  whereby  they  preserved  their  minds 
pure  and  undisturbed  from  unprofitable  thoughts  and  diversions:  nor 
could  they  humour  the  custom  of  "  good  night,  good  morrow,  God 
"  speed ;"  for  they  knew  the  night  was  good,  and  the  day  was  good, 
without  wishing  of  either ;  and  that  in  the  other  expression,  the  holy 
name  of  God  was  too  lightly  and  unthinkingly  used,  and  therefore  taken 
in  vain.  Besides  they  were  words  and  wishes  of  course,  and  are  usually 
as  little  meant,  as  are  love  and  service  in  the  custom  of  cap  and  knee ; 
and  superfluity  in  those  as  well  as  in  other  things  was  burthensome  to 
them,  and  therefore  they  did  not  only  decline  to  use  them,  but  found 
themselves  often  prest  to  reprove  the  practice. 

For  the  same  reason  they  forbore  drinking  to  people,  or  pledging  of 
them,  as  the  manner  of  the  world  is :  a  practice  that  is  not  only  unne- 
cessary, but  they  thought  evil  in  the  tendencies  of  it ;  being  a  provoca- 
Mon  to  drinking  more  than  did  people  good,  as  well  as  that  it  was  in  itself 
vain  and  heathenish. 

VIII.  Their  way  of  marriage  is  peculiar  to  them,  and  is  a  distinguish- 
ing practice  from  all  other  societies  professing  Christianity.  They  say 
that  marriage  is  an  ordinance  of  God,  and  that  God  only  can  rightly  join 
man  and  woman  in  marriage.  Therefore  they  use  neither  priest  nor 
magistrate,  but  the  man  and  woman  concerned  take  each  other  as  hus- 
band and  wife  in  the  presence  of  divers  credible  witnesses,  "  promising 
"  unto  each  other,  -with  God's  assistance,  to  be  loving  and  faithful  in  that 
*'  relation  till  death  shall  separate  them."  But,  antecedent  to  all  this,  they 
first  present  themselves  to  the  monthly  meeting  for  the  affairs  of  the 
church  where  they  reside  ;  there  declaring  their  intentions  to  take  one 
another  as  man  and  wife,  if  the  said  meeting  have  nothing  material  to 
object  against  it.     They  are  constantly  asked  the  necessary  questions,  as 

n  case  of  parents  or  guardians,  if  they  have  acquainted  them  with  their 
intention,  and  have  their  consent,  &c.  The  method  of  the  meeting  is  to 
take  a  minute  thereof,  and  to  appoint  proper  persons  to  enquire  of  their 
conversation  and  clearness  from  all  others,  and  whether  they  have  dis- 
charged their  duty  to  their  parents  or  guardians,  and  make  report  thereof 
the  next  monthly  meeting  ;  where  the  same  parties  are  desired  to  give 
their  attendance.  In  case  it  appears  they  proceeded  orderly,  the  meet- 
ing passes  their  proposal,  and  so  records  it  in  their  meeting-book  ;  and  in 
case  the  woman  be  a  widow  and  hath  children,  due  care  is  there  taken, 
that  provision  also  be  made  by  her  for  the  orphans  before  the  said  mar- 
riage ;  advising  the  parties  concerned  to  appoint  a  convenient  time  and 
place,  and  to  give  fitting  notice  to  their  relations,  and  such  friends  and 
neighbours  as  they  desire  should  be  the  witnesses  of  their  marriage ; 
where  they  take  one  another  by  the  hand,  and  by  name  promising  reci- 
procally after  the  manner  before  expressed.  Of  all  which  proceedings  a 
narrative,  in  a  way  of  certificate,  is  made,  to  which  the  said  parties  first 


PREFACE.  XV 

set  their  hands,  thereby  making  it  their  act  and  deed ;  and  then  divers  of 
the  relations,  spectators,  and  auditors  set  their  names  as  witnesses  of 
what  they  said  and  signed.  Which  certificate  is  afterwards  registered 
in  the  recoi'd  belonging  to  the  meeting  where  the  marriage  is  solemnized. 
Which  regular  method  has  been,  as  it  deserves  adjudged  in  courts  of  law 
a  good  marriage,  where  it  has  been  disputed  and  contested  for  want  of 
the  accustomed  formality  of  priest  and  ring,  &c.  Which  ceremonies 
they  have  refused,  not  out  of  humour,  but  conscience  reasonably  ground- 
ed, inasmuch  as  no  scripture-example  tells  us,  that  the  priest  had  any 
other  part  of  old  time  than  that  of  a  witness  among  the  rest,  before  whom, 
the  Jews  used  to  take  one  another :  and  therefore  this  people  look  upon 
it  as  an  imposition  to  advance  the  power  and  profits  of  the  clergy.  And 
for  the  use  of  the  ring,  it  is  enough  to  say,  that  it  was  an  heathen  and 
vain  custom,  and  never  in  practice  among  the  people  of  God,  Jews  or 
primitive  Christians.  The  words  of  the  usual  form,  as  "  With  my  body 
I  thee  worship,"  &c.  are  hardly  defensible :  in  short,  they  are  more  care- 
ful, exact,  and  regular  than  any  form  now  used,  and  it  is  free  of  the  in- 
conveniencies  other  methods  are  attended  with.  Their  care  and  checks 
being  so  many,  and  such  as  no  clandestine  marriages  can  be  performed 
among  them. 

IX.  It  may  not  be  unfit  to  say  something  here  of  their  births  and  bu- 
rials, which  make  up  so  much  of  the  pomp  and  solemnity  of  too  many 
called  Christians.  For  births,  the  parents  name  their  own  children, 
which  is  usually  some  days  after  they  are  born,  in  the  presence  of  the 
midwife  (if  she  can  be  there)  and  those  that  were  at  the  birth,  &c.  who 
afterwards  sign  a  certificate,  for  that  purpose  prepared,  of  the  birth 
and  name  of  the  child  or  children,  which  is  recorded  in  a  proper  book, 
in  the  monthly  meeting,  to  which  the  parents  belong ;  avoiding  the  accus- 
tomed ceremonies  and  festivals. 

X.  Their  burials  are  performed  with  the  same  simplicity.  If  the  corpse 
of  the  deceased  be  near  any  public  meeting-place,  it  is  usually  carried 
thither,  for  the  more  convenient  reception  of  those  that  accompany  it  to 
the  ground  they  bury  in ;  and  it  so  falls  out  sometimes,  that  while  the 
meeting  is  gathering  for  the  burial,  some  or  other  have  a  word  of  ex- 
hortation, for  the  sake  of  the  people  there  met  together :  after  which  the 
body  is  borne  away  by  the  young  men,  or  those  that  are  of  their  neigh- 
borhood, or  that  were  most  of  the  intimacy  of  the  deceased  party :  the 
corpse  being  in  a  plain  coffin,  without  any  covering  or  furniture  upon  it. 
At  the  ground,  they  pause  some  time  before  they  put  the  body  into  its 
grave,  that  if  any  one  there  should  have  any  thing  upon  them  to  exhort 
the  people,  they  may  not  be  disappointed,  and  that  the  relations  may  the 
more  retiredly  and  solemnly  take  their  last  leave  of  the  corpse  of  their 
departed  kindred,  and  the  spectators  have  a  sense  of  mortality,  by  the 
occasion  then  given  them  to  reflect  upon  their  own  latter  end.  Other- 
wise, they  have  no  set  rites  or  ceremonies  on  those  occasions ;  neither 

^.do  the  kindred  of  the  deceased  ever  wear  mourning  ;  they  looking  upon 
it  as  a  worldly  ceremony,  and  piece  of  pomp;  and  that  what  mourning 
is  fit  for  a  christian  to  have  at  the  departure  of  a  beloved  relation  or 
friend,  should  be  worn  in  the  mind,  which  is  only  sensible  of  the  loss,  and 
the  love  they  had  to  them,  and  remembrance  of  them,  to  be  outwardly 
expressed  by  a  respect  to  their  advice,  and  care  of  those  they  have  left 
behind  them,  and  their  love  of  that  they  loved.  Which  conduct  of  theirs, 
tho'  unmodish  or  unfashionable,  leaves  nothing  of  the  substance  of  things 


Xvi  PREFACE. 

neglected  or  undone ;  and  as  they  aim  at  no  more,  so  that  simpUcity  of 
life  is  what  they  observe  with  great  satisfaction,  though  it  sometimes 
happens  not  to  be  without  the  mockeries  of  the  vain  world  they  live  in. 

These  things  gave  them  a  rough  and  disagreeable  appearance  with 
the  generality ;  who  thought  them  turners  of  the  world  upside-down,  as 
indeed  in  some  sense  they  were  ;  but  in  no  other  than  that  wherein  Paul 
was  so  charged,  viz.  to  bring  things  back  into  their  primitive  and  right 
order  again.  For  these  and  such  like  practices  of  theirs  were  not  the 
result  of  humour,  as  some  have  fancied,  but  a  fruit  of  inward  sense, 
which  God,  through  his  fear,  had  begotten  in  them.  They  did  not  con- 
sider how  to  contradict  the  world,  or  distinguish  themselves ;  being  none 
of  their  business,  as  it  was  not  their  interest,  no,  it  was  not  the  resuh  of 
their  consultation,  or  a  framed  design  to  declare  or  recommend  schism 
or  novelty.  But  God  having  given  them  a  sight  of  themselves,  they  saw 
the  whole  world  in  the  same  glass  of  truth  ;  and  sensibly  discerned  the 
affections  and  passions  of  men,  and  the  rise  and  tendency  of  things. 
What  gratified  "  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride 
"  of  life,  which  are  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the  world ;"  and  from  thence 
sprang  in  that  night  of  darkness  and  apostacy,  which  hath  been  over 
people,  through  their  degeneracy  from  the  light  and  Spirit  of  God,  these 
and  many  other  vain  customs ;  which  are  seen  by  the  heavenly  day  of 
Christ,  which  dawns  in  the  soul,  to  be,  either  wrong  in  their  original,  or, 
by  time  or  abuse,  hurtful  in  their  practice.  And  though  these  things 
seemed  trivial  to  some,  and  rendered  this  people  stingy  and  conceited  in 
such  persons'  opinions,  there  was  and  is  more  in  them  than  they  were 
aware  of.  It  was  not  very  easy  to  our  primitive  friends  to  make  them- 
selves sights  and  spectacles,  and  the  scorn  and  derision  of  the  world ; 
which  they  easily  foresaw  must  be  the  consequence  of  so  unfashionable 
a  conversation  in  it.  But  herein  was  the  wisdom  of  God  seen,  in  the 
foolishness  of  these  things.  First,  That  they  discovered  the  satisfaction 
and  concern  that  people  had  in  and  for  the  fashions  of  this  world,  not- 
withstanding their  pretences  to  another ;  in  that  any  disappointment 
about  them  came  so  very  near  them,  that  the  greatest  honesty,  virtue, 
wisdom,  and  ability,  were  unwelcome  without  them.  Secondly,  It  sea- 
sonably and  profitably  divided  conversation ;  for  making  their  society 
uneasy  to  their  relations  and  acquaintance,  it  gave  them  the  opportunity 
of  more  retirement  and  solitude,  wherein  they  met  with  better  company, 
even  the  Lord  God  their  Redeemer,  and  grew  strong  in  his  love,  power, 
and  wisdom,  and  were  thereby  better  qualified  for  his  service  ;  and  the 
success  abundantly  shewed  it ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

And  though  they  were  not  great  and  learned  in  the  esteem  of  this 
world  (for  then  they  had  not  wanted  followers  upon  their  own  credit 
and  authority)  yet  they  were  generally  of  the  most  sober  of  the  several 
persuasions  they  were*  in,  and  of  the  most  repute  for  religion ;  and  many 
of  them  of  good  capacity,  substance,  and  account  among  men. 

And  also  some  among  them  neither  wanted  for  parts,  learning  nor^ 
estate  ;  though  then,  as  of  old,  not  many  wise,  nor  noble,  &c.  were 
called,  or  at  least  received  the  heavenly  call;  because  of  the  cross  that 
attended  the  profession  of  it  in  sincerity :  but  neither  do  parts  or  learn- 
ing make  men  the  better  Christians,  though  the  better  orators  and  dis- 
putants ;  and  it  is  the  ignorance  of  people  about  the  divine  gift,  that 
causes  that  vulgar  and  mischievous  mistake.  Theory  and  practice,  ex- 
pression and  enjoyment,  words  and  life,  are  two  things.    Oh !  'tis  the 


PREFACE.  XVli 

penitent,  the  reformed,  the  lowly,  the  watchful,  the  self-denying  and  holy 
soul  that  is  the  Christian ;  and  that  frame  is  the  fruit  and  work  of  the 
Spirit,  which  is  the  life  of  Jesus ;  whose  life,  though  hid  in  God  the  Fa- 
ther, is  shed  abroad  in  the  hearts  of  them  that  truly  believe.  Oh  !  that 
people  did  but  know  this  to  cleanse  them,  to  circumcise  them,  to  quicken 
them,  and  to  make  them  new  creatures  indeed ;  re-created  or  regene- 
rated after  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works :  that  thej^  might  live  to  God, 
and  not  to  themselves ;  and  ofier  up  living  prayers,  and  living  praises, 
to  the  living  God,  through  his  own  living  Spirit,  in  which  he  is  only  to 
be  worshipped  in  this  gospel-day.  Oh !  that  they  that  read  me  could 
but  feel  me  ;  for  my  heart  is  affected  with  this  merciful  visitation  of  the 
Father  of  lights  and  spirits  to  this  poor  nation,  and  the  whole  world 
through  the  same  testimony.  Why  should  the  inhabitants  thereof  reject 
it  1  Why  should  they  lose  the  blessed  benefit  of  it  1  Why  should  they 
not  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all  their  hearts,  and  say  from  the  heart, 
"  Speak,  Lord,  for  now  thy  poor  servants  hear  ? "  Oh !  that  thy  will  may 
be  done,  thy  great,  thy  good  and  holy  will,  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven :  do 
it  in  us,  do  it  upon  us,  do  what  thou  wilt  with  us ;  for  we  are  thine,  and 
desire  to  glorify  thee  our  Creator,  both  for  that,  and  because  thou  art 
our  Redeemer,  for  thou  art  redeeming  us  from  the  earth,  from  the  vani- 
ties and  pollutions  of  it,  to  be  a  pecuhar  people  unto  thee.  Oh !  this 
were  a  brave  day  for  England,  if  so  she  could  say  in  truth.  But  alas, 
the  case  is  otherwise ;  for  which  some  of  thine  inhabitants,  O  land  of  my 
nativity !  have  mourned  over  thee  with  bitter  wailing  and  lamentation. 
Their  heads  have  been  indeed  as  waters,  and  their  eyes  as  fountains  of 
tears,  because  of  thy  transgression  and  stifirieckedness ;  because  thou 
wilt  not  hear,  and  fear,  and  return  to  the  Rock,  even  thy  Rock,  O  Eng- 
land !  from  whence  thou  wert  hewn.  But  be  thou  warned,  O  land  of 
great  possession,  to  receive  him  into  thy  heart !  Behold,  at  that  door  it 
is  he  hath  stood  so  long  knocking,  but  thou  wilt  yet  have  none  of  him. 
Oh !  be  thou  av/akened,  lest  Jerusalem's  judgments  do  swiftly  overtake 
thee,  because  of  Jerusalem's  sins  that  abound  in  thee.  For  she  abounded 
in  formality,  but  made  void  the  weighty  things  of  God's  law,  as  thou 
daily  dost. 

She  withstood  the  Son  of  God  in  the  flesh,  and  thou  resistest  the  Son 
of  God  in  the  Spirit.  He  would  have  gathered  her,  as  a  hen  gathereth 
her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  she  would  not !  so  would  he  have 
gathered  thee  out  of  thy  lifeless  profession,  and  have  brought  thee  to  in- 
herit substance,  to  have  known  his  power  and  kingdom,  for  which  he 
often  knocked  within,  by  his  Grace  and  Spirit,  and  without,  by  his  ser- 
vants and  witnesses ;  but  thou  wouldst  not  be  gathered :  but  on  the 
contrary,  as  Jerusalem  of  old  persecuted  the  manifestation  of  the  Son 
of  God  in  the  flesh,  and  crucified  him,  and  whipped  and  imprisoned  his 
servants,  so  hast  thou,  O  land,  crucified  to  thyself  afresh  the  Lord  of 
life  and  glory,  and  done  despite  to  his  Spirit  of  grace;  slighting  the 
fatherly  visitation,  and  persecuting  the  blessed  dispensers  of  it  by  thy 
laws  and  magistrates ;  though  they  have  early  and  late  pleaded  with 
thee  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  in  love  and  meekness,  that 
thou  mightest  know  the  Lord,  and  serve  him,  and  become  the  glory  of 
all  lands. 

But  thou  hast  evilly  entreated  and  requited  them.  Thou  hast  set  at 
nought  all  their  counsel,  and  wouldst  have  none  of  their  reproof,  as  thou 
shouldst  have  done.     Their  appearance  was  too  strait,  and  their  qualifi- 

C 


Xviii  PREFACE. 

cations  were  too  mean  for  thee  to  receive  them,  who,  like  the  Jews  of 
old,  that  cried,  "  Is  not  this  the  carpenter's  son  1  and  are  not  his  brethren 
"  among  us  1  M^hich  of  the  scribes,  of  the  learned  (the  orthodox)  be- 
*'  lieve  in  him  ?"  Prophesying  their  fall  in  a  year  or  two,  and  making  and 
executing  of  severe  laws  to  bring  it  to  pass,  by  endeavoring  to  terrify 
them  out  of  their  holy  way,  or  destroying  them  for  abiding  faithful  to  it. 
But  thou  hast  seen  how  many  governments  that  rose  against  them,  and 
determined  their  downfal,  have  been  overturned  and  extinguished,  and 
that  they  are  still  preserved,  and  become  a  great  and  considerable  peo- 
ple among  the  middle  sort  of  thy  numerous  inhabitants.  And  notwith- 
standing the  many  difficuhies,  without  and  within,  which  they  have 
labored  under,  since  the  Lord  God  Eternal  first  gathered  them,  they  are 
an  increasing  people,  the  Lord  still  adding  unto  them,  in  divers  parts, 
such  as  shall  be  saved,  if  they  persevere  to  the  end.  And  to  thee  were 
they  and  are  they  lifted  up  as  a  standard,  and  as  a  city  set  upon  a  hill, 
and  to  the  nations  round  about  thee,  that  in  their  light  thou  mayest  come 
to  see  light,  even  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  light  of  the  world ;  and  therefore 
thy  light  and  life  too,  if  thou  wouldst  but  turn  from  thy  many  evil  ways, 
and  receive  and  obey  it.  For  in  the  "  light  of  the  Lamb  must  the  na- 
"  tions  of  them  that  are  saved  walk,"  as  the  scriptures  testify. 

Remember,  O  nation  of  great  profession !  how  the  Lord  has  waited 
upon  thee  since  the  days  of  reformation,  and  the  many  mercies  and 
judgments  with  which  he  has  pleaded  with  thee;  and  awake  and  arise 
out  of  thy  deep  sleep,  and  yet  hear  his  word  in  thy  heart,  that  thou 
mayest  live. 

Let  not  this  thy  day  of  visitation  pass  over  thy  head,  nor  neglect  thou 
so  great  salvation  as  is  this  which  is  come  to  thy  house,  O  England ! 
For  why  shouldst  thou  die,  O  land  that  God  desires  to  bless  1  Be  assured 
it  is  he  that  has  been  in  the  midst  of  this  people,  in  the  midst  of  thee  ; 
and  no  delusion,  as  thy  mistaken  teachers  have  made  thee  believe.  And 
this  thou  shalt  find  by  their  marks  and  fruits,  if  thou  wilt  consider  them 
in  the  spirit  of  moderation.     For, 

I.  They  were  changed  men  themselves  before  they  went  about  to 
change  others.  Their  hearts  were  rent  as  well  as  their  garments 
changed,  and  they  knew  the  power  and  work  of  God  upon  them.  This 
■was  seen  by  the  great  alteration  it  made,-  and  their  stricter  course  of 
life,  and  more  godly  conversation,  that  immediately  followed  upon  it, 

II.  They  went  not  forth  or  preached  in  their  own  time  or  will,  but  in 
the  will  of  God,  and  spoke  not  their  own  studied  matter,  but  as  they 
were  opened  and  moved  of  his  Spirit,  with  which  they  were  well  ac- 
quainted in  their  own  conversion ;  which  cannot  he  expressed  to  carnal 
men  so  as  to  give  them  any  intelligible  account ;  for  to  such  it  is,  as 
Christ  said,  "like  the  blowing  of  the  wind,  which  no  man  knows 
"  whence  it  cometh,  or  whither  it  goeth :"  yet  this  proof  and  seal  went 
along  with  their  ministry,  that  many  were  turned  from  their  lifeless  pro- 
fessions and  the  evil  of  their  ways,  to  the  knowledge  of  God  and  an 
holy  life,  as  thousands  can  witness.  And  as  they  freely  received  what 
they  had  to  say  from  the  Lord,  so  they  freely  administered  it  to  others. 

III.  The  bent  and  stress  of  their  ministry  was  conversion  to  God,  re- 
generation, and  holiness ;  not  schemes  of  doctrines  and  verbal  creeds, 
or  new  forms  of  worship ;  but  a  leaving  off  in  religion  the  superfluous, 
and  reducing  the  ceremonious  and  formal  part,  and  pressing  earnestly 


PREFACE.  XIX 

the  substantial,  the  necessary  and  profitable  part ;  as  all  upon  a  serious 
reflection  must  and  do  acknowledge. 

IV.  They  directed  people  to  a  principle,  by  which  all  that  they  as- 
serted, preached,  and  exhorted  others  to,  might  be  wrought  in  them, 
and  known,  through  experience,  to  them  to  be  true ;  which  is  a  high  and 
distinguishing  mark  of  the  truth  of  their  ministry ;  both  that  they  knew 
what  they  said,  and  were  not  afraid  of  coming  to  the  test.  For  as  they 
were  bold  from  certainty,  so  they  required  conformity  upon  no  human 
authority,  but  upon  conviction,  and  the  conviction  of  this  principle, 
which  they  asserted  was  in  them  that  they  preached  unto,  and  unto  that 
directed  tihem,  that  they  might  examine  and  prove  the  reahty  of  those 
things  which  they  had  affirmed  of  it,  and  its  manifestation  and  work  in 
man.  And  this  is  more  than  the  many  ministries  in  the  world  pretend 
to.  They  declare  of  religion ;  say  many  things  true  in  words,  of  God, 
Christ,  and  the  Spirit ;  of  holiness  and  heaven ;  that  all  men  should  re- 
pent and  mend  their  lives,  or  they  will  go  to  hell,  &c.  but  which  of  them 
all  pretend  to  speak  of  their  own  knowledge  and  experience  ?  or  ever 
directed  men  to  a  divine  principle  or  agent,  placed  of  God  in  man,  to 
help  him  1  and  how  to  know  it,  and  wait  to  feel  its  power  to  work  that 
good  and  acceptable  will  of  God  in  them  ? 

Some  of  them  indeed  have  spoke  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  operations  of 
it  to  sanctification,  and  performance  of  worship  to  God ;  but  where  and 
how  to  find  it,  and  wait  in  it  to  perform,  was  yet  as  a  mystery  reserved 
for  this  further  degree  of  reformation.  So  that  this  people  did  not  only 
in  words  more  than  equally  press  repentance,  conversion,  and  holiness, 
but  did  it  knowingly  and  experimentally ;  and  directed  those  to  whom 
they  preached  to  a  sufficient  principle,  and  told  them  where  it  is,  and  by 
what  tokens  they  might  know  it,  and  which  way  they  might  experience 
the  power  and  efficacy  of  it  to  their  souls'  happiness :  which  is  more 
than  theory  and  speculations,  upon  which  most  other  ministries  depend ; 
for  here  is  certainly  a  bottom  upon  which  man  may  boldly  appear  be- 
fore God  in  the  great  day  of  account. 

V.  They  reached  to  the  inward  state  and  condition  of  people,  which 
is  an  evidence  of  the  virtue  of  their  principle,  and  of  their  ministring 
from  it,  and  not  their  own  imaginations,  glosses,  or  comments  upon 
scripture.  For  nothing  reaches  the  heart  but  what  is  from  the  heart,  or 
pierces  the  conscience  but  what  comes  from  a  hving  conscience ;  inso- 
much as  it  hath  often  happened,  where  people  have  under  secrecy  re- 
vealed their  state  or  condition  to  some  choice  friends  for  advice  or  ease, 
they  have  been  so  particularly  directed  in  the  ministry  of  this  people, 
that  they  have  challenged  their  friends  with  discovering  their  secrets, 
and  telling  the  preachers  their  cases ;  yea,  the  very  thoughts  and  pur- 
poses of  the  hearts  of  many  have  been  so  plainly  detected,  that  they 
have,  like  Nathaniel,  cried  out  of  this  inward  appearance  of  Christ, 
"  Thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  thou  art  the  king  of  Israel."  And  those  that 
have  embraced  this  divine  principle,  have  found  this  mark  of  its  truth 
and  divinity,  that  the  woman  of  Samaria  did  of  Christ  when  in  the  flesh, 
to  be  the  Messiah,  viz.  "  It  had  told  them  all  that  ever  they  did ;"  shewed 
them  their  insides,  the  most  inward  secrets  of  their  hearts,  and  laid  judg- 
ment to  the  line,  and  righteousness  to  the  plummet ;  of  which  thousands 
can  at  this  day  give  in  their  witness.  So  that  nothing  has  been  affirmed 
by  this  people  of  the  power  and  virtue  of  this  heavenly  principle,  that 
such  as  have  turned  to  it  have  not  found  true,  and  more ;  and  that  one 


XX  PREFACE. 

half  had  not  been  told  to  them  of  what  they  have  seen  of  the  power, 
purity,  wisdom,  mercy,  and  goodness  of  God  herein. 

VI.  The  accomplishments  with  which  this  principle  fitted  even  some 
of  the  meanest  of  this  people  for  their  work  and  service,  furnishing  some 
of  them  with  an  extraordinary  understanding  in  divine  things,  and  an 
admirable  fluency  and  taking  way  of  expression,  which  gave  occasion 
to  some  to  Avonder,  saying  of  them,  as  of  their  Master,  "  Is  not  this  such 
a  meclianick's  son  ?  hov/  came  he  by  this  learning  ?"  As  from  thence 
others  took  occasion  to  suspect  and  insinuate  they  were  Jesuits  in  dis- 
guise, who  have  had  the  reputation  of  learned  men  for  an  age  past, 
though  there  was  not  the  least  ground  of  truth  for  any  such  reflection. 

VII.  They  came  forth  low,  and  despised  and  hated,  as  the  primitive 
christians  did,  and  not  by  the  help  of  worldly  wisdom  or  power,  as 
former  reformations  in  part  have  done ;  but  in  all  things  it  may  be  said 
this  people  were  brought  forth  in  the  cross,  in  a  contradiction  to  the 
ways,  worship,  fashion,  and  customs  of  this  world,  yea  against  wind  and 
tide,  that  so  no  flesh  might  glory  before  God. 

They  could  have  no  design  to  themselves  in  this  work,  thus  to  expose 
themselves  to  scorn  and  abuse,  to  spend  and  be  spent ;  leaving  wife  and 
children,  house  and  land,  and  all  that  can  be  accounted  dear  to  men, 
with  their  hves  in  their  hands,  being  daily  in  jeopardy,  to  declare  this 
primitive  message,  1  John  i.  v.  revived  in  their  spirits  by  the  good  Spirit 
and  power  of  God ;  viz.  "  That  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is  no  darkness 
"  at  all ;  and  that  he  has  sent  his  Son  a  light  into  the  world  to  enlighten 
"  all  men  in  order  to  salvation ;  and  that  they  that  say  they  have  fellow- 
"  ship  with  God,  and  are  his  children  and  people,  and  yet  walk  in  dark- 
"  ness,  (viz.  in  disobedience  to  the  light  in  their  consciences,  and  after 
"  the  vanity  of  this  world)  they  lie  and  do  not  the  truth.  But  that  all 
"  such  as  love  the  light  and  bring  their  deeds  to  it,  and  walk  in  the  light, 
"  as  God  is  light,  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  son  should  cleanse  them 
"  from  all  sin." 

VIII.  Their  known  great  constancy  and  patience  in  suffering  for  their 
testimony,  in  all  the  branches  of  it,  and  that  sometimes  unto  death,  by 
beatings,  bruisings,  long  and  crowded  imprisonments,  and  noisome 
dungeons.  Four  of  them  in  New  England  dying  by  the  hands  of  the 
executioner,  purely  for  preaching  amongst  that  people ;  besides  banish- 
ments and  excessive  plunders  and  sequestrations  of  their  goods  and 
estates,  almost  in  all  parts,  not  easily  to  be  expressed,  and  less  to  be  en- 
dured, but  by  those  that  have  the  support  of  a  good  and  glorious  cause ; 
refusing  deliverance  by  any  indirect  ways  and  means,  as  often  as  it  was 
offered  to  them. 

IX.  That  they  did  not  only  not  shew  any  disposition  to  revenge,  when 
it  was  at  any  time  in  their  power,  but  forgave  their  cruel  enemies,  shew- 
ing mercy  to  those  that  had  none  for  them. 

X.  Their  plainness  with  those  in  authority,  not  unlike  the  ancient 
prophets ;  not  fearing  to  tell  them  to  their  faces  of  their  private  and 
publick  sins,  and  their  prophecies  to  them  of  their  afflictions  and  down- 
fal,  when  in  the  top  of  their  glory ;  also  of  some  national  judgments,  as 
of  the  plague  and  fire  of  London,  in  express  terms,  and  likewise  par- 
ticular ones  to  divers  persecutors,  which  accordingly  overtook  them, 
and  which  were  very  remarkable  in  the  places  whei'e  they  dwelt,  and 
in  time  they  may  be  made  publick  for  the  gloiy  of  God. 

Thus,  reader,  thou  seest  this  people  in  their  rise,  principles,  ministry, 


PREFACE.  XXI 

and  progress,  both  their  general  and  particular  testimony,  by  which  thou 
mayest  be  informed  how  and  upon  what  foot  they  sprung  and  became 
so  considerable  a  people.  It  remains  next  that  I  shew  also  their  care, 
conduct,  and  discipline,  as  a  christian  and  reformed  society,  that  they 
might  be  found  living  up  to  their  own  principles  and  profession ;  and  this 
the  rather,  because  they  have  hardly  suffered  more  in  their  character 
from  the  unjust  charge  of  error,  than  by  the  false  imputation  of  dis- 
order ;  which  calumny  indeed  has  not  failed  to  follow  all  the  true  steps 
that  w^ere  ever  made  to  reformation,  and  under  which  reproach  none 
suffered  more  than  the  primitive  christians  themselves,  that  were  the 
honor  of  Christianity,  and  the  great  lights  and  examples  of  their  own 
and  succeeding  ages. 

This  people  increasing  daily  both  in  town  and  country,  an  holy  care 
fell  upon  some  of  the  elders  among  them  for  the  benefit  and  service  of 
the  church.  And  the  first  business  in  their  view,  after  the  example  of 
the  primitive  saints,  was  the  exercise  of  charity,  to  supply  the  necessi- 
ties of  the  poor,  and  answer  the  like  occasions :  wherefore  collections 
were  early  and  liberally  made  for  that  and  divers  other  services  in  the 
church,  and  intrusted  with  faithful  men,  fearing  God,  and  of  good  re- 
port, who  were  not  weary  in  well-doing ;  adding  often  of  their  own  in 
large  proportions,  which  they  never  brought  to  account  or  desired  should 
be  known,  much  less  restored  to  them,  that  none  might  want,  nor  any 
service  be  retarded  or  disappointed. 

They  were  also  very  careful,  that  every  one  that  belonged  to  them 
answered  their  profession  in  their  behavior  among  men  upon  all  occa- 
sions ;  that  they  lived  peaceably,  and  were  in  all  things  good  examples. 
They  found  themselves  engaged  to  record  their  sufferings  and  services ; 
and  in  case  of  marriage,  which  they  could  not  perform  in  the  usual 
methods  of  the  nation,  but  among  themselves,  they  took  care  that  all 
things  were  clear  between  the  parties  and  all  others,  and  it  was  then 
rare  that  any  one  entertained  such  inclination  to  a  person  on  that  ac- 
count, till  he  or  she  had  communicated  it  secretly  to  some  very  weighty 
and  eminent  friends  among  them,  that  they  might  have  a  sense  of  the 
matter ;  looking  to  the  counsel  and  unity  of  their  brethren  as  of  great 
moment  to  them.  But  because  the  charge  of  the  poor,  the  number  of 
orphans,  marriages,  sufferings,  and  other  matters  multiplied,  and  that  it 
was  good  that  the  churches  were  in  some  way  and  method  of  proceed- 
ing in  such  affairs  among  them,  to  the  end  they  might  the  better  cor- 
respond upon  occasion,  where  a  member  of  one  meeting  might  have  to 
do  with  one  of  another ;  it  pleased  the  Lord  in  his  wisdom  and  goodness 
to  open  the  understanding  of  the  first  instrument  of  this  dispensation  of 
life,  about  a  good  and  orderly  way  of  proceeding ;  and  he  felt  an  holy 
concern  to  visit  the  churches  in  person  throughout  this  nation,  to  begin 
and  establish  it  among  them ;  and  by  his  epistles  the  like  was  done  in 
other  nations  and  provinces  abroad,  which  he  also  afterwards  visited 
and  helped  in  that  service,  as  shall  be  observed  when  I  come  to  speak 
of  him. 

Now  the  care,  conduct,  and  discipline,  I  have  been  speaking  of,  and 
which  is  now  practised  among  this  people,  is  as  followeth : 

This  godly  elder,  in  every  county  where  he  travelled,  exhorted  them, 
that  some  out  of  every  meeting  of  worship  should  meet  together  once  in 
the  month,  to  confer  about  the  wants  and  occasions  of  the  church :  and 
as  the  case  required,  so  those  monthly  meetings  were  fewer  or  more  in 


Xxii  PREFACE. 

number  in  every  respective  county ;  four  or  six  meetings  of  worship 
usually  making  one  monthly  meeting  of  business.  And  accordingly  the 
brethren  met  him  from  place  to  place,  and  began  the  said  meetings ;  viz. 
"  For  the  poor,  orphans,  orderly  walking,  integrity  to  their  profession, 
"  births,  marriages,  burials,  sulierings,  &c."  And  that  these  monthly 
meetings  should  in  each  county  make  up  one  quarterly  meeting,  where 
the  most  zealous  and  eminent  friends  of  the  county  shoiJd  assemble  to 
communicate,  advise,  and  help  one  another,  especially  when  any  busi- 
ness seemed  difficult,  or  a  monthly  meeting  was  tender  of  determining 
a  matter. 

Also  that  these  quarterly  meetings  should  digest  the  reports  of  the 
monthly  meetings,  and  prepare  one  for  the  county  against  the  yearly 
meeting,  in  which  the  quarterly  meetings  resolve,  which  is  held  yearly  in 
London,  where  the  churches  in  this  nation  and  other  nations  and  prov- 
inces meet,  by  chosen  members  of  their  respective  counties,  both  mutu- 
ally to  communicate  their  church-affairs,  and  to  advise  and  be  advised 
in  any  depending  case  to  edification ;  also  to  provide  a  requisite  stock 
for  the  discharge  of  general  expences  for  general  services  in  the  church, 
not  needful  to  be  here  particularized. 

At  these  meetings  any  of  the  members  of  the  churches  may  .come,  if 
they  please,  and  speak  their  minds  freely  in  the  fear  of  God  to  any  mat- 
ter ;  but  the  mind  of  each  meeting  therein  represented  is  chiefly  under- 
stood, as  to  particular  cases,  in  the  sense  delivered  by  the  persons  de- 
puted or  chosen  for  that  service. 

During  their  yearly  meeting,  to  which  their  other  meetings  refer  in 
their  order,  and  resolve  themselves,  care  is  taken  by  a  select  number, 
for  that  service  chosen  by  the  general  assembly,  to  draw  up  the  minutes 
of  the  said  meeting  upon  the  several  matters  that  have  been  under  con- 
sideration therein,  to  the  end  that  the  respective  quarterly  and  monthly 
meetings  may  be  informed  of  all  proceedings,  together  with  a  general 
exhortation  to  hohness,  unity  and  charity :  of  all  which  proceedings  in 
yearly,  quarterly,  and  monthly  meetings,  due  record  is  kept  by  some  one 
appointed  for  that  service,  or  that  hath  voluntarily  undertaken  it.  These 
meetings  are  opened  and  usually  concluded  in  their  solemn  waiting  upon 
God,  who  is  sometimes  graciously  pleased  to  answer  them  with  as  signal 
evidences  of  his  love  and  presence,  as  in  any  other  of  their  meetings  for 
worship. 

It  is  farther  to  be  noted,  that,  in  these  solemn  assemblies  for  the 
church's  service,  there  is  no  one  presides  among  them  after  the  manner 
of  the  assemblies  of  other  people,  Christ  only  being  their  president,  as  he 
is  pleased  to  appear  in  life  and  wisdom  in  any  one  or  more  of  them,  to 
whom,  whatever  be  their  capacity  or  degree,  the  rest  adhere  with  a  firm 
unity,  not  of  authority  but  conviction,  which  is  the  divine  authority  and 
way  of  Christ's  power  and  spirit  in  his  people ;  making  good  his  blessed 
promise,  "  That  he  would  be  in  the  midst  of  his,  where  and  whenever 
"  they  were  met  together  in  his  name,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  So 
be  it. 

Now  it  may  be  expected  I  should  here  set  down  what  sort  of  authority 
is  exercised  by  this  people  upon  such  members  of  their  society  as  cor- 
respond not  in  their  lives  with  their  profession,  and  that  are  refractory 
to  this  good  and  wholesome  order  settled  among  them ;  and  the  rather, 
because  they  have  not  wanted  their  reproach  and  suffering  from  some 
tongues  upon  this  occasion  in  a  plentiful  manner. 


PREFACE.  XXm 

The  power  they  exercise  is  such  as  Christ  has  given  to  his  own  peo- 
ple to  the  end  of  the  world  in  the  persons  of  his  disciples;  viz.  "  To 
oversee,  exhort,  reprove,"  and  after  long-suffering  and  waiting  upon  the 
disobedient  and  refractory,  "  to  disown  them  as  any  more  of  their  com- 
"  munion,  or  that  they  will  any  longer  stand  charged  in  the  sight  and 
"judgment  of  God  or  men  with  their  conversation  or  behaviour  as  one 
"  of  them  until  they  repent."  The  subject-matter  about  which  this 
authority,  in  any  of  the  foregoing  branches  of  it,  is  exercised,  is,  first, 
in  relation  to  common  and  general  practice :  and,  secondly,  about  those 
things  that  more  strictly  refer  to  their  own  character  and  profession, 
and  distinguish  them  from  all  other  professors  of  Christianity ;  avoiding 
two  extremes  upon  which  many  split,  viz.  persecution  and  libertinism. 
A  coercive  power  to  whip  people  into  the  temple ;  that  such  as  will  not 
conform,  though  against  faith  and  conscience,  shall  be  punished  in  their 
persons  and  estates ;  or  leaving  all  loose  and  at  large  as  to  practice,  un- 
accountable to  all  but  God  and  the  magistrate.  To  which  hurtful  ex- 
treme nothing  has  more  contributed,  than  the  abuse  of  church-power  by 
such  as  suffer  their  passions  and  private  interests  to  prevail  with  them  to 
carry  it  to  outward  force  and  corporal  punishment ;  a  practice  they  have 
been  taught  to  dislike  by  their  extreme  sufferings,  as  well  as  their  known 
principle  for  an  universal  liberty  of  conscience. 

On  the  other  hand  they  equally  dislike  an  independency  in  society ;  an 
unaccountableness  in  practice  and  conversation  to  the  terms  of  their 
own  communion,  and  to  those  that  are  the  members  of  it.  They  distin- 
guish between  imposing  any  practice  that  immediately  regards  faith  or 
worship  (which  is  never  to  be  done,  nor  suffered,  or  submitted  unto)  and 
requiring  christian  compHance  with  those  methods  that  only  respect 
church-business  in  its  more  civil  part  and  concern,  and  that  regard  the 
discreet  and  orderly  maintenance  of  the  character  of  the  society,  as  a 
sober  and  religious  community.  In  short,  what  is  for  the  promotion  of 
holiness  and  charity,  that  men  may  practice  what  they  profess,  live  up 
to  their  own  principles,  and  not  be  at  liberty  to  give  the  lie  to  their  own 
profession  without  rebuke.  They  compel  none  to  them,  but  oblige  those 
that  are  of  them  to  walk  suitably,  or  they  are  denied  by  them :  that  is 
all  the  mark  they  set  upon  them,  and  the  power  they  exercise,  or  judge 
a  christian  society  can  exercise  upon  those  that  are  the  members  of  it. 

The  way  of  their  proceedings  against  such  as  have  lapsed  or  trans- 
gressed is  this.  He  is  visited  by  some  of  them,  and  the  matter  of  fact 
laid  home  to  him,  be  it  any  evil  practice  against  known  and  general 
virtue,  or  any  branch  of  their  particular  testimony,  which  he,  in  com- 
mon, professeth  with  them.  They  labour  with  him  in  much  love  and  zeal 
for  the  good  of  his  soul,  the  honour  of  God,  and  reputation  of  their  pro- 
fession, to  own  his  fault,  and  condemn  it,  in  as  ample  a  manner  as  the 
evil  or  scandal  was  given  by  him ;  which  for  the  most  part,  is  performed 
by  some  written  testimony  under  the  party's  hand :  and  if  it  so  happen 
that  the  party  prove  refractory,  and  is  not  willing  to  clear  the  truth  they 
profess  from  the  reproach  of  his  or  her  evil-doing  or  unfaithfulness,  they, 
after  repeated  intreaties,  and  due  waiting  for  a  token  of  repentance,  give 
forth  a  paper  to  disown  such  a  fact,  and  the  party  offending ;  recording 
the  same  as  a  testimony  of  their  care  for  the  honour  of  the  truth  they 
profess. 

And  if  he  or  she  shall  clear  their  profession  and  themselves,  by  sin- 
cere acknowledgement  of  their  fault,  and  godly  sorrow  for  so  doing, 


XXIV  PREFACE. 

they  are  received,  and  looked  upon  again  as  members  of  their  com- 
munion. For  as  God,  so  his  true  people  upbraid  no  man  after  repent- 
ance. 

This  is  the  account  I  had  to  give  of  the  people  of  God  called  Quakers, 
as  to  their  rise,  appearance,  principles,  and  practices  in  this  age  of  the 
world,  both  w^ith  respect  to  their  faith  and  worship,  discipline  and  con- 
versation. And  I  judge  it  very  proper  in  this  place,  because  it  is  to  pre- 
face the  journal  of  the  first  blessed  and  glorious  instrument  of  this  work, 
and  for  a  testimony  to  him  in  his  singular  qualifications  and  services,  in 
which  he  abundantly  excelled  in  this  his  day,  and  are  worthy  to  be  set 
forth  as  an  example  to  all  succeeding  times,  to  the  glory  of  the  Most 
High  God,  and  for  a  just  memorial  to  that  worthy  and  excellent  man, 
his  faithful  servant  and  apostle  to  this  generation  of  the  world. 

I  am  now  come  to  the  third  head  or  branch  of  my  preface,  viz.  the 
instrumental  author.  For  it  is  natural  for  some  to  say.  Well,  here  is  the 
people  and  work,  but  where  and  who  was  the  man,  the  instrument ;  he 
that  in  this  age  was  sent  to  begin  this  work  and  people  ?  I  shall,  as  God 
shall  enable  me,  declare  who  and  what  he  was,  not  only  by  report  of 
others,  but  from  my  own  long  and  most  inward  converse  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  him ;  for  which  my  soul  blesseth  God,  as  it  has  often  done ; 
and  I  doubt  not,  but  by  that  time  I  have  discharged  myself  of  this  part 
of  my  preface,  my  serious  readers  will  believe  I  had  good  caiise  so  to  do. 

The  blessed  instrument  of  and  in  this  day  of  God,  and  of  whom  I  am 
now  about  to  write,  was  George  Fox,  distinguished  from  another  of  that 
name,  by  that  other's  addition  of  younger  to  his  name  in  all  his  writings ; 
not  that  he  was  so  in  years,  but  that  he  was  so  in  the  truth ;  but  he  was 
also  a  worthy  man,  witness  and  servant  of  God  in  his  time. 

But  this  George  Fox  was  boiai  in  Leicestershire,  about  the  year  1624. 
He  descended  of  honest  and  sufficient  parents,  who  endeavoured  to  bring 
him  up,  as  they  did  the  rest  of  their  children,  in  the  way  and  worship  of 
the  nation;  especially  his  mother,  who  was  a  woman  accomplished 
above  most  of  her  degree  in  the  place  where  she  lived.  But  from  a 
child  he  appeared  of  another  frame  of  mind  than  the  rest  of  his  breth- 
ren ;  being  more  religious,  inward,  still,  solid,  and  observing,  beyond  his 
years,  as  the  answers  he  would  give,  and  the  questions  he  would  put 
upon  occasion  manifested,  to  the  astonishment  of  those  that  heard  him, 
especially  in  divine  things. 

His  mother  taking  notice  of  his  singular  temper,  and  the  gravity,  wis- 
dom, and  piety  that  very  early  shone  through  him,  refusing  childish  and 
vain  sports  and  company  when  very  young,  she  was  tender  and  indul- 
gent over  him,  so  that  from  her  he  met  with  little  difliculty.  As  to  liis 
employment,  he  was  brought  up  in  country  business ;  and  as  he  took 
most  delight  in  sheep,  so  he  was  very  skilful  in  them ;  an  employment 
that  very  well  suited  his  mind  in  several  respects,  both  for  its  innocency 
and  solitude ;  and  was  a  just  figure  of  his  after  ministry  and  service. 

I  shall  not  break  in  upon  his  own  account,  which  is  by  much  the  best 
that  can  be  given ;  and  therefore  desire,  what  I  can,  to  avoid  saying  any 
thing  of  what  is  said  already,  as  to  the  particular  passages  of  his  coming 
forth ;  but,  in  general,  when  he  was  somewhat  above  twenty,  he  left  his 
friends,  and  visited  the  most  retired  and  religious  people,  and  some  there 
were  at  that  time  in  this  nation,  especially  in  those  parts,  who  waited  for 
the  consolation  of  Israel  night  and  day,  as  Zacharias,  Anna,  and  good 
old  Simeon  did  of  old  time.     To  these  he  was  sent,  and  these  he  sought 


PREFACE.  XXV 

out  in  the  neighbouring  countries,  and  among  them  he  sojourned  till  his 
more  ample  ministry  came  upon  him. 

At  this  time  he  taught  and  was  an  example  of  silence,  endeavouring 
to  bring  people  from  self-performances,  testifying  and  turning  to  the  light 
of  Christ  within  them,  and  encouraging  them  to  wait  in  patience  to  feel 
the  power  of  it  to  stir  in  their  hearts,  that  their  knowledge  and  worship 
of  God  might  stand  in  the  power  of  an  endless  life,  which  was  to  be 
found  in  the  light,  as  it  was  obeyed  in  the  manifestation  of  it  in  man. 
"  For  in  the  Word  was  life,  and  that  life  was  the  light  of  men."  Life  in 
the  Word,  light  in  men,  and  life  too,  as  the  light  is  obeyed ;  the  children 
of  the  light  living  by  the  life  of  the  Word,  by  which  the  Word  begets 
them  again  to  God,  which  is  the  regeneration  and  new  birth,  without 
which  there  is  no  coming  unto  the  kingdom  of  God ;  and  which,  who- 
ever comes  to,  is  greater  than  John,  that  is,  than  John's  ministry,  which 
was  not  that  of  the  kingdom,  but  the  consummation  of  the  legal,  and 
opening  of  the  gospel-dispensation.  Accordingly,  several  meetings  were 
gathered  in  those  parts ;  and  thus  his  time  was  employed  for  some  years. 

In  1652,  he  being  in  his  usual  retirement  to  the  Lord  upon  a  very  high 
mountain,  in  some  of  the  hither  parts  of  Yorkshire,  as  I  take  it,  his  mind 
exercised  towards  the  Lord,  he  had  a  vision  of  the  great  work  of  God 
in  the  earth,  and  of  the  way  that  he  was  to  go  forth  to  begin  it.  He  saw 
people  as  thick  as  motes  in  the  sun,  that  should  in  time  be  brought  home 
to  the  Lord,  that  there  might  be  but  one  Shepherd  and  one  sheepfold  in 
all  the  earth.  There  his  eye  was  directed  northward,  beholding  a  great 
people  that  should  receive  him  and  his  message  in  those  parts.  Upon 
this  mountain  he  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  sound  out  his  great  and 
notable  day,  as  if  he  had  been  in  a  great  auditory,  and  from  thence  went 
north,  as  the  Lord  had  shewn  him  :  and  in  every  place  where  he  came, 
if  not  before  he  came  to  it,  he  had  his  particular  exercise  and  service 
shewn  to  him,  so  that  the  Lord  was  his  leader  indeed ;  for  it  was  not  in 
vain  that  he  travelled,  God  in  most  places  sealing  his  commission  with 
the  convincement  of  some  of  all  sorts,  as  well  publicans  as  sober  pro- 
fessors of  religion.  Some  of  the  first  and  most  eminent  of  them,  which 
are  at  rest,  were  Richard  Farnsworth,  James  Nayler,  William  Dews- 
berry,  Francis  Howgil,  Edward  Burrough,  John  Camm,  John  Audland, 
Richard  Hubberthorn,  T.  Taylor,  John  Aldam,  T.  Holmes,  Alexander 
Parker,  William  Simpson,  William  Caton,  John  Stubbs,  Robert  Widders, 
John  Burnyeat,  Robert  Lodge,  Thomas  Salthouse,  and  many  more  wor- 
thies, that  cannot  be  well  here  named,  together  wath  divers  yet  living  of  the 
first  and  great  convincement,  who  after  the  knowledge  of  God's  purging 
judgments  in  themselves,  and  some  time  of  waiting  in  silence  upon  him, 
to  feel  and  receive  power  from  on  high  to  speak  in  his  name  (which 
none  else  rightly  can,  though  they  may  use  the  same  words,)  felt  the 
divine  motions,  and  were  frequently  drawn  forth,  especially  to  visit  the 
publick  assemblies,  to  reprove,  inform,  and  exhort  them,  sometimes  in 
markets,  fairs,  streets,  and  by  the  highway  side,  calling  people  to  repent- 
ance, and  to  turn  to  the  Lord  with  their  hearts  as  well  as  their  mouths ; 
directing  them  to  the  light  of  Christ  within  them,  to  see  and  examine  and 
consider  their  ways  by,  and  to  eschew  the  evil  and  do  the  .good  and  ac- 
ceptable will  of  God.  And  they  suffered  great  hardships  for  this  their 
love  and  good-will,  being  often  stocked,  stoned,  beaten,  whipped,  and 
imprisoned,  though  honest  men  and  of  good  report  where  they  lived, 
that  had  left  wives  and  children,  and  houses  and  lands,  to  visit  them  with 

D 


XXVI  PREFACE. 

a  living  call  to  repentance.  And  though  the  priests  generally  set  them- 
selves to  oppose  them,  and  write  against  them,  and  insinuated  most  false 
and  scandalous  stories  to  defame  them,  stirring  up  the  magistrates  to 
suppress  them,  especially  in  those  northern  parts,  yet  God  was  pleased 
so  to  fill  them  with  his  living  power,  and  give  them  such  an  open  door 
of  utterance  in  his  service,  that  there  was  a  mighty  convincement  over 
those  parts. 

And  through  the  tender  and  singular  indulgence  of  Judge  Bradshaw 
and  Judge  Fell,  in  the  infancy  of  things,  the  priests  were  never  able  to 
gain  the  point  they  laboured  for,  which  was  to  have  proceeded  to  blood, 
and  if  possible,  Herod-like,  by  a  cruel  exercise  of  the  civil  power,  to 
have  cut  them  off  and  rooted  them  out  of  the  country.  Especially  Judge 
Fell,  who  was  not  only  a  check  to  their  rage  in  the  course  of  legal  pro* 
ceedings,  but  otherwise  upon  occasion,  and  finally  countenanced  this 
people ;  for  his  wife  receiving  the  truth  with  the  first,  it  had  that  influ- 
ence upon  his  spirit,  being  a  just  and  wise  man,  and  seeing  in  his  own 
wife 'and  family  a  full  confutation  of  all  the  popular  clamours  against  the 
way  of  truth,  that  he  covered  them  what  he  could,  and  freely  opened 
his  doors,  and  gave  up  his  house  to  his  wife  and  her  friends,  not  valuing 
the  reproach  of  ignorant  or  evil-minded  people,  which  I  here  mention  to 
his  and  her  honour,  and  which  will  be  I  believe  an  honour  and  a  blessing 
to  such  of  their  name  and  family  as  shall  be  found  in  that  tenderness, 
humility,  love,  and  zeal  for  the  truth  and  people  of  the  Lord. 

That  house  was  for  some  years  at  first,  till  the  truth  had  opened  its 
way  in  the  southern  parts  of  this  island,  an  eminent  receptacle  of  this 
people.  Others  of  good  note  and  substance  in  those  northern  countries 
had  also  opened  their  houses  with  their  hearts  to  the  many  publishers, 
that  in  a  short  time  the  Lord  had  raised  to  declare  his  salvation  to  the 
people,  and  where  meetings  of  the  Lord's  messengers  were  frequently 
held,  to  communicate  their  services  and  exercises,  and  comfort  and  edify 
one  another  in  their  blessed  ministry. 

But  lest  this  may  be  thought  a  digression,  having  touched  upon  this 
before,  I  return  to  this  excellent  man:  and  for  his  personal  qualities, 
both  natural,  moral,  and  divine,  as  they  appeared  in  his  converse  with 
his  brethren  and  in  the  church  of  God,  take  as  follows. 

I.  He  was  a  man  that  God  endowed  with  a  clear  and  wonderful 
depth,  a  discerner  of  others'  spirits,  and  very  much  a  master  of  his  own. 
And  though  the  side  of  his  understanding  which  lay  next  to  the  world, 
and  especially  the  expression  of  it,  might  sound  uncouth  and  unfashiona- 
ble to  nice  ears,  his  matter  was  nevertheless  very  profound,  and  would 
not  only  bear  to  be  often  considered,  but  the  more  it  was  so,  the  more 
weighty  and  instructing  it  appeared.  And  as  abruptly  and  brokenly  as 
sometimes  his  sentences  would  fall  from  him  about  divine  things,  it  is 
well  known  they  were  often  as  texts  to  many  fairer  declarations.  And 
indeed  it  shewed  beyond  all  contradiction  that  God  sent  him,  that  no  arts 
or  parts  had  any  share  in  the  matter  or  manner  of  his  ministry,  and  that 
so  many  great,  excellent,  and  necessary  truths  as  he  came  forth  to 
preach  to  mankind,  had  therefore  nothing  of  man's  wit  or  wisdom  to  re- 
commend them.  So  that  as  to  man  he  was  an  original,  being  no  man's 
copy.  And  his  ministry  and  writings  shew  they  are  from  one  that  was 
not  taught  of  man,  nor  had  learned  what  he  said  by  study.  Nor  were 
they  notional  or  speculative,  but  sensible  and  practical  truths,  tending  to 
conversion  and  regeneration,  and  the  setting  up  the  kmgdom  of  God  in 


PREFACE.  XXvii 

the  hearts  of  men,  and  the  way  of  it  was  his  work.  So  that  I  have 
many  times  been  overcome  in  myself,  and  been  made  to  say  with  my 
Lord  and  Master  upon  the  Uke  occasion,  "  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord 
"  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and 
"prudent  of  this  world,  and  revealed  them  to  babes;"  for  many  times 
hath  my  soul  bowed  in  an  humble  thankfulness  to  the  Lord,  that  he  did 
not  choose  any  of  the  wise  and  learned  of  this  world  to  be  the  first  mes- 
senger in  our  age  of  his  blessed  truth  to  men ;  but  that  he  took  one  that 
was  not  of  high  degree,  or  elegant  speech,  or  learned  after  the  way  of 
this  world,  that  his  message  and  work  he  sent  him  to  do  might  come 
with  less  suspicion  or  jealousy  of  human  wisdom  and  interest,  and  with 
more  force  and  clearness  upon  the  consciences  of  those  that  sincerely 
sought  the  way  of  truth  in  the  love  of  it.  I  say,  beholding  with  the  eye 
of  my  mind,  which  the  God  of  heaven  had  opened  in  me,  the  marks  of 
God's  finger  and  hand  visibly  in  this  testimony  from  the  clearness  of  the 
principle,  the  power  and  efficacy  of  it  in  the  exemplary  sobriety,  plain- 
ness, zeal,  steadiness,  humility,  gravity,  punctuality,  charity,  and  circum- 
spect care  in  the  government  of  church-affairs,  which  shined  in  his  and 
their  life  and  testimony  that  God  employed  in  this  work,  it  greatly  con- 
firmed me  that  it  was  of  God,  and  engaged  my  soul  in  a  deep  love,  fear, 
reverence,  and  thankfulness  for  his  love  and  mercy  therein  to  mankind ; 
in  which  mind  I  remain,  and  shall,  I  hope,  to  the  end  of  my  days. 

II.  In  his  testimony  or  ministry  he  much  laboured  to  open  truth  to  the 
people's  understandings,  and  to  bottom  them  upon  the  principle  and 
principal,  Christ  Jesus,  the  light  of  the  world,  that  by  bringing  them  to 
something  that  was  of  God  in  themselves,  they  might  the  better  know 
and  judge  of  him  and  themselves. 

He  had  an  extraordinary  gift  in  opening  the  scriptures.  He  would  go 
to  the  marrow  of  things,  and  shew  the  mind,  harmony,  and  fulfilling  of 
them  with  much  plainness,  and  to  great  comfort  and  edification. 

The  mystery  of  the  first  and  second  Adam,  of  the  fall  and  restora- 
tion, of  the  law  and  gospel,  of  shadows  and  substance,  of  the  servant 
and  son's  state,  and  the  fulfilling  of  the  scriptures  in  Christ,  and  by  Christ 
the  true  light,  in  all  that  are  his,  through  the  obedience  of  faith,  were 
much  of  the  substance  and  drift  of  his  testimonies.  In  all  which  he  was 
witnessed  to  be  of  God,  being  sensibly  felt  to  speak  that  which  he  had 
received  of  Christ,  and  was  his  own  experience  in  that  which  never  errs 
nor  fails. 

But  above  all  he  excelled  in  prayer.  The  inwardness  and  weight  of 
his  spirit,  the  reverence  and  solemnity  of  his  address  and  behaviour,  and 
the  fewness  and  fullness  of  his  words,  have  often  struck  even  strangers 
with  admiration,  as  they  used  to  reach  others  with  consolation.  The 
most  awful,  living,  reverent  frame  I  ever  felt  or  beheld,  I  must  say,  was 
his  in  prayer.  And  truly  it  was  a  testimony  he  knew,  and  lived  nearer 
to  the  Lord  than  other  men ;  for  they  that  know  him  most  will  see  most 
reason  to  approach  him  with  reverence  and  fear. 

He  was  of  an  innocent  life,  no  busy-body,  nor  self-seeker,  neither 
touchy  nor  critical :  what  fell  from  him  was  very  inofl^ensive,  if  not  very 
edifying.  So  meek,  contented,  modest,  easy,  steady,  tender,  it  was  a 
pleasure  to  be  in  his  company.  He  exercised  no  authority  but  over  evil, 
and  that  every-where  and  in  all ;  but  with  love,  compassion,  and  long- 
suffering.  A  most  merciful  man,  as  ready  to  forgive  as  unapt  to  take  or 
give  an  offence.   Thousands  can  truly  say,  he  was  of  an  excellent  spirit 


XXVIU  PREFACE. 

and  savour  among  them,  and  because  thereof  the  most  excellent  spirits 
loved  lum  with  an  unfeigned  and  unfading  love. 

He  was  an  incessant  labourer ;  for  in  his  younger  time,  before  his 
many  great  and  deep  suflerings  and  travels  had  enfeebled  his  body  for 
itinerant  services,  he  laboured  much  in  the  word  and  doctrine  and  dis- 
cipline in  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  turning  many  to  God,  and 
confirming  those  that  were  convinced  of  the  truth,  and  settling  good  or- 
der as  to  church-affairs  among  them.  And  towards  the  conclusion  of 
his  travelling  services,  between  the  years  seventy-one  and  seventy-seven, 
he  visited  the  churches  of  Christ  in  the  plantations  in  America,  and  in 
the  United  Provinces,  and  Germany,  as  his  following  Journal  relates,  to 
the  convincement  and  consolation  of  many.  After  that  time  he  chiefly 
resided  in  and  about  the  city  of  London,  and  besides  the  services  of  his 
ministry,  which  were  frequent,  he  wrote  much  both  to  them  that  are 
within  and  those  that  are  without  the  communion.  But  the  care  he  took 
of  tlie  aflairs  of  the  church  in  general  was  very  great. 

He  was  often  where  the  records  of  the  affairs  of  the  church  are  kept, 
and  the  letters  from  the  many  meetings  of  God's  people  over  all  the 
world,  where  settled,  come  upon  occasions ;  which  letters  he  had  read 
to  him,  and  communicated  them  to  the  meeting  that  is  weekly  held  there 
for  such  services ;  he  would  be  sure  to  stir  them  up  to  discharge  them, 
especially  in  suffering  cases :  showing  great  sympathy  and  compassion 
upon  all  such  occasions,  carefully  looking  into  the  respective  cases,  and 
endeavouring  speedy  relief  according  to  the  nature  of  them ;  so  that  the 
churches  and  any  of  the  suffering  members  thereof  were  sure  not  to  be 
forgotten  or  delayed  in  their  desires  if  he  were  there. 

As  he  was  unwearied,  so  he  was  undaunted  in  his  services  for  God 
and  his  people  ;  he  was  no  more  to  be  moved  to  fear  than  to  wrath.  His 
behaviour  at  Derby,  Litchfield,  Appleby,  before  Oliver  Cromwell  at  Lan- 
ceston,  Scarborough,  Worcester,  and  Westminster-hall,  with  many 
other  places  and  exercises,  did  abundantly  evidence  it  to  his  enemies  as 
well  as  his  friends. 

But  as  in  the  primitive  times  some  rose  up  against  the  blessed  apostles 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  even  from  among  those  that  they  had  turned 
to  the  hope  of  the  gospel,  and  who  became  their  greatest  trouble,  so  this 
man  of  God  had  his  share  of  suffering  from  some  that  were  convinced 
by  him,  w^ho  through  prejudice  or  mistake  ran  against  him  as  one  that 
sought  dominion  over  conscience ;  because  he  pressed,  by  his  presence 
or  epistles,  a  ready  and  zealous  compliance  with  such  good  and  whole- 
some things  as  tended  to  an  orderly  conversation  about  the  aflairs  of  the 
church,  and  in  their  walking  before  men.  That  which  contributed  much 
to  this  ill  work,  was  in  some  a  begrudging  of  this  meek  man  the  love 
and  esteem  he  had  and  deserved  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  weak- 
ness in  others  that  were  taken  with  their  groundless  suggestions  of  im- 
position and  blind  obedience. 

They  would  have  had  every  man  independent,  that  as  he  had  the 
principle  in  himself,  he  should  only  stand  and  fall  to  that  and  nobody 
else ;  not  considering  that  the  principle  is  one  in  all,  and  though  the 
measure  of  light  or  grace  might  difl'er,  yet  the  nature  of  it  was  the 
same,  and  being  so  they  struck  at  the  spiritual  unity,  which  a  people 
guided  by  tiie  same  principle  are  naturally  led  into:  so  that  what  is  evil 
to  one  is  so  to  all,  and  what  is  virtuous,  honest,  and  of  good  report  to 
one,  is  so  to  all,  from  the  sense  and  savour  of  the  one  universal  principle 


PREFACE.  Xxix 

which  is  common  to  all,  and  (which  the  disaffected  profess  to  be)  the 
root  of  all  true  christian  fellowship,  and  that  spirit  into  which  the  people 
of  God  drink,  and  come  to  be  spiritually  minded,  and  of  one  heart  and 
one  soul. 

Some  weakly  mistook  good  order  in  the  government  of  church- affairs 
for  discipline  in  worship,  and  that  it  was  so  pressed  or  recommended  by 
him  and  other  brethren :  and  they  were  ready  to  reflect  the  same  things 
that  dissenters  had  very  reasonably  objected  upon  the  national  churches, 
that  have  coercively  pressed  conformity  to  their  respective  creeds  and 
worships :  whereas  these  things  related  wholly  to  conversation,  and  the 
outward  and  (as  I  may  say)  civil  part  of  the  church,  that  men  should 
walk  up  to  the  principles  of  their  belief,  and  not  be  wanting  in  care  and 
charity.  But  though  some  have  stumbled  and  fallen  through  mistakes  and 
an  unreasonable  obstinacy,  even  to  a  prejudice,  yet  blessed  be  God,  the 
generality  have  returned  to  their  first  love,  and  seen  the  work  of  the 
enemy,  that  loses  no  opportunity  or  advantage  by  which  he  may  check 
or  hinder  the  work  of  God,  and  disquiet  the  peace  of  his  church,  and 
chill  the  love  of  his  people  to  the  truth,  and  one  to  another ;  and  there  is 
hope  of  divers  that  are  yet  at  a  distance. 

In  all  these  occasions,  though  there  was  no  person  the  discontented 
struck  so  sharply  at  as  this  good  man,  he  bore  all  their  weakness  and 
prejudice,  and  returned  not  reflection  for  reflection ;  but  forgave  them 
their  weak  and  bitter  speeches,  praying  for  them  that  they  might  have  a^ 
sense  of  their  hurt,  and  see  the  subtilty  of  the  enemy  to  rend  and  divide, 
and  return  into  their  first  love  that  thought  no  ill. 

And  truly,  I  must  say,  that  though  God  had  visibly  cloathed  him  with 
a  divine  preference  and  authority,  and  indeed  his  very  presence  ex- 
pressed a  religious  majesty,  yet  he  never  abused  it,  but  held  his  place 
in  the  church  of  God  with  great  meekness,  and  a  most  engaging  humility 
and  moderation.  For  upon  all  occasions,  like  his  blessed  Master,  he  was 
a  servant  to  all,  holding  and  exercising  his  eldership  in  the  invisible 
power  that  had  gathered  them,  with  reverence  to  the  head  and  care  over 
the  body,  and  was  received  only  in  that  spirit  and  power  of  Christ,  as 
the  first  and  chief  elder  in  this  age ;  who  as  he  was  therefore  worthy  of 
double  honour,  so  for  the  same  reason  it  was  given  by  the  faithful  of  this 
day ;  because  his  authority  was  inward  and  not  outward,  and  that  he 
got  it  and  kept  it  by  the  love  of  God  and  power  of  an  endless  life.  I 
write  my  knowledge  and  not  report,  and  my  witness  is  true,  having  been 
with  him  for  weeks  and  months  together  on  divers  occasions,  and  those 
of  the  neai-est  and  most  exercising  nature,  and  that  by  night  and  by  day, 
by  sea  and  by  land,  in  this  and  in  foreign  countries :  and  I  can  say  I 
never  saw  him  out  of  his  place,  or  not  a  match  for  every  service  or 
occasion. 

For  in  all  things  he  acquitted  himself  like  a  man,  yea  a  strong  man,  a 
new  and  heavenly-minded  man.  A  divine,  and  a  naturalist,  and  all  of 
God  Almighty's  making.  I  have  been  surprised  at  his  questions  and 
answers  in  natural  things,  that  whilst  he  was  ignorant  of  useless  and 
sophistical  science,  he  had  in  him  the  foundation  of  useful  and  com- 
mendable knowledge,  and  cherished  it  every-where.  Civil  beyond  all 
forms  of  breeding  in  his  behaviour;  very  temperate,  eating  little  and 
sleeping  less,  though  a  bulky  person. 

Thus  he  lived  and  sojourned  among  us,  and  as  he  lived  so  he  died,  feeling 
the  same  eternal  power  that  had  raised  and  preserved  him  in  his  last 


XXX  PREFACE. 

moments.  So  full  of  assurance  was  he  that  he  triumphed  over  death ;  and 
so  even  to  the  last,  as  if  death  were  hardly  worth  notice  or  a  mention : 
recommending  to  some  with  him  the  dispatch  and  dispersion  of  an 
epistle,  just  before  written  to  the  churches  of  Christ,  throughout  the 
world,  and  his  own  books;  but  above  all,  friends,  and  of  all  friends  those 
in  Ireland  and  America,  twice  over :  saying,  Mind  poor  friends  in  Ire- 
land and  America. 

And  to  some  that  came  in  and  inquired  how  he  found  himself,  he  an- 
swered, "  Never  heed,  the  Lord's  power  is  over  all  weakness  and  death, 
"  the  Seed  reigns,  blessed  be  the  Lord :"  which  was  about  four  or  five 
hours  before  his  departure  out  of  this  world.  He  was  at  the  great  meet- 
ing near  Lombard-street  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  it  was  the 
third  following  about  ten  at  night  when  he  left  us,  being  at  the  house  of 
H.  Goldney  in  the  same  court.  In  a  good  old  age  he  went,  after  having 
lived  to  see  his  children's  children  to  several  generations  in  the  truth.  He 
had  the  comfort  of  a  short  illness,  and  the  blessing  of  a  clear  sense  to  the 
last ;  and  we  may  truly  say  with  a  man  of  God  of  old,  that  "  being  dead, 
he  yet  speaketh ;"  and  though  absent  in  body,  he  is  present  in  Spirit ; 
neither  time  nor  place  being  able  to  interrupt  the  communion  of  saints, 
or  dissolve  the  fellowship  of  the  spirits  of  the  just.  His  works  praise 
him,  because  they  are  to  the  praise  of  him  that  worked  by  him ;  for 
which  his  memorial  is  and  shall  be  blessed.  I  have  done,  as  to  this  part 
of  my  preface,  when  I  have  left  this  short  epitaph  to  his  name  :  "  Many 
"  sons  have  done  virtuously  in  this  day,  but,  dear  George,  thou  excellest 
"  them  all." 

And  now.  Friends,  you  that  profess  to  walk  in  the  way  this  blessed 
man  was  sent  of  God  to  turn  us  into,  suffer  I  beseech  you  the  word  of 
exhortation,  as  well  fathers  as  children,  and  elders  as  young  men.  The 
glory  of  this  day,  and  foundation  of  the  hope  that  has  not  made  us 
ashamed  since  we  were  a  people,  you  know  is  that  blessed  principle  of 
light  and  life  of  Christ,  which  we  profess,  and  direct  all  people  to,  as  the 
great  instrument  and  agent  of  man's  conversion  to  God ;  it  was  by  this 
we  were  first  touched,  and  effectually  enlightened,  as  to  our  inward 
state ;  which  put  us  upon  the  consideration  of  our  latter  end,  causing  us 
to  set  the  Lord  before  our  eyes,  and  to  number  our  days,  that  we  might 
apply  our  hearts  to  wisdom.  In  that  day  we  judged  not  after  the  sight 
of  the  eye,  or  after  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  according  to  the  light 
and  sense  this  blessed  principle  gave  us ;  we  judged  and  acted  in  I'efer- 
ence  to  things  and  persons,  ourselves  and  others,  yea,  towards  God 
our  Maker.  For  being  quickened  by  it  in  our  inward  man,  we  could 
easily  discern  the  difference  of  things,  and  feel  what  was  right,  and 
what  was  wrong,  and  what  was  fit,  and  what  not,  both  in  reference  to 
religion  and  civil  concerns.  That  being  the  ground  of  the  fellowship  of 
all  saints,  it  was  in  that  our  fellowship  stood.  In  this  we  desired  to  have  a 
sense  one  of  another,  acted  towards  one  another  and  all  men  in  love, 
faithfulness,  and  fear. 

In  the  feeling  of  the  motions  of  this  principle  we  drew  near  to  the 
Lord,  and  waited  to  be  prepared  by  it,  that  we  might  feel  those  drawings 
and  movings,  before  we  approached  the  Lord  in  prayer,  or  opened  our 
mouths  in  ministry.  And  in  our  beginning  and  ending  with  this,  stood 
our  comfort,  service,  and  edification.  And  as  we  ran  faster,  or  fell  short, 
we  made  burthens  for  ourselves  to  bear;  our  services  finding  in  our- 
selves a  rebuke,  instead  of  an  acceptance ;  and  in  lieu  of  "  Well  done,' 


PREFACE.  XXXI 

«  Who  hath  required  this  at  your  hands  ? "  In  that  day  we  were  an  ex- 
ercised people,  our  very  countenances  and  deportment  declared  it. 

Care  for  others  was  then  much  upon  us,  as  well  as  for  ourselves, 
especially  the  young  convinced.  Often  had  we  the  burthen  of  the  word 
of  the  Lord  to  our  neighbors,  relations,  acquaintance,  and  sometimes 
strangers  also :  we  were  in  travail  for  one  another's  preservation ;  not 
seeking,  but  shunning  occasions  of  any  coldness  or  misunderstanding, 
treating  one  another  as  those  that  believed  and  felt  God  present ;  which 
kept  our  conversation  innocent,  serious,  and  weighty,  guarding  ourselves 
against  the  cares  and  friendships  of  the  world.  We  held  the  truth  in 
the  Spirit  of  it,  and  not  in  our  own  spirits,  or  after  our  own  will  and  affec- 
tions. They  were  bowed  and  brought  into  subjection,  insomuch  that  it  was 
visible  to  them  that  knew  us,  we  did  not  think  ourselves  at  our  own  disposal, 
to  go  where  we  list,  or  say  or  do  what  we  list,  or  when  we  list.  Our  lib- 
erty stood  in  the  liberty  of  the  Spirit  of  truth ;  and  no  pleasure,  no  profit, 
no  fear,  no  favour  could  draw  us  from  this  retired,  strict,  and  watchful 
frame.  We  were  so  far  from  seeking  occasions  of  company,  that  we 
avoided  them  what  we  could,  pursuing  our  own  business  with  modera- 
tion, instead  of  meddling  with  other  people's  unnecessarily. 

Our  words  were  few  and  savoury,  our  looks  composed  and  weighty, 
and  our  whole  deportment  very  observable.  True  it  is,  that  this  retired 
and  strict  sort  of  life  from  the  liberty  of  the  conversation  of  the  world, 
exposed  us  to  the  censures  of  many,  as  humourists,  conceited,  and  self- 
righteous  persons,  &c.  But  it  was  our  preservation  from  many  snares, 
to  which  others  were  continually  exposed  by  the  prevalency  of  the  lust 
of  the  eye,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  pride  of  life,  that  wanted  no  oc- 
casions or  temptations  to  excite  them  abroad  in  the  converse  of  the 
world. 

I  cannot  forget  the  humility  and  chaste  zeal  of  that  day.  O  how 
constant  at  meetings,  how  retired  in  them,  how  firm  to  truth's  life,  as 
well  as  truth's  principles,  and  how  entire  and  united  in  our  communion, 
as  indeed  became  those  that  profess  one  head,  even  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord ! 

This  being  the  testimony  and  example  the  man  of  God  before-men- 
tioned was  sent  to  declare  and  leave  amongst  us,  and  we  having  em- 
braced the  same  as  the  merciful  visitation  of  God  to  us,  the  word  of  ex- 
hortation at  this  time  is,  that  we  continue  to  be  found  in  the  way  of  this 
testimony  with  all  zeal  and  integrity,  and  so  much  the  more  by  how 
much  the  day  draweth  near. 

And  first,  as  to  you,  my  beloved  and  much  honoured  brethren  in  Christ 
that  are  in  the  exercise  of  the  ministry ;  O  feel  life  in  the  ministry !  Let 
life  be  your  commission,  your  well-spring  and  treasury  in  all  such  occa- 
sions; else  you  well  know  there  can  be  no  begetting  to  God,  since 
nothing  can  quicken  or  make  people  alive  to  God,  but  the  life  of  God : 
and  it  must  be  a  ministry  in  and  from  life  that  enlivens  any  people  to 
God.  We  have  seen  the  fruit  of  all  other  ministries  by  the  few  that  are 
turned  from  the  evil  of  their  ways.  It  is  not  our  parts  or  memory,  the 
repetition  of  former  openings  in  our  own  will  and  time,  that  will  do  God's 
work.  A  dry  doctrinal  ministry,  however  sound  in  words,  can  reach 
but  the  ear,  and  is  but  a  dream  at  the  best :  there  is  another  soundness, 
that  is  soundest  of  all,  viz.  Christ  the  power  of  God.  This  is  the  key  of 
David,  that  opens,  and  none  shuts ;  and  shuts,  and  none  can  open ;  as 
the  oil  to  the  lamp  and  the  soul  to  the  body,  so  is  that  to  the  best  of 


XXxii  PREFACE. 

words.  Which  made  Christ  to  say,  "  My  words  they  are  spirit,  and 
"  they  are  Hfe ;"  that  is,  they  are  from  Ufe,  and  therefore  they  make  you 
aUve  that  receive  them.  If  the  disciples,  that  had  Hved  with  Jesus, 
were  to  stay  at  Jerusalem  till  they  received  it ;  so  must  we  wait  to  re- 
ceive before  we  minister,  if  we  will  turn  people  from  darkness  to  light,, 
and  from  Satan's  power  to  God. 

I  fervently  bow  my  knees  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  you  may  always  be  like-minded,  that  you  may  ever  wait 
reverently  for  the  coming  and  opening  of  the  word  of  life,  and  attend 
upon  it  in  your  ministry  and  service,  that  you  may  serve  God  in  his 
Spirit.  And  be  it  little,  or  be  it  much,  it  is  well ;  for  much  is  not  too 
much,  and  the  least  is  enough,  if  from  the  motion  of  God's  spirit ;  and 
without  it,  verily,  never  so  little  is  too  much,  because  to  no  profit. 

For  it  is  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  immediately,  or  through  the  ministry 
of  his  servants,  that  teacheth  his  people  to  profit ;  and  to  be  sure,  so 
far  as  we  take  him  along  with  us  in  our  services,  so  far  are  we  profita- 
ble, and  no  farther.  For  if  it  be  the  Lord  that  must  work  all  things  in 
us,  and  for  ourselves,  much  more  is  it  the  Lord  that  must  work  in  us  for 
the  conversion  of  others.  If  therefore  it  was  once  a  cross  to  us  to 
speak,  though  the  Lord  required  it  at  our  hands,  let  it  never  be  so  to  be 
silent,  when  he  does  not. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  dreadful  sayings  in  the  revelations,  That  he  that 
adds  to  the  words  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book,  God  will  add  the 
plagues  written  in  this  book.  To  keep  back  the  counsel  of  God,  is  as 
terrible ;  for  he  that  takes  away  from  the  words  of  the  prophecy  of  this 
book,  God  shall  take  away  his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life.  And  truly 
it  has  great  caution  in  it  to  those  that  use  the  name  of  the  Lord,  to  be 
well  assured  the  Lord  speaks,  that  they  may  not  be  found  of  the  number 
of  those  that  add  to  the  words  of  the  testimony  of  prophecy  which  the 
Lord  giveth  them  to  bear  ;  nor  yet  to  mince  or  diminish  the  same,  both 
being  so  very  offensive  to  God. 

Wherefore,  brethren,  let  us  be.  careful  neither  to  out-go  our  guide,  nor 
j^et  loiter  behind  him ;  since  he  that  makes  haste  may  miss  his  way,  and 
he  that  stays  behind  lose  his  guide :  for  even  those  that  have  received 
the  word  of  the  Lord  had  need  wait  for  wisdom,  that  they  may  see 
how  to  divide  the  word  aright ;  which  plainly  implieth,  that  it  is  possible 
for  one  that  hath  received  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  miss  in  the  division 
and  application  of  it,  which  must  come  from  an  impatiency  of  spirit, 
and  a  self-working ;  which  makes  an  unsound  and  dangerous  mixture, 
and  will  hardly  beget  a  right-minded  living  people  to  God. 

I  am  earnest  in  this,  above  all  other  considerations,  as  to  publick 
brethren,  well  knowing  how  much  it  concerns  the  present  and  future 
state  and  preservation  of  the  church  of  Christ  Jesus,  that  has  been 
gathered  and  built  up  by  a  living  and  powerful  ministry,  that  the  minis- 
try be  held,  preserved,  and  continued  in  the  manifestations,  motions,  and 
supplies  of  the  same  life  and  power  from  time  to  time. 

And  where-ever  it  is  observed  that  any  one  does  minister  more  from 
gifts  and  parts  than  life  and  power,  though  they  have  an  enlightened 
and  doctrinal  understanding,  let  them  in  time  be  advised  and  admonished 
for  their  preservation;  because  insensibly  such  will  come  to  depend 
upon  self-sufficiency,  to  forsake  Christ  the  living  fountain,  and  to  hew 
out  unto  themselves  cisterns  that  will  hold  no  living  waters,  and  by  de- 
grees draw  others  from  waiting  upon  the  gift  of  God  in  themselves,  and 


PREFACE.  XXXlll 

to  feel  it  in  others,  in  order  to  their  strength  and  refreshment,  to  wait 
upon  them,  and  to  turn  from  God  to  man  again,  and  so  to  make  ship- 
wreck of  the  faith  once  deUvered  to  the  Saints,  and  of  a  good  con- 
science towards  God ;  which  are  only  kept  by  that  divine  gift  of  Hfe 
that  begat  the  one  and  weakened  and  sanctified  the  other  in  the  beginning. 
Nor  is  it  enough  that  we  have  known  the  divine  gift,  and  in  it  have 
reached  to  the  spirits  in  prison,  and  been  the  instruments  of  the  convinc- 
ing of  others  of  the  way  of  God,  if  we  keep  not  as  low  and  poor  in  our- 
selves, and  as  depending  upon  the  Lord  as  ever ;  since  no  memory,  no 
repetitions  of  former  openings,  revelations,  or  enjoyments  will  bring  a 
soul  to  God,  or  aflbrd  bread  to  the  hungry,  or  water  to  the  thirsty,  un- 
less life  go  with  what  we  say,  and  that  must  be  waited  for. 

0  that  we  may  have  no  other  fountain,  treasury,  or  dependance !  that 
none  may  presume  at  any  rate  to  act  of  themselves  for  God ;  because 
they  have  long  acted  from  God  ;  that  we  may  not  supply  want  of  wait- 
ing with  our  own  wisdom,  or  think  that  we  may  take  less  care  and  more 
liberty  in  speaking  than  formerly ;  and  that  M'here  we  do  not  feel  the 
Lord  by  his  power  to  open  us  and  enlarge  us,  whatever  be  the  expecta- 
tion of  the  people  or  has  been  our  customary  supply  and  character,  we 
may  not  exceed  or  fill  up  the  time  with  our  own. 

1  hope  we  shall  ever  remember  who  it  was  that  said,  "  Of  yourselves 
ye  can  do  nothing ;"  our  sufficiency  is  in  Him :  and  if  we  are  not  to 
speak  our  own  words,  or  take  thought  what  we  should  say  to  men  in 
our  defence  when  exposed  for  our  testimony,  surely  we  ought  to  speak 
none  of  our  own  words,  or  take  thought  M'hat  we  shall  say  in  our  testi- 
mony and  ministry  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  to  the  souls  of  the  people ; 
for  then  of  all  times,  and  of  all  other  occasions,  should  it  be  fulfilled  in 
us ;  "  for  it  is  not  you  that  speak,  but  the  Spirit  of  my  Father  that 
"  speaketh  in  you." 

And  indeed  the  ministry  of  the  Spirit  must  and  does  keep  its  analogy 
and  agreement  with  the  birth  of  the  Spirit ;  that  as  no  man  can  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God  unless  he  be  born  of  the  Spirit,  so  no  ministry  can 
beget  a  soul  to  God,  but  that  which  is  from  the  Spirit,  For  this,  as  I 
said  before,  the  disciples  waited  before  they  went  forth,  and  in  this  our 
elder  brethren,  and  messengers  of  God  in  our  day,  waited,  visited,  and 
reached  to  us.  And  having  begun  in  the  Spirit,  let  none  ever  hope  or 
seek  to  be  made  perfect  in  the  flesh ;  for  what  is  the  flesh  to  the  spirit, 
or  the  chafl^  to  the  wheat  1  And  if  we  keep  in  the  spirit,  we  shall  keep  in 
the  unity  of  it,  which  is  the  ground  of  true  fellowship.  For  by  drinking 
into  that  one  Spirit,  we  are  made  one  people  to  God,  and  by  it  we  are 
continued  in  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  the  bond  of  peace.  No  envying, 
no  bitterness,  no  strife  can  have  place  with  us.  We  shall  watch  always 
for  good,  and  not  for  evil  over  one  another,  and  rejoice  exceedingly, 
and  not  begrudge  at  one  another's  increase  in  the  riches  of  the  grace 
with  which  God  replenisheth  his  faithful  servants. 

And,  brethren,  as  to  you  is  committed  the  dipensation  of  the  oracles 
of  God,  which  give  you  frequent  opportunities  and  great  place  with  the 
people  among  whom  you  travel,  I  beseech  you  that  you  would  not  think 
it  sufficient  to  declare  the  word  of  hfe  in  their  assembhes,  however  edi- 
fying and  comfortable  such  opportunities  may  be  to  you  and  them ;  but 
as  was  the  practice  of  the  man  of  God  before-mentioned  in  great  mea- 
sure, when  among  us,  inquire  the  state  of  the  several  churches  you  visit, 
who  among  them  are  afflicted  or  sick,  who  are  tempted,  if  any  are  un- 

E 


XXXIV  PREFACE. 

faithful  or  obstinate,  and  endeavour  to  issue  those  things  in  the  wisdom 
and  power  of  God,  which  will  be  a  glorious  crown  upon  your  minidtry. 
As  that  prepares  your  way  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  receive  you  as 
men  of  God,  so  it  gives  you  credit  with  them  to  do  them  good  by  your 
advice  in  other  respects.  The  afflicted  will  be  comforted  by  you,  the 
tempted  strengthened,  the  sick  refreshed,  the  unfaithful  convicted  and 
restored,  and  such  as  are  obstinate  softened  and  fitted  for  reconciliation, 
which  is  clenching  the  nail,  and  applying  and  fastening  the  general  tes- 
timony by  that  particular  care  of  the  several  branches  of  it,  in  refoence 
to  them  more  immediately  concerned  in  it. 

For  though  good  and  wise  men  and  elders  too  may  reside  in  such 
places,  who  are  of  worth  and  importance  in  the  general  and  in  t»ther 
places,  yet  it  does  not  always  follow  that  they  may  have  the  room  they 
deserve  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  they  live  among,  or  some  parti<i',ular 
occasion  may  make  it  unfit  for  him  or  them  to  use  that  authority ;  but 
you  that  travel  as  God's  messengers,  if  they  receive  you  in  the  greater, 
shall  they  refuse  you  in  the  less  1  And  if  they  own  the  general  testimony, 
can  they  withstand  the  particular  application  of  it  in  their  own  cases  ? 
Thus  ye  will  show  yourselves  workmen  indeed,  and  carry  your  busmess 
before  you  to  the  praise  of  his  name  that  hath  called  you  from  darkness 
to  light,  that  you  might  turn  others  from  Satan's  power  unto  God  and 
his  kingdom  which  is  within.  And  oh  !  that  there  were  more  of  such 
faithful  labourers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord !  never  more  need  since 
the  day  of  God  ! 

Wherefore  I  cannot  but  cry  and  call  aloud  to  you,  that  have  been 
long  professors  of  the  truth,  and  know  the  truth  in  the  convincing  power 
of  it,  and  have  had  a  sober  conversation  among  men,  yet  content  your- 
selves only  to  know  truth  for  yourselves ;  to  go  to  meetings,  and  exer- 
cise an  ordinary  charity  in  the  church  and  an  honest  behaviour  in  the 
world,  and  limit  yourselves  within  those  bounds,  feeling  little  or  no  con- 
cern upon  your  spirits  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  in  the  prosperity  of  his 
truth  in  the  earth,  more  than  to  be  glad  that  others  succeed  in  such  ser- 
»vice ;  arise  ye  in  the  name  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus !  behold  how 
M^hite  the  fields  are  unto  harvest  in  this  and  other  nations,  and  how  few 
able  and  faithful  labourers  there  are  to  work  therein  !  your  country 
folks,  neighbours,  and  kindred  want  to  know  the  Lord  and  his  truth,  and 
to  walk  in  it.  Does  nothing  lie  at  your  door  upon  their  account  1  Search 
and  see,  and  lose  no  time,  I  beseech  you,  for  the  Lord  is  at  hand.  I  do 
not  judge  you ;  there  is  one  that  judgeth  all  men,  and  his  judgment  is 
true ;  you  have  mightily  increased  in  your  outward  substance,  may  you 
equally  increase  in  your  inward  riches,  and  do  good  with  both  while 
you  have  a  day  to  do  good.  Your  enemies  would  once  have  taken 
what  you  had  from  you  for  his  name's  sake  in  whom  you  have  believed, 
wherefore  he  has  given  you  much  of  the  world  in  the  face  of  your  ene- 
mies. But  oh !  let  it  be  your  servant  and  not  your  master,  your  diver- 
sion rather  than  your  business  !  let  the  Lord  be  chiefly  in  your  eye,  and 
ponder  your  ways,  and  see  if  God  has  nothing  more  for  you  to  do ;  and 
if  you  find  yourselves  short  in  your  account  with  him,  then  wait  for  his 
preparation,  and  be  ready  to  receive  the  word  of  command,  and  be  not 
weary  of  well-doing  when  you  have  put  your  hand  to  the  plough;  and 
assuredly  you  shall  reap,  if  you  faint  not,  the  fruit  of  your  heavenly  la- 
bour in  God's  everlasting  kingdom. 

And  you,  young  convinced  ones,  be  you  intreated  and  exhorted  to  a 


PREFACE.  XXXV 

diligent  and  chaste  waiting  upon  God  in  the  way  of  his  blessed  manifes- 
tation and  appearance  of  himself  to  you.  Look  not  out  but  within ;  let 
not  another's  liberty  be  your  snare :  neither  act  by  imitation,  but  sense 
and  feeling  of  God's  power  in  yourselves :  crush  not  the  tender  buddings 
of  it  in  your  souls,  nor  over-run  in  your  desires  and  your  warmness  of 
afi'ections  the  holy  and  gentle  motions  of  it.  Remember  it  is  a  still  voice 
that  speaks  to  us  in  this  day,  and  that  it  is  not  to  be  heard  in  the  noises 
and  hurries  of  the  mind,  but  is  distinctly  understood  in  a  retired  frame. 
Jesus  loved  and  chose  out  solitudes,  often  going  to  mountains,  to  gardens, 
and  sea-sides,  to  avoid  crowds  and  hurries,  to  shew  his  disciples  it  was 
good  to  be  solitary  and  sit  loose  to  the  world.  Two  enemies  lie  near 
your  state.  Imagination  and  Liberty ;  but  the  plain,  practical,  living,  holy 
truth,  that  has  convinced  you  will  preserve  you,  if  you  mind  it  in  your- 
selves, and  bring  all  thoughts,  imaginations,  and  affections  to  the  test  of 
it,  to  see  if  they  are  wrought  in  God,  or  of  the  enemy,  or  your  own 
selves :  so  will  a  true  taste,  discerning,  and  judgment  be  preserved  to 
you,  of  what  you  should  do  and  leave  undone  :  and  in  your  diligence  and 
faithfulness  in  this  way  you  will  come  to  inherit  substance,  and  Christ,  the 
eternal  wisdom,  will  fill  your  treasury.  And  when  you  are  converted, 
as  well  as  convinced,  then  confirm  your  brethren,  and  be  ready  to  every 
good  word  and  work  that  the  Lord  shall  call  you  to,  that  you  may  be  to 
his  praise  who  has  chosen  you  to  be  partakers  with  the  Saints  in  light  of 
a  kingdom  that  cannot  be  shaken,  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  in  eternal 
habitations. 

And  now,  as  for  you  that  are  the  children  of  God's  people,  a  great 
concern  is  upon  my  spirit  for  your  good,  and  often  are  my  knees  bowed 
to  the  God  of  your  fathers  for  you,  that  you  may  come  to  be  partakers 
of  the  same  divine  life  and  power,  that  has  been  the  glory  of  this  day, 
that  a  generation  you  may  be  to  God,  a  holy  nation  and  a  peculiar  peo- 
ple, zealous  of  good  works,  when  all  our  heads  are  laid  in  the  dust.  Oh  ! 
)^ou  young  men  and  women,  let  it  not  suffice  you  that  you  are  the  chil- 
dren of  the  people  of  the  Lord !  you  must  also  be  born  again  if  you  will 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God !  Your  fathers  are  but  such  after  the  flesh, 
and  could  but  beget  you  into  the  likeness  of  the  first  Adam ;  but  you 
must  be  begotten  into  the  likeness  of  the  second  Adam  by  a  spiritual 
generation.  And  therefore  look  carefully  about  you,  O  ye  children  of 
the  children  of  God,  consider  your  standing,  and  see  what  you  are  in  re- 
lation to  this  divine  kindred,  family,  and  birth !  Have  you  obeyed  the 
light,  and  received  and  walked  in  the  Spirit,  that  is  the  incorruptible  seed 
of  the  word  and  kingdom  of  God,  of  which  you  must  be  born  again  ? 
God  is  no  respecter  of  persons :  the  father  cannot  save  or  answer  for 
the  child,  the  child  for  the  father,  "  but  in  the  sin  thou  sinnest  thou  shalt 
"  die,  and  in  the  righteousness  thou  doest  through  Christ  Jesus  thou  shalt 
"  live ;"  for  it  is  the  willing  and  obedient  that  shall  eat  the  good  of  the 
land. 

Be  not  deceived,  God  is  not  mocked,  such  as  all  nations  and  people 
sow,  such  shall  they  reap  at  the  hand  of  the  just  God.  And  then  your 
many  and  great  privileges  above  the  children  of  other  people  will  add 
weight  in  the  scale  against  you,  if  you  choose  not  the  way  of  the  Loid; 
for  you  have  had  line  upon  hne,  and  precept  upon  precept,  and  not  only 
good  doctrine  but  good  example ;  and  which  is  more,  you  have  been 
turned  to  and  acquainted  with  a  principle  in  yourselves  which  others 
have  been  ignorant  of,  and  you  know  you  may  be  as  good  as  you  please, 


XXXvi      .  PREFACE. 

without  the  fear  of  frowns  and  blows,  or  being  turned  out  of  doors,  and 
forsaken  of  father  and  mother  for  God's  sake  and  his  holy  religion,  as  has 
been  the  case  of  some  of  your  fathers  in  the  day  they  first  entered  into 
this  holy  path :  and  if  you,  after  hearing  and  seeing  the  wonders  that 
God  has  wrought  in  the  dehverance  and  preservation  of  them  through  a 
sea  of  troubles,  and  the  manifold  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  blessings 
that  he  has  filled  them  with  in  the  sifjht  of  their  enemies,  should  neglect 
or  turn  your  backs  upon  so  great  and  so  near  a  salvation,  you  would  not 
only  be  most  ungrateful  children  to  God  and  them,  but  must  expect  that 
God  will  call  the  children  of  those  that  knew  him  not  to  take  the  crown 
out  of  your  hands,  and  that  your  lot  will  be  a  dreadful  judgment  at  the 
hand  of  the  Lord.  But  oh !  that  it  may  never  be  so  with  any  of  you ! 
The  Lord  forbid,  saith  my  soul. 

Wherefore,  O  ye  young  men  and  women,  look  to  the  rock  of  your 
fathers ;  choose  the  God  of  your  fathers :  there  is  no  other  God  but  him, 
no  other  light  but  his,  no  other  grace  but  his,  nor  Spirit  but  his  to  con- 
vince you,  quicken  and  comfort  you,  to  lead,  guide,  and  preserve  you  to 
God's  everlasting  kingdom  ;  so  will  you  be  possessors  as  well  as  professors 
of  the  truth,  embracing  it  not  only  by  education  but  judgment  and  con- 
viction, from  a  sense  begotten  in  your  souls  through  the  operation  of  the 
eternal  Spirit  and  power  of  God  in  your  hearts,  by  which  you  may  come 
to  be  the  seed  of  Abraham  through  faith,  and  the  circumcision  not  made 
with  hands,  and  so  heirs  of  the  promise  made  to  the  fathers  of  an  incor- 
ruptible crown ;  that,  as  I  said  before,  a  generation  you  may  be  to  God, 
holding  up  the  profession  of  the  blessed  truth  in  the  life  and  power  of  it. 
For  formality  in  religion  is  nauseous  to  God  and  good  men ;  and  the 
more  so,  where  any  form  or  appearance  has  been  new  and  peculiar,  and 
begun  and  practised  upon  a  principle  with  an  uncommon  zeal  and  strict- 
ness. Therefore,  I  say,  for  you  to  fall  flat  and  formal,  and  continue  the 
profession  without  that  salt  and  savour  by  which  it  is  come  to  obtain  a 
good  report  among  men,  is  not  to  answer  God's  love,  nor  your  parents' 
care,  nor  the  mind  of  truth  in  yourselves,  nor  in  those  that  are  without  ; 
who  though  they  will  not  obey  the  truth,  have  sight  and  sense  enough  to 
see  if  they  do  that  make  a  profession  of  it.  For  where  the  divine  virtue 
of  it  is  not  felt  in  the  soul,  and  waited  for,  and  lived  in,  imperfections 
will  quickly  break  out,  and  shew  themselves,  and  detect  the  unfaithfulness 
of  such  persons,  and  that  their  insides  are  not  seasoned  with  the  nature 
of  that  holy  principle  which  they  profess. 

Wherefore,  dear  children,  let  me  intreat  you  to  shut  your  eyes  at  the 
temptations  and  allurements  of  this  low  and  perishing  world,  and  not 
sutler  your  afiections  to  be  captivated  by  those  lusts  and  vanities  that 
your  fathers,  for  truth's  sake,  long  since  turned  their  backs  upon:  but  as 
you  believe  it  to  be  the  truth,  receive  it  into  your  hearts,  that  you  may 
become  the  children  of  God ;  so  that  it  may  never  be  said  of  you  as  the 
evangelist  writes  of  the  Jews  of  his  time,  that  Christ  the  true  light  came 
to  his  own,  but  his  own  received  him  not;  but  to  as  many  as  received 
him,  to  them  he  gave  power  to  become  the  "children  of  God;  which 
"  were  born,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of 
"  man,  but  of  God."  A  most  close  and  comprehensive  passage  to  this  oc- 
casion :  you  exactly  and  peculiarly  answer  to  those  professing  Jews,  in 
that  you  bear  the  name  of  God's  people,  by  being  the  children  and  wear- 
ing the  form  of  God's  people :  so  that  he  by  his  light  in  you  may  be  said 
to  come  to  his  own,  and  if  you  obey  it  not,  but  turn  your  back  upon  it, 


PREFACE.  XXXvil 

and  walk  after  the  vanities  of  your  minds,  you  will  be  of  those  that  re- 
ceive him  not,  which  I  pray  God  may  never  be  your  case  and  judg- 
ment ;  but  that  you  may  be  thoroughly  sensible  of  the  many  and  great 
obligations  you  lie  under  to  the  Lord  for  his  love,  and  your  parents  for 
their  care ;  and  with  all  your  heart,  and  all  your  soul,  and  all  your 
strength,  turn  to  the  Lord,  to  his  gift  and  Spirit  in  you,  and  hear  his 
voice  and  obey  it,  that  you  may  seal  to  the  testimony  of  your  fathers  by 
tlie  truth  and  evidence  of  your  own  experience ;  that  your  children's 
children  may  bless  you,  and  the  Lord  for  you,  as  those  that  delivered  a 
faithful  example,  as  well  as  record  of  the  truth  of  God  unto  them.  So 
will  the  grey  hairs  of  your  dear  parents  yet  aUve  go  down  to  the  grave 
with  joy,  to  see  you  the  posterity  of  truth,  as  well  as  theirs,  and  that  not 
only  their  natures  but  Spirit  shall  Uve  in  you  when  they  are  gone. 

I  shall  conclude  this  preface  with  a  few  words  to  those  that  are  not 
of  our  communion,  into  whose  hands  this  may  come,  especially  those  of 
our  own  nation. 

Friends,  as  you  are  the  sons  and  daughters  of  Adam,  and  my  breth- 
ren after  the  flesh,  often  and  earnest  have  been  my  desires  and  prayers 
to  God  on  your  behalf,  that  you  may  come  to  know  him  that  has  made 
you  to  be  your  Redeemer  and  Restorer  to  the  image,  that  through  sin 
you  have  lost,  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  whom 
he  hath  given  for  the  light  and  life  of  the  world.  And  O  that  you,  who 
are  called  Christians,  would  receive  him  into  your  heart !  for  there  it  is 
you  want  him,  and  at  that  door  he  stands  knocking,  that  you  should  let 
him  in,  but  you  do  not  open  to  him  ;  you  are  full  of  other  guests,  so  that 
a  manger  is  his  lot  among  you  now,  as  well  as  of  old ;  yet  you  are  full 
of  profession,  as  were  the  Jews  when  he  came  among  them,  who  knew 
him  not,  but  rejected  and  evilly  intreated  him.  So  that  if  you  come  not 
to  the  possession  and  experience  of  what  you  profess,  all  your  fonnality 
in  religion  will  stand  you  in  no  stead  in  the  day  of  God's  judgment. 

I  beseech  you  ponder  with  yourselves  your  eternal  condition,  and  see 
what  title,  what  ground  and  foundation,  you  have  for  your  Christianity : 
if  more  than  a  profession,  and  an  historical  behef  of  the  gospel.  Have 
you  known  the  baptism  of  fire  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  fan  of  Christ 
that  winnows  away  the  chaft',  the  carnal  lusts  and  affections  ?  That 
divine  leaven  of  the  kingdom,  that,  being  received,  leavens  the  whole 
lump  of  man,  sanctifying  him  throughout  in  body,  soul,  and  spirit  1  If 
this  be  not  the  ground  of  your  confidence,  you  are  in  a  miserable  estate. 

You  will  say,  perhaps,  that  though  you  are  sinners,  and  live  in  the 
daily  commission  of  sin,  and  are  not  sanctified,  as  I  have  been  speaking, 
yet  you  have  faith  in  Christ,  who  has  borne  the  curse  for  you,  and  in 
him  you  are  complete  by  faith ;  his  righteousness  being  imputed  to  you. 

But  my  friends,  let  me  intreat  you  not  to  deceive  yourselves  in  so  im- 
portant a  point  as  is  that  of  your  immortal  souls.  If  you  have  true  faith 
in  Christ,  your  faith  will  make  you  clean,  it  will  sanctify  you ;  for  the 
saints'  faith  was  their  victory :  by  this  they  overcame  sin  within  and 
sinful  men  without.  And  if  thou  art  in  Christ,  thou  walkest  not  after 
the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit,  whose  fruits  are  manifest.  Yea  thou  art 
a  new  creature,  new  made,  new  fashioned  after  God's  will  and  mould : 
old  things  are  done  away,  and  behold  all  things  are  become  new :  new 
love,  desires,  will,  aflections,  and  practices.  It  is  not  any  longer  thou 
that  livest,  thou  disobedient,  carnal,  worldly  one ;  but  it  is  Christ  liveth 


XXXVm  PREFACE. 

in  thee,  and  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  thy  eternal  gain ;  because 
thou  art  assured,  "  That  thy  corruptible  shall  put  on  incorruption,  and 
thy  mortal  immortality;"  and  that  thou  hast  a  glorious  house  eternal  in 
the  heavens,  that  will  never  wax  old  or  pass  away.  All  this  follows 
being  in  Christ,  as  the  sensation  of  heat  follows  fire,  and  light  the  sun. 

Therefore  have  a  care  how  you  presume  to  rely  upon  such  a  notion, 
as  that  you  are  in  Christ  whilst  in  your  old  fallen  nature.  For  "  what 
communion  hath  light  with  darkness,  or  Christ  witH  Belial  ?"  Hear 
what  the  beloved  disciple  tells  you ;  "  If  we  say  we  have  followship  with 
God,  and  walk  in  darkness,  we  lie,  and  do  not  the  truth."  That  is,  if  we 
go  on  in  a  sinful  way,  are  captivated  by  our  carnal  aflections,  and  are 
not  converted  to  God,  we  walk  in  darkness,  and  cannot  possibly  have 
any  fellowship  with  God.  Christ  clothes  them  with  his  righteousness, 
that  receive  his  grace  in  their  hearts,  and  deny  themselves,  and  take 
up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  him.  Christ's  righteousness  makes  men  in- 
wardly holy,  of  holy  minds,  wills,  and  practices.  It  is  nevertheless 
Christ's  because  we  have  it ;  for  it  is  ours  not  by  nature,  but  by  faith 
and  adoption :  it  is  the  gift  of  God :  but  still,  though  not  ours  as  of  or 
from  ourselves,  for  in  that  sense  it  is  Christ's,  for  it  is  of  and  from  him, 
yet  it  is  ours,  and  must  be  ours  in  possession,  efficacy,  and  enjoyment, 
to  do  us  any  good,  or  Christ's  righteousness  will  profit  us  nothing.  It 
was  after  this  manner  that  he  was  made  to  the  primitive  Christians, 
righteousness,  sanctification,  justification,  and  redemption ;  and  if  ever 
you  will  have  the  comfort,  kernel,  and  marrow  of  the  christian  religion, 
thus  you  must  come  to  learn  and  obtain  it. 

Now  my  friends,  by  what  you  have  read,  and  will  read  in  what  fol- 
lows, you  may  perceive  that  God  has  visited  a  poor  people  among  you 
with  this  saving  knowledge  and  testimony ;  whom  he  has  upheld  and 
increased  to  this  day,  notwithstanding  the  fierce  opposition  they  have 
met  withal.  Despise  not  the  meanness  of  this  appearance :  It  was,  and 
yet  is,  we  know,  a  day  of  small  things,  and  of  small  account  with  too 
many ;  and  many  hard  and  ill  names  are  given  to  it ;  but  it  is  of  God, 
it  came  from  him,  because  it  leads  to  him.  This  we  know,  but  we  can- 
not make  another  know  it  as  we  know  it,  unless  he  will  take  the  same 
way  to  know  it  that  we  took.  The  world  talks  of  God ;  but  what  do 
they  do  1  They  pray  for  power,  but  reject  the  principle  in  which  it  is. 
If  you  would  know  God,  and  worship  and  serve  God  as  you  should  do, 
you  must  come  to  the  means  he  has  ordained  and  given  for  that  pur- 
pose. Some  seek  it  in  books,  some  in  learned  men ;  but  what  they  look 
for  is  in  themselves,  yet  they  overlook  it.  The  voice  is  too  still,  the  seed 
too  small,  and  the  fight  shineth  in  darkness.  They  are  abroad,  and  so 
cannot  divide  the  spoil ;  but  the  woman,  that  lost  her  silver,  found  it  at 
home,  after  she  had  lighted  her  candle  and  swept  her  house.  Do  you 
so  too,  and  you  shall  find  what  Pilate  wanted  to  know,  viz.  truth. 

The  light  of  Christ  within,  who  is  the  light  of  the  world,  and  so  a 
light  to  you,  that  tells  you  the  truth  of  your  condition,  leads  all  that  take 
heed  unto  it  out  of  darkness  into  God's  marvellous  light ;  for  light  grows 
upon  the  obedient.  It  is  sown  for  the  righteous,  and  their  way  is  a 
shining  light,  that  shines  forth  more  and  more  to  the  perfect  day. 

Wherefore,  O  friends,  turn  in,  turn  in,  I  beseech  you !  Where  is  the 
poison,  there  is  the  antidote :  there  you  want  Christ,  and  there  you  must 
find  him ;  and  blessed  be  God,  there  you  may  find  him.  "  Seek  and  you 
shall  find,"  I  testify  for  God :  but  then  you  must  seek  aright  with  your 


PREFACE.  XXXix 

whole  heart,  as  men  that  seek  for  their  Uves,  yea,  for  their  eternal  lives : 
diligently,  humbly,  patiently,  as  those  that  can  taste  no  pleasure,  com- 
fort, or  satisfaction  in  any  thing  else,  unless  you  find  him  whom  your 
souls  want,  and  desire  to  know  and  love  above  all.  O  it  is  a  travel,  a 
spiritual  travel !  let  the  carnal  profane  world  think  and  say  as  it  will. 
And  through  this  path  you  must  walk  to  the  chy  of  God,  that  has  eter- 
nal foundations,  if  ever  you  will  come  there. 

Well!  and  what  does  this  blessed  light  do  for  you?  Why,  1.  It  sets 
all  your  sins  in  order  before  you :  it  detects  the  spirit  of  this  world  in 
all  its  baits  and  allurements,  and  shews  how  man  came  to  fall  from  God, 
and  the  fallen  estate  he  is  in.  2.  It  begets  a  sense  and  sorrow,  in  such 
as  believe  in  it,  for  this  fearful  lapse.  You  will  then  see  him  distinctly 
wiiom  you  have  pierced,  and  all  the  blows  and  wounds  you  have  given 
him  by  your  disobedience ;  and  how  you  have  made  him  to  serve  with 
your  sins,  and  you  will  weep  and  mourn  for  it,  and  your  sorrow  will  be 
a  godly  sorrow.  3.  After  this  it  will  bring  you  to  the  holy  watch,  to 
take  care  that  you  do  so  no  more,  that  the  enemy  surprise  you  not 
again :  then  thoughts,  as  well  as  words  and  works,  will  come  to  judg- 
ment, which  is  the  way  of  hoHness,  in  which  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
do  walk.  Here  you  will  come  to  love  God  above  all,  and  your  neigh- 
bours as  yourselves.  Nothing  hurts,  nothing  harms,  nothing  makes 
afraid  on  this  holy  mountain :  now  you  come  to  be  Christ's  indeed,  for 
you  afi-e  his  in  nature  and  spirit,  and  not  your  own.  And  when  you  are 
thus  Christ's,  then  Christ  is  your's,  and  not  before :  and  here  communion 
with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son  you  will  know,  and  the  efficacy 
of  the  blood  of  cleansing,  even  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  immacu- 
late Lamb,  which  speaketh  better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel,  and 
which  cleanseth  from  all  sin  the  consciences  of  those  that,  through  the 
living  Faith,  come  to  be  sprinkled  with  it  from  dead  works  to  serve  the 
living  God. 

To  conclude,  Behold  the  testimony  and  doctrine  of  the  people  called 
Quakers  !  Behold  their  practice  and  discipline  !  And  behold  the  blessed 
man  and  men  that  were  sent  of  God  in  this  excellent  work  and  service ! 
All  which  will  be  more  particularly  expressed  in  the  ensuing  annals  of 
the  man  of  God ;  which  I  do  heartily  recommend  to  my  reader's  most 
serious  perusal,  and  beseech  Almighty  God  that  his  blessing  may  go 
along  with  it,  to  the  convincing  of  many  as  yet  strangers  to  this  holy 
dispensation,  and  also  to  the  edification  of  the  church  of  God  in  general : 
who,  for  his  manifold  and  repeated  mercies  and  blessings  to  his  people, 
in  this  day  of  his  great  love,  is  ever  worthy  to  have  the  glory,  honour, 
thanksgiving,  and  renown ;  and  be  it  rendered  and  ascribed,  with  fear 
and  reverence,  through  him  in  whom  he  is  well  pleased,  his  beloved  Son 
and  Lamb,  our  light  and  life,  that  sits  with  him  upon  the  throne,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

Says  one  whom  God  has  long  since  mercifully  favoured  with  his 
fatherly  visitation,  and  who  was  not  disobedient  to  the  heavenly 
vision  and  call ;  to  whom  the  way  of  truth  is  more  lovely  and 
precious  than  ever,  and  that  knowing  the  beauty  and  benefit  of 
it  above  all  worldly  treasure,  has  chosen  it  for  his  chiefest  joy, 
and  therefore  recommends  it  to  thy  love  and  choice,  because  he 
is  with  great  sincerity  and  affection  thy  soul's  friend, 

WILLIAM  PENN. 


xl 

The  Testimony  of  Margaret  Fox,  concerning  her  late  Husband 
GEORGE  FOX:  together  with  a  brief  Account  of  some  of 
his  Travels,  Sufferings,  and  Hardships  endured  for  the  Truth'' s 
Sake. 

It  having  pleased  Almighty  God  to  take  away  my  dear  husband  out 
of  this  troublesome  world,  who  was  not  a  man  thereof,  being  chosen  out 
of  it,  and  had  his  hfe  and  being  in  another  region,  and  his  testimony  was 
against  the  world  that  the  deeds  thereof  were  evil,  and  therefore  the 
world  hated  him  ;  so  I  am  now  to  give  in  my  account  and  testimony  for 
my  dear  husband,  whom  the  Lord  hath  taken  unto  his  blessed  kingdom 
and  glory :  and  it  is  before  me  from  the  Lord,  and  in  my  view,  to  give 
a  relation  and  leave  upon  record  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  us  from 
the  beginning. 

He  was  the  instrument  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  this  present  age, 
which  he  made  use  of  to  send  forth  into  the  world  to  preach  the  ever- 
lasting gospel,  which  had  been  hid  from  many  ages  and  generations ;  the 
Lord  revealed  it  unto  him,  and  made  him  open  that  new  and  living  way 
that  leads  to  life  eternal,  when  he  was  but  a  youth  and  a  stripling.  And 
when  he  declared  it  in  his  own  country  of  Leicestershire,  and  in  Derby- 
shire, Nottinghamshire,  and  Warwickshire,  and  his  declaration  being 
against  the  hirehng-priests  and  their  practices,  it  raised  a  great  fury  and 
opposition  amongst  the  priests  and  people  against  him ;  yet  there  was 
always  some  that  owned  him  in  several  places,  but  very  few  that  stood 
firm  to  him  when  persecution  came  on  him.  There  was  he  and  one 
other  put  in  prison  at  Derby,  but  the  other  declined  and  left  him  in  prison 
there ;  where  he  continued  almost  a  whole  year,  and  then  he  was  re- 
leased out  of  prison,  and  went  on  with  his  testimony  abroad,  and  was 
put  in  prison  again  at  Nottingham ;  and  there  he  continued  awhile,  and 
after  was  released  again. 

And  then  he  travelled  on  into  Yorkshire,  and  passed  up  and  down  that 
great  county,  and  several  received  him ;  as  William  Dewsbury,  Richard 
Farnsworth,  Thomas  Aldam,  and  others,  who  all  came  to  be  faithful 
ministers  of  the  Spirit  for  the  Lord.  And  he  continued  in  that  country, 
and  travelled  through  Holderness  and  the  Woulds,  and  abundance  were 
convinced ;  and  several  were  brought  to  prison  at  York  for  their  testi- 
mony to  the  truth,  both  men  and  women :  so  that  we  heard  of  such  a 
people  that  were  risen,  and  we  did  very  much  inquire  after  them.  And 
after  awhile  he  travelled  up  farther  towards  the  dales  in  Yorkshire,  as 
Wensdale  and  Sedbur ;  and  amongst  the  hills,  dales  and  mountains  he 
came  on,  and  convinced  many  of  the  eternal  truth. 

In  the  year  1652  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  draw  him  towards  us;  so  he 
came  on  from  Sedbur  into  Westmoreland,  to  Firbank-Chapel,  where 
John  Blaykling  came  with  him ;  and  so  on  to  Preston,  Grarig,  Kendal, 
Under-barrow,  Poobank,  Cartmel,  and  Staveley,  and  so  on  to  Swarth- 
more,  my  dwelling-house,  whither  he  brought  the  blessed  tidings  of  the 
everlasting  gospel,  which  I  and  many  hundreds  in  these  parts  have 
cause  to  praise  the  Lord  for.  My  then  husband,  Thomas  Fell,  was  not 
at  home  at  that  time,  but  gone  the  Welsh  circuit,  being  one  of  the  judges 
of  assize ;  and  our  house  being  a  place  open  to  entertain  ministers  and 
religious  people  at,  one  of  George  Fox's  friends  brought  him  thither, 
where  he  staid  all  night :  and  the  next  day,  being  a  lecture  or  a  fast-day, 


THE  TESTIMONY  QF  MARGARET  FOX.  xll 

he  went  to  Ulverston  steeple-house,  but  came  not  in  till  people  were 
gathered ;  I  and  my  children  had  been  a  long  time  there  before.  And 
when  they  were  singing  before  the  sermon  he  came  in,  and  w^hen  they 
had  done  singing  he  stood  up  upon  a  seat  or  form,  and  desired  "  that  he 
mio-ht  have  liberty  to  speak;"  and  he  that  was  in  the  pulpit  said  he 
mi^ht.  And  the  first  words  that  he  spoke  were  as  followeth :  "  He  is 
"  not  a  Jew  that  is  one  outward,  neither  is  that  circumcision  which  is 
"  outward ;  but  he  is  a  Jew  that  is  one  inward,  and  that  is  circumcision 
"  which  is  of  the  heart."  And  so  he  went  on  and  said  "  that  Christ  was 
"  the  light  of  the  world,  and  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
"  world,  and  that  by  this  light  they  might  be  gathered  to  God,"  &;c.  I 
stood  up  in  my  pew,  and  wondered  at  his  doctrine ;  for  I  had  never 
heard  such  before.  And  then  he  went  on,  and  opened  the  scriptures  and 
said,  "  The  scriptures  were  the  prophets'  words,  and  Christ's  and  the 
"  apostles'  words,  and  what,  as  they  spoke,  they  enjoyed  and  possessed, 
"  and  had  it  from  the  Lord :"  and  said,  "  Then  what  had  any  to  do  with 
"  the  scriptures,  but  as  they  came  to  the  spirit  that  gave  them  forth.  You 
"  will  say,  Christ  saith  this,  and  the  apostles  say  this ;  but  what  canst  thou 
"  say '?  Art  thou  a  child  of  light,  and  hast  walked  in  the  light,  and  what 
"  thou  speakest,  is  it  inwardly  from  God  ?"  &c.  This  opened  me  so, 
that  it  cut  me  to  the  heart ;  and  then  I  saw  clearly,  we  were  all  wrong. 
So  I  sat  down  in  my  pew  again,  and  cried  bitterly ;  and  I  cried  in  my 
spirit  to  the  Lord,  "  We  are  all  thieves,  we  are  all  thieves,  we  have  taken 
"  the  scriptures  in  words,  and  know  nothing  of  them  in  ourselves."  So 
that  served  me,  that  I  cannot  well  tell  what  he  spoke  afterwards  ;  but  he 
went  on  in  declaring  against  the  false  prophets,  priests,  and  deceivers  of 
the  people.  And  there  was  one  John  Sawrey,  a  justice  of  peace,  and  a 
professor,  that  bid  the  churchwarden  take  him  away :  and  he  laid  his 
hands  on  him.  several  times,  and  took  them  off  again,  and  let  him  alone ; 
and  then  after  a  while  he  gave  over,  and  came  to  our  house  again  that 
night.  And  he  spoke  in  the  family  amongst  the  servants,  and  they  were 
all  generally  convinced ;  as  William  Caton,  Thomas  Salthouse,  Mary 
Askew,  Anne  Clayton,  and  several  other  servants.  And  I  was  struck 
into  such  a  sadness,  I  knew  not  what  to  do,  my  husband  being  from 
home.  I  saw  it  was  the  truth,  and  I  could  not  deny  it ;  and  I  did,  as  the 
Apostle  saith,  "  I  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it :"  and  it  was  opened 
to  me  so  clear,  that  I  had  never  a  tittle  in  my  heart  against  it ;  but  I  de- 
sired the  Lord  that  I  might  be  kept  in  it,  and  then  I  desired  no  greater 
portion. 

He  went  on  to  Dalton,  Aldingham,  Dendrum,  and  Ramsyde  chapels 
and  steeple-houses,  and  several  places  up  and  down,  and  the  people 
followed  him  mightily :  and  abundance  were  convinced,  and  saw  that 
which  he  spoke  was  truth,  but  the  priests  were  all  in  a  rage.  And  about 
tvvo  weeks  after  James  Naylor  and  Richard  Farnsworth  followed  him 
and  enquired  him  out  till  they  came  to  Swarthmore,  and  there  staid 
awhile  with  me  at  our  house,  and  did  me  much  good ;  for  I  was  under 
great  heaviness  and  judgment.  But  the  power  of  the  Lord  entered  upon 
me  within  about  three  weeks  that  he  came,  and  about  three  weeks'  end 
my  husband  came  home ;  and  many  w^ere  in  a  mighty  rage,  and  a  deal 
of  the  captains  and  great  ones  of  the  country  went  to  meet  my  then 
husband  as  he  was  coming  home,  and  informed  him,  "  That  a  great  dis- 
"  aster  was  befallen  amongst  his  family,  and  that  they  were  witches ; 
*'  and  that  they  had  taken  us  out  of  our  religion ;  and  that  he  must  either 

F 


xlii  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  FOX. 

"  set  them  away,  or  all  the  country  would  be  undone."  But  no  weapons 
formed  against  the  Lord  shall  prosper,  as  you  may  see  hereafter. 

So  my  husband  came  home  greatly  offended;  and  any  may  think 
what  a  condition  I  was  like  to  be  in,  that  either  I  must  displease  my 
husband  or  offend  God ;  for  he  was  very  much  troubled  with  us  all  in 
the  house  and  family,  they  had  so  prepossessed  him  against  us.  But 
James  Naylor  and  Richard  Farnsworth  were  both  then  at  our  house, 
and  I  desired  them  to  come  and  speak  to  him ;  and  so  they  did  very 
moderately  and  wisely :  but  he  was  at  first  displeased  with  them,  till 
they  told  him  "  they  came  in  love  and  good-will  to  his  house."  And  after 
that  he  had  heard  them  speak  awhile  he  was  better  satisfied,  and  they 
offered  as  if  they  would  go  away ;  but  I  desired  them  to  stay,  and  not 
to  go  away  yet,  for  George  Fox  will  come  this  evening.  And  I  would 
have  had  my  husband  to  have  heard  them  all,  and  satisfied  himself  farther 
about  them,  because  they  had  so  prepossessed  him  against  them  of  such 
dangerous  fearful  things  in  his  coming  first  home.  And  then  he  was 
pretty  moderate  and  quiet,  and  his  dinner  being  ready  he  went  to  it,  and 
I  went  in  and  sate  me  down  by  him.  And  whilst  I  was  sitting  the  power 
of  the  Lord  seized  upon  me,  and  he  was  struck  with  amazement,  and 
knew  not  what  to  think ;  but  was  quiet  and  still.  And  the  children  were 
all  quiet  and  still,  and  grown  sober,  and  could  not  play  on  their  musick 
that  they  were  learning ;  and  all  these  things  made  him  quiet  and  still. 

At  night  George  Fox  came :  and  after  supper  my  husband  was  sitting 
in  the  parlour,  and  I  asked  him,  If  George  Fox  might  come  in  1  And  he 
said.  Yes.  So  George  came  in  without  any  compliment,  and  walked 
into  the  room,  and  began  to  speak  presently ;  and  the  family,  and  James 
Naylor,  and  Richard  Farnsworth  came  all  in:  and  he  spoke  veiy  ex- 
cellently as  ever  I  heard  him,  and  opened  Christ's  and  the  apostles'  prac- 
tices, which  they  were  in,  in  their  day.  And  he  opened  the  night  of 
apostacy  since  the  apostles'  days,  and  laid  open  the  priests  and  their 
practices  in  the  apostacy;  that  if  all  in  England  had  been  there,  I 
thought  they  could  not  have  denied  the  truth  of  those  things.  And  so  my 
husband  came  to  see  clearly  the  truth  of  what  he  spoke,  and  was  very 
quiet  that  night,  said  no  more,  and  went  to  bed.  The  next  morning 
came  Lampit,  priest  of  Ulverston,  and  got  my  husband  into  the  garden, 
and  spoke  much  to  him  there ;  but  my  husband  had  seen  so  much  the 
night  before,  that  the  priest  got  little  entrance  upon  him.  And  when  the 
priest,  Lampit,  was  come  into  the  house,  George  spoke  sharply  to  him, 
and  asked  him,  "  When  God  spoke  to  him,  and  called  him  to  go  and 
"  preach  to  the  people  ?"  But  after  awhile  the  priest  went  away :  this 
was  on  the  sixth  day  of  the  week,  about  the  fifth  month,  1652.  And  at 
our  house  divers  friends  were  speaking  one  to  another,  how  there  were 
several  convinced  here-aways,  and  we  could  not  tell  where  to  get  a 
meeting ;  my  husband  also  being  present,  he  overheard,  and  said  of  his 
own  accord,  "  You  may  meet  here  if  you  will :"  and  that  was  the  first 
meeting  we  had  that  he  offered  of  his  own  accord.  And  then  notice 
was  given  that  day  and  the  next  to  friends,  and  there  was  a  good  large 
meeting  the  first  day,  which  was  the  first  meeting  that  was  at  Swarth- 
more,  and  so  continued  there  a  meeting  from  1652  to  1690.  And  my 
husband  went  that  day  to  the  steeple-house,  and  none  with  him  but  his 
clerk,  and  his  groom  that  rid  with  him :  and  the  priest  and  the  people 
were  all  fearfully  troubled ;  but  praised  be  the  Lord,  they  never  got  their 
wills  upon  us  to  this  day. 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  FOX.  xliii 

After  a  few  weeks  George  went  to  Ulverston  steeple-house  again, 
and  the  said  justice  Sawrey,  with  others,  set  the  rude  rabble  upon  him, 
and  they  beat  him  so  that  he  fell  down  as  in  a  swoon,  and  was  sore 
bruised  and  blackened  in  his  body,  and  on  his  head  and  arms.  Then 
my  husband  was  not  at  home ;  but  when  he  came  home,  he  was  dis- 
pleased that  they  should  do  so,  and  spoke  to  justice  Sawrey,  and  said, 
"  It  was  against  law  to  make  riots."  After  that  he  was  sore  beat  and 
stoned  at  Walney  till  he  fell  down,  and  also  at  Dalton  was  he  sore  beat 
and  abused ;  so  that  he  had  very  hard  usage  in  divers  places  in  these 
parts.  And  then  when  a  meeting  was  settled  here,  he  went  again  into 
Westmoreland,  and  settled  meetings  there ;  and  there  was  a  great  con- 
vincement,  and  abundance  of  brave  ministers  came  out  there-aways ;  as 
John  Camm,  John  Audland,  Francis  Howgil,  Edward  Burrough,  Miles 
Halhead,  and  John  Blaykling,  with  divers  others.  He  also  went  over  the 
sands  to  Lancaster,  and  Yelland,  and  Kellet,  where  Robert  Widders, 
Richard  Hubberthorn,  and  John  Lawson,  with  many  others,  were  con- 
vinced. And  about  that  time  he  was  in  those  parts,  many  priests  and 
professors  rose  up,  and  falsely  accused  him  for  blasphemy,  and  did  en- 
deavour to  take  away  his  life,  and  got  people  to  swear  at  a  sessions  at  Lan- 
caster that  he  had  spoken  blasphemy.  But  my  then  husband  and  colonel 
West,  having  had  some  sight  and  knowledge  of  the  truth,  withstood  the 
two  persecuting  justices,  John  Sawrey  and  Thompson,  and  brought  him 
off,  and  cleared  him  ;  for  indeed  he  was  innocent.  And  after  the  sessions 
there  was  a  great  meeting  in  the  town  of  Lancaster ;  and  many  of  the 
town's-people  came  in,  and  many  were  convinced.  And  thus  he  was  up 
and  down  about  Lancaster,  Yelland,  Westmoreland,  and  some  parts  of 
Yorkshire,  and  our  parts  above  one  year ;  in  which  time  there  were 
above  twenty-four  ministers  brought  forth,  that  were  ready  to  go  with 
their  testimony  of  the  eternal  truth  unto  the  world :  and  soon  after 
Francis  Howgil  and  John  Camm  went  to  speak  to  Oliver  Cromwell. 

In  the  year  1653  George's  drawings  were  into  Cumberland  by  Mil- 
holm,  Lampley,  Embleton  and  Brigham,  Pardsey  and  Cockermouth, 
where  at  or  near  Embleton  he  had  a  dispute  with  some  priests,  as  Lark- 
ham  and  Benson,  but  chiefly  with  John  Wilkinson,  a  preacher  at  Em- 
bleton and  Brigham ;  who  was  afterwards  convinced,  and  owned  the 
truth,  and  was  a  serviceable  minister  both  in  England,  Ireland  and 
Scotland.  And  then  he  went  to  Coldbeck  and  several  places,  till  he 
came  to  Carlisle,  and  went  to  their  steeple-house :  and  they  beat  and 
abused  him,  and  had  him  before  the  magistrates ;  who  examined  him, 
and  put  him  in  prison  there  in  the  common  gaol  among  the  thieves. 
And  at  the  assizes  w^as  one  Anthony  Pearson,  who  had  been  a  justice 
of  peace,  and  was  convinced  at  Appleby,  when  he  was  upon  the  bench, 
by  James  Naylor  and  Francis  Howgil,  who  were  then  prisoners  there, 
and  brought  before  him ;  so  Anthony  Pearson  spake  to  the  justices  at 
Carlisle,  he  being  acquainted  with  them,  having  married  his  wife  out  of 
Cumberland ;  and  after  awhile  they  released  him.  Afterwards  he  went 
into  several  other  parts  of  Cumberland,  and  many  were  convinced,  and 
owned  the  truth :  and  he  gathered  and  settled  meetings  there  amongst 
them,  and  up  and  down  in  several  parts  there  in  the  north. 

In  the  year  1654  he  went  southward  to  his  own  country  of  Leicester- 
shire, visiting  friends.  And  then  colonel  Hacker  sent  him  to  Ohver 
Cromwell:  and  after  his  being  kept  prisoner  awhile,  he  was  brought 
before  Oliver,  and  was  released.    And  then  he  staid  awhile,  visiting 


xliv  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  FOX. 

friends  in  London,  and  the  meetings  therein ;  and  so  passed  westward 
to  Bristol,  and  visited  friends  there :  and  after  went  into  Cornwall, 
where  they  put  him  in  prison  at  Launceston,  and  one  Edward  Pyot  with 
him ;  where  he  had  a  bad,  long  imprisonment.  When  he  was  released,  he 
passed  into  many  parts  in  that  county  of  Cornwall,  and  settled  meetings 
there.  And  then  he  travelled  through  many  counties,  visiting  friends 
and  settling  meetings  all  along :  and  so  came  into  the  north,  and  to 
Swarthmore,  and  to  Cumberland. 

And  so  for  Scotland  he  passed  in  the  year  1G57,  and  there  went  with 
him  Robert  Widders,  James  Lancaster,  John  Grave,  and  others.  And 
he  travelled  through  many  places  in  that  nation,  as  Douglas,  Heads, 
Hamilton,  Glasgow,  and  to  Edinburgh,  where  they  took  him,  and  car- 
ried him  before  general  Monk  and  the  council,  and  examined  him, 
and  asked  him  his  business  into  that  nation ;  who  answered.  He  came 
10  visit  the  seed  of  God.  And  after  they  had  threatened  him,  and  charged 
him  to  depart  their  nation  of  Scotland,  they  let  him  go.  And  then  he 
went  to  Linlithgow,  and  Stirling,  and  Johnstons,  and  many  places,  visit- 
ing the  people :  and  several  were  convinced.  And  after  he  had  staid  a 
pretty  while,  and  settled  some  meetings,  he  returned  into  Northumber- 
land, and  into  the  bishoprick  of  Durham,  visiting  friends  and  settling 
meetings  as  he  went ;  and  then  returned  back  again  to  Swarthmore,  and 
staid  amongst  friends  awhile,  and  so  returned  south  again.  [In  1658 
judge  Fell  died.] 

And  in  1660  he  came  out  of  the  south  into  the  north,  and  had  a  great 
general  meeting  about  Balby  in  Yorkshire ;  and  so  came  on  visiting 
friends  in  many  places,  till  he  came  to  Swarthmore  again.  And  king 
Charles  being  then  come  in,  the  justices  sent  out  warrants,  and  took  him 
at  Swarthmore,  charging  him  in  their  warrants,  that  he  drew  away  the 
king's  liege  people,  to  the  endangering  the  embruing  the  nation  in  blood, 
and  sent  him  prisoner  to  Lancaster  castle.  And  I  having  a  great  family, 
and  he  being  taken  in  my  house,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  the 
king  at  Whitehall ;  and  took  with  me  a  declaration,  and  an  information 
of  our  principles ;  and  a  long  time,  and  much  ado  I  had,  to  get  to  him. 
But  at  last,  when  I  got  to  him,  I  told  him,  If  he  was  guilty  of  those 
things,  I  was  guilty,  for  he  was  taken  in  my  house  :  and  I  gave  him  the 
paper  of  our  principles,  and  desired  that  he  would  set  him  at  liberty,  as 
he  had  promised  that  none  should  suffer  for  tender  consciences,  and  we 
were  of  tender  consciences,  and  desired  nothing  but  the  liberty  of  our 
consciences.  And  then  with  much  ado,  after  he  had  been  kept  prisoner 
near  half  a  year  at  Lancaster,  we  got  a  habeas  corpus,  and  removed 
him  to  the  King's  Bench,  where  he  was  released.  And  then  would  I 
gladly  have  come  home  to  my  great  family;  but  was  bound  in  my 
spirit,  and  could  not  have  freedom  to  get  away  for  a  whole  year.  And 
the  king  had  promised  me  several  times,  that  we  should  have  our 
liberty :  and  then  the  monarchy-men  rose ;  and  then  came  the  great  and 
general  imprisonment  of  friends  the  nation  through :  And  so  could  I  not 
have  freedom  nor  liberty  to  come  home,  till  we  had  got  a  general  procla- 
mation for  all  our  friends'  liberty ;  and  then  I  had  freedom  and  peace  to 
come  home. 

In  1663  he  came  north  again,  and  to  Swarthmore  :  and  then  they  sent 
out  warrants,  and  took  him  again,  and  had  him  to  Ilolciof  before  the 
justices,  and  tendered  him  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  sent  him  prisoner 
to  Lancaster  castle, — And  about  a  month  after,  the  justices  sent  for  me 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  FOX.  xlv 

also  out  of  my  house,  and  tendered  me  the  oath ;  and  sent  me  prisoner 
to  Lancaster.  And  the  next  assizes  they  tendered  the  oath  of  allegiance 
and  supremacy  again  to  us  both,  and  premunired  me :  but  they  had 
missed  the  date  and  other  things  in  his  indictment,  and  so  it  was  quash- 
ed ;  but  they  tendered  him  the  oath  again,  and  kept  him  prisoner  a  year 
and  a  half  at  Lancaster  castle.  And  then  they  sent  him  to  Scarborough 
castle  in  Yorkshire,  where  they  kept  him  prisoner  close  under  the  sol- 
diers most  of  a  year  and  a  half;  so  that  a  friend  could  scarcely  have 
spoken  to  him  ;  yet  after  that,  it  pleased  the  Lord  that  he  was  released. 
But  I  continued  in  prison,  and  a  prisoner  four  years  at  that  time ;  and 
an  order  was  procured  from  the  council,  whereby  I  was  set  at  liberty. 
And  in  that  time  I  went  down  into  Cornwall  with  my  son  and  daughter 
Lower,  and  came  back  by  London  to  the  yearly  meeting ;  and  there 
I  met  with  him  again :  And  then  he  told  me.  The  time  was  drawing 
towards  our  marriage,  but  he  might  first  go  into  Ireland.  And  a  little 
before  this  time  was  he  prisoner  in  his  own  country  at  Leicester  for 
awhile ;  and  then  released.  And  so  into  Ireland  he  went :  and  I  went 
into  Kent  and  Sussex ;  and  came  back  to  London  again ;  and  afterward 
I  went  to  the  west,  towards  Bristol,  in  1669,  and  there  I  staid  till  he 
came  over  from  Ireland,  which  was  eleven  years  after  my  former  hus- 
band's decease.  In  Ireland  he  had  had  a  great  service  for  the  Lord  and 
his  eternal  truth  amongst  friends  and  many  people  there,  but  escaped 
many  dangers,  and  times  of  being  taken  prisoner,  they  having  lain  in 
wait  aforehand  for  him  in  many  places ;  and  being  returned,  at  Bristol 
he  declared  his  intentions  of  marriage  ;  and  there  accordingly  our  mar- 
riage was  solemnized:  and  then  within  ten  days  after  I  came  home- 
wards ;  and  my  husband  staid  up  and  down  in  the  countries  amongst 
friends,  visiting  them. 

Soon  after  I  came  home,  there  came  another  order  from  the  council 
to  cast  me  into  prison  again ;  and  the  sheriff  of  Lancashire  sent  his 
bailiff,  and  pulled  me  out  of  my  own  house,  and  had  me  prisoner  to 
Lancaster  castle,  upon  the  old  premunire  ;  where  I  continued  a  whole 
year :  and  most  part  of  all  that  time  I  was  sick  and  weakly,  and  also 
my  husband  was  weak  and  sickly  at  that  time.  After  a  while  he  recov- 
ered, and  went  about  to  get  me  out  of  prison ;  and  a  discharge  at  last 
was  got  under  the  great  seal,  and  so  I  was  set  at  liberty :  and  then  I 
was  to  go  up  to  London  again,  for  my  husband  was  intending  for  Amer- 
ica ;  and  he  was  full  two  years  away  before  "he  came  back  again  to 
England :  and  arriving  at  Bristol,  he  came  thence  to  London,  and  in- 
tended to  have  come  to  the  middle  of  the  nation  with  me.  '  But  when 
we  came  into  some  parts  of  Worcestershire,  they  got  there  information 
of  him ;  and  one  justice  Parker  by  his  warrant  sent  him  and  my  son 
Lower  to  Worcester  gaol ;  and  the  justices  there  tendered  him  the  oath, 
and  premunired  him,  but  released  my  son  Lower ;  who  staid  with  him 
most  of  the  time  he  was  prisoner  there. 

And  after  some  time  he  fell  sick  in  a  long  Hngering' sickness,  and  many 
times  was  very  ill ;  so  they  wrote  to  me  from  London,  that  if  I  would 
see  him  alive,  I  might  go  to  him  ;  which  accordingly  I  did.  And  after 
I  had  tarried  seventeen  weeks  with  him  at  Worcester,  and  no  discharge 
like  to  be  obtained  for  him,  I  went  up  to  London,  and  wrote  to  the  king 
an  account  of  his  long  imprisonment,  and  that  he  was  taken  in  his  travel 
homewards ;  and  that  he  was  sick  and  weak,  and  not  like  to  live,  if  they 
kept  him  long  there.     And  I  went  with  it  to  Whitehall  myself;  and  I 


Xlvi  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  f OX. 

met  with  the  king,  and  gave  him  the  paper :  and  he  said,  I  must  go  to 
the  chancellor,  he  could  do  nothing  in  it.  Then  I  writ  also  to  the  lord 
chancellor,  and  went  to  his  house,  and  gave  him  my  paper,  and  spoke 
to  him.  That  the  king  had  left  it  wholly  to  him  ;  and  if  he  did  not  take 
pity,  and  release  him  out  of  that  prison,  I  feared  he  would  end  his  days 
there.  And  the  lord  chancellor  Finch  was  a  very  tender  man,  and 
spoke  to  the  judge,  who  gave  out  an  habeas  corpus  presently.  And 
when  we  got  it,  we  sent  it  down  to  Worcester  ;  and  they  would  not  part 
with  him  at  first,  but  said,  he  was  premunired,  and  was  not  to  go  out 
on  that  manner.  And  then  we  were  forced  to  go  to  judge  North,  and 
to  the  attorney-general,  and  we  got  another  order,  and  sent  down  from 
them ;  and  with  much  ado,  and  great  labour  and  industry  of  William 
Mead,  and  other  friends,  we  got  him  up  to  London,  where  he  appeared 
at  Westminster  Hall  at  the  King's  Bench,  before  judge  Hales,  who  was 
a  very  honest,  tender  man ;  and  he  knew  they  had  imprisoned  him  but 
in  envy.  So  that  which  they  had  against  him  was  read ;  and  our  coun- 
sel pleaded,  that  he  was  taken  up  in  his  travel  and  journey ;  and  there 
was  but  little  said  till  he  was  acquitted.  And  this  was  the  last  prison 
that  he  was  in,  being  freed  by  the  court  of  King's  Bench. 

When  he  was  at  liberty,  he  recovered  again ;  and  then  I  was  very 
desirous  to  go  home  with  him,  which  we  did ;  and  this  was  the  first 
time  that  he  came  to  Swarthmore  after  we  were  married,  and  he  staid 
here  about  two  years,  and  then  went  to  London  again  to  the  yearly 
meeting ;  and  after  awhile  went  into  Holland,  and  some  parts  of  Ger- 
many, where  he  staid  a  pretty  while,  and  then  returned  to  London  again 
at  the  next  yearly  meeting.  And  after  he  had  staid  awhile  in  and  about 
London,  he  came  into  the  north  to  Swarthmore  again,  and  staid  that 
time  nigh  two  years ;  and  then  he  grew  weakly,  being  troubled  with 
pains  and  aches,  having  had  many  sore  and  long  travels,  beatings,  and 
hard  imprisonments.  But  after  some  time  he  rode  to  York,  and  so  pass- 
ed on  through  Nottinghamshire  and  several  counties,  visiting  friends  till 
he  came  to  London  to  the  yearly  meeting,  and  staid  there  and  there- 
abouts till  he  finished  his  course,  and  laid  down  his  head  in  peace. 

And  though  the  Lord  had  provided  an  outward  habitation  for  him,  yet 
he  was  not  willing  to  stay  at  it,  because  it  was  so  remote  and  far  from 
London,  where  his  service  most  lay.  And  my  concern  for  God  and  his 
holy  eternal  truth  was  then  in  the  north,  where  God  had  placed  and  set 
me ;  and  likewise  for  the  ordering  and  governing  of  my  children  and 
family ;  so  that  we  were  willing  both  of  us  to  live  apart  some  years  upon 
God's  account  and  his  truth's  service,  and  to  deny  ourselves  of  that 
comfort  which  we  might  have  had  in  being  together,  for  the  sake  and 
service  of  the  Lord  and  his  truth.  And  if  any  took  occasion,  or  judged 
hard  of  us  because  of  that,  the  Lord  will  judge  them ;  for  we  were  inno- 
cent. And  for  my  own  part,  I  was  willing  to  make  many  long  journeys, 
for  taking  away  all  occasion  of  evil  thoughts :  and  though  I  lived  two 
hundred  miles  from  London,  yet  have  I  been  nine  times  there,  upon  the 
Lord's  and  his  truth's  account ;  and  of  all  the  times  that  I  was  at  Lon- 
don, this  last  time  was  most  comfortable,  that  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
give  me  strength  and  ability  to  travel  that  great  journey,  being  seventy- 
six  years  of  age,  to  see  my  dear  husband,  who  was  better  in  his  health 
and  strength  than  many  times  I  had  seen  him  before.  I  look  upon  it 
that  the  Lord's  special  hand  was  in  it  that  I  should  go  then,  for  he  Uved 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  MARGARET  FOX.  xlvii 

but  about  half  a  year  after  I  left  him ;  which  makes  me  admire  the  wis- 
dom and  goodness  of  God  in  ordering  my  journey  at  that  time. 

And  now  he  hath  finished  his  course  and  his  testimony,  and  is  enter- 
ed into  his  eternal  rest  and  felicity.  I  trust  in  the  same  powerful  God, 
that  his  holy  arm  and  power  will  carry  me  through,  whatever-  he  hath 
yet  for  me  to  do ;  and  that  he  will  be  my  strength  and  support,  and  the 
bearer-up  of  my  head  unto  the  end  and  in  the  end.  For  I  know  his 
faithfulness  and  goodness,  and  I  have  experience  of  his  love ;  to  whom 
be  glory  and  powerful  dominion  for  ever.     Amen.  M.  F. 


The  Testimony  of  some  of  the  AUTHOWS  Relations. 

Neither  days  nor  length  of  time  with  us  can  wear  out  the  memory 
of  our  dear  and  honoured  father  George  Fox,  whom  the  Lord  hath 
taken  to  himself:  and  though  his  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  be  dis- 
solved, and  mortality  put  off,  yet  we  believe  he  has  a  "  building  with 
"  God  eternally  in  the  heavens,  and  is  entered  into  rest,"  as  a  reward 
to  those  great  labours,  hard  sufferings,  and  sore  trials,  he  patiently  en- 
dured for  God  and  his  truth.  Of  which  truth  he  was  made  an  able  min- 
ister, and  one,  if  not  the  first  promulgator  of  it  in  our  age ;  who,  though 
of  no  great  literature,  nor  seeming  much  learned  as  to  the  outward,  be- 
ing hid  from  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  yet  he  had  the  tongue  of  the 
learned,  and  could  speak  a  word  in  due  season  to  the  conditions  and 
capacities  of  most,  especially  to  them  that  were  weary  and  wanted  soul's 
rest,  being  deep  in  the  divine  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  And 
the  word  of  life  and  salvation  through  him  reached  into  many  souls, 
whereby  many  were  convinced  of  their  great  duty  of  inward  retiring  to 
wait  upon  God  ;  and  as  they  became  diligent  in  the  performance  of  that 
service,  were  also  raised  to  be  preachers  of  the  same  everlasting  gospel 
of  peace  and  glad  tidings  to  others ;  who  are  as  seals  to  his  ministry 
both  in  this  and  other  nations,  and  may  possibly  give  a  more  full  account 
thereof.  Howbeit  we  knowing  his  unwearied  diligence,  not  sparing  but 
spending  himself  in  the  work  and  service  whereunto  he  was  chosen  and 
called  of  God,  could  not  but  give  this  short  testimony  of  his  faithfulness 
therein,  and  likewise  of  his  tender  love  and  care  towards  us ;  who  as  a 
tender  father  to  children,  in  which  capacity  we  stood,  being  so  related 
unto  him,  he  never  failed  to  give  us  his  wholesome  counsel  and  advice. 
And  not  only  so,  but,  as  a  father  in  Christ,  he  took  care  of  the  whole 
family  and  household  of  faith,  which  the  Lord  had  made  him  an  eminent 
overseer  of,  and  endued  him  with  such  an  excellent  spirit  of  wisdom  and 
understanding,  to  propose  and  direct  helps  and  advantages  to  the  well- 
ordering  and  establishing  of  affairs  and  government  in  the  church,  as 
now  are  found  very  serviceable  thereunto,  and  have  greatly  disappoint- 
ed and  prevented  the  false,  loose,  and  libertine  spirit  in  some,  who  to 
their  confusion  have  endeavoured,  by  separation  and  division,  to  disturb 
the  church's  peace.  And  although  many  of  that  sort  have  at  sundry 
times  shot  their  poisonous  darts  at  him,  publickly  in  print,  and  privately 
other  ways,  yet  he  has  always  been  preserved  by  the  heavenly  power 
of  God  out  of  the  reach  of  their  envy,  and  all  perils  and  difficulties  that 
attended  on  their  account ;  who,  as  a  fixed  star  in  the  firmament  of  God's 


xlviii  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  THE  MINISTRY. 

power,  did  constantly  abide,  and  held  his  integrity  to  the  last,  being  of 
a  sweet  savoury  iiie,  and  as  to  conversation  kept  his  garments  clean :  and 
though  outwardly  dead  yet  liveth,  and  his  memory  is  right  precious 
unto  us ;  and  it  is  and  will  be  to  all  that  abide  in  the  love  of  truth,  and 
have  not  declined  the  way  of  it.  For  he  was  one  of  the  Lord's 
worthies,  valiant  for  the  truth  upon  earth,  not  turning  his  back  in  the 
day  of  battle ;  but  his  bow  still  abiding  in  its  strength,  he,  through 
many  hardships,  brought  gladness  and  refreshment  to  Israel's  camp,  be- 
ing assisted  by  the  might  of  that  power  that  always  put  the  armies  of 
aliens  and  enemies  to  flight.  And  now,  having  finished  his  course,  is 
removed  from  us  into  a  glorious  state  of  immortality  and  bliss,  and  is 
gathered  unto  the  Lord  as  a  shock  of  corn  in  its  full  season,  and  to  that 
habitation  of  safety  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the 
weary  be  at  rest. 

John  Rous,  Margaret  Rous, 

William  Meade,  Sarah  Meade, 

Thomas  Lower,  Mary  Lower, 

William  Ingram,  Susanna  Ingram, 

Daniel  Abraham,  Rachel  Abraham, 

Abraham  Morrice,  Isabel  Morrice. 


An  EPISTLE  by  way  of  Testimony  to  Friends  and  Brethren 
of  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings  in  England^  Wales., 
and  elsewhere^  concerning  the  Decease  of  our  faithfid  Brother 
George  Fox. 

From  our  Second  Day's  Morning-Meeting  in  London,  the  26th 
of  the  11th  month,  1690. 

Dear  and  truly  beloved  friends,  brethren,  and  sisters  in  Christ  Jesus, 
our  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  we  sincerely  and  tenderly  salute  you  all 
in  his  free  and  tender  love,  wherewith  he  hath  graciously  visited  us,  and 
largely  shed  it  abroad  in  our  souls,  to  our  own  unspeakable  comfort  and 
consolation,  and  towards  his  whole  heritage  and  offspring :  blessed  be 
his  pure  and  powerful  name  for  evermore.  And  our  souls  do  truly  and 
fervently  desire,  and  breathe  unto  the  God  of  all  our  mercies,  that  you 
all  may  be  preserved  and  kept  truly  faithful  and  diligent  in  his  work  and 
service,  according  to  your  heavenly  calling  and  endowments,  with  his 
light,  grace,  and  truth  unto  the  end  of  your  days ;  as  being  livingly  en- 
gaged thereby  all  your  appointed  time  to  serve  him,  and  to  wait  till 
your  change  come ;  that  none  may  neglect  that  true  improvement  of 
your  times  and  talents  that  God  has  afibrded  you  here  for  your  eternal 
advantage  hereafter  in  that  inheritance  and  life  immortal  that  never 
fades  away.  And  that  the  whole  flock  and  heritage  of  Christ  Jesus, 
which  he  has  purchased  and  bought  for  himself  with  a  price  incorrupti- 
ble, may  always  be  preserved  in  his  own  pure  love  and  hfe,  so  as  to 
grow,  increase,  and  prosper  in  the  same,  and  thereby  be  kept  in  love, 
unity,  and  peace  with  one  another,  as  becomes  his  true  and  faithful  fol- 
lowers, is  that  which  our  very  hearts  and  souls  desire,  being  often  truly 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  THE  MINISTRY.  xlix 

comforted  and  enlarged  in  the  living  sense  and  feeling  of  the  increase 
and  aboundings  thereof  among  faithful  friends  and  brethren. 

And  dear  brethren  and  sisters,  unto  this  our  tender  salutation  we  are  con- 
cerned, in  brotherly  love  and  true  tender-heartedness,  to  add  and  impart 
unto  you  some  account  of  the  decease  of  our  dear  and  elder  brother  in 
Christ,  namely,  his  and  his  church's  true  and  faithful  servant  and  min- 
ister George  Fox,  whom  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  take  unto  himself, 
as  he  hath  divers  others  of  his  faithful  servants  and  ministers  of  late 
time  ;  who  have  faithfully  served  out  their  generation,  and  finished  their 
testimony  and  course  with  joy  and  peace.  Howbeit,  O  dear  brethren 
and  friends !  that  so  many  worthies  in  Israel,  and  serviceable  instru- 
ments in  the  Lord's  hand,  are  of  late  taken  away  and  removed  from  us, 
so  soon  one  after  another,  appears  a  dispensation  that  deeply  and  sor- 
rowfully afiects  us  and  many  more,  whose  hearts  are  upright  and  tender 
towards  God  and  one  to  another  in  the  truth.  The  consideration  of  the 
depth,  weight,  and  meaning  thereof  is  very  weighty  upon  our  spirits, 
tho'  their  precious  life  and  testimony  lives  with  us,  as  being  of  that  same 
body,  united  to  one  head,  even  Jesus  Christ ;  in  which  we  still,  and  hope 
ever  shall  have  secret  comfort  and  union  with  them,  whom  the  Lord  has 
removed  and  taken  to  himself,  out  of  their  earthly  tabernacles  and 
houses,  into  their  heavenly  and  everlasting  mansions. 

This  our  dear  brother,  George  Fox,  was  enabled  by  the  Lord's  power 
to  preach  the  truth  fully  and  effectually  in  our  public  meeting  in  White 
Hart  Court,  by  Grace-church-street,  London,  on  the  11th  day  of  this 
instant  11th  month,  1690  :  after  which  he  said,  "  I  am  glad  I  was  here ; 
now  I  am  clear,  I  am  fully  clear."  He  was  the  same  day  taken 
with  some  illness  or  indisposition  of  body  more  than  usual,  and  continu- 
ed weak  in  body  for  two  days  after  at  our  friend  Henry  Gouldney's 
house  in  the  same  court,  close  by  the  meeting-house,  in  much  content- 
ment and  peace,  and  very  sensible  to  the  last.  In  which  time  he  men- 
tioned divers  friends,  and  sent  for  some  in  particular ;  to  whom  he  ex- 
pressed his  mind  for  the  spreading  friends'  books  and  truth  in  the  world  and 
through  the  nations  thereof,  as  his  spirit  in  the  Lord's  love  and  power 
was  universally  set  and  bent  for  truth  and  righteousness,  and  the  making 
knov»'n  the  way  thereof  to  the  nations  and  people  afar  off;  signifying 
also  to  some  friends,  "  That  all  is  well ;  and  the  seed  of  God  reigns  over 
all,  and  over  death  itself:  that  though  he  was  weak  in  body,  yet  that  the 
power  of  God  is  over  all,  and  the  seed  reigns  over  all  disorderly  spirits :" 
which  were  his  wonted  sensible  expressions,  being  in  the  living  faith  and 
sense  thereof,  which  he  kept  to  the  end.  And  on  the  13th  instant,  be- 
tween the  ninth  and  tenth  hour  of  the  night,  he  quietly  departed  this  life 
in  peace,  being  two  days  after  the  Lord  enabled  him  to  publish  and 
preach  the  blessed  truth  in  the  meeting  as  aforesaid.  So  that  he  clearly 
and  evidently  ended  his  days  in  his  faithful  testimony,  in  perfect  love  and 
unity  with  his  brethren,  and  peace  and  good-will  to  all  men,  being 
about  sixty  and  six  years  of  age,  as  we  understand,  when  he  departed 
this  life. 

And  on  the  sixteenth  of  this  instant,  being  the  day  appointed  for  his 
funeral,  a  very  great  concourse  of  friends  and  other  people  assembled 
at  our  meeting-house  in  White  Hart  Court  aforesaid,  about  the  mid-day, 
in  order  to  attend  his  body  to  our  burying  place  near  Bunhillfields,  to  be 
interred,  as  friends'  last  office  of  love  and  respect  due  on  that  account. 
The  meeting  was  held  about  two  hours,  with  great  and  heavenly  solem- 

G 


i  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  THE  MINISTRY. 

nity,  manifestly  attended  with  the  Lord's  blessed  power  and  presence ;  and 
divers  living  testimonies  given  from  a  lively  remembrance  and  sense  of 
this  his  dear  ancient  servant,  his  blessed  ministry  and  testimony  of  the 
breaking  forth  of  this  gospel-day ;  his  innocent  life,  long  and  great  travels, 
and  labours  of  love  in  the  everlasting  gospel,  for  the  turning  and  gathering 
many  thousands  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  the  founda- 
tion of  true  faith ;  also  of  his  manifold  sufferings,  afflictions,  and  oppo- 
sitions which  he  met  withal  for  his  faithful  testimony,  both  from  his  open 
adversaries  and  false  brethren ;  and  his  preservations,  dominion,  and  de- 
liverances out  of  them  all  by  the  power  of  God :  to  whom  the  glory  and 
honour  was  and  is  ascribed,  in  raising  up  and  preserving  this  his  faithful 
witness  and  minister  to  the  end  of  his  days,  whose  blessed  memorial  will 
everlastingly  remain. 

He  loved  truth  and  righteousness,  and  bore  faithful  testimony  against 
deceit  and  the  mystery  of  iniquity ;  and  often,  of  late  time  especially, 
warned  friends  against  covetousness,  earthly-mindedness,  against  getting 
into  the  earth,  and  into  a  brittle  spirit ;  and  the  younger  sort,  against 
looseness  and  pride  of  hfe. 

A  few  days  before  he  died  he  had  a  great  concern  upon  his  mind 
concerning  some  in  whom  the  Lord's  power  was  working,  to  lead 
them  into  a  ministry  and  testimony  to  his  truth ;  who,  through  their  too 
much  entangling  themselves  in  the  things  of  this  world,  did  make  them- 
selves unready  to  answer  the  call  and  leadings  of  the  power  of  God, 
and  hurt  the  gift  that  was  bestowed  upon  them,  and  did  not  take  that  re- 
gard to  their  service  and  ministry  as  they  ought.  And  mentioned  the 
apostle's  exhortation  to  Timothy,  to  "  take  heed  to  his  ministry,  and  to 
"  shew  himself  approved,"  &c.  And  expressed  his  grief  concerning 
such  as  preferred  their  own  business  before  the  Lord's  business,  and 
sought  the  advancing  worldly  concerns  before  the  concerns  of  truth :  and 
concluded  with  a  tender  and  fatherly  exhortation  to  all  to  whom  God 
had  imparted  of  his  heavenly  treasure,  that  they  would  improve  it  faith- 
fully ;  and  be  diligent  in  the  Lord's  work,  that  the  earth  might  be  sown 
with  the  seed  of  the  kingdom,  and  God's  harvest  might  be  minded  by 
those  whom  he  had  called  and  enabled  to  labour  therein:  and  that 
such  would  commit  the  care  of  their  outward  concerns  to  the  Lord, 
who  would  care  for  them,  and  give  a  blessing  to  them.  However,  this  is 
not  mentioned  to  encourage  any  to  run  unsent,  or  without  being  called 
of  God. 

Many  are  living  witnesses  that  the  Lord  raised  him  up  by  his  power, 
to  proclaim  his  mighty  day  to  the  nations,  and  made  him  an  effectual 
instrument  in  our  day  to  turn  many  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 
Satan's  power  to  God  ;  and  freely  to  suffer  and  bear  all  reproaches,  and 
the  manifold  persecutions,  buffetings,  halings,  stonings,  imprisonments, 
and  cruelties,  that  were  in  the  beginning  and  for  some  time  inflicted  on 
him  and  others,  for  the  name  of  Christ  Jesus. 

He  was  in  his  testimony  as  a  fixed  star  in  the  firmament  of  God's 
power,  where  all  that  be  truly  wise,  and  that  turn  many  to  righteousness, 
shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  as  the  stars  for  ever 
and  ever.  He  knew  and  preached  the  mystery  of  Christ  revealed,  the 
life  and  substance,  and  the  power  of  godliness,  above  all  shadows  and 
forms :  the  Lord  endued  him  with  a  hidden  wisdom  and  life.  He  loved 
peace,  and  earnestly  laboured  for  universal  love,  unity,  peace,  and  good 
order  in  the  churches  of  Christ :  and  where-ever  he  met  with  the  con- 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  THE  MINISTRY.  ]i 

trary,  it  was  his  great  grief  and  burden.  He  was  greatly  for  the  en- 
couragement of  faithful  labourers  in  the  Lord's  work ;  and  it  was  a  great 
offence  and  grief  to  him  to  have  their  testimony  weakened,  or  labours 
slighted,  through  prejudice  in  any  professing  truth. 

And  inasmuch  as  the  Lord  suifered  him  not  to  be  delivered  up  to  the 
will  of  his  enemies  and  persecutors,  who  often  heretofore  breathed  out 
cruelty  against  him,  and  designed  his  destruction ;  but  in  his  good  pleasure 
so  fairly  and  quietly  took  him  away  in  his  own  time,  when  his  testimony 
was  so  blessedly  finished,  and  his  work  accomplished ;  this  is  all  remarka- 
ble, and  worthy  of  serious  and  due  observation,  as  being  a  special  and 
divine  providence  and  wisdom  of  God ;  to  whom  we  ascribe  the  glory 
of  all,  and  not  unto  man  or  creatures.  Though  we  must  needs  allow 
and  own  that  good  report  and  due  esteem  which  faithful  elders,  ministers, 
and  servants  of  God  and  Christ  have  by  faith  obtained,  to  the  praise  of 
that  blessed  Power  that  upheld  them  in  every  age  in  their  day ;  many 
whereof  are  even  of  late  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come,  and  are  at 
rest  in  the  Lord,  out  of  the  reach  of  all  envy  and  persecution,  where  the 
wicked  cannot  trouble  them  any  more. 

And  we  must  patiently  bear  our  parting  with  them,  and  our  loss  and 
sorrow  on  that  account,  with  respect  to  their  unspeakable  gain :  yet  how 
can  we  avoid  being  deeply  affected  with  sadness  of  spirit  and  brokenness 
of  heart,  under  the  sense  and  consideration  of  such  loss  and  revolutions, 
which  we  have  cause  to  believe  are  ominous  of  calamities  to  the  wicked 
world,  though  of  good  to  the  righteous  ?  Did  the  death  of  plain  upright 
Jacob,  namely  Israel,  who  was  as  a  prince  of  God,  so  deeply  affect  both 
his  own  children  and  kindred,  as  that  they  made  a  great  and  sore  lamenta- 
tion for  him  ;  and  even  the  Egyptians  also,  that  they  bewailed  him  seventy 
days  1  And  the  death  of  Moses  so  deeply  affect  the  children  of  Israel,  as 
that  they  "  did  wisep  and  mourn  for  him  in  the  plain  of  Moab  thirty  days?' 
And  the  death  of  Stephen,  that  faithful  martyr  of  Jesus,  so  deeply  afiect 
certain  men  fearing  God,  as  "  that  they  made  great  lamentation  for  him  ?" 
And  the  apostle  Paul,  when  taking  his  leave  of  the  elders  of  the  church 
of  Ephesus,  and  telling  them,  "  they  should  see  his  face  no  more  ?"  If 
this  did  so  deeply  affect  them,  that  they  "  wept  all  abundantly,  sorrowing 
most  of  all  for  these  words,  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more ;"  with 
many  more  of  this  kind,  how  then  can  we  otherwise  choose  but  be 
deeply  affected  with  sorrow  and  sadness  of  heart,  though  not  as  those 
which  have  no  hope,  when  so  many  of  our  ancient,  dear,  and  faithful 
brethren,  with  whom  we  have  had  much  sweet  society,  are  removed 
from  us  one  after  another  1  (We  pray  God  raise  up  and  increase  more 
such !)  Yet  must  we  all  contentedly  submit  to  the  good  pleasure  and 
wisdom  of  the  Lord  our  God  in  all  these  things ;  who  taketh  away,  and 
none  can  hinder  him,  nor  may  any  say  unto  him,  "  What  dost  thou  ?" 
Yet  we  have  cause  to  bless  the  Lord  that  he  hath  of  late  raised,  and  is 
raising  up  more  to  publish  his  name  in  the  earth ;  and  we  that  yet  re- 
main have  but  a  short  time  to  stay  after  them  that  are  gone,  but  we  shall 
be  gone  to  them  also.  The  Lord  God  of  life  keep  us  all  faithful  in  his 
holy  truth,  love,  unity,  and  life  to  the  end.  He  hath  a  great  work  still  to 
bring  forth  in  the  earth,  and  great  things  to  bring  to  pass,  in  order  to 
make  way  for  truth  and  righteousness  to  take  place  therein ;  and  that 
his  seed  may  come  forth  and  be  gathered,  and  the  power  and  kingdom 
of  our  God  and  of  his  Christ  made  known  and  exalted  in  the  earth,  unto 
the  ends  thereof. 


Ha  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  FRIENDS  IN  THE  MINISTRY. 

Dear  friends  and  brethren,  Be  faithful  till  death,  that  a  crown  of  life 
you  may  obtain.  All  dwell  in  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  union 
and  peace  in  him :  to  whom  we  tenderly  commit  you  to  keep  and 
strengthen  you,  bless  and  preserve  you  to  the  end  of  your  days.  In 
whose  dear  and  tender  love  we  remain 

Your  dear  friends  and  brethren, 

Stephen  Crisp,  Nicholas  Gates,  Daniel  Monro, 

Geo.  Whitehead,  Francis  Stamper,  John  Heywood, 

Fra.  Camfield,  John  Vaughton,  George  Bowles, 

James  Park,  •    Gilbert  Latey,  William  Robinson, 

John  Elson,  Charles  Marshal,  William  Bingley, 

Peter  Price,  Rich.  Needham,  John  Butcher, 

John  Field,  James  Martin,  Benjamin  Antrobus. 
John  Edridge, 

These  names  are  since  added,  at  the  desire  of  the  persons  following : 
Sam.  Goodaker,  Amb.  Rigg,  William  Fallowfield. 


POSTSCRIPT. 

Before  his  death  he  wrote  a  little  paper,  desiring  all  friends  every- 
where, that  used  to  write  to  him  about  the  sufferings  and  affairs  of  friends 
in  their  several  countries,  should  henceforth  write  to  their  several  cor- 
respondents in  London,  to  be  communicated  to  the  Second  Day's  Meet- 
ing, to  take  care  that  they  be  answered. 


Thomas  Ellwood^s  Account  of  that  eminent  and  honourable  Ser- 
vant of  the  Lord,  George  Fox. 

Tms  holy  man  was  raised  up  by  God  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  for 
an  extraordinary  work,  even  to  awaken  the  sleeping  world,  by  pro- 
claiming the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  to  the  nations,  and  publishing  again 
the  everlasting  gospel  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth,  after  the  long  and 
dismal  night  of  apostacy  and  darkness.  For  this  work  the  Lord  began 
to  prepare  him  by  many  and  various  trials  and  exercises  from  his  very 
childhood ;  and  having  fitted  and  furnished  him  for  it,  he  called  him  into 
it  very  young ;  and  made  him  instrumental,  by  the  effectual  w^orking  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  through  his  ministry,  to  call  many  others  into  the  same 
work,  and  to  turn  many  thousands  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ, 
and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God.  I  knew  him  not  till  the  year 
1660:  from  that  time  to  the  time  of  his  death,  I  knew  him  well,  con- 
versed with  him  often,  observed  him  much,  loved  him  dearly,  and  hon- 
oured him  truly ;  and  upon  good  experience  can  say,  he  was  indeed  an 
heavenly-minded  man,  zealous  for  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  preferred 
the  honour  of  God  before  all  things. 


THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THOMAS  ELLWOOD,  &c.  Hii 

He  was  valiant  for  the  truth,  bold  in  asserting  it,  patient  in  suffering 
for  it,  unwearied  in  labouring  in  it,  steady  in  his  testimony  to  it ;  im- 
movable as  a  rock.  Deep  he  was  in  divine  knowledge,  clear  in  opening 
heavenly  mysteries,  plain  and  powerful  in  preaching,  fervent  in  prayer. 
He  was  richly  endued  with  heavenly  wisdom,  quick  in  discerning,  sound 
in  judgment,  able  and  ready  in  giving,  discreet  in  keeping  counsel ;  a 
lover  of  righteousness,  an  encourager  of  virtue,  justice,  temperance, 
meekness,  purity,  chastity,  modesty,  humility,  charity  and  self-denial  in 
all,  both  by  word  and  example.  Graceful  he  was  in  countenance,  manly 
in  personage,  grave  in  gesture,  courteous  in  conversation,  weighty  in 
communication,  instructive  in  discourse ;  free  from  affectation  in  speech 
or  carriage.  A  severe  reprover  of  hard  and  obstinate  sinners ;  a  mild 
and  gentle  admonisher  of  such  as  were  tender,  and  sensible  of  their  fail- 
ings ;  not  apt  to  resent  personal  wrongs ;  easy  to  forgive  injuries;  but 
zealously  earnest  where  the  honour  of  God,  the  prosperity  of  truth,  the 
peace  of  the  church  were  concerned.  Very  tender,  compassionate,  and 
pitiful  he  was  to  all  that  were  under  any  sort  of  affliction ;  full  of  bro- 
therly love,  full  of  fatherly  care :  for  indeed  the  care  of  the  churches  of 
Christ  was  daily  upon  him,  the  prosperity  and  peace  whereof  he  studi- 
ously sought.  Beloved  he  was  of  God,  beloved  of  God's  people ;  and 
(which  was  not  the  least  part  of  his  honour)  the  common  butt  of  all  apos- 
tates' envy,  whose  good  notwithstanding  he  earnestly  sought. 

He  Kved  to  see  the  desire  of  his  soul,  the  spreading  of  that  blessed 
principle  of  divine  light  through  many  of  the  European  nations,  and  not 
a  few  of  the  American  islands  and  provinces,  and  the  gathering  many 
thousands  into  an  establishment  therein ;  which  the  Lord  vouchsafed  him 
the  honour  to  be  the  first  effectual  publisher  of  in  this  latter  age  of  the 
world.  And  having  fought  a  good  fight,  finished  his  course,  and  kept  the 
faith,  his  righteous  soul,  freed  from  the  earthly  tabernacle,  in  which  he 
had  led  an  exemplary  life  of  holiness,  was  translated  into  those  heavenly 
mansions,  where  Christ  our  Lord  went  to  prepare  a  place  for  his ;  there 
to  possess  that  glorious  crown  of  righteousness  which  is  laid  up  for,  and 
shall  be  given  by  the  Loi'd  the  righteous  judge  to  all  them  that  love  his 
appearance.  Ages  to  come  and  people  yet  unborn  shall  call  him  blessed, 
and  bless  the  Lord  for  raising  of  him  up :  and  blessed  shall  we  also  be, 
if  we  so  walk  as  we  had  him  for  an  example :  for  whom  this  testimony 
lives  in  my  heart.    He  lived  and  died  the  SERVANT  of  the  LORD. 

T.  E. 


The  Appearance  of  the  Lord's  Everlasting  Truth  breaking  forth 
again  in  his  Eternal  Power  in  this  our  Day  and  Age  in  ENG- 
LAND  

Wherein  the  Lord's  mighty  power  and  word  of  life  hath  been  richly 
and  freely  preached,  to  the  gathering  of  many  into  reconciliation  with 
God,  by  it ;  to  the  exaltation  and  glory  of  the  great  God,  through  the 
bringing  forth  of  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  fruits,  from  such  as  have 
been  gathered  by  his  eternal  light,  power,  and  Spirit  unto  himself  And 
by  the  sowing  to  tiie  Spirit  in  the  hearts  of  people,  life  eternal  hath  been 


liv  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  LORD'S  EVERLASTING  TRUTH,  &c. 

reaped :  that  the  flocks  have  been  gathered,  which  have  the  milk  of  the 
word  plenteously:  that  the  riches  of  the  word  have  flourished,  and 
mightily  abounded ;  and  God's  heavenly  plough  with  his  spiritual  men 
hath  gone  on  cheerfully,  to  the  overturning  the  fallow  ground  of  the 
hearts  that  had  not  borne  heavenly  fruit  to  God.  And  God's  heavenly 
threshers  with  his  heavenly  flail  have  with  joy  and  delight  threshed  out 
the  chaflJ"  and  the  corruptions  that  have  been  atop  of  God's  seed  and 
wheat  in  man  and  woman :  and  thus  have  they  threshed  in  hope,  and 
are  made  partakers  of  their  hope ;  through  which  God's  seed  is  come 
into  his  garner. 

O  the  unutterable  glory  and  the  inexpressible  excellency  of  the  everlast- 
ing glorious  truth,  gospel,  and  word  of  life,  that  the  infinite,  invisible,  and 
wise  God,  (who  is  over  all)  hath  revealed  and  manifested !  And  how  have 
the  professors,  priests,  and  powers  risen  up  in  opposition  against  his  chil- 
dren, that  are  born  of  the  immortal  seed  by  the  word  of  God !  And  O  how 
great  have  the  persecutions  and  reproaches,  and  spoiling  of  goods  been, 
that  have  been  executed  upon  them !  But  they  that  have  touched  them, 
and  touch  them,  which  are  as  dear  to  God  as  the  apple  of  his  eye,  how 
hath  the  Lord  manifested  himself  to  stand  by  them,  in  overthrowing 
powers,  priests,  and  states !  What  changes  have  there  been  since  1644 
and  1650,  and  1652 !  How  have  the  gaols  been  filled  since  then  in  this 
nation  with  the  heirs  of  life,  God's  chosen  ones,  who  had  no  helper  in  the 
earth  but  the  Lord  and  his  Christ !  So  that  truth's  faithful  witnesses 
were  scarcely  to  be  found  but  in  gaols  and  prisons,  where  the  righteous 
were  numbered  among  the  transgressors ;  who  had  neither  staflf  nor  bag 
from  man,  but  the  staff",  the  bread  of  life,  and  the  bag  that  holds  the 
treasure  that  waxes  not  old.  But  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  sent  them 
forth,  was  their  exceeding  great  supporter  and  upholder  by  his  eternal 
power  and  Spirit,  both  then  and  now.  G.  F. 


JOURNAL,  OR  HISTORICAL  ACCOUNT, 

OF  THE 

LIFE,  TRAVELS,  SUFFERINGS,  &c. 

OF 

GEORGE    FOX. 


THAT  all  may  know  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  me,  and  the  va- 
rious exercises,  trials,  and  troubles  through  which  he  led  me,  in  order  to 
prepare  and  fit  me  for  the  work  unto  which  he  had  appointed  me,  and 
may  thereby  be  drawn  to  admire  and  glorify  his  infinite  Wisdom  and 
Goodness ;  I  think  fit,  before  I  proceed  to  set  forth  my  publick  travels  in 
the  service  of  Truth,  briefly  to  mention  how  it  was  with  me  in  my  youth, 
and  how  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  begun,  and  gradually  carried  on  in 
me,  even  from  my  childhood. 

I  was  born  in  the  month  called  July,  in  the  year  1624,  at  Drayton  in 
the  Clay,  in  Leicestershire.  My  father's  name  was  Christopher  Fox. 
He  was  by  profession  a  weaver,  an  honest  man,  and  there  was  a  Seed 
of  God  in  him.  The  neighbours  called  him  Righteous  Christer.  My 
mother  was  an  u])right  woman ;  her  maiden  name  was  Mary  Lago,  of 
the  family  of  the  Lago's  and  of  the  stock  of  the  martyrs. 

In  my  very  young  years  I  had  a  gravity  and  stayedness  of  mind  and 
spirit  not  usual  in  children ;  insomuch  that  when  I  have  seen  old  men 
carry  themselves  lightly  and  wantonly  towards  each  other,  a  dislike 
thereof  hath  risen  in  my  heart,  and  I  have  said  within  myself,  "  If  ever 
"  I  come  to  be  a  man,  surely  I  should  not  do  so,  nor  be  so  wanton." 

When  I  came  to  eleven  years  of  age,  I  knew  pureness  and  righteous- 
ness ;  for  while  I  was  a  child  I  was  taught  how  to  walk  so  as  to  be  kept 
pure.  The  Lord  taught  me  to  be  faithful  in  all  things,  and  to  act  faith- 
fully two  ways,  viz  inwardly  to  God,  and  outwardly  to  man ;  and  to 
keep  to  yea  and  nay  in  all  things.  For  the  Lord  shewed  me,  though  the 
people  of  the  world  have  mouths  full  of  deceit  and  changeable  words, 
that  I  was  to  keep  to  yea  and  nay  in  all  things,  that  my  words  should 
be  few  and  savoury,  seasoned  with  grace :  and  that  I  might  not  eat  and 
drink  to  make  myself  wanton,  but  for  health,  using  the  creatures  in  their 
service,  as  servants  in  their  places,  to  the  glory  of  him  that  created 
them :  they  being  in  their  covenant,  and  I  being  brought  up  into  the 
covenant,  as  sanctified  by  the  Word  which  was  in  the  beginning,  by 
which  all  things  are  upheld,  wherein  is  unity  with  the  creation. 

But  people  being  strangers  to  the  covenant  of  life  with  God,  they  eat 
and  drink  to  make  themselves  wanton  with  the  creatures,  wasting  them 
upon  their  lusts,  living  in  all  filthiness,  and  devouring  the  creation ;  all 


56  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1643 

this  in  the  world,  in  the  pollutions  thereof  without  God :  therefore  I  was 
to  shun  all  such. 

As  I  grew  up  my  relations  thought  to  have  made  me  a  priest ;  but 
others  persuaded  to  the  contrary.  Whereupon  I  was  put  to  a  man  who 
was  a  shoe-maker  by  trade,  and  dealt  in  wool.  He  also  used  grazing, 
and  sold  cattle ;  and  a  great  deal  went  through  my  hands.  While  I  was 
with  him  he  was  blest,  but  after  I  left  him  he  broke  and  came  to  nothing. 
I  never  wronged  man  or  woman  in  all  that  time ;  for  the  Lord's  power 
was  with  me,  and  over  me,  to  preserve  me.  While  I  was  in  that  service, 
I  u-sed  in  my  dealings  the  word  Verily,  and  it  was  a  common  saying 
among  those  that  knew  me,  "  If  George  says  verily,  there  is  no  altering 
"him."  When  boys  and  rude  persons  would  laugh  at  me;  I  let  them 
alone  and  went  my  way :  but  people  had  generally  a  love  to  me  for  my 
innocency  and  honesty. 

When  I  came  towards  nineteen  years  of  age,  being  upon  business  at 
a  fair,  one  of  my  cousins,  whose  name  was  Bradford,  a  professor,  having 
another  professor  with  him,  came  and  asked  me  to  drink  part  of  a  jug 
of  beer  with  them.  I,  being  thirsty,  went  in  with  them ;  for  I  loved  any 
who  had  a  sense  of  good,  or  that  sought  after  the  Lord.  When  we  had 
drank  a  glass  apiece,  they  began  to  drink  healths,  and  called  for  more 
drink,  agreeing  together,  that  he  that  would  not  drink,  should  pay  all. 
I  was  grieved  that  any,  who  made  profession  of  religion  siiould  ofler  to 
do  so.  They  grieved  me  very  much,  having  never  had  such  a  thing  put 
to  me  before,  by  any  sort  of  people.  Wherefore  I  rose  up,  and  putting 
my  hand  in  my  pocket,  took  out  a  groat,  and  laid  it  upon  the  table  before 
them,  saying,  "  If  it  be  so,  I  will  leave  you."  So  I  went  away ;  and 
when  I  had  done  my  business  returned  home ;  but  did  not  go  to  bed  that 
night,  nor  could  I  sleep ;  but  sometimes  walked  up  and  down,  and  some- 
times prayed,  and  cried  to  the  Lord,  who  said  unto  me ;  DC7^  "  Thou 
"  seest  how  young  people  go  together  into  vanity,  and  old  people  into  the 
"  earth ;  thou  must  forsake  all,  young  and  old,  keep  out  of  all,  and  be  as 
"  a  stranger  unto  all." 

Then  at  the  command  of  God,  the  ninth  of  the  seventh  month,  1643, 
I  left  my  relations,  and  broke  off  all  familiarity  or  fellowship  with  young 
or  old.  I  passed  to  Lutterworth,  where  I  staid  some  time.  From  thence 
I  went  to  Northampton,  where  also  I  made  some  stay ;  then  passed  to 
Newport-pagnel,  in  Buckinghamshire ;  where,  after  I  had  staid  awhile  I 
went  to  Barnet,  in  the  fourth  month  called  June,  in  the  year  1644.  As  I 
thus  travelled  through  the  country,  professors  took  notice  of  me,  and 
sought  to  be  acquainted  with  me :  but  I  was  afraid  of  them :  for  I  was 
sensible  they  did  not  possess  what  they  professed.  During  the  time  I 
was  at  Barnet,  a  strong  temptation  to  despair  came  upon  me.  I  then 
saw  how  Christ  was  tempted,  and  mighty  troubles  I  was  in.  Sometimes 
I  kept  myself  retired  in  my  chamber,  and  often  walked  solitary  in  the 
Chase  to  wait  upon  the  Lord. 

I  wondered  why  these  things  should  come  to  me.  I  looked  upon  my- 
self, and  said,  "  Was  I  ever  so  before  V  Then  I  thought,  because  I  had 
forsaken  my  relations,  I  had  done  amiss  against  them.  So  I  was  brought 
to  call  to  mind  all  my  time  that  I  had  spent,  and  to  consider  whether  I 
had  wronged  any :  but  temptations  grew  more  and  more,  and  I  was 
tempted  almost  to  despair ;  and  when  Satan  could  not  effect  his  design 
upon  me  that  way,  he  laid  snares  and  baits  to  draw  me  to  commit  some 
sin,  whereby  he  might  take  advantage  to  bring  me  to  despair.    I  was 


1644]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  57 

about  twenty  years  of  age  when  these  exercises  came  upon  me,  and 
some  years  I  continued  in  that  condition  in  great  trouble,  and  fain  I 
would  have  put  it  from  me.  I  went  to  many  a  priest  to  look  for  comfort, 
but  found  no  comfort  from  them. 

From  Barnet  I  went  to  London,  where  I  took  a  lodging,  and  was 
under  great  misery  and  trouble  there ;  for  I  looked  upon  the  great  pro- 
fessors of  the  city  of  London,  and  saw  all  was  dark  and  under  the  chain 
of  darkness.  I  had  an  uncle  there,  one  Pickering,  a  baptist,  and  they 
were  tender  then ;  yet  I  could  not  impart  my  mind  to  him,  nor  join  with 
them ;  for  I  saw  all,  young  and  old,  where  they  were.  Some  tender 
people  would  have  had  me  staid,  but  I  was  fearful,  and  returned  home- 
ward into  Leicestershire,  having  a  regard  upon  my  mind  to  my  parents 
and  relations,  lest  I  should  grieve  them ;  who,  I  understood,  were  troubled 
at  my  absence. 

Being  returned  into  Leicestershire,  my  relations  would  have  had  me 
married ;  but  I  told  them  I  was  but  a  lad,  and  must  get  wisdom.  Others 
would  have  had  me  into  the  auxiliary  band  among  the  soldiery,  but  I  re- 
fused, and  was  grieved  that  they  ofiered  such  things  to  me,  being  a  ten- 
der youth.  Then  I  went  to  Coventry,  where  I  took  a  chamber  for 
awhile  at  a  professor's  house,  till  people  began  to  be  acquainted  with  me ; 
for  there  were  many  tender  people  in  that  town.  After  some  time  I 
went  into  my  own  country  again,  and  continued  about  a  year,  in  great 
sorrow  and  trouble,  and  walked  many  nights  by  myself 

Then  the  priest  of  Drayton,  the  town  of  my  birth,  whose  name  was 
Nathaniel  Stevens,  came  often  to  me,  and  I  went  often  to  him ;  and  an- 
other priest  sometimes  came  whh  him ;  and  they  would  give  place  to 
me,  to  hear  me ;  and  I  would  ask  them  questions,  and  reason  with  them. 
This  priest  Stevens  asked  me,  "  Why  Christ  cried  out  upon  the  cross, 
"  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?"  And  why  he  said, 
"  If  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  fropi  me ;  yet  not  my  will,  but  thine 
"  be  done '?"  I  told  him ;  at  that  time  the  sins  of  all  mankind  were  upon 
him,  and  their  iniquities  and  transgressions,  with  which  he  was  wounded ; 
which  he  was  to  bear  and  to  be  an  offering  for,  as  he  was  man,  but  died 
not  as  he  was  God ;  so,  in  that  he  died  for  all  men,  tasting  death  for 
every  man,  he  was  an  offering  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  This  I 
spoke,  being  at  that  time  in  a  measure  sensible  of  Christ's  sufferings. 
The  priest  said,  "  It  was  a  very  good,  full  answer,  and  such  a  one  as  he 
*'  had  not  heard."  At  that  time  he  would  applaud  and  speak  highly  of 
me  to  others ;  and  what  I  said  in  discourse  to  him  on  week-days,  he 
would  preach  of  on  first-days,  which  gave  me  a  dislike  to  him.  This 
priest  afterwards  became  my  great  persecutor. 

After  this  I  went  to  another  ancient  priest  at  Mansetter  in  Warwick- 
shire, and  reasoned  with  him  about  the  ground  of  despair  and  tempta- 
tions ;  but  he  was  ignorant  of  my  condition :  he  bid  me  take  tobacco  and 
sing  psalms.  Tobacco  was  a  thing  I  did  not  love,  and  psalms  I  was  not 
in  a  state  to  sing ;  I  could  not  sing.  He  bid  me  come  again,  and  he 
would  tell  me  many  things ;  but  when  I  came  he  was  angry  and  pettish, 
for  my  former  words  had  displeased  him.  He  told  my  troubles,  sorrows, 
and  griefs  to  his  servants,  so  that  it  was  got  among  the  milk-lasses.  It 
grieved  me  that  I  should  open  my  mind  to  such  a  one.  I  saw  they  were 
all  miserable  comforters,  and  this  increased  my  troubles  upon  me.  I 
heard  of  a  priest  living  about  Tamworth,  who  was  accounted  an  ex- 
perienced man.  I  went  seven  miles  to  him,  but  found  him  like  an  empty, 

H 


58  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1645 

hollow  cask.  I  heard  of  one  called  Dr.  Cradock,  of  Coventry,  and  went 
to  him ;  I  asked  him  the  ground  of  temptations  and  despair,  and  how 
troubles  came  to  be  wrought  in  man?  He  asked  me,  "Who  was  Christ's 
"  father  and  mother '("  I  told  him  Mary  was  his  mother,  and  that  he  was 
supposed  to  be  the  son  of  Joseph ;  but  he  was  the  Son  of  God.  As  we 
were  walking  together  in  his  garden,  the  alley  being  narrow,  I  chanced, 
in  turning,  to  set  my  foot  on  the  side  of  a  bed;  at  which  he  raged  as  if 
his  house  had  been  on  fire.  Thus  all  our  discourse  was  lost,  and  I  went 
away  in  sorrow,  worse  than  I  was  when  I  came.  I  thought  them  misera- 
ble comforters,  and  saw  they  were  all  as  nothing  to  me ;  for  they  could 
not  reach  my  condition.  After  this  I  went  to  another,  one  Macham,  a 
priest,  in  high  account.  He  would  needs  give  me  some  physick,  and  I 
was  to  have  been  let  blood ;  but  they  could  not  get  one  drop  of  blood 
from  me,  either  in  arms  or  head,  though  they  endeavoured  it,  my  body 
being,  as  it  were,  dried  up  with  sorrows,  grief,  and  troubles,  which  were 
so  great  upon  me,  that  I  could  have  wished  I  had  never  been  born,  or 
that  I  had  been  born  blind,  that  I  might  never  have  seen  wickedness  nor 
vanity ;  and  deaf,  that  I  might  never  have  heard  vain  and  wicked  words, 
or  the  Lord's  name  blasphemed.  When  the  time  called  Christmas  came, 
while  others  were  feasting  and  sporting  themselves,  I  looked  out  poor 
widows  from  house  to  house,  and  gave  them  some  money.  When  I  was 
invited  to  marriages  I  w^ent  to  none  at  all ;  but  the  next  day,  or  soon 
after,  I  would  go  and  visit  them ;  and  if  they  were  poor  I  gave  them 
some  money;  for  I  had  wherewith  both  to  keep  myself  from  being 
chargeable  to  others,  and  to  administer  something  to  the  necessities  of 
others. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1646,  as  I  was  going  into  Coventry, 
a  consideration  arose  in  me,  how  it  was  said,  that  "  All  christians  are 
believers,  both  protestants  and  papists ;"  and  the  Lord  opened  to  me  that 
if  all  were  believers,  then  they  were  all  born  of  God,  and  passed  from 
death  to  life ;  and  that  none  were  true  believers  but  such :  and  though 
others  said  they  were  believers,  yet  they  were  not.  At  another  time  as 
I  was  walking  in  a  field  on  a  first-day  morning,  the  Lord  opened  unto 
me,  "  That  being  bred  at  Oxford  or  Cambridge  was  not  enough  to  fit  and 
"  qualify  men  to  be  ministers  of  Christ ;"  and  I  wondered  at  it,  because 
it  was  the  common  belief  of  people.  But  I  saw  it  clearly  as  the  Lord 
opened  it  to  me,  and  was  satisfied  and  admired  the  goodness  of  the  Lord, 
who  had  opened  this  thing  unto  me  that  morning.  This  struck  at  priest 
Stevens's  ministry,  namely,  that  "  to  be  bred  at  Oxford  or  Cambridge 
"  was  not  enough  to  make  a  man  fit  to  be  a  minister  of  Christ."  So  that 
which  opened  in  me,  I  saw  struck  at  the  priest's  ministry.  But  my  rela- 
tions were  much  troubled,  that  I  would  not  go  with  them  to  hear  the 
priest ;  for  I  would  go  into  the  orchard  or  the  fields,  with  my  bible,  by 
myself.  I  asked  them,  did  not  the  apostle  say  to  believers,  "  That  they 
"  needed  no  man  to  teach  them,  but  as  the  anointing  teacheth  them  ?" 
Though  they  knew  this  was  scripture,  and  that  it  was  true,  yet  they 
were  grieved  because  I  could  not  be  subject  in  this  matter,  to  go  to  hear 
the  priest  with  them.  I  saw  that  to  be  a  true  believer  was  another  thing 
than  they  looked  upon  it  to  be ;  and  I  saw  that  being  bred  at  Oxford  or 
Cambridge  did  not  qualify  or  fit  a  man  to  be  a  minister  of  Christ;  what 
then  should  I  follow  such  for  ?  so  neither  them,  nor  any  of  the  dissenting 
people  could  I  join  with  :  but  was  as  a  stranger  to  all,  relying  wholly 
upon  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


1546]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  59 

At  another  time  it  was  opened  in  me,  "  That  God  who  made  the 
"  world  did  not  dwell  in  temples  made  with  hands."  This  at  the  first 
seemed  strange,  because  both  priests  and  people  used  to  call  their  tem- 
ples or  churches,  dreadful  places,  holy  ground,  and  the  temples  of  God. 
But  the  Lord  shewed  me  clearly,  that  he  did  not  dwell  in  these  temples 
which  men  had  commanded  and  set  up,  but  in  people's  hearts.  Both 
Stephen  and  the  apostle  Paul  bore  testimony,  that  he  did  not  dwell  in 
temples  made  with  hands,  not  even  in  that  which  he  had  once  command- 
ed to  be  built,  since  he  put  an  end  to  the  typical  dispensation ;  but  that 
his  people  vjere  his  temple,  and  he  dwelt  in  them.  This  opened  in  me, 
as  I  walked  in  the  fields  to  my  relation's  house.  When  I  came  there, 
they  told  me  Nathaniel  Stevens,  the  priest,  had  been  there,  and  said, 
"  He  was  afraid  of  me  for  going  after  new  lights."  I  smiled  in  myself, 
knowing  what  the  Lord  had  opened  in  me  concerning  him  and  his 
brethren ;  but  I  told  not  my  relations,  who  though  they  saw  beyond  the 
priests,  yet  went  to  hear  them,  and  were  grieved  because  I  would  not  go 
also.  But  I  shewed  them  by  the  scriptures,  there  was  an  anointing 
within  man  to  teach  him,  and  that  the  Lord  would  teach  his  people  him- 
self. I  had  great  openings  concerning  the  things  written  in  the  Revela- 
tions ;  and  when  I  spoke  of  them,  the  priests  and  professors  would  say, 
that  was  a  sealed  book,  and  would  have  kept  me  out  of  it.  But  I  told 
them,  Christ  could  open  the  seals,  and  that  they  were  the  nearest  things 
to  us ;  for  the  epistles  were  written  to  the  saints  that  lived  in  former 
ages,  but  the  Revelations  were  written  of  things  to  come. 

After  this  I  met  with  a  sort  of  people  that  held,  women  have  no  souls 
(adding  in  a  light  manner)  no  more  than  a  goose.  I  reproved  them,  and 
told  them  that  was  not  right :  for  Mary  said,  "  My  soul  doth  magnify 
"  the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour." 

Removing  to  another  place  I  came  among  a  people  that  relied  much 
on  dreams.  I  told  them  except  they  could  distinguish  between  dream 
and  dream  they  would  confound  all  together ;  for  there  were  three  sorts 
of  dreams :  multitude  of  business  sometimes  caused  dreams ;  and  there 
were  whisperings  of  Satan  in  man  in  the  night  season ;  and  there  were 
speakings  of  God  to  man  in  dreams.  But  these  people  came  out  of 
these  things,  and  at  last  became  friends. 

Though  I  had  great  openings,  yet  great  trouble  and  temptations 
came  many  times  upon  me,  so  that  when  it  was  day  I  wished  for  night, 
and  when  it  was  night  I  wished  for  day ;  and  by  reason  of  the  openings 
I  had  in  my  troubles,  I  could  say  as  David  said,  "  Day  unto  day  uttereth 
"  speech,  and  night  unto  night  sheweth  knowledge."  When  I  had  open- 
ings they  answered  one  another,  and  answered  the  scriptures ;  for  I  had 
great  openings  of  the  scriptures  :  and  when  I  was  in  troubles,  one  trouble 
also  answered  to  another. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1647  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go 
into  Derbyshire,  where  I  met  with  some  friendly  people,  and  had  many 
discourses  with  them.  Then  passing  into  the  Peak-country,  I  met  with 
more  friendly  people,  and  with  some  in  empty  high  notions.  Travelling 
through  some  parts  of  Leicestershire,  and  into  Nottinghamshire,  I  inet 
with  a  tender  people,  and  a  very  tender  woman,  whose  name  was 
Elizabeth  Hootton.  With  these  I  had  some  meetings  and  discourses ; 
but  my  troubles  continued,  and  I  was  often  under  great  temptations.  I 
fasted  much,  walked  abroad  in  solitary  places  many  days,  and  often 
took  my  bible,  and  sate  in  hollow  trees  and  lonesome  places  till  night 


60  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1647 

came  on ;  and  frequently  in  the  night  walked  mournfully  about  by  my- 
self: for  I  was  a  man  of  sorrows  in  the  lime  of  the  first  workings  of 
the  Lord  in  me. 

During  all  this  time  I  was  never  joined  in  profession  of  religion  with 
any,  but  gave  up  myself  to  the  Lord,  having  forsaken  all  evil  company, 
taken  leave  of  father  and  mother,  and  all  other  relations,  and  travelled 
up  and  down  as  a  stranger  in  the  earth,  which  way  the  Lord  inclined 
my  heart ;  taking  a  chamber  to  myself  in  the  town  where  I  came,  and 
tarrying  sometime^  more,  sometimes  less  in  a  place :  for  I  durst  not  stay 
long  in  a  place,  being  afraid  both  of  professor  and  profane,  lest,  being  a 
tender  young  man,  I  should  be  hurt  by  conversing  much  with  either. 
For  which  reason  I  kept  much  as  a  stranger,  seeking  heavenly  wisdom, 
and  getting  knowledge  from  the  Lord ;  and  was  brought  off  from  out- 
ward things,  to  rely  on  the  Lord  alone.  Though  my  exercises  and 
troubles  were  very  great,  yet  were  they  not  so  continual  but  that  I  had 
some  intermissions,  and  was  sometimes  brought  into  such  an  heavenly 
joy,  that  I  thought  I  had  been  in  Abraham's  bosom.  As  I  cannot  de- 
clare the  misery  I  was  in,  it  was  so  great  and  heavy  upon  me,  so  neither 
can  I  set  forth  the  mercies  of  God  unto  me  in  all  my  misery.  O  the 
everlasting  love  of  God  to  my  soul,  when  I  was  in  great  distress !  when 
my  troubles  and  torments  were  great,  then  was  his  love  exceeding 
great.  Thou,  Lord,  makest  a  fnntful  field  a  barren  wilderness,  and  a 
barren  wilderness  a  fruitful  field  !  thou  bringest  down  and  settest  up ! 
thou  killest  and  makest  alive  !  all  honour  and  glory  be  to  thee,  O  Lord  of 
Glory !  The  knowledge  of  thee  in  the  Spirit  is  life ;  but  that  knowledge 
which  is  fleshly  works  death.  While  there  is  this  knowledge  in  the 
flesh,  deceit  and  self  will  conform  to  any  thing,  and  will  say  Yes,  Yes, 
to  that  it  doth  not  know.  The  knowledge  which  the  world  hath,  of  what 
the  prophets  and  apostles  spake,  is  a  fleshly  knowledge ;  and  the  apos- 
tates from  the  life,  in  which  the  prophets  and  apostles  were,  have  got 
their  words,  the  holy  scriptures,  in  a  form,  but  not  in  the  life  nor  spirit 
that  gave  them  forth.  So  they  all  lie  in  confusion;  and  are  making 
provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts  thereof,  but  not  to  fulfil  the  law 
and  command  of  Christ  in  his  power  and  Spirit :  for  that,  they  say  they 
cannot  do ;  but  to  fulfil  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  that  they  can  do  with 
dehght. 

After  I  had  received  that  opening  from  the  Lord,  that  to  be  bred  at 
Oxford  or  Cambridge,  was  not  sufficient  to  fit  a  man  to  be  a  minister 
of  Christ,  I  regarded  the  priests  less,  and  looked  more  after  the  dissent- 
ing people.  Among  them  I  saw  there  was  some  tenderness  ;  and  many 
of  them  came  afterwards  to  be  convinced,  for  they  had  some  openings. 
But  as  I  had  forsaken  the  priests,  so  I  left  the  separate  preachers  also, 
and  those  called  the  most  experienced  people ;  for  I  saw  there  was 
none  among  them  all  that  could  speak  to  my  condition.  And  when  all 
my  hopes  in  them  and  in  all  men  were  gone,  so  that  I  had  nothing  out- 
wardly, to  help  me,  nor  could  tell  what  to  do ;  then,  O  then,  I  heard  a 
voice  which  said,  "  There  is  one,  even  Christ  Jesus,  that  can  speak  to 
thy  condition."  When  I  heard  it,  my  heart  did  leap  for  joy.  Then  the 
Lord  let  me  see  why  there  was  none  upon  the  earth  that  could  speak  to 
my  condition,  namely,  that  I  might  give  him  all  the  glory.  For  all  are 
concluded  under  sin,  and  shut  up  in  unbelief,  as  I  had  been,  that  Jesus 
Christ  might  have  the  pre-eminence,  who  enhghtcns,  and  gives  grace, 
faith,  and  power.     Thus  when  God  doth  work,  who  shall  let  it  1    This  I 


1647]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  61 

knew  experimentally.  My  desires  after  the  Lord  grew  stronger,  and 
zeal  in  the  pure  knowledge  of  God,  and  of  Christ  alone,  without  the 
help  of  any  man,  book,  or  writing.  For  though  I  read  the  scriptures 
that  spake  of  Christ  and  of  God,  yet  I  knew  him  not  but  by  revelation, 
as  he  who  hath  the  key  did  open,  and  as  the  Father  of  Ufe  drew  me  to 
his  Son  by  his  Spirit.  Then  the  Lord  gently  led  me  along,  and  let  me 
see  his  love,  which  was  endless  and  eternal,  surpassing  all  the  knowledge 
that  men  have  in  the  natural  state,  or  can  get  by  history  or  books.  That 
love  let  me  see  myself,  as  I  was  without  him  ;  and  I  was  afraid  of 
all  company :  for  I  saw  them  perfectly,  where  they  were,  through  the 
love  of  God  which  let  me  see  myself.  I  had  not  fellowship  with  any 
people,  priests,  nor  professors,  nor  any  sort  of  separated  people,  but 
with  Christ  who  hath  the  key,  and  opened  the  door  of  light  and  life  unto 
me.  I  was  afraid  of  all  carnal  talk  and  talkers,  for  I  could  see  nothing 
but  corruptions,  and  the  hfe  lay  under  the  burden  of  corruptions.  When 
I  was  in  the  deep,  under  all  shut  up,  I  could  not  believe  that  I  should 
ever  overcome ;  my  troubles,  my  sorrows,  and  my  temptations  were  so 
great,  that  I  often  thought  I  should  have  despaired,  I  was  so  tempted. 
But  when  Christ  opened  to  me  how  he  was  tempted  by  the  same  devil, 
and  had  overcome  him,  and  had  bruised  his  head  ;  and  that  through 
him  and  his  power,  light,  grace,  and  Spirit,  I  should  overcome  also,  I 
had  confidence  in  him.  So  he  it  was  that  opened  to  me  when  I  was 
shut  up,  and  had  neither  hope  nor  faith.  Christ,  who  had  enlightened 
me,  gave  me  his  light  to  believe  in,  and  gave  me  hope,  which  is  himself 
revealed  in  me,  and  gave  me  his  spirit  and  grace,  which  I  found  suffi- 
cient in  the  deeps  and  in  weakness.  Thus  in  the  deepest  miseries,  in  the 
greatest  sorrows  and  temptations  that  beset  me,  the  Lord  in  his  mercy 
did  keep  me.  I  found  two  thirsts  in  me ;  the  one  after  the  creatures,  to 
have  got  help  and  strength  there ;  and  the  other  after  the  Lord  the  Crea- 
tor, and  his  son  Jesus  Christ ;  and  I  saw  all  the  world  could  do  me  no 
good.  If  I  had  had  a  king's  diet,  palace  and  attendance,  all  would  have 
been  as  nothing ;  for  nothing  gave  me  comfort  but  the  Lord  by  his 
power.  I  saw  professors,  priests,  and  people,  were  whole  and  at  ease 
in  that  condition  which  was  my  misery,  and  they  loved  that  which  I 
would  have  been  rid  of.  But  the  Lord  did  stay  my  desires  upon  him- 
self, from  whom  my  help  came,  and  my  care  was  cast  upon  him  alone. 
Therefore,  all  wait  patiently  upon  the  Lord,  whatsoever  condition  you 
be  in ;  wait  in  the  grace  and  truth  that  comes  by  Jesus  ;  for  if  ye  so  do, 
there  is  a  promise  to  you,  and  the  Lord  God  will  fulfil  it  in  you.  Blessed 
are  all  they  indeed  that  do  indeed  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness, 
they  shall  be  satisfied  with  it.  I  have  found  it  so,  praised  be  the  Lord 
who  filleth  with  it,  and  satisfieth  the  desires  of  the  hungry  soul.  O  let 
the  house  of  the  spiritual  Israel  say.  His  mercy  endureth  for  ever !  It  is 
the  great  love  of  God,  to  make  a  wilderness  of  that  which  is  pleasant  to 
the  outward  eye  and  fleshly  mind  ;  and  to  make  a  fruitful  field  of  a  bar- 
ren wilderness.  This  is  the  great  work  of  God.  But  while  people's 
minds  run  in  the  earthly,  after  the  creatures  and  changeable  things, 
changeable  ways  and  religions,  and  changeable  uncertain  teachers, 
their  minds  are  in  bondage,  and  they  are  brittle  and  changeable,  tossed 
up  and  down  with  windy  doctrines,  thoughts,  notions,  and  things;  their 
minds  being  out  of  the  unchangeable  truth  in  the  inward  parts,  the  light 
of  Jesus  Christ,  which  would  keep  them  to  the  unchangeable.    He  is  the 


62  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1647 

way  to  the  Father ;  who  in  all  my  troubles  preserved  me  by  his  Spirit 
and  power,  praised  be  his  holy  name  for  ever ! 

Again,  I  heard  a  voice  which  said.  Thou  serpent,  thou  dost  seek  to  de 
stroy  the  life,  but  canst  not ;  for  the  sword  which  keepeth  the  ti^ee  of 
life  shall  destroy  thee.  So  Christ,  the  Word  of  God,  that  bruised  the 
head  of  the  serpent,  the  destroyer,  preserved  me ;  my  mind  being  joined 
to  his  good  seed  that  bruised  the  head  of  this  serpent,  the  destroyer. 
This  inward  life  sprung  up  in  me,  to  answer  all  the  opposing  professors 
and  priests,  and  brought  scriptures  to  my  memory  to  refute  them  with. 

At  another  time  I  saw  the  great  love  of  God,  and  was  filled  with  ad- 
miration at  the  infiniteness  of  it.  I  saw  what  was  cast  out  from  God,  and 
what  entered  into  God's  kingdom ;  and  how  by  Jesus,  the  opener  of  the 
door  by  his  heavenly  key,  the  entrance  was  given.  I  saw  death,  how  it 
had  passed  upon  all  men,  and  oppressed  the  seed  of  God  in  man,  and  in 
me ;  and  how  I  in  the  seed  came  forth,  and  what  the  promise  was  to. 
Yet  it  was  so,  that  there  seemed  to  be  two  pleading  in  me ;  and  ques- 
tionings arose  in  my  mind  about  gifts  and  prophecies,  and  I  was  tempted 
again  to  despair,  as  if  I  had  sinned  against  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  was  in 
great  perplexity  and  trouble  for  many  days ;  yet  I  gave  up  myself  to 
the  Lord  still.  One  day,  when  I  had  been  walking  solitarily  abroad,  and 
was  come  home,  I  was  taken  up  in  the  love  of  God,  so  that  I  could  not 
but  admire  the  greatness  of  his  love ;  and  while  I  was  in  that  condition, 
it  was  opened  unto  me  by  the  eternal  light  and  power,  and  I  therein 
clearly  saw,  That  all  was  done  and  to  be  done  in  and  by  Christ ;  and 
how  he  conquers  and  destroys  this  tempter  the  devil,  and  all  his  works, 
and  is  atop  of  him;  and  that  all  these  troubles  were  good  for  me,  and 
temptations  for  the  trial  of  my  faith,  which  Christ  had  given  me.  The 
Lord  opened  me,  that  I  saw  through  all  these  troubles  and  temptations. 
My  living  faith  was  raised,  that  I  saw  all  was  done  by  Christ  the  life, 
and  my  belief  was  in  him.  When  at  any  time  my  condition  was  veiled, 
my  secret  belief  was  stayed  firm,  and  hope  underneath  held  me,  as  an 
anchor  in  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and  anchored  my  immortal  soul  to  its 
bishop,  causing  it  to  swim  above  the  sea,  the  world,  where  all  the  raging 
waves,  foul  weather,  tempests  and  temptations  are.  But  O !  then  did  I 
see  my  troubles,  trials,  and  temptations  more  clearly  than  ever  I  had 
done.  As  the  light  appeared,  all  appeared  that  is  out  of  the  light;  dark- 
ness, death,  temptations,  the  unrighteous,  the  ungodly;  all  was  manifest 
and  seen  in  the  light.  After  this,  a  pure  fire  appeared  in  me :  then  I  saw 
how  he  sat  as  a  refiner's  fire,  and  as  the  fuller's  soap.  Then  the  spiritual 
discerning  came  into  me ;  by  which  I  discerned  my  own  thoughts, 
groans,  and  sighs ;  and  what  it  was  that  veiled  me,  and  what  it  was  that 
opened  me.  That  which  could  not  abide  in  the  patience,  nor  endure  the 
fire,  in  the  light  I  found  to  be  the  groans  of  the  flesh,  that  could  not  give 
up  to  the  will  of  God ;  which  had  so  veiled  me,  that  I  could  not  be 
patient  in  all  trials,  troubles,  anguishes,  and  perplexities ;  could  not  give 
up  self  to  die  by  the  cross,  the  power  of  God,  that  the  living  and  quick- 
ened might  follow  him,  and  that  that  which  would  cloud  and  veil  from 
the  presence  of  Christ,  that  which  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  cuts  down, 
and  which  must  die,  might  not  be  kept  alive.  I  discerned  the  groans  of 
the  Spirit,  which  opened  me,  and  made  intercession  to  God :  in  which 
Spirit  is  the  true  waiting  upon  God,  for  the  redemption  of  tlie  body,  and 
of  the  whole  creation.  By  this  true  Spirit,  in  which  the  true  sighing  is, 
I  saw  over  the  false  sighings  and  groanings.     By  this  invisible  Spirit  I 


1647]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  63 

discerned  all  the  false  hearing,  the  false  seeing,  and  the  false  smelling, 
which  was  above  the  Spirit  quenching  and  grieving  it ;  and  that  all  that 
were  there  were  in  confusion  and  deceit,  where  the  false  asking  and 
praying  is,  in  deceit  and  atop,  in  that  nature  and  tongue  that  takes  God's 
holy  name  in  vain,  wallows  in  the  Egyptian  sea,  and  asketh  but  hath 
not ;  for  they  hate  his  light,  resist  the  Holy  Ghost,  turn  the  grace  into 
wantonness,  rebel  against  the  Spirit,  and  are  erred  from  the  faith  they 
should  ask  in,  and  from  the  Spirit  they  should  pray  by.  He  that  knoweth 
these  things  in  the  true  Spirit  can  witness  them.  The  divine  light  of 
Christ  manifesteth  all  things,  the  spiritual  fire  trieth  and  severeth  all 
things.  Several  things  did  1  then  see,  as  the  Lord  opened  them  to  me ; 
for  he  shewed  me  that  which  can  live  in  his  holy  refining  fire,  and  that 
can  live  to  God  under  his  law.  He  made  me  sensible,  how  the  law  and 
the  prophets  were  until  John ;  and  how  the  least  in  the  everlasting  king- 
dom of  God  is  greater  than  John.  The  pure  and  perfect  law  of  God  is 
over  the  flesh,  to  keep  it  and  its  works,  which  are  not  perfect,  under,  by 
the  perfect  law :  and  the  law  of  God  which  is  perfect,  answers  the  per- 
fect principle  of  God  in  every  one.  This  law  the  Jews,  the  prophets, 
and  John  were  to  perform  and  do.  None  knows  the  giver  of  this  law 
but  by  the  Spirit  of  God ;  neither  can  any  truly  read  it,  or  hear  its  voice, 
but  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  that  can  receive  it,  let  him.  John,  who 
was  one  of  the  greatest  prophets  that  was  born  of  a  woman,  bore  wit- 
ness to  the  light  which  Christ,  the  great  heavenly  prophet,  hath  enlight- 
ened every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  withal ;  that  they  might  be- 
lieve in  it,  become  the  children  of  light,  and  so  have  the  light  of  life,  and 
not  come  into  condemnation.  For  the  true  belief  stands  in  the  light  that 
condemns  all  evil ;  and  the  devil,  who  is  the  prince  of  darkness,  and 
would  draw  out  of  the  light  into  condemnation.  They  that  walk  in  this 
light,  come  to  the  mountain  of  the  house  of  God,  estabhshed  above  all 
mountains,  and  to  God's  teaching,  who  will  teach  them  his  ways.  These 
things  were  opened  to  me  in  the  light. 

I  saw  also  the  mountains  burning  up,  and  the  rubbish,  the  rough, 
crooked  ways  and  places  made  smooth  and  plain,  that  the  Lord  might 
come  into  his  tabernacle.  These  things  are  to  be  found  in  man's  heart ; 
but  to  speak  of  these  things  being  within,  seemed  strange  to  the  rough, 
crooked,  and  mountainous  ones.  Yet  the  Lord  saith,  "  O  earth,  hear  the 
"  word  of  the  Lord !"  The  law  of  the  Spirit  crosseth  the  fleshly  mind, 
spirit,  and  will,  which  lives  in  disobedience,  and  doth  not  keep  within  the 
law  of  the  Spirit.  I  saw  this  law  was  the  pure  love  of  God  which  was 
upon  me,  and  which  I  must  go  through,  though  I  was  troubled  while  I 
was  under  it ;  for  I  could  not  be  dead  to  the  law  but  through  the  law, 
which  did  judge  and  condemn  that  which  is  to  be  condemned.  I  saw, 
many  talked  of  the  law,  who  had  never  known  the  law  to  be  their 
school-master ;  and  many  talked  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  who  had  never 
known  life  and  immortality  brought  to  hght  in  them  by  it.  You  that 
have  been  under  that  school-master,  and  the  condemnation  of  it,  know 
these  things ;  for  though  the  Lord  in  that  day  opened  these  things  unto 
me  in  secret,  they  have  been  since  published  by  his  eternal  Spirit,  as  on 
the  house-top.  As  you  are  brought  into  the  law,  and  through  the  law  to 
be  dead  to  it,  and  witness  the  righteousness  of  the  law  fulfilled  in  you, 
ye  will  afterwards  come  to  know  what  it  is  to  be  brought  into  the  faith, 
and  through  faith  from  under  the  law ;  and  abiding  in  the  faith,  which 
Christ  is  the  author  of,  ye  will  have  peace  and  access  to  God.  But  if  ye 


64  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  fl647 

look  out  from  the  faith,  and  from  that  which  would  keep  you  in  the  vic- 
tory, and  look  after  fleshly  things  or  words,  ye  will  be  brought  into 
bondage  to  the  flesh  again,  and  to  the  law  which  takes  hold  upon  the 
flesh  and  sin,  and  worketh  wrath,  and  the  works  of  the  flesh  will  appear 
again.  Thi^  law  of  God  takes  hold  upon  the  law  of  sin  and  death ;  but 
the  law  of  faith,  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life,  which  is  the  love  of  God, 
and  which  comes  by  Jesus  (who  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness- 
sake)  makes  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  The  law  of  life  fleshly- 
minded  men  do  not  know ;  yet  they  will  tempt  you,  to  draw  you  from  the 
Spirit  into  the  flesh,  and  so  into  bondage.  Therefore  ye,  who  know  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  law  of  his  Spirit,  and  the  freedom  that  is  in  Jesus 
Christ,  stand  fast  in  him,  in  that  divine  faith  which  he  is  the  author  of  in 
you ;  and  be  not  entangled  with  the  yoke  of  bondage.  For  the  ministry 
of  Christ  Jesus,  and  his  teaching,  bringeth  into  liberty  and  freedom ;  but 
the  ministry  that  is  of  man,  and  by  man,  which  stands  in  the  will  of 
man,  bringeth  into  bondage,  and  under  the  shadow  of  death  and  dark- 
ness. Therefore  none  can  be  ministers  of  Christ  Jesus  but  in  the  eternal 
Spirit,  which  was  before  the  scriptures  were  given  forth;  for  if  they 
have  not  his  Spirit,  they  are  none  of  his.  Though  they  may  have  his 
light  to  condemn  them  that  hate  it,  yet  they  can  never  bring  any  into 
unity  and  fellowship  in  the  Spirit,  except  they  be  in  it ;  for  the  seed  of 
God  is  a  burthensome  stone  to  the  selfish,  fleshly,  earthly  will,  which 
reigns  in  its  own  knowledge  and  understanding  that  must  perish,  and  its 
own  wisdom  that  is  devilish.  The  Spirit  of  God  is  grieved,  vexed,  and 
quenched  with  that  which  brings  into  the  fleshly  bondage;  and  that 
which  wars  against  the  Spirit  of  God  must  be  mortified  by  it ;  for  the 
flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the  flesh,  and  these 
are  contrary  the  one  to  the  other.  The  flesh  would  have  its  liberty,  and 
the  Spirit  would  have  its  liberty ;  but  the  Spirit  is  to  have  its  liberty,  and 
not  the  flesh.  If  therefore  ye  quench  the  Spirit,  join  to  the  flesh,  and  be 
servants  of  it,  then  ye  are  judged  and  tormented  by  the  Spirit ;  but  if 
ye  join  to  the  Spirit,  and  serve  God  in  it,  ye  have  liberty  smd  victory 
over  the  flesh  and  its  M^orks.  Therefore  keep  in  the  daily  cross,  the 
power  of  God,  by  which  ye  may  witness  all  that  to  be  crucified  which 
is  contrary  to  the  will  of  God,  and  which  shall  not  come  into  his  king- 
dom. These  things  are  here  mentioned  and  opened  for  information, 
exhortation,  and  comfort  to  others,  as  the  Lord  opened  them  unto  me 
in  that  day.  In  that  day  I  wondered  that  the  children  of  Israel  should 
murmur  for  water  and  victuals,  for  I  could  have  fasted  long  without 
murmuring  or  minding  victuals.  But  I  was  judged  at  other  times,  that 
I  was  not  contented  to  be  sometimes  without  the  water  and  bread  of 
life,  that  I  might  learn  to  know  how  to  want,  and  how  to  abound. 

I  heard  of  a  woman  in  Lancashire,  who  had  fasted  two-and-twenty 
days,  and  I  travelled  to  see  her ;  but  when  I  came  to  her,  I  saw  she 
was  under  a  temptation.  When  I  had  spoken  to  her  what  I  had  from 
the  Lord,  I  left  her,  her  father  being  high  in  profession.  Passing  on,  I 
went  among  the  professors  at  Duckenfield  and  Manchester,  where  I  staid 
awhile  and  declared  truth  among  them.  There  were  some  convinced, 
who  received  the  Lord's  teaching,  by  which  they  were  confirmed,  and 
stood  in  the  truth.  The  professors  were  in  a  rage,  all  pleading  for  sin 
and  imperfection ;  and  could  not  endure  to  hear  talk  of  perfection,  or  of 
a  holy  and  sinless  life.   But  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  though  they 


1647]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  65 

■were  chained  under  darkness  and  sin,  which  they  pleaded  for,  and 
quenched  the  tender  thing  in  thenn. 

About  this  time  there  was  a  great  meeting  of  the  baptists  at  Brough- 
ton,  in  Leicestershire,  with  some  that  had  separated  from  them.  People 
of  other  counties  went  thither,  and  I  went  also.  Not  many  of  the  bap- 
tists came,  but  abundance  of  other  people  were  there ;  and  the  Lord 
opened  my  mouth,  and  his  everlasting  truth  was  declared  amongst  them, 
and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  over  them  all.  In  that  day  the  Lord's 
power  began  to  spring ;  I  had  great  openings  in  the  scriptures,  dnd  seve- 
ral were  convinced  in  those  parts,  and  turned  from  darkness  to  light, 
and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God :  his  power  they  did  receive, 
and  by  it  many  were  raised  up  to  praise  God.  When  I  reasoned  with 
professors  and  other  people,  some  were  convinced,  and  did  stand.  Yet 
I  was  under  great  temptations  sometimes,  and  my  inward  suflerings 
were  heavy;  but  I  could  find  none  to  open  my  condition  to  but  the 
Lord  alone,  unto  whom  I  cried  night  and  day.  I  went  back  into  Not- 
tinghamshire, where  the  Lord  shewed  me,  that  the  natures  of  those 
things  M'hich  were  hurtful  without,  were  within  in  the  hearts  and  minds 
of  wicked  men.  The  natures  of  dogs,  swine,  vipers,  of  Sodom  and 
Egypt,  Pharaoh,  Cain,  Ishmael,  Esau,  &c.  The  natures  of  these  I  saw 
within,  though  people  had  been  looking  without.  I  cried  to  the  Lord, 
saying,  "  Why  should  I  be  thus,  seeing  I  was  never  addicted  to  commit 
"  those  evils  ?"  And  the  Lord  answered,  "  It  was  needful  I  should  have 
"  a  sense  of  all  conditions,  how  else  should  I  speak  to  all  conditions  1 " 
In  this  I  saw  the  infinite  love  of  God.  I  saw  also,  that  there  was  an 
ocean  of  darkness  and  death ;  but  an  infinite  ocean  of  light  and  love, 
which  flowed  over  the  ocean  of  darkness.  In  that  also  I  saw  the  infi- 
nite love  of  God,  and  I  had  great  openings.  As  I  was  walking  by  the 
steeple-house  side  in  the  town  of  Mansfield,  the  Lord  said  unto  me, 
"  That  which  people  trample  upon  must  be  thy  food."  And  as  the  Lord 
spake  he  opened  to  me,  that  people  and  professors  trampled  upon  the 
fife,  even  the  life  of  Christ  was  trampled  upon ;  they  fed  upon  words,  and 
fed  one  another  with  words ;  but  trampled  under  foot  the  blood  of  the 
son  of  God,  which  blood  was  my  life :  and  they  lived  in  their  airy  no- 
tions talking  of  him.  It  seemed  strange  to  me  at  the  first,  that  I  should 
feed  on  that  which  the  high  professors  trampled  upon ;  but  the  Lord 
opened  it  clearly  to  me  by  his  eternal  Spirit  and  power. 

Then  came  people  from  far  and  near  to  see  me ;  but  I  was  fearful  of 
being  drawn  out  by  them :  yet  I  was  made  to  open  things  to  them.  One 
Brown  had  great  prophecies  and  sights  upon  his  death-bed  of  me.  He 
spoke  openly,  of  what  I  should  be  made  instrumental  by  the  Lord  to 
bring  forth.  And  of  others  he  spoke,  that  they  should  come  to  nothing ; 
which  was  fulfilled  on  some,  who  then  were  something  in  shew.  When 
this  man  was  buried,  a  great  work  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  me,  to  the  ad- 
miration of  maiiy,  who  thought  I  had  been  dead ;  and  many  came  to  see 
me  for  about  fourteen  days.  I  was  very  much  altered  in  countenance 
and  person,  as  if  my  body  had  been  new-moulded  or  changed.  While 
I  was  in  that  condition,  I  had  a  sense  and  discerning  given  me  by  the 
Lord,  through  which  I  saw  plainly,  that  when  many  people  talked  of 
God  and  of  Christ,  «&c.  the  serpent  spoke  in  them ;  but  this  was  hard  to 
be  borne.  Yet  the  w^ork  of  the  Lord  went  on  in  some,  and  my  sorrows 
and  troubles  began  to  wear  off,  and  tears  of  joy  dropped  from  me,  so 
that  I  could  have  wept  night  and  day  with  tears  of  joy  to  the  Lord,  in 


66  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1647 

humility  and  brokenness  of  heart.  I  saw  into  that  which  was  without 
end,  things  which  cannot  be  uttered,  and  of  the  greatness  and  infinite- 
ness  of  the  love  of  God,  which  cannot  be  expressed  by  words.  For  I 
had  been  brought  through  tiie  very  ocean  of  darkness  and  death,  and 
through  and  over  the  power  of  Satan,  by  the  eternal  glorious  power  of 
Christ ;  even  through  that  darkness  was  I  brought  which  covered  over 
all  the  world,  which  chained  down  all,  and  shut  up  all  in  the  death.  The 
same  eternal  power  of  God  which  brought  me  through  these  things,  was 
that  which  afterwards  shook  the  nations,  priests,  professors,  and  people. 
Then  could  I  say,  I  had  been  in  spiritual  Babylon,  Sodom,  Egypt, 
and  the  grave ;  but  by  the  eternal  power  of  God  I  was  come  out  of  it, 
was  brought  over  it,  and  the  power  of  it  into  the  power  of  Christ.  And 
I  saw  the  harvest  white,  and  the  seed  of  God  lying  thick  in  the  ground, 
as  ever  did  wheat  that  was  sown  outwardly,  and  none  to  gather  it ;  for 
this  I  mourned  with  tears.  A  report  went  abroad  of  me,  that  I  was  a 
young  man  who  had  a  discerning  spirit ;  whereupon  many  came  to  me 
from  far  and  near,  professors,  priests,  and  people.  The  Lord's  power 
broke  forth,  and  I  had  great  openings  and  prophecies,  and  spoke  unto 
them  of  the  things  of  God,  which  they  heard  with  attention  and  silence,  and 
went  away  and  spread  the  fame  thereof.  Then  came  the  tempter  and 
set  upon  me  again,  charging  me,  that  I  had  sinned  against  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  but  I  could  not  tell  in  what.  Then  Paul's  condition  came  before 
me,  how  after  he  had  been  taken  up  into  the  third  heavens,  and  seen 
things  not  lawful  to  be  uttered,  a  messenger  of  Satan  was  sent  to  buffet 
him.     Thus  by  the  power  of  Christ  I  got  over  that  temptation  also. 

In  the  year  1648  as  I  was  sitting  in  a  friend's  house  in  Nottingham- 
shire (for  by  this  time  the  power  of  God  had  opened  the  hearts  of  some 
to  receive  the  word  of  life  and  reconciliation)  I  saw  there  was  a  great 
crack  to  go  throughout  the  earth,  and  a  great  smoke  to  go  as  the  crack 
went,  and  that  after  the  crack  there  should  be  a  great  shaking.  This 
was  the  earth  in  people's  hearts,  which  was  to  be  shaken  before  the  seed 
of  God  was  raised  out  of  the  earth.  And  it  was  so ;  for  the  Lord's 
power  began  to  shake  them,  and  great  meetings  we  began  to  have,  and 
a  mighty  power  and  work  of  God  there  was  amongst  people,  to  the 
astonishment  of  both  people  and  priests. 

There  was  a  meeting  of  priests  and  professors  at  a  justice's  house, 
and  I  went  among  them.  Here  they  discoursed  how  Paul  said,  "  He 
"  had  not  known  sin  but  by  the  law,  which  said,  Thou  shalt  not  lust :" 
and  they  held  that  to  be  spoken  of  the  outward  law.  But  I  told  them, 
Paul  spoke  that  after  he  was  convinced ;  for  he  had  the  outward  law 
before,  and  was  bred  up  in  it,  when  he  was  in  the  lust  of  persecution ; 
but  this  was  the  law  of  God  in  his  mind  which  he  served,  which  the  law 
in  his  members  warred  against :  for  that  which  he  thought  had  been  life 
to  him,  proved  death.  So  the  more  sober  of  the  priests  and  professors 
consented  that  it  was  not  the  outward  law,  but  the  inward,  which  shew- 
ed the  inward  lust  which  Paul  spake  of  after  he  was  convinced ;  for  the 
outward  law  took  hold  of  the  outward  action,  but  the  inward  law  of  the 
inward  lust. 

After  this  I  went  again  to  Mansfield,  where  was  a  great  meeting  of 
professors  and  people,  where  I  was  moved  to  pray;  and  the  Lord's 
power  was  so  great,  that  the  house  seemed  to  be  shaken.  When  I  had 
done,  some  of  the  professors  said,  "  It  was  now  as  in  the  days  of  the 
"  apostles,  when  the  house  was  shaken  where  they  were."     After  I  had 


1648]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  67 

prayed,  one  of  the  professors  would  pray ;  which  brought  deadness  and 
a  veil  over  them.  Others  of  the  professors  were  grieved  at  him,  and 
told  him,  "  It  was  a  temptation  upon  him."  Then  he  came  to  me,  and 
desired  that  I  would  pray  again ;  but  I  could  not  pray  in  man's  will. 

Soon  after  there  was  another  great  meeting  of  professors,  and  a  cap- 
tain named  Amor  Stoddard  came  in.  They  were  discoursing  of  the 
blood  of  Christ.  As  they  were  discoursing  of  it,  I  saw,  through  the  im- 
mediate opening  of  the  invisible  Spirit,  the  blood  of  Christ ;  and  cried 
out  among  them,  saying,  "  Do  ye  not  see  the  blood  of  Christ  1  See  it  in 
"  your  hearts,  to  sprinkle  your  hearts  and  consciences  from  dead  works, 
"  to  serve  the  living  God."  For  I  saw  the  blood  of  the  new  covenant,  how 
it  came  into  the  heart.  This  startled  the  professors,  who  would  have 
the  blood  only  without  them,  and  not  in  them.  But  captain  Stoddard 
was  reached,  and  said,  "  Let  the  youth  speak,  hear  the  youth  speak ;" 
when  he  saw  they  endeavoured  to  bear  me  down  with  many  words. 

There  were  also  a  company  of  priests,  that  were  looked  upon  to  be 
tender  ;  one  of  their  names  was  Kellet,  and  several  tender  people  went 
to  hear  them.  I  was  moved  to  go  after  them,  and  bid  them  mind  the 
Lord's  teaching  in  their  inward  parts.  Priest  Kellet  was  against  par- 
sonages then :  but  afterwards  he  got  a  great  one,  and  turned  persecutor. 

After  I  had  some  service  in  these  parts,  I  went  through  Derbyshire 
into  my  own  country  Leicestershire  again,  and  several  tender  people 
were  convinced.  Passing  thence,  I  met  with  a  great  company  of  pro- 
fessors in  Warwickshire,  who  were  praying  and  expounding  the  scrip- 
tures in  the  fields.  They  gave  the  bible  to  me,  and  I  opened  it  on  the 
fifth  of  Matthew,  where  Christ  expounded  the  law ;  and  I  opened  the 
inward  state  to  them,  and  outward  state ;  upon  which  they  fell  into  a 
fierce  contention,  and  parted :  but  the  Lord's  power  got  ground. 

Then  I  heard  of  a  great  meeting  to  be  at  Leicester  for  a  dispute, 
wherein  presbyterians,  independents,  baptists,  and  common-prayer-men, 
were  said  to  be  all  concerned.  The  meeting  was  in  a  steeple-house ;  to 
which  I  was  moved  by  the  Lord  God  to  go,  and  be  amongst  them.  I 
heard  their  discourse  and  reasonings,  some  being  in  pews,  and  the  priest 
in  the  pulpit,  abundance  of  people  being  gathered  together.  At  last  one 
woman  asked  a  question  out  of  Peter,  What  that  birth  was,  viz.  A  being 
born  again  of  incorruptible  seed,  by  the  Word  of  God,  that  liveth  and 
abideth  for  ever  ?  The  priest  said  to  her,  I  permit  not  a  woman  to 
speak  in  the  church ;  though  he  had  before  given  liberty  for  any  to  speak. 
Whereupon  I  was  wrapped  up  as  in  a  rapture,  in  the  Lord's  power ; 
and  I  stepped  up,  and  asked  the  priest.  Dost  thou  call  this  place  (the 
steeple-house)  a  church  ?  or  dost  thou  call  this  mixed  multitude  a  church  ? 
For  the  woman  asking  a  question,  he  ought  to  have  answered  it,  having 
given  liberty  for  any  to  speak.  But,  instead  of  answering  me,  he  asked 
me.  What  a  church  was '?  I  told  him.  The  church  was  the  pillar  and 
ground  of  truth,  made  up  of  living  stones,  hving  members,  a  spiritual 
household,  which  Christ  was  the  head  of:  but  he  was  not  the  head  of  a 
mixed  multitude,  or  of  an  old  house  made  up  of  lime,  stones,  and  w^ood. 
This  set  them  all  on  a  fire.  The  priest  came  down  from  his  pulpit,  and 
others  out  of  their  pews,  and  the  dispute  there  was  marred.  I  went  to 
a  great  inn,  and  there  disputed  the  thing  with  the  priests  and  professors, 
who  were  all  on  fire.  But  I  maintained  the  true  church,  and  the  true 
head  thereof,  over  their  heads,  till  they  all  gave  out  and  fled  away.  One 
man  seemed  loving,  and  appeared  for  a  while  to  join  with  me ;  but  he 


68  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1648 

soon  turned  against  me,  and  joined  with  a  priest  in  pleading  for  infant- 
baptism,  though  himself  had  been  a  baptist  before ;  so  he  left  me  alone. 
Howbeit,  there  were  several  convinced  that  day ;  the  woman  that  asked 
the  question  was  convinced,  and  her  family ;  and  the  Lord's  power  and 
glory  shined  over  all. 

After  this  I  returned  into  Nottinghamshire  again,  and  went  into  the 
Vale  of  Beavor.  As  I  went,  I  preached  repentance  to  the  people.  There 
wqre  many  convinced  in  the  Vale  of  Beavor,  in  many  towns ;  for  I  staid 
some  weeks  amongst  them.  One  morning,  as  I  was  sitting  by  the  fire, 
a  great  cloud  came  over  me,  a  temptation  beset  me ;  and  I  sat  still.  It 
was  said,  "  All  things  come  by  nature :"  and  the  elements  and  stars 
came  over  me,  so  that  I  was  in  a  manner  quite  clouded  with  it.  But  as 
I  sat  still  and  said  nothing,  the  people  of  the  house  perceived  nothing. 
And  as  I  sat  still  under  it  and  let  it  alone,  a  living  hope  and  a  true  voice 
arose  in  me,  which  said,  "  There  is  a  Hving  God  who  made  all  things." 
Immediately  the  cloud  and  temptation  vanished  away,  and  life  rose  over 
it  all ;  my  heart  was  glad,  and  I  praised  the  living  God.  After  some  time 
I  met  with  some  people  who  had  a  notion  that  there  was  no  God,  but 
that  all  things  come  by  nature.  I  had  a  great  dispute  with  them,  and 
overturned  them,  and  made  some  of  them  confess,  that  there  is  a  living 
God.  Then  I  saw  that  it  was  good  that  I  had  gone  through  that  exer- 
cise. We  had  great  meetings  in  those  parts ;  for  the  power  of  the  Lord 
broke  through  in  that  side  of  the  country.  Returning  into  Nottingham- 
shire, I  found  there  a  company  of  shattered  baptists,  and  others.  The 
Lord's  power  wrought  mightily,  and  gathered  many  of  them.  After- 
wards I  went  to  Mansfield  and  there-away ;  where  the  Lord's  power 
was  wonderfully  manifested  both  at  Mansfield,  and  other  towns  there- 
abouts. In  Derbyshire  the  mighty  power  of  God  wrought  in  a  wonder- 
ful manner.  At  Eton,  a  town  near  Derby,  there  was  a  meeting  of 
friends,  where  appeared  such  a  mighty  power  of  God  that  they  were 
greatly  shaken,  and  many  mouths  were  opened  in  the  power  of  the  Lord 
God.  Many  were  moved  by  the  Lord  to  go  to  steeple-houses,  to  the 
priests  and  people,  to  declare  the  everlasting  truth  unto  them. 

At  a  certain  time  when  I  was  at  Mansfield  there  was  a  sitting  of  the 
justices  about  hiring  servants ;  and  it  was  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  go 
and  speak  to  the  justices,  that  they  should  not  oppress  the  servants  in 
their  wages.  So  I  walked  towards  the  inn  where  they  sat ;  but  finding 
a  company  of  fiddlers  there,  I  did  not  go  in,  but  thought  to  come  in  the 
morning,  when  I  might  have  a  more  serious  opportunity  to  discourse 
with  them,  not  thinking  that  a  seasonable  time.  But  when  I  came  again 
in  the  morning,  they  were  gone,  and  I  was  struck  even  blind,  that  I 
could  not  see.  I  inquired  of  the  inn-keeper,  where  the  justices  were  to 
sit  that  day  1  He  told  me.  At  a  town  eight  miles  off".  My  sight  began 
to  come  to  me  again ;  and  I  went  and  ran  thitherward  as  fast  as  I  could. 
When  I  was  come  to  the  house  where  they  were,  and  many  servants 
with  them,  I  exhorted  the  justices  not  to  oppress  the  servants  in  their 
wages,  but  to  do  that  which  was  right  and  just  to  them ;  and  I  exhorted 
the  servants  to  do  their  duties,  and  serve  honestly,  &c.  They  all  re- 
ceived my  exhortation  kindly,  for  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  therein. 

Moreover,  I  was  moved  to  go  to  several  courts  and  steeple-houses  at 
Mansfield  and  other  places,  to  warn  them  to  leave  oft'  oppression  and 
oaths,  and  to  turn  from  deceit  to  the  Lord,  and  do  justly.  Particularly 
at  Mansfield,  after  I  had  been  at  a  court  there,  1  was  moved  to  go  and 


1648]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  69 

speak  to  one  of  the  wickedest  men  in  the  country,  one  who  was  a  com- 
mon drunkard,  a  noted  whoremaster,  and  a  rhime-maker;  and  I  re- 
proved him,  in  the  dread  of  the  mighty  God,  for  his  evil  courses.  When 
I  had  done  speaking,  and  left  him,  he  came  after  me,  and  told  me.  He 
was  so  smitten  when  I  spake  to  him,  that  he  had  scarce  any  strength 
left  in  him.  So  this  man  was  convinced,  turned  from  his  wickedness, 
and  remained  an  honest,  sober  man,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  people 
who  had  known  him  before.  Thus  the  work  of  the  Lord  went  forward, 
and  many  were  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  within  the  compass  of 
these  three  years,  1646,  1647,  and  1648.  Divers  meetings  of  friends,  in 
several  places,  were  then  gathered  to  God's  teaching,  by  his  Hght,  Spirit, 
and  power:  for  the  Lord's  power  broke  forth  daily  more  and  more 
wonderfully. 

Now  was  I  come  up  in  Spirit,  through  the  flaming  sword,  into  the 
paradise  of  God.  All  things  were  new ;  and  all  the  creation  gave  an- 
other smell  unto  me  than  before,  beyond  what  words  can  utter.  I  knew 
nothing  but  pureness,  innocency,  and  righteousness,  being  renewed  up 
into  the  image  of  God  by  Christ  Jesus ;  so  that  I  was  come  up  to  the 
state  of  Adam,  which  he  was  in  before  he  fell.  The  creation  was  open- 
ed to  me ;  and  it  was  shewed  me,  how  all  things  had  their  names  given 
them,  according  to  their  nature  and  virtue.  I  was  at  a  stand  in  my 
mind,  whether  I  should  practice  physick  for  the  good  of  mankind,  seeing 
the  nature  and  virtues  of  the  creatures  were  so  opened  to  me  by  the 
Lord.  But  I  was  immediately  taken  up  in  Spirit,  to  see  into  another  or 
more  steadfast  state  than  Adam's  in  innocency,  even  into  a  state  in 
Christ  Jesus,  that  should  never  fall.  The  Lord  shewed  me,  that  such  as 
were  faithful  to  him,  in  the  power  and  light  of  Christ,  should  come  up 
into  that  state  in  which  Adam  was  before  he  fell ;  in  which  the  admira- 
ble works  of  the  creation,  and  the  virtues  thereof  may  be  known,  through 
the  openings  of  that  divine  Word  of  wisdom  and  power  by  which  they 
were  made.  Great  things  did  the  Lord  lead  me  into,  and  wonderful 
depths  were  opened  unto  me,  beyond  what  can  by  words  be  declared ; 
but  as  people  come  into  subjection  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  grow  up  in 
the  image  and  power  of  the  Almighty,  they  may  receive  the  word  of 
wisdom  that  opens  all  things,  and  come  to  know  the  hidden  unity  in  the 
Eternal  Being. 

Thus  travelled  I  in  the  Lord's  service,  as  he  led  me.  When  I  came 
to  Nottingham,  the  mighty  power  of  God  was  there  among  friends. 
From  thence  I  went  to  Clauson  in  Leicestershire,  in  the  Vale  of  Beavor, 
and  the  mighty  power  of  God  appeared  there  also,  in  several  towns  and 
villages  where  friends  were  gathered.  While  I  was  there,  the  Lord 
opened  to  me  three  things,  relating  to  those  three  great  professions  in 
the  world,  law,  physick,  and  divinity  (so  called.)  He  shewed  me,  that 
the  physicians  were  out  of  the  wisdom  of  God,  by  which  the  creatures 
v/ere  made ;  and  knew  not  the  virtues  of  the  creatures,  because  they 
were  out  of  the  Word  of  wisdom,  by  which  they  were  made.  He  shew- 
ed me,  the  priests  were  out  of  the  true  faith,  which  Christ  is  the  author 
of;  the  faith  which  purifies,  gives  victory,  and  brings  people  to  have  ac- 
cess to  God,  by  which  they  please  God ;  the  mystery  of  which  faith  is 
held  in  a  pure  conscience.  He  shewed  me  also,  that  the  lawyers  were  out 
of  the  equity,  out  of  the  true  justice,  and  out  of  the  law  of  God,  which 
went  over  the  first  transgression,  and  over  all  sin,  and  ansv/ered  the 
Spirit  of  God,  that  was  grieved  and  transgressed  in  mazi.     And  that 


70  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1648 

these  three,  the  physicians,  the  priests,  and  the  lawyers,  ruled  the  world 
out  of  the  wisdom,  out  of  the  faith,  and  out  of  the  equity  and  law  of 
God ;  the  one  pretending  the  cure  of  the  body,  the  other  the  cure  of  the 
soul,  and  the  thii'd  the  protection  of  the  property  of  the  people.  But  I 
saw  they  were  all  out  of  the  wisdom,  out  of  the  faith,'  out  of  the  equity 
and  perfect  law  of  God.  And  as  the  Lord  opened  these  things  unto  me, 
I  felt  his  power  went  forth  over  all,  by  which  all  might  be  reformed,  if 
they  would  receive  and  bow  unto  it.  The  priests  might  be  reformed, 
and  brought  into  the  true  faith,  which  is  the  gift  of  God.  The  lawyers 
might  be  reformed,  and  brought  into  the  law  of  God,  which  answers 
that  of  God,  which  is  transgressed,  in  every  one,  and  brings  to  love 
one's  neighbour  as  himself  This  lets  man  see,  if  he  wrongs  his  neigh- 
bour, he  wrongs  himself;  and  this  teaches  him  to  do  unto  others  as  he 
would  they  should  do  unto  him.  The  physicians  might  be  reformed,  and 
brought  into  the  wisdom  of  God,  by  which  all  things  were  made  and 
created ;  that  they  might  receive  a  right  knowledge  of  the  creatures, 
and  understand  the  virtues  of  them,  which  the  Word  of  Wisdom,  by 
which  they  were  made  and  are  upheld,  hath  given  them.  Abundance 
was  opened  concerning  these  things ;  how  all  lay  out  of  the  wisdom  of 
God,  and  out  of  the  righteousness  and  holiness  that  man  at  the  first  was 
made  in.  But  as  all  believe  in  the  light,  and  walk  in  the  light  which 
Christ  hath  enlightened  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  withal, 
and  become  children  of  the  light,  and  of  the  day  of  Christ ;  in  his  day 
all  things  are  seen,  visible  and  invisible,  by  the  divine  light  of  Christ,  the 
spiritual  heavenly  man,  by  whom  all  things  were  made  and  created. 

I  saw  concerning  the  priests,  that  although  they  stood  in  the  deceit,  and 
acted  by  the  dark  power  which  both  they  and  their  people  were  kept 
under ;  yet  they  were  not  the  greatest  deceivers  spoken  of  in  the  scrip- 
tures, for  they  were  not  come  so  far  as  many  of  these  had  come.  But 
the  Lord  opened  to  me  who  the  greatest  deceivers  were,  and  how  far 
they  might  come ;  even  such  as  came  as  far  as  Cain,  to  hear  the  voice 
of  God ;  such  as  came  out  of  Egypt,  and  through  the  Red  Sea,  to  praise 
God  on  the  banks  of  the  sea-shore ;  such  as  could  speak  by  experience 
of  God's  miracles  and  wonders ;  such  as  were  come  as  far  as  Corah, 
Dathan,  and  their  company ;  such  as  were  come  as  far  as  Balaam,  who 
could  speak  the  word  of  the  Lord,  who  heard  his  voice  and  knew  it, 
and  knew  his  Spirit,  and  could  see  the  star  of  Jacob,  and  the  goodliness 
of  Israel's  Tent;  the  second  birth,  which  no  enchantment  could  prevail 
against :  these  that  could  speak  so  much  of  their  experiences  of  God, 
and  yet  turned  from  the  Spirit  and  the  Word,  and  went  into  the  gainsay- 
ing, these  were  and  would  be  the  great  deceivers,  far  beyond  the  priests. 
Likewise  among  christians,  such  as  should  preach  in  Christ's  name, 
should  work  miracles,  cast  out  devils,  and  go  as  far  as  a  Cain,  a  Corah, 
and  a  Balaam  in  the  gospel-times,  these  were  and  would  be  the  great  de- 
ceivers. They  that  could  speak  some  experiences  of  Christ  and  God, 
but  lived  not  in  the  hte,  these  were  they  that  led  the  world  after  them, 
who  got  the  form  of  godliness,  but  denied  the  power;  who  inwardly 
ravened  from  the  Spirit,  and  brought  people  into  the  form,  but  persecuted 
them  that  were  in  the  power,  as  Cain  did ;  and  ran  greedily  after  the 
error  of  Balaam,  through  covetousness,  loving  the  wages  of  unrighte- 
ousness, as  Balaam  did.  These  followers  of  Cain,  Corah,  and  Balaam, 
have  brought  the  world,  since  the  apostles'  days,  to  be  like  a  sea.  Such 
as  these  I  saw  might  deceive  now,  as  they  did  in  former  ages ;  but  it  is 


1648]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  71 

impossible  for  them  to  deceive  the  elect,  who  were  chosen  in  Christ,  who 
was  before  the  world  began,  and  before  the  deceiver  was :  though  others 
may  be  deceived  in  their  openings  and  prophecies,  not  keeping  their 
minds  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  doth  open  and  reveal  to  his. 

I  saw  the  state  of  those,  both  priests  and  people,  who  in  reading  the 
scriptures  cry  out  much  against  Cain,  Esau,  Judas,  and  other  wicked 
men  of  former  times,  mentioned  in  the  holy  scriptures:  but  do  not  see 
the  nature  of  Cain,  of  Esau,  of  Judas,  and  those  others,  in  themselves. 
These  said,  it  was  they,  they,  they,  that  were  the  bad  people ;  putting  it 
off  from  themselves :  but  when  some  of  these  came,  with  the  light  and 
Spirit  of  truth,  to  see  into  themselves,  then  they  came  to  say,  I,  I,  I,  it  is 
I  myself,  that  have  been  the  Ishmael,  the  Esau,  &c.  For  then  they  saw 
the  nature  of  wild  Ishmael  in  themselves ;  the  nature  of  Cain,  Esau, 
Corah,  Balaam,  and  of  the  son  of  perdition  in  themselves,  sitting  above 
all  that  is  called  God  in  them.  I  saw,  it  was  the  fallen  man  that  was  got 
up  into  the  scriptures,  and  was  finding  fault  with  those  before-mentioned ; 
and  with  the  backsliding  Jews,  calling  them  the  sturdy  oaks,  tall  cedars, 
fat  bulls  of  Bashan,  wild  heifers,  vipers,  serpents,  &c.  and  charging  them, 
that  it  was  they  that  closed  their  eyes,  stopped  their  ears,  hardened  their 
hearts,  and  were  dull  of  hearing ;  it  was  they  that  hated  the  light,  re- 
belled against  it,  quenched  the  Spirit,  vexed  and  grieved  it,  walked  de- 
spitefuUy  against  the  Spirit  of  grace,  and  turned  the  grace  of  God  into 
wantonness ;  it  was  they  that  resisted  the  Holy  Ghost,  got  the  form  of 
godliness,  and  turned  against  the  power ;  and  they  were  the  inwardly 
ravening  wolves  who  had  got  the  sheep's  cloathing ;  they  were  the  wells 
without  water,  clouds  without  rain,  trees  without  fruit,  &c.  But  when 
these,  who  were  so  much  taken  up  with  finding  fault  with  others,  and 
thought  themselves  clear  from  these  things,  came  to  look  into  themselves, 
and  with  the  light  of  Christ  throughly  to  search  themselves,  they  might 
see  enough  of  this  in  themselves ;  then  the  cry  could  not  be,  It  is  he  or 
they,  but  I  and  we  are  found  in  these  conditions. 

I  saw  also,  how  people  read  the  scriptures  without  a  right  sense  of 
them,  and  without  duly  applying  them  to  their  own  states.  For  when 
they  read,  that  death  reigned  from  Adam  to  Moses ;  that  the  law  and  the 
prophets  were  until  John ;  and  that  the  least  in  the  kingdom  is  greater 
than  John ;  they  read  these  things  without  them,  and  applied  them  to 
others  (and  the  things  were  true  of  others)  but  they  did  not  turn  in  to 
find  the  truth  of  these  things  in  themselves.  As  these  things  were  opened 
in  me,  I  saw  death  reigned  over  them  from  Adam  to  Moses ;  from  the 
entrance  into  transgression,  till  they  came  to  the  ministration  of  con- 
demnation, which  restrains  people  from  sin  that  brings  death.  When  the 
ministration  of  Moses  is  passed  through,  the  ministry  of  the  prophets 
comes  to  be  read  and  understood,  which  reaches  through  the  figures, 
types,  and  shadows  unto  John,  the  greatest  prophet  born  of  a  woman ; 
whose  ministration  prepares  the  way  of  the  Lord,  by  bringing  down 
the  exalted  mountains,  and  making  straight  paths.  As  this  ministration 
is  passed  through,  an  entrance  comes  to  be  known  into  the  everlasting 
kingdom.  I  saw  plainly,  that  none  could  read  Moses  aright  without 
Moses's  Spirit,  by  which  he  saw  how  man  was  in  the  image  of  God  in 
paradise,  how  he  fell,  how  death  came  over  him,  and  how  all  men  have 
been  under  this  death,  I  saw  how  Moses  received  the  pure  law,  that 
went  over  all  transgressors;  and  how  the  clean  beasts,  which  were 
figures  and  types,  were  oflfered  up,  when  the  people  were  come  into  the 


72  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  *  [1648 

righteous  law  that  went  over  the  first  transgression.  Moses  and  the 
prophets  saw  through  the  types  and  figures,  and  beyond  them,  and  saw 
Christ  the  great  prophet,  that  was  to  come  to  fulfil  them.  I  saw  that 
none  could  read  John's  words  aright,  and  with  a  true  undferstanding  of 
them,  but  in  and  with  the  same  divine  Spirit  by  which  John  spake  them  • 
and  by  his  burning,  shining  hght  which  is  sent  from  God.  For  by  tha': 
Spirit  their  crooked  nature  might  be  made  straight,  their  rough  natures 
smooth,  and  the  exacter  and  violent  doer  in  them  might  be  cast  out;  and 
those  that  had  been  hypocrites,  might  come  to  bring  forth  fruits  meet  for 
repentance,  and  their  mountain  of  sin  and  earthliness  might  be  laid  low 
and  their  valley  exalted  in  them,  that  there  might  be  a  way  prepared  for 
the  Lord  in  them  :  then  the  least  in  the  kingdom  is  greater  than  John. 
But  all  must  first  know  the  voice  crying  in  the  wilderness  in  their  hearts, 
which  through  transgression  were  become  as  a  wilderness.  Thus  I  saw 
it  was  an  easy  matter  to  say,  death  reigned  from  Adam  to  Moses ;  and 
that  the  law  and  the  prophets  were  until  John ;  and  that  the  least  in  the 
kingdom  is  greater  than  John ;  but  none  could  know  how  death  reigned 
from  Adam  to  Moses,  &c.  but  by  the  same  holy  Spirit  which  Moses,  the 
prophets,  and  John  were  in.  They  could  not  know  the  spiritual  meaning 
of  Moses,  the  prophets,  and  John's  words,  nor  see  their  path  and  travels, 
much  less  to  see  through  them,  and  to  the  end  of  them  into  the  kingdom, 
unless  they  had  the  Spirit  and  light  of  Jesus ;  nor  could  they  know 
the  words  of  Christ  and  of  his  apostles  without  his  Spirit.  But  as  man 
comes  thro'  by  the  Spirit  and  power  of  God  to  Christ  (who  fulfils  the 
types,  figures,  shadows,  promises,  and  prophecies  concerning  him)  and 
is  led  by  the  Holy  Ghost  into  the  truth  and  substance  of  the  scriptures, 
sitting  down  in  him  who  is  the  author  and  end  of  them,  then  are  they 
read  and  understood  with  profit  and  great  delight. 

Moreover  the  Lord  God  let  me  see,  when  I  was  brought  up  into  his 
image  in  righteousness  and  holiness,  and  into  the  paradise  of  God,  the 
state,  how  Adam  was  made  a  living  soul ;  and  also  the  stature  of  Christ, 
the  mystery  that  had  been  hid  from  ages  and  generations  :  which  things 
are  hard  to  be  uttered,  and  cannot  be  borne  by  many.  For  of  all  the 
sects  in  Christendom  (so  called)  that  I  discoursed  withal,  I  found  none 
who  could  bear  to  be  told,  that  any  should  come  to  Adam's  perfection, 
into  that  image  of  God,  that  righteousness  and  hohness  that  Adam  was 
in  before  he  fell ;  to  be  clear  and  pure  without  sin  as  he  was.  There- 
fore, how  should  they  be  able  to  bear  being  told,  that  any  should  grow 
up  to  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ,  when  they 
cannot  bear  to  hear  that  any  shall  come,  whilst  upon  earth,  into  the 
same  power  and  Spirit  that  the  prophets  and  apostles  were  in  1  Though 
it  be  a  certain  truth,  that  none  can  understand  their  writings  aright, 
without  the  same  spirit  by  which  they  were  written. 

The  Lord  God  opened  to  me  by  his  invisible  power,  how  "  every  man 
"  was  enlightened  by  the  divine  light  of  Christ."  I  saw  it  shine  through 
all,  and  that  they  that  believed  in  it  came  out  of  condemnation  to  the 
light  of  life,  and  became  the  children  of  it;  but  they  that  hated  it, 
and  did  not  believe  in  it,  were  condemned  by  it,  though  they  made  a 
profession  of  Christ.  This  I  saw  in  the  pure  openings  of  the  light  with- 
out the  help  of  any  man ;  neither  did  I  then  know  where  to  find  it  in  the 
scriptures  ;  though  afterwards,  searching  the  scriptures,  I  found  it.  For 
I  saw  in  that  Light  and  Spirit  Mdiich  was  before  the  Scriptures  were 
given  forth,  and  which  led  the  holy  men  of  God  to  give  them  forth,  that 


1648]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL-  73 

all  must  come  to  that  Spirit,  if  they  would  know  God  or  Christ,  or  the 
Scriptures  aright,  which  they  that  gave  them  forth  were  led  and 
taught  by. 

But  I  observed  a  dulness  and  drowzy  heaviness  upon  people,  M-hich  I 
wondered  at ;  for  sometimes,  when  I  would  set  myself  to  sleep,  my  mind 
went  over  all  to  the  beginning,  in  that  which  is  from  everlasting  to  ever- 
lasting ;  I  saw  death  was  to  pass  over  this  sleepy,  heavy  state,  and  I 
told  people  they  must  come  to  witness  death  to  that  sleepy,  heavy  na- 
ture, and  a  cross  to  it  in  the  power  of  God,  that  their  minds  and  hearts 
might  be  on  things  above. 

On  a  certain  time,  as  I  was  walking  in  the  fields,  the  Lord  said  unto 
me,  "  Thy  name  is  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  which  was  before 
*'  the  foundation  of  the  world  :"  and  as  the  Lord  spoke  it,  I  believed  and 
saw  it  in  the  new  birth.  Some  time  after,  the  Lord  commanded  me  to 
go  abroad  into  the  world,  which  was  like  a  briery,  thorny  -wilderness. 
When  I  came  in  the  Lord's  mighty  power  with  the  word  of  life  into  the 
world,  the  world  swelled  and  made  a  noise  like  the  great  raging  waves 
of  the  sea.  Priests  and  professors,  magistrates  and  people,  were  all  hke 
a  sea,  when  I  came  to  proclaim  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst  them,  and 
to  preach  repentance  to  them. 

I  was  sent  to  turn  people  from  darkness  to  the  light,  that  they  might 
receive  Christ  Jesus ;  for  to  as  many  as  should  receive  him  in  his  light, 
I  saw  he  would  give  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God ;  which  I  had 
obtained  by  receiving  Christ.  I  was  to  direct  people  to  the  Spirit,  that 
gave  forth  the  scriptures,  by  which  they  might  be  led  into  all  truth,  and 
up  to  Christ  and  God,  as  those  had  been  who  gave  them  forth.  I  was 
to  turn  them  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  to  the  truth  in  the  heart,  which 
came  by  Jesus ;  that  by  this  grace  they  might  be  taught,  which  would 
bring  them  salvation,  that  their  hearts  might  be  established  by  it,  their 
words  might  be  seasoned,  and  all  might  come  to  know  their  salvation 
nigh.  I  saw  Christ  died  for  all  men,  was  a  propitiation  for  all,  and  en- 
lightened all  men  and  women  with  his  divine  and  saving  light ;  and  that 
none  could  be  true  believers,  but  those  who  behoved  therein.  I  saw 
that  the  grace  of  God,  which  brings  salvation,  had  appeared  to  all  men, 
and  that  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  of  God  was  given  to  every  man, 
to  profit  withal.  These  things  I  did  not  see  by  the  help  of  man,  nor  by 
the  letter,  though  they  are  written  in  the  letter ;  but  I  saw  them  in  the 
light  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  his  immediate  Spirit  and  power, 
as  did  the  holy  men  of  God  by  whom  the  holy  scriptures  were  written. 
Yet  I  had  no  shght  esteem  of  the  holy  scriptures,  they  were  very  pre- 
cious to  me ;  for  I  was  in  that  Spirit  by  which  they  were  given  forth  ; 
and  what  the  Lord  opened  in  me,  I  afterwards  found  was  agreeable  to 
them.  I  could  speak  much  of  these  things,  and  many  volumes  might  be 
written ;  but  all  would  prove  too  short  to  set  forth  the  infinite  love,  wis- 
dom, and  power  of  God,  in  preparing,  fitting,  and  furnishing  me  for  the 
service  he  had  appointed  me  to ;  letting  me  see  the  depth  of  Satan  on 
the  one  hand,  and  opening  to  me,  on  the  other  hand,  the  divine  mysteries 
of  his  own  everlasting  kingdom. 

When  the  Lord  God  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  sent  me  forth  into  the 
world  to  preach  his  everlasting  gospel  and  kingdom,  I  was  glad  that  I 
was  commanded  to  turn  people  to  that  inward  light,  spirit,  and  grace, 
by  which  all  might  know  their  salvation  and  their  way  to  God ;  evenj 


74  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1648 

that  Divine  Spirit  which  would  lead  them  into  all  truth,  and  which  I  in- 
fallibly knew  would  never  deceive  any. 

But  with  and  by  this  divine  power  and  spirit  of  God,  and  the  light  of 
Jesus,  I  was  to  bring  people  off  from  all  their  own  ways,  to  Christ  the 
new  and  living  w^ay;  from  their  churches,  which  men  had  made  and 
gathered,  to  the  church  in  God,  the  general  assembly  written  in  heaven, 
which  Christ  is  the  head  of;  and  off  from  the  world's  teachers  made  by 
men,  to  learn  of  Christ,  who  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life,  of  whom 
the  Father  said,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him ;"  and  off  from 
all  the  world's  worships,  to  know  the  Spirit  of  truth  in  the  inward  parts, 
and  to  be  led  thereby,  that  in  it  they  might  worship  the  Father  of  spirits, 
who  seeks  such  to  worship  him ;  which  Spirit  they  that  worshipped  not 
in,  knew  not  what  they  worshipped.  I  was  to  bring  people  off  from  all 
the  world's  religions,  which  are  in  vain;  that  they  might  know  the  pure 
religion,  might  visit  the  fatherless,  the  widows  and  the  strangers,  and 
keep  themselves  from  the  spots  of  the  world  :  then  there  w^ould  not  be 
so  many  beggars  ;  the  sight  of  whom  often  grieved  my  heart,  as  it  de- 
noted so  much  hard-heartedness  amongst  those  that  professed  the  name 
of  Christ.  I  was  to  bring  them  off  from  all  the  world's  fellowships, 
prayings,  and  singings,  which  stood  in  forms  without  power:  that 
their  fellowship  might  be  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  eternal  Spirit  of 
God ;  that  they  might  pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  sing  in  the  Spirit,  and 
with  the  grace  that  comes  by  Jesus  ;  making  melody  in  their  hearts  to  the 
Lord,  who  hath  sent  his  beloved  Son  to  be  their  Saviour,  caused  his 
heavenly  sun  to  shine  upon  all  the  world,  and  through  them  all ;  and  his 
heavenly  rain  to  fall  upon  the  just  and  the  unjust  (as  his  outward  rain 
doth  fall,  and  his  outward  sun  doth  shine  on  all)  which  is  God's  unspeak- 
able love  to  the  world.  I  was  to  bring  people  off  from  Jewish  ceremo- 
nies, from  heathenish  fables,  from  men's  inventions  and  windy  doctrines, 
by  which  they  blowed  the  people  about,  this  way  and  the  other  way. 
from  sect  to  sect :  and  from  all  their  beggarly  rudiments,  with  their 
schools  and  colleges,  for  making  ministers  of  Christ,  who  are  indeed 
ministers  of  their  own  making,  but  not  of  Christ's ;  and  from  all  their 
images,  crosses,  and  sprinkling  of  infants,  with  their  holy-days  (so  called) 
and  all  their  vain  traditions,  which  they  had  got  up  since  the  apostles' 
days,  which  the  Lord's  power  was  against.  In  the  dread  and  authority 
thereof  was  I  moved  to  declare  against  them  all,  and  against  all  that 
})reached  and  not  freely,  as  such  who  had  not  received  freely  from 
Christ. 
^  Moreover,  when  the  Lord  sent  me  into  the  world,  he  forbade  me  "  to 
(  put  off  my  hat "  to  any,  high  or  low ;  and  I  was  required  to  thee  and 
thou  all  men  and  women,  without  any  respect  to  rich  or  poor,  great  or 
small.  And  as  I  travelled  up  and  down,  I  was  not  to  bid  people  Good 
morrow,  or  Good  evening,  neither  might  I  bow  or  scrape  with  my  leg 
to  any  one  ;  this  made  the  sects  and  professions  rage.  But  the  Lord's 
power  carried  me  over  all  to  his  glory,  and  many  came  to  be  turned  to 
God  in  a  little  time ;  for  the  heavenly  day  of  the  Lord  sprung  from  on 
high,  and  broke  forth  apace ;  by  the  light  of  which  many  came  to  see 
where  they  were. 

Oh  !  the  rage  that  was  in  the  priests,  magistrates,  professors,  and 
people  of  all  sorts ;  and  especially  in  priests  and  professors :  for  though 
thou  to  a  single  person  was  according  to  their  accidence  and  grammar 
rules,  and  according  to  the  bible,  yet  they  could  not  bear  to  hear  it ;  and 


1<548]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  75 

because  I  could  not  put  off  my  hat  to  them,  it  set  them  all  into  a  rage. 
But  the  Lord  she^yed  me  that  it  was  an  honour  below,  which  he  would 
lay  in  the  dust  and  stain ;  an  honour  which  proud  flesh  looked  for,  but 
sought  not  the  honour  which  comes  from  God  only.  That  it  was  an 
honour  invented  by  men  in  the  fall  and  in  the  alienation  from  God,  who 
were  ofiended  if  it  was  not  given  them ;  yet  would  be  looked  upon  as 
saints,  church-members,  and  great  Christians :  but  Christ  saith,  "  How 
"  can  ye  believe,  who  receive  honour  one  of  another,  and  seek  not  the 
"  honour  that  cometh  from  God  only  1  And  I  (saith  Christ)  receive  not 
"  honour  of  men."  Shewing  that  men  have  an  honour  which  they  will 
receive  and  give,  but  Christ  will  have  none  of  it.  This  is  the  honour 
which  Christ  will  not  receive,  and  which  must  be  laid  in  the  dust.  Oh  ! 
the  scorn,  heat,  and  fury  that  arose !  Oh !  the  blows,  punchings,  beat- 
ings, and  imprisonments  that  we  underwent  for  not  putting  off  our  hats 
to  men !  For  that  soon  tried  all  men's  patience  and  sobriety,  what  it 
was.  Some  had  their  hats  violently  pluck'd  off  and  thrown  away,  so 
that  they  quite  lost  them.  The  bad  language  and  evil  usage  we  received 
on  this  account  is  hard  to  be  expressed,  besides  the  danger  we  were 
sometimes  in  of  losing  our  lives  for  this  matter,  and  that  by  the  great 
professors  of  Christianity,  who  thereby  discovered  they  were  not  true 
believers.  And  though  it  was  but  a  small  thing  in  the  eye  of  man,  yet 
a  wonderful  confusion  it  brought  among  all  professors  and  priests ;  but, 
blessed  be  the  Lord,  many  came  to  see  the  vanity  of  that  custom  of 
putting  off  the  hat  to  men,  and  felt  the  weight  of  Truth's  testimony 
against  it. 

About  this  time  I  was  sorely  exercised  in  going  to  their  coiu'ts  to  cry 
for  justice,  in  speaking  and  writing  to  judges  and  justices  to  do  justly; 
in  warning  such  as  kept  publick  houses  for  entertainment,  that  they 
should  not  let  people  have  more  drink  than  would  do  them  good ;  in 
testifying  against  wakes,  feasts,  may-games,  sports,  plays,  and  shews, 
which  trained  up  people  to  vanity  and  looseness,  and  led  them  from  the 
fear  of  God ;  and  the  days  set  forth  for  hohdays  were  usually  the  times 
wherein  they  most  dishonoured  God  by  these  things.  In  fairs  also,  and 
in  markets,  I  was  made  to  declare  against  their  deceitful  merchandize, 
cheating,  and  cozening ;  warning  all  to  deal  justly,  to  speak  the  truth, 
to  let  their  yea  be  yea,  and  their  nay  be  nay,  and  to  do  unto  others  as 
they  would  have  others  do  unto  them ;  forewarning  them  of  the  great 
and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord,  which  would  come  upon  them  all.  I  was 
moved  also  to  cry  against  all  sorts  of  musick,  and  against  the  mounte- 
banks playing  tricks  on  their  stages ;  for  they  burthened  the  pure  life, 
and  stirred  up  people's  minds  to  vanity.  I  was  much  exercised  too  \ 
with  school-masters  and  school-mistresses,  warning  them  to  teach  chil- 
dren  sobriety  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  they  might  not  be  nursed  and 
trained  up  in  lightness,  vanity,  and  wantonness.  I  was  made  to  warn 
masters  and  mistresses,  fathers  and  mothers  in  private  families,  to  take 
care  that  their  children  and  servants  might  be  trained  up  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  and  that  themselves  should  be  therein  examples  and  patterns 
of  sobriety  and  virtue  to  them.  For  I  saw  that  as  the  Jews  were  to 
teach  their  children  the  law  of  God,  the  old  covenant,  and  to  train  them 
up  in  it,  and  their  servants,  yea  the  very  strangers  were  to  keep  the  sab- 
bath among  them,  and  be  circumcised,  before  they  might  eat  of  their 
sacrifices ;  so  all  that  made  a  profession  of  Christianity  ought  to  train 
up  their  children  and  servants  in  the  new  covenant  of  light,  Christ  Jesus, 


76  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1648 

•who  is  God's  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  that  all  may  know  their 
salvation.  And  they  ought  to  train  them  up  in  the  law  of  life,  the  law 
of  the  Spirit,  the  law  of  love  and  of  fahh,  that  they  might  be  made  free 
from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  And  all  christians  ought  to  be  circum- 
cised by  the  Spirit,  which  puts  off  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh,  that 
they  may  come  to  eat  of  the  heavenly  sacrifice,  Christ  Jesus,  that  true 
spiritual  food,  which  none  can  rightly  feed  upon  but  they  that  are  cir- 
cumcised by  the  Spirit.  Likewise  I  was  exercised  about  the  star-gazers, 
who  drew  people's  minds  from  Christ,  the  bright  and  the  morning-star, 
and  from  the  Sun  of  righteousness,  by  whom  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars, 
and  all  things  else  were  made,  who  is  the  wisdom  of  God,  from  whom 
the  right  knowledge  of  all  things  is  received. 

But  the  black  earthly  spirit  of  the  priests  wounded  my  life :  ahd  when 
I  heard  the  bell  toll  to  call  people  together  to  the  steeple-house,  it  struck 
at  my  life ;  for  it  was  like  a  market-bell  to  gather  people  together,  that 
the  priest  might  set  forth  his  ware  to  sale.  Oh  !  the  vast  sums  of  mo- 
ney that  are  got  by  the  trade  they  make  of  selling  the  scriptures,  and  by 
their  preaching,  from  the  liighest  bishop  to  the  lowest  priest !  What  one 
trade  else  in  the  world  is  comparable  to  it?  notwithstanding  the  scrip- 
tures were  given  forth  freely,  Christ  commanded  his  ministers  to  preach 
freely,  and  the  prophets  and  apostles  denounced  judgment  against  all 
covetous  hirelings  and  diviners  for  money.  But  in  this  free  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  w^as  I  sent  forth  to  declare  the  word  of  life  and  reconciha- 
tion  freely,  that  all  might  come  to  Christ,  who  gives  freely,  and  renews 
up  into  tiie  image  of  God,  which  man  and  woman  were  in  before  they 
fell,  that  they  migiit  sit  down  in  the  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

As  I  went  towards  Nottingham  on  a  first-day  in  the  morning,  with 
friends  to  a  meeting  there,  when  I  came  on  the  top  of  a  hill  in  sight  of 
the  town,  I  espied  the  great  steeple-house ;  and  the  Lord  said  unto  me, 
"  Thou  must  go  cry  against  yonder  great  idol,  and  against  the  worship- 
"  pers  therein."  I  said  nothing  of  this  to  the  friends,  but  went  with  them 
to  the  meeting,  where  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  God  was  amongst 
us ;  in  which  I  left  friends  sitting  in  the  meeting,  and  went  to  the  steeple- 
house.  When  I  came  there  all  the  people  looked  like  fallow  ground,  and 
the  priest,  like  a  great  lump  of  earth,  stood  in  his  pulpit  above :  he  took 
for  his  text  these  words  of  Peter,  "  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word  of 
"  prophecy,  whereunto  ye  do  well,  that  ye  take  heed,  as  unto  a  light 
"  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise 
"  in  your  hearts."  He  told  the  people  this  was  the  scriptures,  by  which 
they  were  to  try  all  doctrines,  religions,  and  opinions.  Now  the  Lord's 
power  was  so  mighty  upon  me,  and  so  strong  in  me,  that  I  could  not 
hold  ;  but  was  made  to  cry  out,  "  Oh !  no ;  it  is  not  the  scriptures ;"  and 
told  them  it  w^as  the  holy  Spirit,  by  which  the  holy  men  of  God  gave 
forth  the  scriptures,  whereby  opinions,  religions,  and  judgments  were  to 
be  tried ;  for  it  led  into  all  truth,  and  so  gave  the  knowledge  of  all  truth. 
The  Jews  had  the  scriptures,  yet  resisted  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  rejected 
Christ,  the  bright  morning-star.  They  persecuted  him  and  his  apostles, 
and  took  upon  them  to  try  their  doctrines  by  the  scriptures,  but  erred  in 
judgment,  and  did  not  try  them  right;  because  they  tried  without  the 
Holy  Ghost.  As  I  spoke  thus  amongst  them,  the  oflicers  came,  took  me 
away,  and  put  me  into  a  nasty  stinking  prison ;  the  smell  whereof  got  so 
into  my  nose  and  throat,  that  it  very  much  annoyed  me. 

But  that  day  the  Lord's  power  sounded  so  in  their  ears,  that  they  were 


1649]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  77 

amazed  at  the  voice,  and  could  not  get  it  out  of  their  ears  for  some  time 
after ;  they  were  so  reached  by  the  Lord's  power  in  the  steeple-house. 
At  nin-ht  they  took  me  before  the  mayor,  aldermen,  and  sherifi's  of  the 
town.  When  I  was  brought  before  them,  the  mayor  was  in  a  peevish 
fretful  temper,  but  the  Lord's  power  allay'd  him.  They  examined  me  at 
large ;  and  I  told  them  how  the  Lord  had  moved  me  to  come.  After 
some  discourse  between  them  and  me,  they  sent  me  back  to  prison ;  but 
some  time  after  the  head  sheriff,  whose  name  was  John  Reckless,  sent 
for  me  to  his  house.  When  I  came  in,  his  wife  met  me  in  the  hall,  and 
said,  "  Salvation  is  come  to  our  house."  She  took  me  by  the  hand,  and 
was  much  wrought  upon  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  ;  and  her  husband, 
children,  and  servants  were  much  changed,  for  the  power  of  the  Lord 
wrought  upon  them.  I  lodged  at  the  sheriff's,  and  great  meetings  we 
had  in  his  house.  Some  persons  of  considerable  condition  in  the  world 
came  to  them,  and  the  Lord's  power  appeared  eminently  amongst  them. 
This  sheriff  sent  for  the  other  sheriff,  and  a  woman  they  had  had  deal- 
ings with  in  the  way  of  trade ;  and  he  told  her  before  the  other  sheriff, 
that  they  had  wronged  her  in  their  dealings  with  her  (for  the  other 
sheriff  and  he  were  partners)  and  that  they  ought  to  make  her  restitu- 
tion. This  he  spoke  cheerfully ;  but  the  other  sheriff  denied  it,  and  the 
woman  said  she  knew  nothing  of  it.  But  the  friendly  sheriff  said  it  was 
so,  the  other  knew  it  well  enough ;  and  having  discovered  the  matter, 
and  acknowledged  the  wrong  done  by  them,  he  made  restitution  to  the 
woman,  and  exhorted  the  other  sheriff  to  do  the  like.  The  Lord's  power 
was  with  this  friendly  sheriff,  wrought  a  mighty  change  in  him,  and  great 
openings  he  had.  The  next  market-day,  as  he  was  walking  with  me  in 
the  chamber,  he  said,  "  I  must  -go  into  the  market,  and  preacii  repent- 
""  ance  to  the  people."  Accordingly  he  went  in  his  slippers  into  the  market, 
and  into  several  streets,  and  preached  repentance  to  the  people.  Several 
others  also  in  the  town  were  moved  to  speak  to  the  mayor  and  magis- 
trates, and  to  the  people,  exhorting  them  to  repent.  Hereupon  the  mag- 
istrates grew  very  angry,  sent  for  me  from  the  sheriff's  house  and  com- 
mitted me  to  the  common  prison.  When  the  assize  came  on,  one  person 
was  moved  to  come  and  offer  up  himself  for  me,  body  for  body,  yea, 
life  also :  but  when  I  should  have  been  brought  before  the  judge,  the 
sheriff's  man  being  somewhat  long  in  bringing  me  to  the  sessions-house, 
the  judge  was  risen  before  I  came.  At  which  I  understood  the  judge 
was  offended,  and  said,  "  He  would  have  admonished  the  youth,  if  he 
"  had  been  brought  before  him :"  for  I  was  then  imprisoned  by  the  name 
of  a  youth.  So  I  was  returned  to  prison  again,  and  put  into  the  common 
gaol.  The  Lord's  power  was  great  among  friends ;  but  the  people  be- 
gan to  be  very  rude :  wherefore  the  governor  of  the  castle  sent  soldiers, 
and  dispersed  them ;  after  that  they  were  quiet.  Both  priests  and  people 
were  astonished  at  the  wonderful  power  that  broke  forth ;  several  of  the 
priests  were  made  tender,  and  some  did  confess  to  the  power  of  the 
Lord. 

After  I  was  set  at  liberty  from  Nottingham  gaol,  where  I  had  been 
kept  prisoner  a  pretty  long  time,  I  travelled  as  before,  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord.  Coming  to  Mansfield  Woodhouse,  there  was  a  distracted 
woman  under  a  doctor's  hand,  with  her  hair  loose  about  her  ears.  He 
was  about  to  let  her  blood,  she  being  first  bound,  and  many  people  about 
her,  holding  her  by  violence ;  but  he  could  get  no  blood  from  her.  I  de- 
sired them  to  unbind  her  and  let  her  alone,  for  they  could  not  touch  the 


78  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1649 

spirit  in  her  by  which  she  was  tormented.  So  they  did  unbind  her ;  and 
I  was  moved  to  speak  to  her,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  to  bid  her  be 
quiet  and  still ;  and  she  was  so.  The  Lord's  power  settled  her  mind, 
and  she  mended.  Afterwards  she  received  the  truth,  and  continued  in 
it  to  her  death ;  and  the  Lord's  name  was  honoured ;  to  whom  the  glory 
of  all  his  works  belongs.  Many  great  and  wonderful  things  were 
wrought  by  the  heavenly  power  in  those  days ;  for  the  Lord  made  bare 
his  omnipotent  arm,  and  manifested  his  power  to  the  astonishment  of 
many ;  by  the  healing  virtue  whereof  many  have  been  delivered  from 
great  infirmities,  and  the  devils  were  made  subject  through  his  name ; 
of  which  particular  instances  might  be  given,  beyond  wbat  this  unbe- 
lieving age  is  able  to  receive  or  bear.  Blessed  for  ever  be  the  nam.e  of 
the  Lord,  and  everlastingly  honoured,  and  over  all  exalted  and  magni- 
fied be  the  arm  of  his  glorious  power,  by  which  he  hath  wrought  glo- 
riously :  let  the  honour  and  praise  of  all  his  works  be  ascribed  to  him 
alone. 

While  I  was  at  Mansfield  Woodhouse,  I  was  moved  to  go  to  the 
steeple-house,  and  declare  the  truth  to  the  priest  and  people.  But  the 
people  fell  upon  me  in  great  rage,  struck  me  down,  and  almost  stifled  me. 
I  was  cruelly  beaten  and  bruised  by  them  with  their  hands,  bibles,  and 
sticks.  Then  they  haled  me  out,  though  I  was  hardly  able  to  stand,  and 
put  me  into  the  stocks,  where  I  sat  some  hours ;  and  they  brought  dog- 
whips  and  horse-whips,  threatening  to  whip  me.  After  some  time  they 
had  me  before  the  magistrate,  at  a  knight's  house,  where  were  many 
great  persons ;  who,  seeing  how  evilly  I  had  been  used,  after  much 
threatening  set  me  at  liberty :  but  the  rude  people  stoned  me  out  of  the 
town,  for  preaching  the  Word  of  life  to-them.  I  was  scarce  able  to  go, 
or  well  to  stand,  by  reason  of  the  ill  usage  I  had  received ;  yet  with 
much  ado  I  got  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  then  I  met  with  some 
people  that  gave  me  something  to  comfort  me,  because  I  was  inwardly 
bruised :  but  the  Lord's  power  soon  healed  me  again.  That  day  some 
people  were  convinced  of  the  Lord's  truth,  and  turned  to  his  teaching  ; 
at  which  I  rejoiced. 

Then  went  I  out  of  Nottinghamshire  into  Leicestershire,  several 
friends  accompanying  me.  There  were  some  baptists  in  that  country, 
whom  I  desired  to  speak  with,  because  they  were  separated  from  the 
publick  worship.  So  Oats,  one  of  their  chief  teachers,  and  others  of  the 
heads  of  them,  with  several  of  their  company,  came  to  meet  us  at  Bar- 
row, where  we  discoursed  with  them.  One  of  them  said.  What  was  not 
of  faith,  was  sin.  Whereupon  I  asked  them,  What  Faith  was  ?  and  how 
it  was  wrought  in  man  1  But  they  turned  off  from  that,  and  spake  of 
their  baptism  in  water.  Then  I  asked  them.  Whether  their  mountain  of 
sin  was  brought  down,  and  laid  low  in  them?  and  their  rough  and 
crooked  ways  made  smooth  and  straight  in  them  ?  They  looked  upon  the 
scriptures  as  meaning  outward  mountains  and  ways ;  but  I  told  them, 
they  must  find  them  in  their  own  hearts ;  which  they  seemed  to  wonder 
at.  We  asked  them.  Who  baptized  John  the  baptist?  w^ho  baptized 
Peter,  John,  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles  ?  and  put  them  to  prove  by 
scripture,  that  these  were  baptized  in  water :  but  they  were  silent.  Then 
I  asked  them.  Seeing  Judas,  who  betrayed  Christ,  and  was  called  the  son 
of  perdition,  had  hanged  himself,  what  son  of  perdition  was  that  which 
Paul  spake  of,  that  sat  in  the  temple  of  God,  exalted  above  all  that  is 
called  God  ?  And  what  temple  of  God  that  was  in  which  this  son  of  per- 


1649]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.         ,.  79 

dition  sat  1  And  whether  he,  that  betrays  Christ  within  in  himself,  be  not 
one  in  nature  with  that  Judas  that  betrayed  Christ  without  ?  But  they 
could  not  tell  what  to  make  of  this,  nor  what  to  say  to  it.  So  after  some 
discourse  we  parted ;  and  some  of  them  were  loving  to  us. 

On  the  first-day  following  we  came  to  Bagworth,  and  went  to  a  steeple- 
house,  where  some  friends  were  got  in,  and  the  people  locked  them  in, 
and  themselves  too,  with  the  priest.  But  after  the  priest  had  done,  they 
opened  the  door,  and  we  went  in  also,  and  had  service  for  the  Lord 
amongst  them.  Afterwards  Ave  had  a  meeting  in  the  town,  amongst 
several  that  were  in  high  notions.  Then  passing  from  thence,  I  heard 
of  a  people  in  prison  at'Coventry  for  religion.  As  I  walked  towards  the 
gaol,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me  saying.  My  love  was  always  to 
THEE,  AND  THOU  ART  IN  MY  LOVE.  And  I  was  ravishcd  with  the  sense  of 
tiie  love  of  God,  and  greatly  strengthened  in  my  inward  man.  But  when 
I  came  into  the  gaol  where  those  prisoners  were,  a  great  power  of  dark- 
ness struck  at  me ;  and  I  sat  still,  having  my  spirit  gathered  into  the 
love  of  God.  At  last  these  prisoners  began  to  rant,  vapour  and  blas- 
pheme ;  at  which  my  soul  was  greatly  grieved.  They  said,  They  were 
God ;  but  we  could  not  bear  such  things.  When  they  were  calm,  I  stood 
up  and  asked  them.  Whether  they  did  such  things  by  motion,  or  from 
Scripture  ?  They  said.  From  Scripture.  Then  a  bible  lying  by,  I  asked 
them  for  that  scripture  ;  and  they  shewed  me  that  place  where  the  sheet 
was  let  down  to  Peter ;  and  it  was  said  to  him,  what  was  sanctified  he 
should  not  call  common  or  unclean.  When  I  had  shewed  them  That 
scripture  made  nothing  for  their  purpose,  they  brought  another,  which 
spake  of  God's  reconciling  all  things  to  himself,  things  in  heaven  and 
things  in  earth.  I  told  them  I  owned  that  scripture  also ;  but  shewed 
them  it  was  nothing  to  their  purpose  neither.  Then  seeing  they  said, 
They  were  God,  I  asked  them.  If  they  knew  whether  it  would  rain  to- 
morrow '!  They  said,  They  could  not  tell.  I  told  them,  God  could  tell. 
I  asked  them,  if  they  thought  they  should  be  always  in  that  condition, 
or  should  change?  They  answered,  They  could  not  tell.  Then  said  1, 
God  can  tell,  and  he  doth  not  change.  You  say  you  are  God ;  and  yet 
you  cannot  tell  whether  you  shall  change  or  no.  So  they  were  con- 
founded, and  quite  brought  down  for  the  time.  After  I  had  reproved 
them  for  their  blasphemous  expressions,  I  went  away ;  for  I  perceived 
they  were  Ranters.  I  had  met  with  none  before ;  and  I  admired  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  in  appearing  so  unto  me,  before  I  went  amongst 
them.  Not  long  after  this,  one  of  these  Ranters,  whose  name  was  Jo- 
seph Salmon,  published  a  recantation ;  upon  which  they  were  set  at 
liberty. 

From  Coventry  I  went  to  Atherstone ;  and  it  being  their  lecture-day, 
I  was  moved  to  go  to  their  chapel  to  speak  to  the  priest  and  people. 
They  were  generally  pretty  quiet ;  only  some  few  raged,  and  would 
have  had  my  relations  to  have  bound  me.  I  declared  largely  to  them, 
that  God  was  come  to  teach  his  people  himself,  and  to  bring  them  from 
all  their  man-made  teachers,  to  hear  his  Son ;  and  some  were  convinced 
there. 

Then  I  went  to  Market-Bossoth,  and  there  was  a  lecture  also.  He 
that  preached  was  Nathaniel  Stevens,  the  priest  of  the  town  where  1 
was  born.  He  raged  much  when  I  spake,  and  told  the  people  I  was 
mad ;  though  he  had  said  before  to  Colonel  Purfoy,  There  was  never 
such  a  plant  bred  in  England :  he  bid  the  people  not  to  hear  me ;  who, 


80  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1649 

being  stirred  up  by«thi3  deceitful  priest,  fell  upon  us,  and  stoned  us  out 
of  the  town  ;  yet  they  did  not  do  us  much  hurt.  Howbeit  some  people 
were  made  loving  that  day;  and  others  were  confirmed,  seeing  the  rage 
of  both  priests  and  professors ;  and  some  cried  out,  that  the  priest  durst 
not  stand  to  prove  his  ministry. 

As  I  travelled  through  markets,  fairs,  and  divers  places,  I  saw  death 
and  darkness  in  all  people,  where  the  power  of  the  Lord  had  not  shaken 
them.  As  I  was  passing  on  in  Leicestershire,  I  came  to  Twy-Cross, 
where  there  were  excisemen.  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  and  warn 
them  to  take  heed  of  oppressing  the  poor ;  and  people  were  much  af- 
fected with  it.  There  was  in  that  town  a  great  man  that  had  long  lain 
sick,  and  was  given  over  by  the  physicians.  Some  friends  in  the  town 
desired  me  to  visit  him.  I  went  up  to  him  in  his  chamber,  and  spake  the 
word  of  life  to  him,  and  was  moved  to  pray  by  him ;  and  the  Lord  was 
entreated,  and  restored  him  to  health.  When  I  was  come  down  the 
stairs  into  a  lower  room,  and  was  speaking  to  the  servants,  and  others 
there,  a  servant  man  of  his  came  raving  out  of  another  room,  with  a 
naked  rapier  in  his  hand,  and  set  it  just  to  my  side.  I  looked  steadfastly 
on  him,  and  said,  "  Alack  for  thee,  poor  creature  !  what  wilt  thou  do 
"  with  thy  carnal  weapon  ?  It  is  no  more  to  me  than  a  straw."  The 
standers-by  were  much  troubled,  and  he  went  away  in  a  rage.  But 
when  the  news  of  it  came  to  his  master,  he  turned  him  out  of  his  ser- 
vice. Thus  the  Lord's  power  preserved  me,  and  raised  up  the  weak 
man;  who  afterwards  was  very  loving  to  friends.  When  I  came  to 
that  town  again,  both  he  and  his  wife  came  to  see  me. 

After  this  I  was  moved  to  go  into  Derbyshire,  where  the  mighty  power 
of  God  was  among  friends.  I  went  to  Chesterfield,  where  one  Britland 
was  priest.  He  saw  beyond  the  common  sort  of  priests ;  for  he  had 
been  partly  convinced,  and  had  spoken  much  on  behalf  of  truth  before 
he  was  priest  there :  but  when  the  priest  of  that  town  died,  he  got  the 
parsonage,  and  choked  himself  with  it.  I  M^as  moved  to  speak  to  him 
and  the  people  in  the  great  love  of  God,  that  they  might  come  off  from 
all  men's  teaching  unto  God's  teaching ;  and  he  was  not  able  to  gainsay. 
But  they  had  me  before  the  mayor,  and  threatened  to  send  me,  with 
some  others,  to  the  house  of  correction ;  and  kept  us  in  custody  till  it 
was  late  in  the  night.  Then  the  officers,  with  the  watchmen,  put  us  out 
of  the  town,  leaving  us  to  shift  as  we  could.  I  bent  my  course  towards 
Derby,  having  a  friend  or  two  with  me.  In  our  way  we  met  with  many 
professors ;  and  at  Kidsey  Park  many  were  convinced. 

Coming  to  Derby,  I  lay  at  a  doctor's  house,  whose  wife  was  con- 
vinced ;  and  several  more  in  the  town.  As  I  was  walking  in  my  chamber, 
the  bell  rung ;  and  it  struck  at  my  life  at  the  very  hearing  of  it.  So  I 
asked  the  woman  of  the  house.  What  the  bell  rung  for  ?  She  said.  There 
was  to  be  a  great  lecture  there  that  day,  and  many  officers  of  the  army, 
priests,  and  preachers,  were  to  be  there,  and  a  colonel,  that  was  a 
preacher.  Then  was  I  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  up  to  them.  When 
they  had  done,  I  spake  to  them  what  the  Lord  commanded  me ;  and  they 
w^ere  pretty  quiet.  But  there  came  an  officer,  and  took  me  by  the  hand, 
and  said,  I  must  go  before  the  magistrates,  and  the  other  two  that  were 
with  me.  It  was  about  the  first  hour  after  noon  that  we  came  before 
them.  They  asked  me,  Why  we  came  thither  ?  I  said,  God  moved  us  so 
to  do ;  and  told  them,  "  God  dwells  not  in  temples  made  with  hands."  I 
also  said,  All  their  preaching,  baptism,  and  sacrifices  would  never  sane- 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  81 

tify  them ;  and  bid  them  look  unto  Christ  in  them,  and  not  unto  men ; 
for  it  is  Christ  that  sanctifies.  Then  they  ran  into  many  words ;  but  I 
told  them  they  were  not  to  dispute  of  God  and  Christ,  but  to  obey  him. 
The  power  of  God  thundered  among  them,  and  they  did  fly  like  chaff 
before  it.  They  put  me  in  and  out  of  the  room  often,  hurrying  me 
backward  and  forward,  for  they  were  from  the  first  hour  till  the  ninth  at 
night  in  examining  me.  Sometimes  they  would  tell  me  in  a  deriding 
manner,  that  I  was  taken  up  in  raptures.  At  last  they  asked  me, 
Whether  I  was  sanctified '?  I  answered,  Yes ;  for  I  was  in  the  paradise 
of  God.  Then  they  asked  me.  If  I  had  no  sin  ?  I  answered,  Christ  my 
Saviour  has  taken  away  my  sin ;  and  in  him  there  is  no  sin.  They  asked, 
How  we  knew  that  Christ  did  abide  in  us  ?  I  said,  By  his  Spirit  that  he 
hath  given  us.  They  temptingly  asked.  If  any  of  us  were  Christ  1  I  an- 
swered, Nay,  we  were  nothing,  Christ  was  all.  They  said.  If  a  man 
steal,  is  it  no  sin  ?  I  answered.  All  unrighteousness  is  sin.  When  they 
had  wearied  themselves  in  examining  me,  they  committed  me  and  one 
other  man  to  the  house  of  correction  in  Derby  for  six  months,  as  blas- 
phemers ;  as  may  appear  by  the  mittimus,  a  copy  whereof  here  foUow- 
eth: 

To  the  master  of  the  house  of  correction  in  Derby,  greeting. 

We  have  sent  you  herewithal  the  bodies  of  George  Fox,  late  of  Mans- 
field, in  the  county  of  Nottingham,  and  John  Fretwell,  late  of  Staniesby 
in  the  county  of  Derby,  husbandman,  brought  before  us  this  present  day, 
and  charged  with  the  avowed  uttering  and  broaching  of  divers  blasphe- 
mous opinions,  contrary  to  a  late  act  of  parhament ;  which,  upon  their 
examination  before  us,  they  have  confessed.  These  are  therefore  to  re- 
quire you  forthwith,  upon  sight  hereof,  to  receive  them  the  said  George 
Fox  and  John  Fretwell  into  your  custody,  and  them  therein  safely  to 
keep  during  the  space  of  six  months,  without  bail  or  mainprize,  or  until 
they  shall  find  sufficient  security  to  be  of  the  good  behaviour,  or  be 
thence  delivered  by  order  from  ourselves.  Hereof  you  are  not  to  fail. 
Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  30th  day  of  October  1650. 

Ger.  Ben  net, 
Nath.  Barton. 

Now  did  the  priests  bestir  themselves  in  their  pulpits  to  preach  up  sin 
for  term  of  life.  Much  of  their  work  was,  to  plead  for  it ;  so  that  peo- 
ple said.  Never  was  the  like  heard.  After  some  time,  the  person  com- 
mitted with  me,  not  standing  faithful  in  his  testimony,  got  in  with  the 
gaoler,  and  by  him  made  way  to  the  justice  to  have  leave  to  go  see  his 
mother ;  and  so  got  his  liberty.  It  then  was  reported,  that  he  said  I  had 
bewitched  and  deceived  him ;  but  my  spirit  was  strengthened  when  he 
was  gone.  The  priests,  professors,  justices,  and  the  gaoler,  were  all  in 
a  great  rage  against  me.  The  gaoler  watched  my  words  and  actions, 
often  asking  me  questions  to  ensnare  me ;  and  sometimes  he  would  ask 
me  such  silly  questions,  as.  Whether  the  door  was  latched  or  not  1 
Thinking  to  draw  some  sudden,  unadvised  answer  from  me,  from 
whence  he  might  take  advantage  to  charge  sin  upon  me :  but  I  was  kept 
watchful  and  chaste,  so  that  they  could  get  no  advantage  of  me ;  which 
they  admired. 

Not  long  after  my  commitment,  I  was  moved  to  write  to  the  priests 
and  magistrates  of  Derby.     And  first  to  the  priests. 

*  0  Friends,  I  was  sent  to  you  to  tell  you,  That  if  you  had  received 


82  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1650 

*  the  gospel  freely,  you  would  minister  it  freely  without  money  or  price : 
'  but  you  make  a  trade  and  sale  of  what  the  prophets  and  apostles  have 
'  spoken  ;  and  so  you  corrupt  the  truth.  You  are  the  men  that  lead  silly 
'  women  captive,  who  are  ever  learning,  and  never  able  to  come  to  the 
'  knowledge  of  the  truth :  you  have  a  form  of  godliness,  but  you  deny 
'  the  power.  As  Jannes  and  Jambres  withstood  Moses,  so  do  you  resist 
'  the  truth ;  being  men  of  corrupt  minds,  reprobate  concerning  the  faith. 
'  But  you  shall  proceed  no  further ;  for  your  folly  shall  be  made  manifest 
'  to  all  men,  as  theirs  was.  Moreover  the  Lord  sent  me  to  tell  you,  that 
'  he  doth  look  for  fruits.  You  asked  me.  If  the  scripture  was  my  rule  ? 
'  It  is  not  your  rule,  to  rule  your  lives  by,  but  to  talk  of  in  words.  You 
'  are  the  men  that  live  in  pleasures,  pride,  and  wantonness,  in  fulness  of 
'  bread,  and  abundance  of  idleness :  see  if  this  be  not  the  sin  of  Sodom. 
'  Lot  received  the  angels ;  but  Sodom  was  envious.  You  shew  forth 
'  the  vain  nature ;  you  stand  in  the  steps  of  them  that  crucified  my  Sa- 
'  viouR,  and  mocked  him.  You  are  their  children ;  you  shew  forth  their 
'  fruit.  They  had  the  chief  place  in  the  assemblies ;  and  so  have  you  : 
'  they  loved  to  be  called  Rabbi ;  and  so  do  you.  G.  F.' 

I  writ  to  the  magistrates  who  committed  me,  to  this  effect : 
'  Friends, 

'  I  AM  forced,  in  tender  love  to  your  souls,  to  write  unto  you,  and  to 
'  beseech  you  to  consider  what  you  do,  and  what  the  commands  of  God 
'  call  for.  He  doth  require  justice  and  mercy,  to  break  every  yoke,  and 
'  to  let  the  oppressed  go  free.  But  who  calleth  for  justice  1  or  loveth 
'  mercy  ?  or  contendeth  for  the  truth  1  Is  not  judgment  turned  backward  ? 
'  Doth  not  justice  stand  afar  off?  Is  not  truth  silenced  in  the  streets'?  or 
'  can  equity  enter  1  Do  not  they  that  depart  from  evil  make  themselves 
'  a  prey  1  Oh  !  consider  what  ye  do,  in  time,  and  take  heed  whom  ye 
'  imprison  ;  for  the  magistrate  is  set  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and 
'  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well.  I  intreat  you,  in  time  take  heed 
'  what  you  do  :  for  surely  the  Lord  will  come,  and  make  manifest  both 
'  the  builders  and  the  work.  If  it  be  of  man,  it  will  fail ;  but  if  it  be  of 
'  God,  nothing  will  overthrow  it.  Therefore  I  desire  and  pray  that  you 
'  would  take  heed  and  beware  what  you  do,  lest  ye  be  found  fighters 
'  against  God.  G.  F.' 

Having  thus  far  cleared  my  conscience  to  them,  I  waited  in  the  holy 
y>atience,  leaving  the  event  to  God,  in  whose  will  I  stood.  After  some 
time  I  was  moved  to  write  again  to  the  justices  that  had  committed  me, 
to  lay  their  evils  before  them,  that  they  might  repent.  One  of  them,  Na- 
thaniel Barton,  was  a  colonel,  a  justice,  and  a  preacher. 
'  Friends, 

'  You  spoke  of  the  good  old  way  which  the  prophet  spake  of;  but  the 
'  prophet  cried  against  the  abominations  which  you  hold  up.  Had  you 
'  the  power  of  God,  ye  would  not  persecute  the  good  way.  He  that 
'  spake  of  the  good  way  was  set  in  the  stocks.  The  people  cried,  "  away 
*'  with  him  to  the  stocks,"  for  speaking  the  truth.  Ah !  foolish  people, 
'  who  have  eyes  and  see  not,  ears  and  hear  not,  without  understanding ! 
"  Fear  ye  not  me,  saith  the  Lord,  and  will  ye  not  tremble  at  my  pre- 
"  sence  ? "  O  your  pride  and  abominations  are  odious  in  the  eyes  of  God ! 
'  You  that  are  preachers,  have  the  chiefest  place  in  the  assembhes,  and 
'  are  called  of  men,  Master.  Such  were  and  are  against  my  Saviour 
'  and  Maker  :  they  shut  up  the  kingdom  of  heaven  from  men ;  and  nei- 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  83 

'  ther  go  in  themselves,  nor.  suffer  others.  Therefore  ye  shall  receive 
'  the  greater  damnation,  who  have  their  places,  and  walk  in  their  steps. 
'  You  may  say,  If  you  had  been  in  the  days  of  the  prophets,  or  Christ, 
'  ye  would  not  have  persecuted  them.  Be  ye  witnesses  against  your- 
'  selves,  that  ye  are  the  children  of  these,  seeing  ye  now  persecute  the 
'  way  of  truth.  O  consider,  there  is  a  true  Judge,  that  will  give  every 
'  one  of  you  a  reward  according  to  your  works.  O  mind  where  you 
'  are,  you  that  hold  up  the  abominations  which  the  true  prophet  cried 

*  against !  O  come  down,  and  sit  in  the  dust !  The  Lord  is  coming 
'  with  power,  and  he  will  throw  down  every  one  that  is  lifted  up,  that 

*  he  alone  may  be  exalted.' 

As  I  had  thus  written  to  them  jointly ;  after  some  time  I  writ  to  each 
by  himself.     To  justice  Bennet  in  this  manner : 
'  Friend, 

'  Thou  that  dost  profess  God  and  Christ  in  words,  see  how  thou  fol- 
'  lowest  him.  To  take  off  burdens,  to  visit  them  that  are  in  prison,  to 
'  shew  mercy,  cloathe  thy  own  flesh,  and  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry ; 
'  these  are  God's  commandments.  To  relieve  the  fatherless,  to  visit  the 
'  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep  thyself  unspotted  of  the  world, 
'  this  is  pure  rehgion  before  God.  But  if  thou  profess  Christ,  and  folio w- 
'  est  covetousness  and  earthly-mindedness,  thou  deniest  him  in  life,  de- 
'  ceivest  thyself  and  others,  and  takest  him  for  a  cloak.  Wo  be  to  you, 
'  greedy  men  and  rich  men ;  weep  and  howl  for  your  misery  that  shall 
'  come  !  Take  heed  of  covetousness  and  extortion :  God  doth  forbid  that. 
'  Wo  be  to  the  man  that  coveteth  an  evil  covetousness,  that  he  may  set 
'  his  nest  on  high,  and  cover  himself  with  thick  clay.  Oh  !  do  .not  love 
'  that  which  God  forbids.  His  servant  thou  art  whom  thou  dost  obey^ 
'  whether  it  be  of  sin  unto  death,  qr  of  obedience  unto  righteousness. 
'  Think  upon  Lazarus  and  Dives ;  the  one  fared  sumptuously  every  day, 
'  the  other  was  a  beggar.  See  if  thou  be  not  Dives  l  Be  not  deceived, 
'  God  is  not  mocked  with  vain  words.  Evil  communication  corrupteth 
'  good  manners.     Awake  to  righteousness,  and  sin  not.  G.  F.' 

That  to  justice  Barton  was  in  this  manner : 
'  Friend, 

*  Thou  that  preachest  Christ  and  the  scriptures  in  words.  When  any 
'  come  to  follow  that  which  thou  hast  spoken  of,  and  to  live  the  hfe  of 
'  the  scriptures,  those  that  preach  the  scriptures,  but  do  not  lead  their 
'  lives  according  thereunto,  persecute  them.  Mind  the  prophets,  Jesus 
'  Christ,  and  his  apostles,  and  all  the  holy  men  of  God ;  what  they 
'  spoke  was  from  the  life:  but  they  that  had  not  the  life, but  the  words,  per- 

*  secuted  and  imprisoned  them  that  lived  in  the  Hfe  which  those  had 
'  backslidden  from.  G.  F.' 

Having  written  to  the  justices  and  the  priests,  it  was  upon  me   to 
write  to  the  mayor  of  Derby  also ;  who,  though  he  did  not  sign  the  mit- 
timus, had  a  hand  with  the  rest  in  sending  me  to  prison.     To  him  I 
wrote  after  this  manner : 
'  Friend, 

*  Thou  art  set  in  place  to  do  justice ;  but,  in  imprisoning  my  body,  thou 
'  hast  done  contrary  to  justice,  according  to  your  own  law.     O  take 

*  heed  of  pleasing  men  more  than  God,  for  that's  the  way  of  the  scribes 
'  and  pharisees :  they  sought  the  praise  of  men  more  than  God.  Remember 

*  who  said,  "  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  not  in ;  I  was  in  prison, 


84  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  [1650 

"  and  ye  visited  me  not.  O  friend,  thy  envy  is  not  against  me  only,  but 
'  against  the  power  of  truth :  I  had  no  envy  to  you,  but  love.  O  take 
'  heed  of  oppression ;  "  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  coming,  that  shall 
*'  burn  as  an  oven ;  and  all  the  proud,  and  all  that  do  wickedly,  shall  be 
"  as  stubble  ;  and  the  day  that  cometh  shall  burn  them  up,  saith  the  Lord 
"  of  Hosts :  it  shall  leave  them  neither  root  nor  branch."  O  friend,  if 
'  the  love  of  God  M'ere  in  thee,  thou  wouldst  love  the  truth,  hear  the 
'truth  spoken,  and  not  imprison  unjustly.  The  love  of  God  beareth  and 
'  sufiereth,  and  envieth  no  man.     If  the  love  of  God  had  broken  your 

*  hearts,  you  would  shew  mercy ;  but  you  shew  what  ruleth  you.  Every 

*  tree   doth    shew  forth  its  fruit ;   you  shew  your  fruits  openly.     For 

*  drunkenness,  swearing,  pride  and  vanity  rule  among  you,  both  in  teach- 
'  er  and  people.     O  friend,  mercy,  true  judgment,  and  justice,  are  cried 

*  for  in  the  streets :  oppression,  unmercifulness,  cruelty,  hatred,  pride, 
'  pleasures,  wantonness,  and  fulness  are  in  your  streets ;  but  the  poor  is 
'  not  regarded.  Oh !  take  heed  of  the  wo :  "  Wo  be  to  the  crown  of 
"  pride !  Wo  be  to  them  that  drink  wine  in  bowls,  and  the  poor  is  ready 
"  to  perish."  O  remember  Lazarus  and  Dives  !  One  fared  deliciously 
'  every  day,  the  other  was  a  beggar.  O  friend,  mind  these  things,  for 
'they  are  near:  and  see  whether  thou  be  not  in  Dives's  state.' 

I  wrote  also  to  the  Court  at  Derby  thus : 

'  I  AM  moved  to  write  unto  you,  to  take  heed  of  oppressing  the  poor 

*  in  your  courts,  or  laying  burdens  upon  poor  people  which  they  cannot 
'bear;  and  of  imposing  false  oaths,  or  making  them  take  oaths  which 
'  they  cannot  perform.  The  Lord  saith,  "  I  will  come  near  to  judgment, 
"  and  will  be  a  swift  witness  against  the  sorcerers,  against  the  false 
"  swearers,  and  against  the  idolaters,  and  against  those  that  oppress 
"  widows  and  fatherless ;"  therefore  take  heed  of  all  these  things  be- 
'  times.  The  Lord's  judgments  are  all  true  and  righteous,  and  he  de- 
'  lighteth  in  mercy.     So  love  mercy,  dear  people,  and  consider  in  time.' 

Likewise  to  the  ringers,  who  used  to  ring  the  bells  in  the  steeple-house 
called  St.  Peter's,  in  Derby,  I  sent  these  few  lines : 
'  Friends, 

'  Take  heed  of  pleasures,  and  prize  your  time  now  while  you  have  it ; 
'  do  not  spend  it  in  pleasures  nor  earthliness.  The  time  may  come  that 
'  you  will  say.  You  had  time,  when  it  is  past.  Therefore  look  at  the  love 
'  of  God  now  while  you  have  time ;  for  it  bringeth  to  loath  all  vanities 
'  and  worldly  pleasures.  Oh !  consider,  time  is  precious ;  fear  God  and 
'  rejoice  in  him,  who  hath  made  heaven  and  earth.' 

While  I  was  here  in  prison  divers  professors  came  to  discourse  with  me. 
I  had  a  sense  before  they  spoke,  that  they  came  to  plead  for  sin  and  im- 
perfection. I  asked  them.  Whether  they  were  believers  and  had  faith  ? 
They  said.  Yes.  I  asked  them.  In  whom  ?  They  said.  In  Christ.  I  replied, 
If  ye  are  true  believers  in  Christ,  you  are  passed  from  death  to  life ;  and 
if  passed  from  death,  then  from  sin  that  bringeth  death :  and  if  your 
faith  be  true,  it  will  give  you  victory  over  sin  and  the  devil,  purify  your 
hearts  and  consciences  (for  the  true  faith  is  held  in  a  pure  conscience) 
and  bring  you  to  please  God,  and  give  you  access  to  him  again.  But 
they  could  not  endure  to  hear  of  purity,  and  of  victory  over  sin  and  the 
devil.  They  said,  "  They  could  not  believe  any  could  be  free  from  sin 
"  on  this  side  of  the  gmve."  I  bid  them  give  over  babbling  about  the 
scriptures,  wliich  were  holy  men's  words,  whilst  they  pleaded  for  un- 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  83 

holiness.  At  another  time  a  company  of  professors  came,  who  also 
began  to  plead  for  sin.  I  asked  them,  Whether  they  had  hope?  They 
said,  Yes:  God  forbid  but  we  should  have  hope.  I  asked  them,  What 
hope  is  it  that  you  have  1  Is  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  your  glory  ? 
Doth  it  purify  you,  as  he  is  pure?  But  they  could  not  abide  to  hear  of 
being  made  pure  here.  Then  I  bid  them  forbear  talking  of  the  scrip- 
tures, which  were  the  holy  men's  words ;  for  the  holy  men  that  wrote 
the  scriptures  pleaded  for  holiness  in  heart,  life,  and  conversation  here ; 
but  since  you  plead  for  impurity  and  sin,  which  is  of  the  devil,  what 
have  you  to  do  with  the  holy  men's  words? 

The  keeper  of  the  prison,  being  a  high  professor,  was  greatly  enraged 
against  me,  and  spoke  very  wickedly  of  me ;  but  it  pleased  the  Lord 
one  day  to  strike  him  so,  that  he  was  in  great  trouble,  and  under  much 
terror  of  mind.  And  as  I  was  walking  in  my  chamber,  I  heard  a  doleful 
noise ;  and  standing  still,  I  heard  him  say  to  his  wife,  "  Wife,  I  have 
*'  seen  the  day  of  judgment ;  and  I  saw  George  there,  and  I  was  afraid 
"  of  him;  because  I  had  done  him  so  much  wrong,  and  spoken  so  much 
"  against  him  to  the  ministers  and  professors,  and  to  the  justices,  and  in 
"  taverns  and  alehouses."  After  this,  towards  the  evening,  he  came  into 
my  chamber,  and  said  to  me,  "  I  have  been  as  a  lion  against  you ;  but 
"  now  I  come  like  a  lamb,  and  like  the  gaoler  that  came  to  Paul  and 
"  Silas  trembling."  And  he  desired  he  might  lodge  with  me ;  I  told  him, 
I  was  in  his  power,  he  might  do  what  he  would :  but  he  said,  "  Nay,  he 
"  would  have  my  leave ;  and  he  could  desire  to  be  always  with  me,  but 
"  not  to  have  me  as  a  prisoner."  He  said,  "  He  had  been  plagued,  and 
*'  his  house  had  been  plagued  for  my  sake."  So  I  suffered  him  to  lodsje 
with  me.  Then  he  told  me  all  his  heart,  and  said,  He  believed  whaf  I 
had  said  of  the  true  faith  and  hope  to  be  true ;  and  he  wondered  that 
the  other  man,  who  was  put  in  prison  with  me,  did  not  stand  it;  and 
said,  "  That  man  was  not  right,  but  I  was  an  honest  man."  He  con- 
fessed also  to  me,  that  at  those  times  when  I  had  asked  him  to  let  me  go 
forth  to  speak  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  the  people,  when  he  refused  to 
let  me  go,  and  I  laid  the  weight  thereof  upon  him,  that  he  used  to  be 
under  great  trouble,  amazed,  and  almost  distracted  for  some  time  after, 
and  in  such  a  condition  that  he  had  little  strength  left  him.  When  the 
morning  came,  he  rose  and  went  to  the  justices,  and  told  them,  "  That 
he  and  his  house  had  been  plagued  for  my  sake."  One  of  the  justices 
replied  (as  he  reported  to  me)  that  the  plagues  were  upon  them  too  for 
keeping  me.  This  was  justice  Bennet  of  Derby,  who  was  the  first  that 
called  us  Quakers,  because  I  bid  them  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
This  was  in  the  year  1G50. 

After  this  the  justices  gave  leave,  that  I  should  have  liberty  to  walk  a 
mile.  I  perceived  their  end,  and  told  the  gaoler.  If  they  would  set  down 
to  me  how  far  a  mile  was,  I  might  take  the  liberty  of  walking  it  some- 
times. For  I  had  a  sense  that  they  thought  I  would  go  away.  And  the 
gaoler  confessed  aftenvards  they  did  it  with  that  intent  to  have  me  go 
away,  to  ease  them  of  their  plague ;  but  I  told  him  I  was  not  of  that 
spirit. 

This  gaoler  had  a  sister,  a  sickly  young  woman.  She  came  up  into 
my  chamber  to  visit  me ;  and  after  she  had  staid  some  time,  and  I  had 
spoken  the  words  of  truth  to  her,  she  went  down  and  told  them,  "  we 
"  were  an  innocent  people,  and  did  none  any  hurt,  but  did  good  to  all, 


86  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  [1650 

"even  to  them  that  hated  us;"  and  desired  them  to  be  tender  to- 
wards me. 

As  by  reason  of  my  restraint  I  had  not  the  opportunity  of  traveUing 
about  to  declare  and  spread  truth  through  the  countries,  it  came  upon 
me  to  write  a  paper,  and  send  it  forth  to  be  spread  amongst  friends  and 
other  tender  people,  for  the  opening  of  their  understandings  in  the  way 
of  truth  and  directing  them  to  the  true  teacher  in  themselves.  It  was 
after  this  manner : 

'  The  Lord  doth  shew  unto  man  his  thoughts,  and  discovereth  all  the 

*  secret   workings  in   man.     A  man  may  be   brought   to   see  his  evil 

*  thoughts,  running  mind,  and  vain  imaginations,  and  may  strive  to  keep 

*  them  down,  and  to  keep  his  mind  in ;  but  cannot  overcome  them,  nor 
'  keep  his  mind  within  to  the  Lord.     In  this  state  and  condition  submit 

*  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  that  shews  them,  and  that  will  bring  to  wait 

*  upon  the  Lord ;  and  he  that  hath  discovered  them  will  destroy  them. 

*  Therefore  stand  in  the  faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  (who  is  the  author 

*  of  the  true  faith)  and  mind  him  ;  for  he  will  discover  the  root  of  lusts, 

*  evil  thoughts,  and  vain  imaginations ;  how  they  are  begotten,  conceived, 
'  and  bred ;  how  they  are  brought  forth,  and  how  every  evil  member 

*  doth  work.  He  will  discover  every  principle  from  its  own  nature  and 
'  root. 

*  So  mind  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  the  anointing  which  is  in  you,  to  be 

*  taught  by  it,  which  will  discover  all  workings  in  you.     As  he  teacheth 

*  you,  so  obey  and  forsake ;  else  you  will  not  grow  in  the  faith,  nor  in 

*  the  life  of  Christ,  where  the  love  of  God  is  received.     Love  begetteth 

*  love,  its  own  nature  and  image :  and  when  mercy  and  truth  meet,  what 

*  joy  there  is  !     Mercy  triumphs  in  judgment ;  and  love  and  mercy  bear 

*  the  judgment  of  the  world  in  patience.     That  which  cannot  bear  the 

*  world's  judgment  is  not  the  love  of  God ;  for  love  beareth  all  things, 

*  and  is  above  the  world's  judgment ;  for  the  world's  judgment  is  but 

*  foolishness.  Though  it  be  the  world's  judgment  and  practice  to  cast 
'  all  the  filthiness  that  is  among  themselves  upon  the  saints,  yet  their 
'judgment  is  false.     The  chaste  virgins  follow  Christ  the  lamb,  that 

*  takes  away  the  sins  of  the  world;  but  they  that  are  of  that  spirit  which 

*  is  not  chaste,  will  not  follow  Christ  the-  lamb  in  his  steps,  but  are  dis- 
'  obedient  to  him  in  his  commands.  The  fleshly  naind  doth  mind  the 
'  flesh,  talketh  fleshly,  and  its  knowledge  is  fleshly,  and  not  spiritual ;  but 
'  savours  of  death,  not  of  the  Spirit  of  life.  Some  men  have  the  nature 
'  of  swine  wallowing  in  the  mire.  Some  have  the  nature  of  dogs,  to  bite 
'  both  the  sheep  and  one  another.  Some  have  the  nature  of  lions,  to  tear, 
'  devour,  and  destroy.  Some  the  nature  of  wolves,  to  tear  and  devour 
'  the  lambs  and  sheep  of  Christ :  and  some  the  nature  of  the  serpent  (that 
'  old  adversary)  to  sting,  envenom,  and  poison.  "  He  that  hath  an  ear 
"  to  hear,  let  him  hear,"  and  learn  these  things  within  himself.     Some 

*  men  have  the  natures  of  other  beasts  and  creatures,  minding  nothing 

*  but  earthly  and  visible  things,  and  feeding  without  the  fear  of  God. 
'  Some  have  the  nature  of  a  horse,  to  prance  and  vapour  in  their  strength, 
'  and  to  be  swift  in  doing  evil.  Some  have  the  nature  of  tall  sturdy  oaks, 

*  to  flourish  and  spread  in  wisdom  and  strength,  who  are  strong  in  evil, 

*  which  must  perish  and  come  to  the  fire.     Thus  evil  is  but  one  in  all, 

*  but  worketh  many  ways ;  and  whatsoever  a  man  or  woman's  nature  is 

*  addicted  to  that  is  outward,  the  evil  one  will  suit  him,  and  please  his 
nature  and  appetite,  to  keep  his  mind  in  his  inventions,  and  in  the  crea- 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  St 

*  tures  from  the  Creator.     O  therefore  let  not  the  mind  go  from  God ; 

*  for  if  it  do,  it  will  be  stained,  venomed,  and  corrupted.     If  the  mind  go 

*  forth  from  the  Lord,  it  is  hard  to  bring  it  in  again :  therefore  take  heed 
'  of  the  enemy,  and  keep  in  the  faith  of  Christ.  Oh !  therefore  mind  that 
'  which  is  eternal  and  invisible,  and  him  who  is  the  Creator  and  Mover 

*  of  all  things  :  for  the  things  that  are  made,  are  not  made  of  things  that 
'  appear  ;  for  the  visible  covereth  the  invisible  sight  in  you.     But  as  the 

*  Lord,  who  is  invisible,  doth  open  you  by  his  invisible  power  and  spirit, 
'  and  brings  down  the  carnal  mind  in  you;  so  the  invisible  and  immortal 
'  things  are  brought  to  light  in  you.     O  therefore  you  that  know  the 

*  light,  walk  in  the  light!  for  there  are  children  of  darkness  that  will  talk 
'  of  the  light,  and  of  the  truth,  yet  not  walk  in  it ;  but  the  children  of 

*  light  love  the  light,  and  walk  in  the  light.  But  the  children  of  darkness 
'  walk  in  darkness,  and  hate  the  light.  In  them  the  earthly  lusts  and 
'  carnal  mind  choke  the  seed  of  faith,  which  bringeth  oppression  on  the 
'  seed,  and  death  over  themselves.     O  therefore  mind  the  pure  Spirit  of 

*  the  everlasting  God,  which  will  teach  you  to  use  the  creatures  in  their 

*  right  place,  and  which  judgeth  the  evil.  "  To  thee,  O  God,  be  all  glory 
"  and  honour,  who  art  Lord  of  all  visibles  and  invisibles !  To  thee  be  all 
"  praise,  who  bringest  out  of  the  deep  to  thyself;  O  powerful  God,  who 
"  art  worthy  of  all  glory ! "  For  the  Lord  who  created  all,  and  gives 
'  life  and  strength  to  all,  is  over  all  and  merciful  to  all.  "  So  thou,  who 
"  hast  made  all,  and  art  over  all,  to  thee  be  all  glory !  In  thee  is  my 
"  strength,  refreshment,  and  life,  my  joy  and  my  gladness,  my  rejoicing 
"  and  glorying  for  evermore  ! "  To  live  and  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  God 
'  is  joy,  peace,  and  life  ;  but  the  mind  going  forth  into  the  creatures,  or 

*  into  any  visible  things  from  the  Lord,  this  bringeth  death.  When  the 
'  mind  is  got  into  the  flesh,  and  into  death,  the  accuser  gets  within,  and 

*  the  law  of  sin  and  death  gets  into  the  flesh.  Then  the  life  suffers  under 
'  the  law  of  sin  and  death,  and  then  there  is  straitness  and  failings.    For 

*  then  the  good  is  shut  up,  and  the  self-righteousness  is  set  atop.     Then 

*  man  doth  work  in  the  outward  law,  though  he  cannot  justify  himself 
'  by  the  law,  but  is  condemned  by  the  light :  for  he  cannot  get  out  of 
'  that  state,  but  by  abiding  in  the  light,  resting  in  the  mercy  of  God,  and 

<  believing  in  him  from  whom  all  mercy  flows.     For  there  is  peace  in 

<  resting  in  the  Lord  Jesus.     This  is  the  narrow  way  that  leads  to  him, 

*  the  life ;  but  few  will  abide  in  it.  Keep  in  the  innocency,  and  be  obe- 
'  dient  to  the  faith  in  him.  Take  heed  of  conforming  to  the  world,  and 
«  of  reasoning  with  flesh  and  blood,  for  that  bringeth  disobedience  ;  and 

<  then  imaginations  and  questionings  arise,  to  draw  from  obedience  to 
'the  truth  of  Christ.  But  the  obedience  of  faith  destroyeth  imaginations, 
'questionings,  and  reasonings,  with  all  the  temptations  in  the  flesh,  buf- 
«  fetings,  lookings  forth,  and  fetching  up  things  that  are  past.  But,  not 
'  keeping  in  the  life  and  light,  not  crossing  the  corrupt  will  by  the  power 

<  of  God,  the  evil  nature  grows  up  in  man ;  then  burdens  will  come,  and 

<  man  will  be  stained  with  that  nature.     But  Esau's  mountain  shall  be 

<  laid  waste,  and  become  a  wilderness,  where  the  dragons  lie  ;  but  Jacob, 

<  the  second  birth,  shall  be  fruitful  and  shall  arise.     For  Esau  is  hated, 

<  and  must  not  be  lord  ;  but  Jacob,  the  second  birth,  which  is  perfect  and 

<  plain,  shall  be  lord ;  for  he  is  beloved  of  God.  G.  F.' 

I  wrote  another  much  about  the  same  time,  and  sent  it  amongst  the 
convinced  people. 


88  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [165© 

'  The  Lord  is  King  over  all  the  earth !  therefore,  all  people,  praise 

*  and  glorify  your  king  in  true  obedience,  in  uprightness,  and  in  the 

*  beauty  of  hohness.  Oh  !  consider,  in  true  obedience  the  Lord  is  known, 
•and  an  understanding  from  him  is  received.     Mark  and  consider  in 

*  silence,  in  lowliness  of  mind,  and  thou  wilt  hear  the  Lord  speak  unto 
'  thee  in  thy  mind.     His  voice  is  sweet  and  pleasant ;  his  sheep  hear  his 

*  voice,  and  will  not  hearken  to  another.     When  they  hear  his  voice, 

*  they  rejoice  and  are  obedient ;  they  also  sing  for  joy.  Oh !  their  hearts 
'  are  filled  with  everlasting  triumph !  they  sing  and  praise  the  eternal 
'  God  in  Zion.  Their  joy  man  shall  never  take  from  them.  Glory  to 
'  the  Lord  God  for  evermore  !' 

But  many,  who  had  been  convinced  of  the  truth,  turned  aside,  be- 
cause of  the  persecution  that  arose :  whereupon  1  writ  a  few  lines  for 
the  comfort  and  encouragement  of  the  faithful. 

'  Come,  ye  blessed  of  the  Lord,  rejoice  together,  keep  in  unity  and 
'  oneness  of  spirit.     Triumph  above  the  w^orld  !  be  joyful  in  the  Lord  ; 

*  reigning  above  the  world !  and  above  all  things  that  draw  from  the 
'  Lord  ;  that  in  clearness,  righteousness,  pureness,  and  joy,  you  may  be 

*  preserved  to  the  Lord.     O  hear !  O  hearken  to  the  call  of  the  Lord  ! 

*  Come  out  of  the  world,  and  keep  out  of  it  for  evermore  !  Come,  sing 
'  together,  ye  righteous  ones,  the  song  of  the  Lord,  the  song  of  the 
'  Lamb ;  which  none  can  learn,  but  they  who  are  redeemed  from  the 
'  earth,  and  from  the  world.' 

While  I  was  in  the  house  of  correction,  my  relations  came  to  see 
me  ;  and  being  troubled  for  my  imprisonment,  they  went  to  the  justices 
that  cast  me  into  prison,  and  desired  to  have  me  home  with  them ;  ofier- 
ing  to  be  bound  in  one  hundred  pounds,  and  others  of  Derby  in  fifty 
pounds  apiece  with  them,  that  I  should  come  no  more  thither  to  declare 
against  the  priests.  So  I  was  had  up  before  the  justices ;  and  because 
I  would  not  consent  that  they  or  any  should  be  bound  for  me  (for  I  was 
innocent  from  any  ill  behaviour,  and  had  spoken  the  word  of  life  and 
truth  unto  them)  justice  Bennet  rose  up  in  a  rage  ;  and  as  I  was  kneel- 
ing down  to  pray  to  the  Lord  to  forgive  him,  he  ran  upon  me,  and 
struck  me  with  both  his  hands,  crying,  "  away  with  him,  gaoler  :  take 
"  him  away,  gaoler."  Whereupon  I  was  had  again  to  prison,  and  there 
kept,  till  the  time  of  my  commitment  for  six  months  was  expired.  But 
I  had  now  the  liberty  of  walking  a  mile  by  myself;  which  I  made  use 
of  as  I  felt  freedom.  Sometimes  I  went  into  the  market  and  streets, 
and  warned  the  people  to  repent  of  their  wickedness ;  and  returned  to 
prison  again.  And  there  being  persons  of  several  sorts  of  religion  in 
the  prison,  I  sometimes  visited  them  in  their  meetings  on  first-days. 

After  I  had  been  before  the  justices,  and  they  had  required  sureties  for 
my  good  behaviour  *(which  I  could  not  consent  should  be  given,  to 
blemish  my  innocency)  it  came  upon  me  to  write  to  the  justices  again, 
which  I  did  in  the  following  manner : 

'  Friends, 
*  See  what  it  is  in  you  that  doth  imprison.     See,  who  is  head  in  you. 

*  Sec,  if  something  do  not  accuse  you.  Consider,  you  must  be  brought  to 
'judgment.     Think  upon  Lazarus  and  Dives;  the  one  fared  sumptuously 

*  every  day,  the  other  a  beggar.     Now  you  have  time,  prize  it  while  you 

*  have  it.  Would  you  have  me  bound  to  my  good  behaviour  ?  I  am  bound 
*to  my  good  behaviour,  and  cry  for  good  behaviour  of  all  people,  to 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  89 

'  turn  from  the  vanities,  pleasures,  oppression,  and  deceits  of  this  world. 

*  There  will  come  a  time,  that  you  shall  know  it.     Therefore  take  heed 

*  of  pleasures,  deceits,  and  pride ;  and  look  not  at  man,  but  at  the  Lord : 

*  for,  "  Look  unto  me,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and  be  ye  saved,  saith  the 
"  Lord." 

Some  little  time  after,  I  wrote  to  them  again : 
'  Friends, 

*  Would  you  have  me  bound  to  my  good  behaviour  from  drunkenness, 

*  or  swearing,  or  fighting,  or  adultery,  and  the  like  ?  The  Lord  hath  re- 
'  deemed  me  from  all  these  things ;  and  the  love  of  God  hath  brought  me 
'  to  loath  all  wantonness,  blessed  be  his  name.  Drunkards,  fighters,  and 
'  swearers,  have  their  liberty  without  bonds ;  and  you  lay  your  law  upon 
'  me,  whom  neither  you  nor  any  other  can  justly  accuse  of  these  things ; 

*  praised  be  the  Lord !  I  can  look  at  no  man  for  my  liberty,  but  at  the 

*  Lord  alone,  who  hath  all  men's  hearts  in  his  hand.' 

After  some  time,  not  finding  my  spirit  clear  of  them,  I  wrote  to  them 
again : 

*  Friends, 

'  Had  you  known  who  sent  me  to  you,  ye  would  have  received  me ; 
'  for  the  Lord  sent  me  to  you,  to  warn  you  of  the  woes  that  are  coming 
'  upon  you ;  and  to  bid  you  look  at  the  Lord,  and  not  at  man.  But  when 
'  I  had  told  you  my  experience,  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  me,  then 
'  your  hearts  were  hardened,  and  you  sent  me  to  prison,  where  you  have 
'  kept  me  many  weeks.  If  the  love  of  God  had  broke  your  hearts,  then 
'  would  ye  see  what  ye  have  done :  ye  would  not  have  imprisoned  me, 
'  had  not  my  Father  suffered  you ;  and  by  his  power  I  shall  be  loosed : 
'  for  he  openeth  and  shutteth ;  to  him  be  all  glory !  In  what  have  I  mis- 
'  behaved  myself,  that  any  should  be  bound  for  me?  All  men's  words  will 
'  do  me  no  good,  nor  their  bonds  neither,  to  keep  my  heart,  if  I  have  not 
'  a  guide  within,  to  keep  me  in  the  upright  life  to  God.  But  I  believe  in 
'  the  Lord,  that  through  his  strength  and  power  I  shall  be  preserved  from 
'  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts.  The  scripture  saith, "  Receive  strangers;" 
'  but  you  imprison  such.  As  you  are  in  authority,  take  heed  of  oppres- 
'  sion,  oaths,  injustice,  and  gifts  or  rewards,  for  God  loath s  all  such.  But 
'  love  mercy  and  true  judgment,  for  that  the  Lord  delights  in.     I  do  not 

*  write  with  hatred  to  you,  but  to  keep  my  conscience  clear :  take  heed 
'  how  you  spend  your  time.' 

I  was  moved  also  to  write  again  to  the  priests  of  Derby;  which  I  did 
after  this  manner ; 

*  Friends, 

*  You  profess  to  be  the  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ  in  words,  but  you 
'  shew  by  your  fruits  what  your  ministry  is.  Every  tree  shews  its 
'  fruit :  the  ministry  of  Jesus  Christ  is  in  mercy  and  love,  to  loose  them 
'  that  arc  bound,  to  bring  out  of  bondage,  and  to  let  them  that  are  cap- 
'  tivated  go  free.  Now,  friends,  where  is  your  example,  if  the  scriptures 
'  be  your  rule,  to  imprison  for  religion  1  Have  you  any  command  for  it 
'  from  Christ  1  If  that  were  in  you,  which  you  profess,  you  would  walk 
'  in  their  steps  who  spake  the  scriptures.   But  he  is  not  a  Jew  who  is  one 

*  outward,  whose  praise  is  of  men ;  but  he  is  a  Jew  who  is  one  inward, 
'  whose  praise  is  of  God.     But  if  you  build  upon  the  prophets  and  apos- 

*  ties  in  words,  and  pervert  their  life,  remember  the  woes  which  Jesus 

*  Christ  spake  against  such.     They  that  spoke  the  prophets'  words,  but 

M 


tKf  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  p6M 

*  denied  Christ,  they  professed  a  Christ  to  come ;  but  had  they  known 
*him,  they  would  not  have  crucified  him.    The  saints,  whom  the  love  of 

*  God  did  change,  were  brought  thereby  to  walk  in  love  and  mercy ;  for 

*  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God.     But  where  envy,  pride,  and 

*  hatred  rule,  the  nature  of  the  world  rules,  not  the  nature  of  Jesus  Christ. 

*  I  write  with  no  hatred  to  you ;  but  that  you  may  weigh  yourselves,  and 

*  see  how  you  pass  your  time.' 

Thus  having  cleared  my  conscience  to  the  priests,  it  was  not  long  be- 
fore a  concern  came  upon  me  to  write  again  to  the  justices,  which  I  did 
as  followeth : 

'  I  AM  moved  to  warn  you  to  take  heed  of  giving  way  to  your  own 

*  wills.     Love  the  cross ;  satisfy  not  your  own  minds  in  the  tiesh ;  but 

*  prize  your  time  while  you  have  it,  and  walk  up  to  that  you  know,  in 
'  obedience  to  God ;  then  you  shall  not  be  condemned  for  that  you  know 
'  not,  but  for  that  you  know,  and  do  not  obey.     Consider  betimes,  weigh 

*  yourselves,  see  where  you  are,  and  whom  you  serve.     For  if  ye  blas- 

*  pheme  God,  and  take  his  name  in  vain,  if  ye  swear  and  lie,  if  ye  give 
'  way  to  envy,  hatred,  covetousness,  and  greediness,  pleasures  and  wan- 

*  tonness,  or  any  other  vices,  be  assured  that  ye  serve  the  devil ;  but  if 
'  ye  fear  the  Lord  and  serve  him,  ye  will  loath  all  these  things.  He  that 
'  loveth  God,  will  not  blaspheme  his  name :  but  where  there  is  opposing 
•of  God,  and  serving  the  devil,  that  profession  is  sad  and  miserable.     O 

*  prize  your  time ;  do  not  love  that  which  God  forbids ;  lying,  wrath, 

*  malice,  envy,  hatred,  greediness,  covetousness,  oppression,  gluttony, 
'  drunkenness,  whoredom,  and  all  unrighteousness,  God  doth  forbid.     So 

*  consider,    evil  communication    corrupts   good   manners.     Be  not  de- 

*  ceived,  God  will  not  be  mocked  with  vain  words ;  the  wrath  of  God  is 

*  revealed  from  heaven   against  all  ungodliness.     Therefoi'e  obey  that 

*  which  convinceth  you  of  all  evil,  and  telleth  you  that  you  should  do  no 

*  evil :  it  will  lead  to  repentance,  and  keep  you  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 
'  O  look  at  the  mercies  of  God,  prize  them,  and  do  not  turn  them  into 
'  wantonness.     O  eye  the  Lord,  and  not  earthly  things  !' 

Besides  this,  I  wrote  the  following  to  Colonel  Barton,  who  was  both  a 
justice  and  a  preacher  : 
'  Friend, 

'  Do  not  cloak  and  cover  thyself;  there  is  a  God  who  knoweth  thy 
'  heart,  and  will  uncover  thee.  He  seeth  thy  way.  "  Wo  be  to  him  that 
"  covereth,  and  not  with  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord."  Dost  thou  do  con- 
'  trary  to  the  law,  and  then  put  it  from  thee  1  Mercy  and  true  judgment 
'  thou  neglectest ;  look  what  was  spoken  against  such.  My  Saviour  said 
'  to  such,  "  1  was  sick  and  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  me  not ;  I  was  hungry, 
"  and  ye  fed  me  not ;  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  not  in."  '  And 
'  when  they  said,  "  When  saw  we  thee  in  prison,  and  did  not  come  to 
"  thee,"  (fee.  He  replied,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  not  to  one  of  these 
"  little  ones,  ye  did  it  not  to  me."  Friend,  thou  hast  imprisoned  me  for 
'  bearing  witness  to  the  life  and  power  of  truth,  and  yet  professest  to  be 
'  a  minister  of  Christ ;  but  if  Christ  had  sent  thee,  thou  wouldst  bring  out 
'  of  prison,  out  of  bondage,  and  wouldst  receive  strangers.  Thou  hast 
'  been  wanton  upon  earth,  thou  hast  lived  plenteously,  and  nourished  thy 
'  heart  as  in  a  day  of  slaughter.  Thou  hast  killed  the  just.  O  look 
'  where  thou  art,  and  how  thou  hast  spent  thy  time  !  O  remember  thy- 
*self,  and  now  while  thou  hast  time,  prize  it.     Do  not  slight  the  free 


1650]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  91 

'  mercy  of  God,  and  despise  his  long  suffering,  which  is  great  salvation ; 
'  but  mind  that  in  thee  which  doth  convince  thee,  and  would  not  let  thee 

*  swear,  nor  lie,  nor  take  God's  name  in  vain.  Thou  knowest  thou 
'  shouldst  do  none  of  these  things ;  thou  hast  learned  that  which  will  con- 
'  demn  thee ;  therefore  obey  the  light  which  doth  convince  thee,  forsake 
'  thy  sins,  look  at  the  mercies  of  God,  and  prize  his  love  in  sparing  thee 
'  till  now.  The  Lord  saith,  "  Look  unto  me,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth, 
"  and  be  ye  saved  ;"  and  "  Cease  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nos- 
"  trils."     Friend,  prize  thy  time,  and  see  whom  thou  servest ;  for  his  ser- 

*  vant  thou  art  whom  tfiou  dost  obey,  whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or 
'  obedience  unto  righteousness.  If  thou  servest  God  and  fearest  him, 
'  thou  wilt  not  blaspheme  his  name,  nor  curse,  nor  swear,  nor  take  his 
'  name  in  vain,  nor  follow  pleasures  and  wantonness,  whoredom  and 
'  drunkenness,  or  wrath,  or  malice,  or  revenge,  or  rashness,  or  headiness, 
'  pride  or  gluttony,  gi'eediness,  oppression  or  covetousness,  or  fooHsh 
'  jesting,  or  vain  songs ;  God  doth  forbid  these  things,  and  all  unright- 
'  eousness.  If  thou  professest  God,  and  actest  any  of  these  things,  thou 
'  takest  him  for  a  cloak,  and  servest  the  devil.  Consider  with  thyself,  and 
'  do  not  love  that  which  God  hateth.  He  that  loveth  God  keepeth  his 
'  commandments.  The  devil  will  tell  thee.  It  is  an  hard  thing  to  keep 
'  God's  commandments ;  but  it  is  an  easy  thing  to  keep  the  devil's  com- 
'  mandments,  and  to  live  in  all  unrighteousness  and  ungodhness,  turning 
'  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness.  But  let  the  unrighteous  man  for- 
'  sake  his  ways,  and  turn  unto   me,  saith  the  Lord,  and  I  will  have 

*  mercy ;  "  Turn  ye,  why  will  ye  die  'I  saith  the  Lord." 

*  Howl,  ye  great  ones,  for  the  plagues  are  pouring  out  upon  you ! 

*  Howl,  ye  oppressors,  for  recompense  and  vengeance  is  coming  upon 
'  you !  Wo  unto  them  that  covetously  join  one  house  to  another,  and 
'  bring  one  field  so  nigh  unto  another  that  the  poor  can  get  no  more 
'  ground ;  that  ye  may  dwell  upon  the  earth  alone.  These  things  are 
'  in  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  Wo  unto  him  that  covetously 
'  getteth  evil-gotten  goods  into  his  house,  that  he  may  set  his  nest  on  high, 
'  to  escape  from  the  power  of  evil' 

While  I  was  in  the  house  of  correction,  there  came  a  trooper,  and 
said,  as  he  was  sitting  in  the  steeple-house,  hearing  the  priest,  exceeding 
great  trouble  fell  upon  him ;  and  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  to  him, 
saying,  "  Dost  thou  not  know  that  my  servant  is  in  prison  ?  Go  to  him 
"  for  direction."  So  I  spake  to  his  condition,  and  his  understanding 
was  opened.  I  told  him.  That  which  shewed  him  his  sins,  and  troubled 
him  for  them,  would  shew  him  his  salvation ;  for  he  that  shews  a  man 
his  sin,  is  the  same  that  takes  it  away.  While  I  was  speaking  to  him, 
the  Lord's  power  opened  him  so  that  he  began  to  have  a  good  under- 
standing in  the  Lord's  truth,  and  to  be  sensible  of  God's  mercies.  He 
spoke  boldly  in  his  quarters  amongst  the  soldiers,  and  to  others,  concern- 
ing truth  (for  the  scriptures  were  very  much  opened  to  him)  insomuch 
that  he  said,  "  His  colonel  was  as  blind  as  Nebuchadnezzar,  to  cast  the 
"  servant  of  the  Lord  into  prison."  Upon  this,  his  colonel  conceived  a 
spite  against  him :  and  at  Worcester  fight  the  year  after,  when  the  two 
armies  lay  near  one  another,  two  came  out  from  the  king's  army,  and 
challenged  any  two  of  the  parliament  army  to  fight  with  them  ;  his 
colonel  made  choice  of  him  and  another  to  answer  the  challenge.  And 
when  in  the  encounter  his  companion  was  slain,  he  drove  both  his  ene- 


92  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1650 

mies  within  musket-shot  of  the  town,  without  firing  a  pistol  at  them. 
This,  when  he  returned,  he  told  me  with  his  own  mouth.  But  when  the 
fight  was  over,  he  saw  the  deceit  and  hypocrisy  of  the  officers ;  and 
being  sensible  how  wonderfully  the  liOrd  had  preserved  him,  and  seeing 
also  to  the  end  of  fighting,  he  laid  down  his  arms. 

The  time  of  my  commitment  to  the  house  of  correction  being  very 
near  out,  and  there  being  many  new  soldiers  raised,  the  commissioners 
would  have  made  me  captain  over  them ;  and  the  soldiers  cried,  They 
would  have  none  but  me.  So  the  keeper  of  the  house  of  correction  was 
commanded  to  bring  me  before  the  commissioners  and  soldiers  in  the 
market-place ;  where  they  offered  me  that  preferment,  as  they  called  it, 
asking  me,  if  I  would  not  take  up  arms  for  the  commonwealth  against 
Charles  Stewart  ?  I  told  them  I  knew  from  whence  all  wars  arose,  even 
from  the  lusts,  according  to  James's  doctrine ;  and  that  I  lived  in  the 
virtue  of  that  life  and  power  that  took  away  the  occasion  of  all  wars. 
Yet  they  courted  me  to  accept  of  their  ofler,  and  thought  I  did  but  com- 
pliment them.  But  I  told  them  I  was  come  into  the  covenant  of  peace, 
which  was  before  wars  and  strifes  were.  They  said,  They  offered  it  in 
love  and  kindness  to  me,  because  of  my  virtue ;  and  such-like  flattering 
words  they  used.  But  I  told  them.  If  that  was  their  love  and  kindness, 
I  trampled  it  under  my  feet.  Then  their  rage  got  up,  and  they  said, 
"  Take  him  away,  Gaoler,  and  put  him  into  the  prison  amongst  the 
"  rogues  and  felons"  So  I  was  put  into  a  lousy  stinking  place,  without 
any  bed,  amongst  thirty  felons,  where  I  was  kept  almost  half  a  year ; 
yet  at  times  they  would  let  me  walk  to  the  garden,  believing  I  would 
not  go  away.  When  they  had  got  me  into  Derby  prison,  it  was  the  say- 
ing of  people  that  I  should  never  come  out ;  but  I  had  faith  in  God  that 
I  should  be  delivered  in  his  time  :  for  the  Lord  had  given  me  to  believe 
that  I  was  not  to  be  removed  from  that  place  yet,  being  set  there  for  a 
service  which  he  had  for  me  to  do. 

After  it  was  bruited  abroad  that  I  was  in  Derby  prison,  my  relations 
came  to  see  me  again ;  and  v.ere  much  troubled  that  I  should  be  in 
prison ;  for  they  looked  upon  it  to  be  a  great  shame  to  them  for  me  to 
lie  in  gaol.  It  was  a  strange  thing  then  to  be  imprisoned  for  religion ; 
and  some  thought  I  was  mad,  because  I  stood  for  purity,  righteousness 
and  perfection. 

Among  others  that  came  to  see  and  discourse  with  me,  there  was  a 
certain  person  from  Nottingham,  a  soldier,  who  had  been  a  baptist,  as  I 
understood,  and  with  him  came  several  others.  In  discourse,  this  person 
said  to  me,  "  Your  faith  stands  in  a  man  that  died  at  Jerusalem,  and 
"  there  never  was  any  such  thing."  Being  exceedingly  grieved  to  hear 
him,  I  said,  "How!  did  not  Christ  suffer  without  the  gates  of  .Jerusalem, 
"through  the  professing  Jews,  chief  priests,  and  Pilate?"  He  denied 
that  ever  Christ  suffered  there  outwardly.  Then  I  asked  him,  Whether 
there  were  not  chief  priest,  and  Jews,  and  Pilate  there  outwardly? 
When  he  could  not  deny  that,  I  told  him.  As  certainly  as  there  was  a 
chief  priest,  and  Jews  and  Pilate  there  outwardl}',  so  certainly  was 
Christ  persecuted  by  them,  and  did  suffer  there  outwardly  under  them. 
Yet  from  this  man's  words  was  a  slander  raised  upon  us.  That  the 
Quakers  should  deny  Christ,  that  suffered  and  died  at  .Jerusalem:  which 
was  all  utterly  false  ;  the  least  thought  of  it  never  entered  our  hearts. 
The  same  person  also  said,  That  never  any  of  the  prophets,  nor  apostles, 
nor  holy  men  of  God,  suffered  any  thing  outwardly,  but  all  their  sufferings 


1651  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  93 

were  inward.  I  instanced  to  him  many  of  the  prophets  and  apostles, 
how  and  by  whom  they  suffered.  So  the  power  of  the  Lord  was 
brought  over  his  wicked  imaginations  and  whimsies. 

There  came  also  another  company  to  me,  that  pretended  they  were 
triers  of  spirits :  I  asked  ihem.  What  was  the  first  step  to  peace  1  And 
what  it  was  by  which  a  man  might  see  his  salvation  1  They  were  pres- 
ently up  in  the  airy  mind,  and  said,  I  was  mad.  Thus  they  came  to  try 
spirits,  who  did  not  know  themselves  nor  their  own  spirits. 

In  this  time  of  my  imprisonment  I  was  exeedingly  exercised  about 
the  proceedings  of  the  judges  and  magistrates  in  their  courts  of  judica- 
ture, and  was  moved  to  write  to  the  judges  concerning  their  putting 
men  to  death  for  small  matters ;  and  to  shew  them  how  contrary  it  was 
to  the  law  of  God  in  old  time ;  for  I  was  under  great  suffering  in  my 
spirit  because  of  it,  and  under  the  very  sense  of  death ;  but  standing  in 
the  will  of  God,  an  heavenly  breathing  arose  in  my  soul  to  the  Lord. 
Then  did  I  see  the  heavens  opened,  and  I  rejoiced,  and  gave  glory  to 
God.     So  I  wrote  to  the  judges  in  manner  following: 

'  I  AM  moved  to  write  unto  you,  to  take  heed  of  putting  men  to  death 

*  for  stealing  cattle,  or  money,  &c.  for  thieves  in  old  time  were  to  make 
'  restitution ;  and  if  they  had  not  wherewith,  they  were  to  be  sold  for 

*  their  theft.  Mind  the  laws  of  God  in  the  scriptures,  and  the  Spirit  that 
'  gave  them  forth ;  let  them  be  your  rule  in  executing  judgment ;  and 
'  shew  mercy,  that  you  may  receive  mercy  from  God,  the  judge  of  all. 
'  Take  heed  of  gifts  and  rewards,  and  of  pride ;  for  God  doth  forbid 

*  them,  and  they  blind  the  eyes  of  the  wise.  I  do  not  write  to  give 
'  liberty  to  sin,  God  hath  forbidden  it;  but  that  you  should  judge  accord- 
'  ing  to  his  laws,  and  shew  mercy;  for  he  dehghteth  in  true  judgment, 
'  and  in  mercy.     I  beseech  you,   mind  these  things,  prize  your  time, 

*  now  you  have  it ;  fear  God,  and  serve  him,  for  he  is  a  consuming  fire.' 

Besides  this,  I  wrote  another  letter  to  the  judges,  to  this  eflect: 

'  I  AM  moved  to  write  unto  you,  that  ye  do  true  justice  to  every  man ;  see 

*  that  none  be  oppressed  nor  wronged,  nor  any  oaths  imposed ;  for  the  land 
'  mourncth  because  of  oaths,  aduheries,  sorceries,  drunkenness,  and  pro- 
'  faneness.  0  consider,  ye  that  are  in  authority  :  be  moderate,  and  in  lowli- 
'  ness  consider  these  things.  Shew  mercy  to  the  fatherless,  to  the  widows, 
'  and  to  the  poor.  Take  heed  of  rew^ards  or  gifts,  for  they  blind  the  eyes  of 
'  the  wise ;  the  Lord  doth  loath  all  such.     Love  mercy  and  true  judg- 

*  ment,  justice  and  righteousness ;  for  the  Lord  delighteth  in  such.  Con- 
'  sider  these  things  in  time,  and  take  heed  how  ye  spend  your  time.  Now 
'  ye  have  time,  prize  it ;  and  shew  mercy,  that  ye  may  receive  mercy 

*  from  the  Lord :  for  he  is  coming  to  try  all  things,  and  will  plead  with 
'  all  flesh  as  by  fire.' 

Moreover,  I  laid  before  the  judges  what  an  hurtful  thing  it  was  that 
prisoners  should  lie  so  long  in  gaol ;  shewing  how  they  learned  wicked- 
ness one  of  another,  in  talking  of  their  bad  deeds ;  therefore  speedy 
•justice  should  be  done.  For  I  w^as  a  tender  youth,  and  dwelt  in  the  fear 
of  God ;  and  being  grieved  to  hear  their  bad  language,  I  was  often 
made  to  reprove  them  for  their  wicked  words,  and  evil  carriage  towards 
each  other.  People  admired  that  I  was  so  preserved  and  kept ;  for  they 
never  could  catch  a  word  or  action  from  me,  to  make  any  thing  of 
against  me,  all  the  time  I  was  there ;  for  the  Lord's  infinite  power  up- 
held and  preserved  me  all  that  time ;  to  him  be  praises  and  glory  for  ever ! 


94  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

While  I  was  here,  there  was  a  young  woman  in  the  gaol  for  robbing 
lier  master.  When  she  was  to  be  tried  for  her  life,  I  wrote  to  the  judge 
and  jury,  shewing  them  how  contrary  it  was  to  the  law  of  God  in  old 
time  to  put  people  to  death  for  steahng ;  and  moving  them  to  shew 
mercy.  Yet  she  was  condemned  to  die,  and  a  grave  was  made  for  her; 
and  at  the  time  appointed  she  was  carried  forth  to  execution.  Then  I 
wrote  a  few  words,  warning  all  to  beware  of  greediness  or  covetous- 
ness,  for  it  leads  from  God  ;  and  that  all  should  fear  the  Lord,  avoid 
earthly  lusts,  and  prize  their  time  while  they  have  it ;  this  I  gave  to  be 
read  at  the  gallows.  And  though  they  had  her  upon  the  ladder,  with  a 
cloth  bound  over  her  face,  ready  to  be  turned  oft',  yet  they  did  not  put 
her  to  death,  but  brought  her  back  to  prison,  where  she  afterwards  came 
to  be  convinced  of  God's  everlasting  truth. 

There  was  also  in  the  gaol,  while  I  was  there,  a  wicked  ungodly  man 
who  was  reputed  a  conjurer.  He  threatened  he  would  talk  with  me, 
and  what  he  would  do ;  but  he  never  had  power  to  open  his  mouth  to 
me.  And  the  gaoler  and  he  falling  out,  he  threatened  to  raise  the  devil, 
and  break  his  house  down ;  so  that  he  made  the  gaoler  afraid.  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  in  his  power  and  rebuke  him,  and  to  say  to 
him,  "  Come,  let's  see  what  thou  canst  do  ;  do  thy  worst."  I  told  him, 
"  The  devil  was  raised  high  enough  in  him  already ;  but  the  power  of 
"  God  chained  him  down ;"  so  he  slunk  away  from  me. 

The  time  of  Worcester  fight  coming  on,  justice  Bennet  sent  consta- 
bles to  press  me  for  a  soldier,  seeing  I  would  not  voluntarily  accept  of 
a  command.  I  told  them,  that  I  was  brought  off"  from  outward  wars. 
They  came  again  to  give  me  press-money ;  but  I  would  take  none. 
Then  I  was  brought  up  to  serjeant  Holes,  kept  there  awhile,  and  taken 
down  again.  Afterwards  the  constables  brought  me  a  second  time  be- 
fore the  commissioners,  who  said  I  should  go  for  a  soldier ;  but  I  told 
them  I  was  dead  to  it.  They  said  I  was  alive.  I  told  them,  where  envy 
and  hatred  is,  there  is  confusion.  They  offered  me  money  twice,  but  I 
refused  it.  Being  disappointed,  they  were  angry,  and  committed  me 
close  prisoner,  without  bail  or  mainprize.  Whereupon  I  wrote  to  them 
again,  directing  my  letter  to  colonel  Barton,  a  preacher,  and  the  rest 
that  were  concerned  in  my  commitment.     I  wrote  thus : 

'  You  who  are  without  Christ,  and  yet  use  the  words  which  he  and 
'  his  saints  have  spoken,  consider  neither  he  nor  his  apostles  did  ever  im- 
'  prison  any;  but  our  Saviour  is  merciful  even  to  the  unmerciful  and 
'  rebellious.  He  brings  out  of  prison  and  bondage ;  but  men,  while  the 
'  carnal  mind  rules,  oppress  and  imprison.  My  Saviour  saith,  "  Love 
"  your  enemies,  and  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them 
"  that  despitefully  use  and  persecute  you."     For  the  love  of  God  doth 

*  not  persecute  any,  but  loveth  all  where  it  dwelleth.  "  He  that  hateth 
"  his  brother  is  a  murderer."  You  profess  to  be  Christians,  and  one  of 
'  you  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ ;  yet  you  have  imprisoned  me,  who  am 
'  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  apostles  never  imprisoned  any,  but 
'  were  imprisoned   themselves.     Take   heed  of  speaking  of  Christ  in 

*  words,  and  denying  him  in  life  and  power.     O  friends,  the  imprisoning 

*  my  body  is  to  satisfy  your  wills ;  but  take  heed  of  giving  way  to  your 
'  wills,  for  that  will  hurt  you.  If  the  love  of  God  had  broken  your  hearts, 

*  you  would  not  have  imprisoned  me ;  but  my  love  is  to  you,  as  to  all 


1551]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  ^5 

'  my  fellow-creatures  ;  and  that  you  may  weigh  yourselves,  and  see  how 
<  you  stand,  is  this  written.' 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  lines,  to  go 
amongst  the  convinced  and  tender  people,  to  manifest  the  deceits  of  the 
world,  and  how  the  priests  have  deceived  the  people. 

To  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  a  pure  and  naked  heart,  and 
the  generation  of  the  righteous. 

'  Christ  was  ever  hated  ;  and  the  righteous  for  his  sake.  Mind  who 
'  they  were  that  did  ever  hate  them.  He  that  was  born  after  the  flesh 
'  persecuted  him  that  was  born  after  the  Spirit;  so  it  is  now.  Mind  who 
'  were  the  chiefest  against  Christ ;  even  the  great  learned  men,  the  heads 
'  of  the  people,  rulers,  and  teachers,  that  professed  the  law  and  the 

*  prophets,  and  looked  for  Christ.     They  looked  for  an  outwardly-glori- 

*  ous  Christ,  to  hold  up  their  outward  glory ;  but  Christ  spoke  against 
'  the  works  of  the  world,  and  against  the  priests,  scribes,  and  pharisees, 
'  and  their  hypocritical  profession.  He  that  is  a  stranger  to  Christ,  is 
'an  hireling;  but  the  servants  of  Christ  are  free  men.  False  teachers 
'  always  laid  burdens  upon  the  people  ;  and  the  true  servants  of  the 
'  Lord  declared  against  them.  Jeremiah  spoke  against  hirelings,  and 
'  said.  It  was  an  horrible  thing  ;  and.  What  will  ye  do  in  the  end '?  For 
'  the  people  and  priests  were  given  to  cov^etousness.  Paul  spoke  against 
'  such  as  made  gain  upon  the  people,  and  exhorted  the  saints  to  turn 
'  away  from  such  as  were  covetous  and  proud,  such  as  loved  pleasures 
'  more  than  God,  such  as  had  a  form  of  godliness,  but  denied  the  power 
'  thereof.  "  For  of  this  sort,"  said  he,  "  are  they,  that  creep  into  houses, 
"  and  lead  captive  silly  women,  who  are  ever  learning  but  never  able  to 
"  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth ;  men  of  corrupt  minds,  reprobate 
"  concerning  the  faith,  and  as  Jannes  and  Jambres  withstood  Moses,  so 
"  do  these  resist  the  truth  ;  but  they  shall  proceed  no  farther,  for  their 
"  folly  shall  be  made  manifest  unto  all  men."  Moses  forsook  honours 
'  and  pleasures,  which  he  might  have  enjoyed.  The  apostle  in  his  time 
'  saw  this  corruption  entering,  which  now  is  spread  over  the  world,  of 
'  having  a  form  of  godliness  but  denying  the  power.  Ask  any  of  your 
'  teachers,  whether  you  may  ever  overcome  your  corruptions  or  sins  ? 
'  None  of  them  believe  that ;  but  "  as  long  as  man  is  here,  he  must  (say 
"  they)  carry  about  with  him  the  body  of  sin."  Thus  pride  is  kept  up, 
'  and  that  honour  and  mastership  which  Christ  denied,  and  all  unright- 
'  eousness.  Yet  multitudes  of  teachers  !  heaps  of  teachers  !  the  golden 
'  cup  full  of  abominations  !  Paul  did  not  preach  for  wages,  but  labourer! 
'  with  his  hands,  that  he  might  be  an  example  to  all  that  follow  him.     O 

*  people,  see  who  follow  Paul !  The  prophet  Jeremiah  said,  "  The  proph- 
'  ets  prophesy  falsely,  and  the  priests  bear  rule  by  their  means ;"  but 
'  now  the  priests  bear  rule  by  the  means  they  get  from  the  people :  take 
'  away  their  means,  and  they  will  bear  rule  over  you  no  longer.  They 
'  are  such  as  the  apostle  said,  "  Litruded  into  those  things  which  they 
"  never  saw,  being  vainly  puffed  up  with  a  fleshly  mind ;"  and  as  the 

*  scriptures  declare  of  some  of  old,  "  They  go  in  the  way  of  Cain,  who 
"  was  a  murderer,  and  in  the  way  of  Balaam,  who  coveted  the  wages 
"  of  unrighteousness."    The  prophet  Micah  also  cried  against  the  judges 

*  that  judged  for  reward,  and  the  priests  that  taught  for  hire,  and  the 
'  prophets  that  prophesied  for  money ;  yet  leaned  on  the  Lord,  saying, 
"  Is  not  the  Lord  amongst  us  1 "     Gifts  blind  the  eyes  of  the  wise.    The 


96  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

'  gift  of  God  was  never  purchased  with  money.  All  the  holy  servants 
'  of  God  did  ever  cry  against  deceit ;  and  where  the  Lord  hath  manifest- 
'  ed  his  love,  they  loath  it,  and  that  nature  which  holdeth  it  up.' 

Again  a  concern  came  upon  me  to  write  to  the  magistrates  of  Derby. 
'  Friends, 

*  I  DESIRE  you  to  consider  in  time  whom  ye  imprison  ;  for  the  magis- 

*  trate  is  set  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  for  the  praise  of  them 

*  that  do  well.  But  when  the  Lord  sends  his  messengers  to  warn  you  of 
'  the  woes  that  will  come  upon  you  except  you  repent,  you  persecute 

*  them,  put  them  in  prison,  and  say^  "  We  have  a  law,  and  by  our  law 
*'  we  may  do  it."   For  you  indeed  justify  yourselves  before  men,  but  God 

*  knoweth  your  hearts.    He  will  not  be  worshipped  with  your  forms,  pro- 

*  fessions,  and  shews  of  religion.     Therefore  consider,  ye  that  talk  of 

*  God,  how  ye  are  subject  to  him ;  for  those  are  his  children  that  do  his 

*  will.   What  doth  the  Lord  require  of  you,  but  to  do  justice,  to  love  and 

*  shew  mercy,  to  walk  humbly  with  him,  and  to  help  the  widows  and 

*  fatherless  to  their  right  1  But  instead  thereof  ye  oppress  the  poor.     Do 

*  not  your  judges  judge  for  rewards,  and  your  priests  teach  for  hire? 

*  The  time  is  coming,  that  he  who  seeth  all  things  will  discover  all  your 

*  secrets.     Know  this  assuredly,  The  Lord  will  deliver  his  servants  out 

*  of  your  hands,  and  he  will  recompense  all  your  unjust  dealings  towards 

*  his  people.     I  desire  you  to  consider  of  these  things ;  search  the  scrip- 

*  tures,  and  see,  whether  any  of  the  people  of  God  did  ever  imprison  any 

*  for  religion.     They  were  themselves  imprisoned.     I  desire  you  to  con- 

*  sider,  that  it  is  written,  "  When  the  church  is  met  together  ye  may  all 
*'  prophesy  one  by  one,  that  all  may  hear,  learn,  and  be  comforted ;"  and 

*  then,  "  If  any  thing  be  revealed  to  him  that  sitteth  by,  let  the  first  hold 
'  his  peace."     Thus  it  was  in  the  true  church,  and  thus  it  ought  now  to 

*  be  ;  but  it  is  not  so  in  your  assemblies.     He  that  teaches  for  hire  may 

*  speak,  and  none  may  contradict  him.    Again,  consider  the  liberty  given 

*  to  the  apostles,  even  among  the  unbelieving  Jews,  when  after  the  read- 

*  ing  of  the  law  and  the  prophets,  the  rulers  of  the  synagogue  said  unto 

*  them,  "  Ye  men  and  brethren,  if  ye  have  any  word  of  exhortation  for 
"  the  people,  say  on."   I  desire  you  to  consider  in  stillness,  and  strive  not 

*  against  the  Lord ;  for  he  is  stronger  than  you.     Though  ye  hold  his 

*  people  fast  for  a  time,  yet  when  he  cometh,  he  will  make  known  who 
'are  his;  for  his  coming  is  like  the  refiner's  fire,  and  like  fuller's  soap. 

*  Then  the  stone  that  is  set  at  nought  by  you  builders  shall  be  the  head- 

*  stone  of  the  corner.     O  friends,  lay  these  things  to  heart.     Let  them 

*  not  seem  light  things  to  you.     I  wrote  to  you  in  love,  to  mind  the  laws 

*  of  God,  and  your  own  souls,  and  to  do  as  the  holy  men  of  God  did.' 

Great  was  the  exercise  and  travail  in  spirit  that  I  underwent  during 
my  imprisonment  here,  because  of  the  wickedness  that  was  in  this  town ; 
for  though  some  were  convinced,  yet  the  generality  were  a  hardened 
people.  I  saw  the  visitation  of  God's  love  pass  away  from  them.  I 
mourned  over  them ;  and  it  came  upon  me  to  give  forth  the  following 
lines,  as  a  lamentation  for  them : 

*  As  the  waters  run  away  when  the  flood-gates  are  up,  so  doth  the 

*  visitation  of  God's  love  pass  away  from  thee,  O  Derby!  Therefore  look 

*  where  thou  art,  and  how  thou  art  grounded ;  and  consider,  before  thou 

*  art  utterly  forsaken.     The  Lord  moved  me  twice  before  I  came  to  cry 

*  against  the  deceits  and  vanities  that  are  in  thee,  and  to  warn  all  to  look 


1651]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  97 

'  at  the  Lord,  and  not  at  man.  The  wo  is  against  the  crown  of  pride, 
'  against  drunkenness  and  vain  pleasures,  and  against  them  that  make 

*  a  profession  of  religion  in  words,  yet  are  high  and  lofty  in  mind,  and 
'  live  in  oppression  and  envy.  O  Derby !  thy  profession  and  preaching 
'  stinks  before  the  Lord.  You  profess  a  sabbath  in  words,  and  meet  to- 
'  gether,  dressing  yourselves  in  fine  apparel,  and  you  uphold  pride.  Thy 
'  women  go  with  stretched-forth  necks  and  wanton  eyes,  &c.  which  the 
'  true  prophets  of  old  cried  against.  Your  assemblies  are  odious,  an 
'  abomination  to  the  Lord  :  pride  is  set  up  and  bowed  down  to,  covetous- 

*  ness  abounds,  and  he  that  doth  wickedly  is  honoured.  So  deceit  bears 
'  with  deceit,  yet  they  profess  Christ  in  words.     Oh !  the  deceit  that  is 

*  within  thee  !  It  even  breaks  my  heart  to  see  how  God  is  dishonoured  in 

*  thee,  O  Derby !' 

After  I  had  seen  the  visitation  of  God's  love  pass  away  from  this 
place,  I  knew  that  my  imprisonment  here  would  not  continue  long ;  but 
I  saw  that  when  the  Lord  should  bring  me  forth,  it  would  be  as  the 
letting  of  a  lion  out  of  a  den  amongst  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forest.  For 
all  professions  stood  in  a  beastly  spirit  and  nature,  pleading  for  sin,  and 
for  the  body  of  sin  and  imperfection,  as  long  as  they  lived.  They  raged, 
and  ran  against  the  life  and  spirit  which  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  yet 
professed  them  in  words,  as  will  appear  hereafter. 

There  was  a  great  judgment  upon  the  town,  and  the  magistrates  were 
uneasy  about  me ;  but  could  not  agree  what  to  do  with  me.  One  while 
they  would  have  sent  me  up  to  the  parliament ;  another  while  they  would 
have  banished  me  to  Ireland.  At  first  they  called  me  a  deceiver,  a 
seducer,  and  a  blasphemer.  Afterwards,  when  God  had  brought  his 
plagues  upon  them,  they  styled  me  an  honest  virtuous  man.  But  their 
good  report  and  bad  report  were  nothing  to  me ;  for  the  one  did  not  lift 
me  up,  nor  the  other  cast  me  down:  praised  be  the  Lord!  At  length 
they  were  made  to  turn  me  out  of  gaol,  about  the  beginning  of  winter 
in  the  year  1651,  after  I  had  been  a  prisoner  in  Derby  almost  a  year ; 
six  months  in  the  house  of  correction,  and  the  rest  of  the  time  in  the 
common  gaol. 

Being  at  liberty  I  went  on,  as  before,  in  the  woi'k  of  the  Lord,  passing 
through  the  country  into  Leicestershire,  having  meetings  as  I  went ;  and 
the  Lord's  Spirit  and  power  accompanied  me.  Afterwards  I  went  near 
Burton  upon  Trent,  where  some  were  convinced ;  and  to  Bushel-House, 
where  I  had  a  meeting.  I  went  into  the  country,  where  there  were 
friendly  people ;  yet  an  outrageous  wicked  professor  had  an  intent  to 
have  done  me  a  mischief,  but  the  Lord  prevented  him :  blessed  be  the 
Lord ! 

As  I  was  walking  with  several  friends,  I  lifted  up  my  head,  and  saw 
three  steeple-house  spires,  and  they  struck  at  my  life.  I  asked  them 
what  place  that  was  1  They  said,  Lichfield.  Immediately  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  to  me,  that  I  must  go  thither.  Being  come  to  the  house 
we  were  going  to,  I  wish'd  friends  to  walk  into  the  house,  saying  nothing 
to  them  whither  I  was  to  go.  As  soon  as  they  were  gone  I  stept  away, 
and  went  by  my  eye  over  hedge  and  ditch  till  I  came  within  a  mile  of 
Lichfield ;  where,  in  a  great  field,  shepherds  were  keeping  their  sheep. 
Then  was  I  commanded  by  the  Lord  to  pull  off  my  shoes.  I  stood  still, 
for  it  was  winter;  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  was  like  a  fire  in  me.  So 
I  put  off  my  shoes,  and  left  them  with  the  shepherds ;  and  the  poor  shep- 

N 


98  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

herds  trembled,  and  were  astonished.  Then  I  walked  on  about  a  mile, 
and  as  soon  as  I  was  got  within  the  city,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
me  again,  saying ;  Cry,  "  Wo  to  the  bloody  city  of  Lichfield ! "  So  I 
went  up  and  down  the  streets,  crying  with  a  loud  voice.  Wo  to  the 
BLOODY  CITY  OF  LicHFiELD !  It  being  markct-day,  I  went  into  the  market- 
place, and  to  and  fro  in  the  several  parts  of  it,  and  made  stands,  crying 
as  before,  Wo  to  the  bloody  city  of  Lichfield  !  And  no  one  laid  hands 
on  me.  As  I  went  thus  crying  through  the  streets,  there  seemed  to  me 
to  be  a  channel  of  blood  running  down  the  streets,  and  the  market-place 
appeared  like  a  pool  of  blood.  When  I  had  declared  what  was  upon 
me,  and  felt  myself  clear,  I  went  out  of  the  town  in  peace;  and  return- 
ing to  the  shepherds  gave  them  some  money,  and  took  my  shoes  of  them 
again.  But  the  fire  of  the  Lord  was  so  in  my  feet,  and  all  over  me,  that 
I  did  not  matter  to  put  on  my  shoes  again,  and  was'  at  a  stand  whether  I 
should  or  no,  till  I  felt  freedom  from  the  Lord  so  to  do :  then,  after  I  had 
M^ashed  my  feet,  I  put  on  my  shoes  again.  After  this  a  deep  considera- 
tion came  upon  me,  for  what  reason  I  should  be  sent  to  cry  against  that 
city,  and  call  it  The  bloody  city  !  For  though  the  parliament  had  the 
minster  one  while,  and  the  king  another,  and  much  blood  had  been  shed 
in  the  town  during  the  wars  between  them,  yet  that  was  no  more  than 
had  befallen  many  other  places.  But  afterwards  I  came  to  understand, 
that  in  the  emperor  Dioclesian's  time  a  thousand  christians  were  mar- 
tyr'd  in  Lichfield.  So  I  was  to  go,  without  my  shoes,  through  the  chan- 
nel of  their  blood,  and  into  the  pool  of  their  blood  in  the  market-place, 
that  I  might  raise  up  the  memorial  of  the  blood  of  those  martyrs,  which 
had  been  shed  above  a  thousand  years  before,  and  lay  cold  in  their 
streets.  So  the  sense  of  this  blood  was  upon  me,  and  I  obeyed  the  word 
of  the  Lord.  Ancient  records  testify  how  many  of  the  christian  Britons 
sufiered  there.  Much  I  could  write  of  the  sense  I  had  of  the  blood  of 
the  martyrs,  that  hath  been  shed  in  this  nation  for  the  name  of  Christ, 
both  under  the  ten  persecutions  and  since ;  but  I  leave  it  to  the  Lord, 
and  to  his  book,  out  of  which  all  shall  be  judged ;  for  his  book  is  a  most 
certain  record,  and  his  Spirit  a  true  recorder. 

Then  I  passed  through  the  countries,  having  meetings  amongst  friendly 
people  in  many  places ;  but  my  relations  were  offended  at  me.  After 
some  time  I  returned  into  Nottinghamshire,  to  Mansfield,  and  into  Derby- 
shire, visiting  friends.  Then  passing  into  Yorkshire,  I  preached  repent- 
ance through  Doncaster,  and  several  other  places ;  and  came  to  Balby, 
where  Richard  Farnsworth  and  others  were  convinced.  So  travelUng 
through  several  places,  preaching  repentance,  and  the  word  of  life  to 
the  people,  I  came  into  the  parts  about  Wakefield,  where  James  Nayler 
lived ;  who,  with  Thomas  Goodyear,  came  to  me,  and  were  both  con- 
vinced, and  received  the  truth.  William  Dewsbury  also  and  his  wife, 
with  many  more,  came  to  me,  who  were  t^onvinced,  and  received  the 
truth.  From  thence  T  passed  towards  captain  Pursloe's  by  Selby,  and 
visited  John  Leek,  who  had  been  to  see  me  in  Derby  prison,  and  was 
convinced.  I  had  a  horse,  but  was  fain  to  leave  him,  not  knowing  what 
to  do  with  him ;  for  I  was  moved  to  go  to  many  great  houses,  to  admon- 
ish and  exhort  the  people  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord 
to  go  to  Beverly  steeple-house,  which  was  a  place  of  high  profession. 
Being  very  wet  with  rain,  I  went  first  to  an  inn.  As  soon  as  I  came  to 
the  door,  a  young  woman  of  the  house  said,  "  What !  is  it  you  ?  Come 
in,"  as  if  she  had  known  me  before ;  for  the  Lord's  power  bowed  their 


1651]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  9^ 

hearts.  So  I  refreshed  myself,  and  went  to  bed.  In  the  morning,  my 
cloaths  being  still  wet,  I  got  ready,  and  having  paid  for  what  I  had,  went 
up  to  the  steeple-house,  where  was  a  man  preaching.  When  he  had 
done,  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  him  and  to  the  people  in  the  mighty 
power  of  God,  and  turned  them  to  their  teacher,  Christ  Jesus.  The 
power  of  the  Lord  was  so  strong,  that  it  struck  a  mighty  dread  amongst 
the  people.  The  mayor  came  and  spoke  a  few  words  to  me ;  but  none 
had  power  to  meddle  with  me.  So  I  passed  out  of  the  town,  and  in  the 
afternoon  went  to  another  steeple-house  about  two  miles  off.  When 
the  priest  had  done  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  him  and  to  the  people 
very  largely,  shewing  them  the  way  of  life  and  truth,  and  the  ground 
of  election  and  reprobation.  The  priest  said,  he  was  but  a  child,  and 
could  not  dispute  with  me.  I  told  him  I  did  not  come  to  dispute,  but  to 
hold  forth  the  word  of  life  and  truth  unto  them,  that  they  might  all  know 
the  one  seed  which  the  promise  of  God  was  to,  both  in  the  male  and  in 
the  female.  Here  the  people  were  very  loving,  and  would  have  had  me 
come  again  on  a  week-day,  and  preach  among  them :  but  I  directed 
them  to  their  teacher,  Christ  Jesus;  and  the  next  day  M^ent  to  Cransick, 
to  captain  Pursloe's,  who  accompanied  me  to  justice  Hotham's.  Justice 
Hotham  was  a  pretty  tender  man,  and  had  some  experience  of  God's 
workings  in  his  heart.  After  some  discourse  with  him  of  the  things  of 
God,  he  took  me  into  his  closet ;  where  sitting  together,  he  told  me  he 
had  known  that  principle  these  ten  years,  and  was  glad  that  the  Lord 
did  now  send  his  servants  to  pubhsh  it  abroad  to  the  people.  After 
awhile  a  priest  came  to  visit  him,  with  whom  I  had  some  discourse  con- 
cerning truth.  His  mouth  was  quickly  stopt ;  for  he  was  nothing  but  a 
notionist,  and  not  in  possession  of  what  he  talked  of. 

While  I  was  there,  a  great  woman  of  Beverly  came  to  justice  Hotham 
about  some  business.  Li  discourse  she  told  him,  "  The  last  sabbath-day, 
"  as  she  called  it,  there  was  an  angel  or  spirit  came  into  the  church  at 
"  Beverly,  and  spoke  the  wonderful  things  of  God,  to  the  astonishment 
"  of  all  that  were  there ;  and  when  it  had  done,  it  passed  away,  and 
"  they  did  not  know  whence  it  came  nor  whither  it  went ;  but  it  aston- 
"  ished  all,  priest,  professors,  and  magistrates."  This  relation  justice 
Hotham  gave  me  afterwards ;  and  then  I  gave  him  an  account  that  I 
had  been  that  day  at  Beverly  steeple-house,  and  had  declared  truth  to 
the  priest  and  people  there. 

In  the  country  thereabouts  were  some  noted  priests  and  doctors  that 
justice  Hotham  had  acquaintance  with.  He  would  fain  have  them 
speak  with  me,  and  offered  to  send  for  them,  under  pretence  of  some 
business  he  had  with  them  ;  but  I  wished  him  not  to  do  so. 

When  first-day  was  come,  justice  Hotham  walked  out  with  me  into 
the  fields ;  and  captain  Pursloe  coming  after  us,  justice  Hotham  left  us, 
and  returned  home ;  but  captain  Pursloe  went  with  me  into  the  steeple- 
house.  When  the  priest  had  done,  I  spoke  to  both  priest  and  people ; 
declared  to  them  the  word  of  life  and  truth,  and  directed  them  where 
they  might  find  their  teacher,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Some  were  con- 
vinced, received  the  truth,  and  stand  fast  in  it,  and  have  a  fine  meeting 
to  this  day. 

In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  another  steeple-house,  about  three  miles  off, 
where  preached  a  great  high  priest,  called  a  doctor,  one  of  them  whom 
justice  Hotham  would  have  sent  for  to  have  spoken  with  me.  I  went 
into  the  steeple-house,  and  staid  till  the  priest  had  done.     The  word 


100  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

which  he  took  for  his  text  were  these :  "  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth, 
*'  come  ye  to  the  waters ;  and  he  that  hath  no  money,  come  ye,  buy  and 
"  eat,  yea  come,  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without  price." 
Then  was  I  moved  of  the  Lord  God  to  say  to  him,  "  Come  down,  thou 
"  deceiver;  dost  thou  bid  people  come  freely,  and  take  of  the  water  of 
"  life  freely,  and  yet  thou  takest  three  hundred  pounds  a  year  of  them 
'•  for  preaching  the  scriptures  to  them  1  Mayst  thou  not  blush  for  shame  ? 
"  Did  the  prophet  Isaiah  and  Christ  do  so,  who  spake  the  words,  and 
"  gave  them  forth  freely?  Did  not  Christ  say  to  his  ministers,  whom  he 
"  sent  to  preach,  '  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give?'"  The  priest, 
like  a  man  amazed,  hasted  away.  After  he  had  left  his  flock,  I  had  as 
much  time  as  I  could  desire  to  speak  to  the  people.  I  directed  them 
from  darkness  to  the  light,  and  to  the  grace  of  God  that  would  teach 
them,  and  bring  them  salvation ;  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  inward 
parts,  which  would  be  a  free  teacher  unto  them. 

Having  cleared  myself  amongst  that  people,  I  returned  to  justice 
Hotham's  that  night ;  who,  when  I  came  in,  took  me  in  his  arms,  and 
said,  His  house  was  my  house,  for  he  was  exceeding  glad  at  the  work 
of  the  Lord,  and  that  his  power  was  revealed.  Then  he  told  me  why 
he  went  not  with  me  to  the  steeple-house  in  the  morning,  and  what  rea- 
sonings he  had  in  himself  about  it ;  for  he  thought,  if  he  had  gone  with 
nie  to  the  steeple-house,  the  officers  would  have  put  me  to  him ;  and 
then  he  should  not  have  known  what  to  have  done  :  but  he  was  glad,  he 
said,  when  captain  Pursloe  came  up  to  go  with  me ;  yet  neither  of  them 
was  dressed,  nor  had  their  bands  about  their  necks.  It  was  a  strange 
thing  then  to  see  a  man  come  into  a  steeple-house  without  a  band ;  yet 
captain  Pursloe  went  in  with  me  without  his  band,  the  Lord's  power 
and  truth  had  so  afiected  him  that  he  minded  it  not. 

From  hence  I  passed  on,  and  came  at  night  to  an  inn  where  was  a 
company  of  rude  people.  I  bid  the  woman  of  the  house,  if  she  had  any 
meat,  to  bring  me  some;  but  because  I  said  Thee  and  Thou  to  her,  she 
looked  strangely  on  me.  I  asked  her  if  she  had  any  milk '(  She  said. 
No.  I  was  sensible  she  spake  falsely ;  and,  being  willing  to  try  her  fur- 
ther, I  asked  her,  If  she  had  any  cream  1  She  denied  that  she  had  any. 
There  stood  a  churn  in  the  room,  and  a  little  boy  playing  about,  put  his 
hands  into  it,  and  pulled  it  down,  and  threw  all  the  cream  on  the  floor 
before  my  eyes.  Thus  was  the  woman  manifested  to  be  a  liar.  She 
was  amazed,  blessed  herself,  took  up  the  child,  and  whipped  it  sorely : 
but  I  reproved  her  for  her  lying  and  deceit.  After  the  Lord  had  thus 
discovered  her  deceit  and  perverseness,  I  walked  out  of  the  house,  and 
went  away  till  I  came  to  a  stack  of  hay,  and  lay  in  the  hay-stack  that 
night,  in  rain  and  snow ;  it  being  but  three  days  before  the  time  called 
Christmas. 

The  next  day  I  came  into  York,  where  were  several  very  tender 
people.  Upon  the  first-day  following,  I  was  commanded  of  the  Lord 
to  go  and  speak  to  priest  Bowles  and  his  hearers  in  their  great  cathe- 
dral. Accordingly  I  went.  When  the  priest  had  done,  I  told  them  I 
had  something  from  the  Lord  God  to  speak  to  the  priest  and  people. 
"  Then  say  on  quickly,"  said  a  professor,  for  it  was  frost  and  snow,  and 
very  cold  weather.  Then  I  told  them.  This  was  the  word  of  the  Lord 
God  unto  them,  that  they  lived  in  words,  but  God  Almighty  looked  for 
fruits  amongst  them.  As  soon  as  the  words  were  out  of  my  mouth, 
they  hurried  me  out,  and  threw  me  down  the  steps.     But  I  got  up  again 


1651]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  101 

without  hurt,  and  went  to  my  lodging,  and  several  were  convinced 
there.  For  what  arose  from  the  weight  and  oppression  that  was  upon 
the  Spirit  of  God  in  me,  would  open  people,  strike  them,  and  make  them 
confess  that  the  groans  which  brake  forth  through  me  did  reach  them  : 
for  my  Hfe  was  burthened  with  their  profession  without  possession,  and 
words  without  fruit. 

After  I  had  done  my  present  service  in  York,  and  several  were  con- 
vinced there,  received  the  truth  of  God,  and  were  turned  to  his  teach- 
ing ;  I  looked  towards  Cleaveland,  and  saw  there  was  a  people  that  had 
tasted  of  the  power  of  God.  I  saw  there  was  a  seed  in  that  country, 
and  that  God  had  an  humble  people  there.  Passing  onwards  that  night, 
a  papist  overtook  me,  and  talked  to  me  of  his  religion,  and  of  their 
meetings ;  and  I  let  him  speak  all  that  was  in  his  mind.  That  night  I 
staid  at  an  alehouse.  Next  morning  I  was  moved  to  speak  the  word  of 
the  Lord  to  this  papist.  So  I  went  to  his  house,  and  declared  against 
all  their  superstitious  ways ;  and  told  him,  that  God  was  come  to  teach 
his  people  himself.  This  put  him  into  such  a  rage,  that  he  could  not 
endure  to  stay  in  his  own  house. 

Next  day  I  came  to  Burraby,  where  a  priest  and  several  friendly 
people  were  met  together.  Many  of  the  people  were  convinced,  and 
have  continued  faithful  ever  since.  There  is  a  great  meeting  of  friends 
in  that  town.  The  priest  also  was  forced  to  confess  to  truth,  though  he 
came  not  into  it. 

The  day  following  I  went  to  Cleaveland,  amongst  those  people  that 
had  tasted  of  the  power  of  God.  They  had  formerly  had  great  meet- 
ings, but  were  then  shattered  to  pieces,  and  the  heads  of  them  turned 
Ranters.  I  told  them.  That  after  they  had  such  meetings,  they  did  not 
wait  upon  God  to  feel  his  power  to  gather  their  minds  inward,  that  they 
might  feel  his  presence  and  power  amongst  them  in  their  meetings,  to 
sit  down  therein  and  wait  upon  him :  for  they  had  spoken  themselves 
dry ;  they  had  spent  their  portions,  and  not  living  in  that  which  they 
spake  of,  they  were  now  become  dry.  They  had  some  kind  of  meetings 
still ;  but  they  took  tobacco,  and  drank  ale  in  their  meetings,  and  were 
grown  light  and  loose.  But  my  message  unto  them  from  the  Lord  was. 
That  they  should  all  come  together  again,  and  wait  to  feel  the  Lord's 
power  and  Spirit  in  themselves ;  to  gather  them  to  Christ,  that  they 
might  be  taught  of  him,  who  says,  "  Learn  of  me."  For  when  they 
had  declared  that  which  the  Lord  had  opened  to  them,  then  the  people 
were  to  receive  it ;  and  both  the  speakers  and  the  hearers  were  to  live 
in  that  themselves.  But  when  these  had  no  more  to  declare,  but  went 
to  seek  forms  without  life,  that  made  themselves  dry  and  barren,  and 
the  people  also ;  and  from  thence  came  all  their  loss  :  for  the  Lord  re- 
news his  mercies  and  his  strength  to  them  that  wait  upon  him.  The 
heads  of  them  came  to  nothing:  but  most  of  the  people  were  con- 
vinced, and  received  God's  everlasting  truth,  and  continue  a  meeting 
to  this  day,  sitting  under  the  teaching  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  their 
Saviour. 

Upon  the  first  day  of  the  next  week,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
me  to  go  to  the  steeple-house ;  w^hich  I  did.  When  the  priest  had  done, 
I  spake  the  truth  to  him  and  the  people,  and  directed  them  to  their 
teacher  within,  Christ  Jesus,  their  free  teacher  who  had  bought  them. 
The  priest  came  to  me,  and  I  had  a  Httle  discourse  with  him :  but  he 


102  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  1651 

was  soon  stopped,  and  silent.  Then,  being  clear  of  the  place,  I  passed 
away,  having  had  several  meetings  amongst  those  people. 

Though  the  snow  was  very  deep,  I  kept  travelling ;  and  came  to  a 
market-town,  where  I  met  with  many  professors,  with  whom  I  had  much 
reasoning.  I  asked  them  many  questions,  which  they  were  not  able  to 
answer ;  saying,  They  never  had  such  deep  questions  put  to  them  in 
their  lives. 

From  them  I  went  to  Stath,  where  I  met  with  many  professors,  and 
some  Ranters.  I  had  large  meetings  amongst  them,  and  a  great  con- 
vincement  there  was.  Many  received  the  truth :  amongst  whom,  one 
was  a  man  of  an  hundred  years  of  age  ;  another  was  a  chief  constable ; 
a  third  was  a  priest,  whose  name  was  Philip  Scafe.  Him  the  Lord,  by 
his  free  Spirit,  did  afterwards  make  a  free  minister  of  his  free  gospel. 

The  priest  of  this  town  was  a  lofty  one,  who  much  oppressed  the  peo- 
ple for  his  tythes.  If  they  went  a  fishing  many  leagues  off,  he  would 
exact  the  tithe-money  of  what  they  made  of  their  fish,  though  they 
catched  them  at  a  great  distance,  and  carried  them  as  far  as  Yarmouth 
to  sell.  I  was  moved  to  go  to  the  steeple-house  there,  to  declare  the 
truth,  and  lay  open  the  priest.  When  I  had  spoken  to  him,  and  laid  his 
oppressing  of  the  people  upon  him,  he  fled  away.  The  chief  of  the  parish 
were  very  light  and  vain.  After  I  had  spoken  the  word  of  life  to  them, 
I  turned  away  from  them,  because  they  did  not  receive  it ;  and  left, 
them.  But  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  I  had  declared  amongst  them, 
stuck  with  some,  so  that  at  night  some  of  the  heads  of  the  parish  came 
to  me.  Most  of  them  were  convinced  and  satisfied,  and  confessed  to 
the  truth.  Thus  the  truth  began  to  spread  in  that  country,  and  great 
meetings  we  had ;  at  which  the  priest  began  to  rage,  and  the  Ranters  to 
be  stirred ;  who  sent  me  word  they  would  have  a  dispute  with  me ;  both 
the  oppressing  priest  and  the  leader  of  the  Ranters.  A  day  was  fixed, 
and  the  Ranter  came  with  his  company.  Another  priest,  a  Scotchman, 
came ;  but  not  the  oppressing  priest  of  Stath.  Philip  Scafe  was  with 
me ;  and  a  great  number  of  people  met.  When  we  were  settled,  T. 
Bushel,  the  Ranter,  told  me.  He  had  had  a  vision  of  me,  that  I  was  sit- 
ting in  a  great  chair,  and  that  he  was  to  come  and  put  off  his  hat,  and 
bow  down  to  the  ground  before  me ;  which  he  did.  I  told  him.  It  was 
his  own  figure ;  and  said,  "  Repent,  thou  beast."  He  said  it  was  jeal- 
ousy in  me  to  say  so.  I  asked  him  the  ground  of  jealousy,  and  how  it 
came  to  be  bred  in  man  ?  And  the  nature  of  a  beast,  what  made  it,  and 
how  it  was  bred  in  man  1  For  I  saw  him  directly  in  that  nature  of  the 
beast ;  and  therefore  I  queried  how  that  nature  came  to  be  bred  in  him  ? 
I  told  him.  He  should  give  me  an  account  of  things  done  in  the  body, 
before  we  came  to  discourse  of  things  done  out  of  the  body.  So  I  stopt 
his  mouth,  and  his  fellow  Ranters  were  silenced :  for  he  was  the  head 
of  them.  Then  I  called  for  the  oppressing  priest ;  but  only  the  Scotch 
priest  came,  whose  mouth  was  soon  stopt,  with  a  very  few  words,  he 
being  out  of  the  life  of  what  he  professed.  Then  I  had  good  opportunity 
M'ith  the  people.  I  laid  open  the  Ranters,  ranking  them  with  the  old 
Ranters  in  Sodom.  The  priests  I  manifested  to  be  of  the  same  stamp 
with  their  fellow  hirelings,  the  false  prophets  of  old,  and  the  priests  that 
then  bore  rule  over  the  people  by  their  means,  seeking  their  gain  from 
their  quarter,  divining  for  money,  and  teaching  for  filthy  lucre.  I  brought 
all  the  prophets,  Christ  and  the  apostles,  over  the  heads  of  the  priests, 
shewing  how  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles,  had  long  since  dis- 


1651]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  103 

covered  them  by  their  marks  and  fruits.  I  directed  the  people  to  the 
inward  teacher,  Christ  Jesus  their  Saviour ;  and  preached  up  Christ  in 
the  hearts  of  his  people,  when  all  these  mountains  were  laid  low.  The 
people  were  all  quiet,  and  the  gainsayers'  mouths  were  stopped ;  for 
though  they  broiled  inwardly,  the  divine  power  so  bound  them  down, 
that  they  could  not  break  out. 

After  the  meeting,  this  Scottish  priest  desired  me  to  walk  with  him  atop 
of  the  cliffs.  Whereupon  I  called  a  brother-in-law  of  his,  who  was  in 
some  measure  convinced,  and  desired  him  to  go  with  me,  teUing  him,  I 
was  willing  to  have  somebody  by  to  hear  what  we  said ;  lest  the  priest, 
when  I  was  gone,  should  report  any  thing  of  me  which  I  did  not  say. 
We  went  together,  the  priest  asking  me  many  things  concerning  the 
liglit,  and  concerning  the  soul ;  all  which  I  answered  him  fully.  When 
he  had  done  questioning,  we  parted  ;  and  he  went  his  way ;  and  meeting 
with  Philip  Scafe,  he  brake  his  cane  against  the  ground  in  madness,  and 
said.  If  ever  he  met  with  me  again,  he  would  have  my  life,  or  I  should 
have  his ;  adding,  that  he  would  give  his  head,  if  I  was  not  knocked 
down  within  a  month.  By  this,  friends  suspected  his  intent  was,  in  de- 
siring me  to  walk  with  him  alone,  either  to  have  thrust  me  down  from 
the  cliff,  or  to  have  done  me  some  other  mischief;  and  being  frustrated, 
it  made  him  rage.  But  I  neither  regarded  his  prophecies,  nor  his  threats; 
for  I  feared  God  Almighty.  After  some  years,  this  very  Scotch  priest 
and  his  wife  came  to  be  convinced  of  the  truth ;  and  about  twelve  years 
after  I  was  at  their  house. 

Another  priest  came  to  a  meeting  where  I  was ;  one  in  repute  above 
all  the  priests  in  the  country.  As  I  was  declaring,  that  the  gospel  was 
the  power  of  God,  and  how  it  brought  hfe  and  immortality  to  light  in 
men,  and  was  turning  people  from  darkness  to  light;  this  high-flown 
priest  said.  The  gospel  was  mortal.  I  told  him.  The  true  minister  said, 
The  gospel  was  the  power  of  God  ;  and  would  he  make  the  power  of 
God  mortal  1  Upon  that,  the  other  priest  Philip  Scafe,  that  was  con- 
vinced, and  had  felt  the  immortal  power  of  God  in  himself,  took  him  up 
and  reproved  him ;  so  a  great  dispute  arose  between  them :  the*  con- 
vinced priest  holding  that  the  gospel  was  immortal,  and  the  other  hold- 
ing it  was  mortal.  But  the  Lord's  power  was  too  hard  for  this  opposer, 
and  stopped  his  mouth ;  and  many  were  convinced,  seeing  the  darkness 
of  the  opposing  priest,  and  the  light  that  was  in  the  convinced  priest. 

Another  priest  sent  to  have  a  dispute  with  me,  and  friends  went  with 
me  to  the  house  where  he  was ;  but  when  he  understood  we  were  come, 
he  slipt  out  of  the  house,  and  hid  himself  under  an  hedge.  The  people 
went  and  found  him,  but  could  not  get  him  to  come  to  us.  Then  I  went 
to  a  steeple-house  hard  by,  where  the  priest  and  people  were  in  a  great 
rage  :  this  priest  had  threatened  friends  what  he  would  do :  but  when  I 
came,  he  fled :  for  the  Lord's  power  came  over  him  and  them.  Yea, 
the  Lord's  everlasting  power  was  over  the  world,  and  reached  to  the 
hearts  of  people,  and  made  both  priests  and  professors  tremble.  It  shook 
the  earthly  and  airy  spirit,  in  which  they  held  their  profession  of  religion 
and  worship  ;  so  that  it  was  a  dreadful  thing  to  them,  when  it  was  told 
them,  "  The  man  in  leathern  breeches  is  come."  At  the  hearing  thereof 
the  priests  in  many  places  got  out  of  the  way ;  they  w^ere  so  struck 
with  the  dread  of  the  eternal  power  of  God ;  and  fear  surprised  the 
hypocrites. 

We  passed  to  Whitby  and  Scarborough,  where  we  had  some  service 


104  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

for  the  Lord :  large  meetings  are  settled  there  since.  From  thence  I 
passed  over  the  Woulds  to  Malton,  where  we  had  great  meetings,  as  we 
had  also  at  the  towns  thereabouts.  At  one  town  a  priest  sent  me  a  chal- 
lenge to  dispute  with  me ;  but  when  I  came  he  would  not  come  forth.  I 
had  a  good  opportunity  with  the  people,  and  the  Lord's  power  laid  hold 
upon  them.  One,  who  had  been  a  wild  drunken  man,  was  so  reached, 
that  he  came  to  me  as  lowly  as  a  lamb ;  though  he  and  his  companions 
had  before  sent  for  drink  to  make  the  people  rude,  on  purpose  that  they 
might  abuse  us.  When  I  found  the  priest  would  not  come  forth,  I  was 
moved  to  go  to  the  steeple-house,  and  he  was  confounded ;  the  Lord's 
power  coming  over  all. 

On  first-day  following,  came  one  of  the  highest  independent  profes- 
sors, a  woman,  who  had  let  in  such  a  prejudice  against  me,  that  she 
said,  before  she  came.  She  could  willingly  have  gone  to  see  me  hanged. 
But  coming,  she  was  convinced,  and  remains  a  friend. 

I  turned  to  Malton  again,  and  very  great  meetings  there  were  ;  to 
which  several  more  would  have  come,  but  durst  not  for  fear  of  their  re- 
lations ;  for  it  was  thought  a  strange  thing  then  to  preach  in  houses,  and 
not  go  to  the  church,  as  they  called  it ;  I  was  therefore  much  desired  to 
go  and  speak  in  the  steeple-houses.     One  of  the  priests  wrote  to  me,  and 
invited  me  to  preach  in  his  steeple-house,  calling  me  his  brother :  another 
priest,  a  noted  man,  kept  a  lecture  there.     The  Lord  shewed  me,  while 
I  was  in  Derby  prison,  that  I  should  speak  in  steeple-houses,  to  gather 
people  from  thence;  and  a  concern  sometimes  came  upon  my  mind 
about  the  pulpits  that  the  priests  lolled  in.     For  the  steeple-houses  and 
pulpits  were  oliensive  to  my  mind,  because  both  priests  and  people  called 
them  the  house  of  God,  and  idolized  them  ;  reckoning  that  God  dwelt  in 
the  outward  house.     Whereas  they  should  have  looked  for  God  and 
Christ  to  dwell  in  their  hearts,  and  their  bodies  to  be  made  the  temples 
of  God ;  for  the  apostle  said,  "  God  dwelleth  not  in  temples  made  with 
"  hands :"  but  by  reason  of  the  people's  idoHzing  those  places,  it  was 
counted  an  iieinous  thing  to  declare  against  them.     When  I  came  into 
the  steeple-house,  there  were  not  above  eleven  hearers,  and  the  priest 
was  preaching  to  them.     But  after  it  was  known  in  the  town  that  I  was 
there,  it  was  soon  filled  with  people.    When  the  priest  had  done,  he  sent 
the  other  priest  who  had  invited  me  thither,  to  bring  me  into  the  pulpit ; 
but  I  sent  him  word,  that  I  needed  not  go  into  the  pulpit.     He  sent  to 
me  again,  desiring  me  to  go  up  into  it ;  for,  he  said,  it  was  a  better 
place,  and  there  I  might  be  seen  of  the  people.     I  sent  him  word  again, 
I  could  be  seen  and  heard  well  enough  where  I  was ;  and  that  I  came 
not  there  to  hold  up  such  places,  nor  their  maintenance  and  trade.  Upon 
this  they  began  to  be  angry,  and  said,  "  These  false  prophets  were  to 
"  come  in  the  last  times."     Their  saying  so  grieved  many  of  the  people, 
arid  some  began  to  murmur  at  it.     Whereupon  I  desired  all  to  be  quiet ; 
and,  stepping  upon  an  high  seat,  declared  to  them  the  marks  of  the  false 
prophets,  shewing  that  they  were  already  come  ;  and  set  the  true  proph- 
ets, Christ,  and  his  apostles  over  them  ;  and  manifested  these  to  be  out 
of  the  steps  of  the  true  prophets,  of  Christ  and  his  apostles.     I  directed 
the  people  to  their  inward  teacher,  Christ  Jesus,  who  would  turn  them 
from  darkness  to  light.     And  having  opened  divers  scriptures  to  them,  I 
directed  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  by  which  they  might 
come  to  him,  and  by  which  they  might  also  come  to  know  who  the 


1651]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  105 

false  prophets  were.  So  having  had  a  large  opportunity  among  ihem, 
I  departed  in  peace. 

Alter  some  time,  I  came  to  Pickering,  where  in  the  steeple-house  the 
justices  held  their  sessions,  justice  Robinson  being  chairman.  I  had  a 
meeting  in  the  school-house  at  the  same  time ;  and  abundance  of  priests 
and  professors  came  to  it,  asking  questions,  which  were  answered  to 
their  satisfaction.  It  being  sessions-time,  four  chief  constables  and  many- 
other  people  were  convinced  that  day;  and  word  was  carried  to  justice 
Robinson  that  his  priest  was  overthrown  and  convinced ;  whom  he  had 
a  love  to,  more  than  to  all  the  priests  besides.  After  the  meeting,  we 
went  to  an  inn.  Justice  Robinson's  priest  was  very  lowly  and  loving,  and 
would  have  paid  for  my  dinner;  but  I  would  by  no  means  suffer  it. 
Then  he  offered  me  his  steeple-house  to  preach  in ;  but  I  refused  it,  and 
told  him  and  the  people,  that  I  came  to  bring  them  off"  from  such  things 
to  Chiist. 

The  next  morning  I  went  with  the  four  chief  constables  and  some 
others,  to  visit  justice  Robinson,  who  met  me  at  his  chamber-door.  I 
told  him,  I  could  not  honour  him  with  man's  honour.  He  said  he  did  not 
look  for  it.  So  I  went  into  his  chamber,  and  opened  to  him  the  state  of 
the  false  prophets,  and  of  the  true  prophets ;  and  set  the  true  prophets, 
Christ,  and  the  apostles,  over  the  other ;  and  directed  his  mind  to  Christ 
his  teacher.  I  opened  to  him  the  parables,  and  how  election  and  repro- 
bation stood ;  as  that  reprobation  stood  in  the  first  birth,  and  election  in 
the  second  birth.  I  shewed  also  what  the  promise  of  God  was  to,  and 
what  the  judgment  of  God  was  against.  He  confessed  to  it  all,  and  was 
so  opened  with  the  truth,  that  when  another  justice  made  some  little  op- 
position, he  informed  him.  At  our  parting,  he  said.  It  was  very  well  that 
I  did  exercise  that  gift  which  God  had  given  me.  He  took  the  chief 
constables  aside,  and  would  have  given  them  some  money  for  me,  say- 
ing, He  would  not  have  me  be  at  any  charge  in  their  country ;  but  they 
told  him,  they  themselves  could  not  get  me  to  take  any  money ;  and  so 
accepting  his  kindness,  I  refused  his  money. 

From  thence  I  passed  into  the  country,  and  the  priest  that  called  me 
brother  (in  whose  school-house  I  had  the  meeting  at  Pickering)  went 
along  with  me.  When  we  came  into  a  town  to  bait,  the  bells  rang.  I 
asked  wiiat  they  rang  for?  They  said.  For  me  to  preach  in  the  steeple- 
house.  After  some  time  I  felt  drawings  that  way :  and  as  I  walked  to 
the  steeple-house,  I  saw  the  people  gathered  together  in  the  yard.  The 
old  priest  would  have  had  me  gone  into  the  steeple-house.  1  said.  It  was 
no  matter.  But  it  was  something  strange  to  the  people,  that  I  would  not 
go  into  that  which  they  called  the  house  of  God.  I  stood  up  in  the 
steeple-house  yard,  and  declared  to  the  people.  That  I  came  not  to  hold 
up  their  idol-temples,  nor  their  priests,  nor  their  tythes,  nor  their  aug- 
mentations, nor  their  priests'-wages,  nor  their  Jewish  and  heathenish 
ceremonies  and  traditions  (for  I  denied  all  these)  and  told  them,  that 
piece  of  ground  was  no  more  holy  than  another  piece  of  ground.  I 
shewed  them,  that  the  apostles  going  into  the  Jews'  synagogues  and  tem- 
ples, which  God  had  commanded,  was  to  bring  people  off"  from  that  temple 
and  those  synagogues,  and  from  the  offerings,  tythes,  and  covetous  priests 
of  that  time ;  that  such  as  came  to  be  convinced  of  the  truth,  converted 
to  it,  and  believed  in  Jesus  Christ,  whom  the  apostles  preached,  met  to- 
gether in  dwelling-houses ;  and  that  all  who  preach  Christ,  the  Word  of 
life,  ought  to  preach  freely,  as  the  apostles  did,  and  as  he  commanded. 

O 


106  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1661 

So  I  was  sent  of  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  and  earth  to  preach  freely, 
and  to  bring  people  oft"  from  these  outward  temples  made  with  hands, 
which  God  dwelleth  not  in ;  that  they  might  know  their  bodies  to  become 
the  temples  of  God  and  of  Christ ;  and  to  draw  people  off  from  all  their 
superstitious  ceremonies,  Jewish  and  heathenish  customs,  traditions,  and 
doctrines  of  men ;  and  from  all  the  world's  hireling  teachers,  that  take 
tythes  and  great  wages,  preaching  for  hire,  and  divining  for  money, 
whom  God  and  Christ  never  sent,  as  themselves  confess,  when  they  say, 
They  never  heard  God's  nor  Christ's  voice.  I  exhorted  the  people  to 
come  off*  from  all  these  things,  directing  them  to  the  Spirit  and  grace  of 
God  in  themselves,  and  to  the  light  of  Jesus  in  their  own  hearts ;  that 
they  might  come  to  know  Christ,  their  free  teacher,  to  bring  them  salva- 
tion, and  to  open  the  scriptures  to  them.  Thus  the  Lord  gave  me  a  good 
opportunity  to  open  things  largely  unto  them.  All  was  quiet,  and  many 
were  convinced:  blessed  be  the  Lord. 

I  passed  to  another  town,  where  was  another  great  meeting,  the  old 
priest  being  with  me ;  and  there  came  professors  of  several  sorts  to  it. 
I  sate  on  a  hay-stack,  and  spoke  nothing  for  some  hours ;  for  I  was  to 
famish  them  from  words.  The  professors  would  ever  and  anon  be  speak- 
ing to  the  old  priest,  and  asking  him  when  I  would  begin,  and  when  I 
would  speak  ?  He  bade  them  wait ;  and  told  them,  that  the  people  waited 
upon  Christ  a  long  while  before  he  spoke.  At  last  I  was  moved  of  the 
Lord  to  speak ;  and  they  were  struck  by  the  Lord's  power.  The  word 
of  life  reached  to  them,  and  there  was  a  general  convincement  amongst 
them. 

From  hence  I  passed  on,  the  old  priest  being  still  with  me,  and  several 
others.  As  we  went  along,  some  people  called  to  him  and  said,  "  Mr. 
"  Boyes,  we  owe  you  some  money  for  tythes,  pray  come  and  take  it." 
But  he  threw  up  his  hands,  and  said,  "  He  had  enough,  he  would  have 
"  none  of  it ;  they  might  keep  it :"  and,  "  he  praised  the  Lord  he  had 
enough." 

At  length  we  came  to  his  steeple-house  in  the  Moors,  and  he  went  be- 
fore me,  and  held  open  the  pulpit  door ;  but  I  told  him  I  would  not  go 
into  it.  This  steeple-house  was  very  much  painted.  I  told  him  and  the 
people,  the  painted  beast  had  a  painted  house.  I  opened  to  them  the  rise 
of  those  houses;  and  their  superstitious  ways ;  shewing  them,  that  as 
the  end  of  the  apostles  going  into  the  temple  and  synagogues,  which  God 
had  commanded,  was  not  to  hold  them  up,  but  to  bring  them  to  Christ 
the  substance ;  so  the  end  of  my  coming  there  was  not  to  hold  up  these 
temples,  priests,  and  tythes,  which  God  had  never  commanded,  but  to 
bring  them  from  all  these  things  to  Christ  the  substance.  I  shewed  them 
the  true  worship  which  Christ  had  set  up,  and  distinguished  Christ  the 
true  way  from  all  the  false  ways,  opening  the  parables  to  them,  and 
turning  them  from  darkness  to  the  true  light,  that  by  it  they  miglit  see 
themselves,  their  sins,  and  Christ  their  Saviour ;  that  believing  in  him 
they  might  be  saved  from  their  sins. 

After  this  we  went  to  one  Birdet's,  where  I  had  a  great  meeting  ;■  and 
this  old  priest  accompanied  me  still,  leaving  his  steeple-house.  He  had 
been  looked  upon  as  a  famous  priest,  above  common-prayermen,  pres- 
byters, and  independents  too.  Before  he  was  convinced  he  went  some- 
times into  their  steeple-houses,  and  preached ;  for  he  had  been  a  zealous 
man  in  his  way :  and  when  they  complained  of  him  to  justice  Hotham, 
he  bid  them  distrain  his  horse  for  travelling  on  the  Lord's  day,  as  he 


1G51]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  107 

called  it ;  but  Hotham  did  that  to  put  them  off,  for  he  knew  the  priest 
used  no  horse,  but  travelled  on  foot. 

Now  I  came  towards  Crantsick  to  captain  Pursloe's  and  justice  Ho- 
tham's,  who  received  me  kindly,  being  glad  the  Lord's  power  had  so 
appeared,  that  truth  was  spread  and  so  many  had  received  it,  and  that 
justice  Robinson  was  so  civil.  Justice  Hotham  said.  If  God  had  not 
raised  up  ihis  principle  of  light  and  life,  which  I  preached,  the  nation 
had  been  over-run  with  Ranterism,  and  all  the  justices  in  the  nation 
could  not  have  stopped  it  with  all  their  laws ;  because,  said  he,  they 
would  have  said  as  we  said,  and  done  as  we  commanded,  and  yet  have 
kept  their  own  principle  still.  But  this  principle  of  truth  overthrows  their 
principle  in  the  root  and  ground  thereof;  therefore  he  was  glad  the  Lord 
had  raised  up  this  principle  of  life  and  truth. 

From  thence  I  travelled  into  Holderness,  and  came  to  a  justice's  house, 
whose  name  was  Pearson,  where  was  a  very  tender  woman,  that  be- 
lieved in  the  truth,  and  was  so  affected  therewith,  that  she  said,  "  She 
could  have  left  all  and  "  have  followed  me." 

Thence  I  went  to  Oram,  to  George  Hartise's ;  where  many  of  that 
town  were  convinced.  On  the  first-day  I  was  moved  to  go  into  the 
steeple-house,  where  the  priest  had  got  another  to  help  him  :  and  many 
professors  and  contenders  were  got  together.  But  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all ;  the  priests  fled  away,  and  a  great  deal  of  good  service  I 
had  for  the  Lord  amongst  the  people.  Some  of  those  great  professors 
were  convinced,  and  became  honest  faithful  friends ;  being  men  of  ac- 
count in  that  place. 

The  next  day,  friends  and  friendly  people  having  left  me,  I  travelled 
alone,  declaring  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst  people  in  the  towns  where 
I  came,  and  warning  them  to  repent.  I  came  towards  night  into  a  town 
called  Patrington.  As  I  walked  along  the  town,  I  warned  both  priests 
and  people  (for  the  priest  was  in  the  street)  to  repent  and  turn  to  the 
Lord.  It  grew  dark  before  I  came  to  the  end  of  the  town,  and  a  multi- 
tude of  people  gathered  about  me,  to  whom  I  declared  the  word  of  life. 

When  I  had  cleared  myself  I  went  to  an  inn,  and  desired  them  to  let 
me  have  a  lodging ;  but  they  would  not.  I  desired  a  little  meat  or  milk, 
and  I  would  pay  for  it ;  but  they  refused.  So  I  walked  out  of  the  town, 
and  a  company  of  fellows  followed,  and  asked  me.  What  news'?  I  bid 
them  repent,  and  fear  the  Lord.  After  I  was  gone  a  pretty  way,  I  came 
to  another  house,  and  desired  the  people  to  let  me  have  a  Httle  meat, 
drink,  and  lodging  for  my  money ;  but  they  denied  me.  I  went  to  an- 
other house,  and  desired  the  same ;  but  they  refused  me  also.  By  this 
time  it  was  grown  so  dark  that  I  could  not  see  the  highway ;  but  I  dis- 
cerned a  ditch,  and  got  a  little  water  and  refreshed  myself.  Then  I  got 
over  the  ditch  ;  and,  being  weary  with  travelling,  I  sate  down  amongst 
the  furze  bushes  till  it  was  day.  About  break  of  day  I  got  up,  and  passed 
on  the  fields.  A  man  came  after  me  with  a  great  pikestaff,  and  went 
along  with  me  to  a  town ;  and  he  raised  the  town  upon  me,  with  the 
constable  and  chief  constable,  before  the  sun  was  up.  I  declared  God's 
everlasting  truth  amongst  them,  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord, 
that  was  coming  upon  all  sin  and  wickedness ;  and  exhorted  them  to 
repent.  But  they  seized  me,  and  had  me  back  to  Patrington,  about  three 
miles,  guarding  me  with  watch-bills,  pikes,  staves,  and  halberds.  When 
I  was  come  to  Patrington,  all  the  town  was  in  an  uproar,  and  the  priest 
and  constables  were  consulting  together ;   so   I   had  another  oj^ortu- 


108  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1651 

nity  to  declare  the  word  of  life  amongst  them,  and  warn  them  to  repent. 
At  last  a  professor,  a  tender  man,  called  me  hito  his  house,  and  there  I 
took  a  little  milk  and  bread,  having  not  eaten  for  some  days  before.  Then 
they  guarded  me  about  nine  miles  to  a  justice.  When  I  was  come  near 
his  house,  a  man  came  riding  after  us,  and  asked  me,  whether  I  was  the 
man  that  was  apprehended  1  I  asked  him,  wherefore  he  asked '?  He 
said,  for  no  hurt-  I  told  him,  I  was :  so  he  rode  away  to  the  justice  be- 
fore us.  The  men  that  guarded  me  said,  It  was  well  if  the  justice  was 
not  drank  before  we  f»ot  to  him ;  for  he  used  to  ^et  drunk  earlv.  When 
I  was  brought  in  before  him,  because  I  did  not  put  off  my  hat,  and  said 
Thou  to  him,  he  asked  the  man  that  rode  thither  before  me,  whether  I 
was  not  mazed  or  fond?  The  man  told  him,  no;  it  was  my  principle. 
I  warned  him  to  repent,  and  come  to  the  light,  which  Christ  had  enlight- 
ened him  withal ;  that  by  it  he  might  see  all  his  evil  words  and  actions, 
and  turn  to  Christ  Jesus  whilst  he  had  time;  and  that  whilst  he  had  time 
he  should  prize  it.  Ay,  ay,  said  he,  the  light  that  is  spoken  of  in  the 
third  of  John.  I  desired  he  would  mind  it,  and  obey  it.  As  I  admon- 
ished him,  I  laid  my  hand  upon  him,  and  he  was  brought  down  by  the 
power  of  the  Lord  ;  and  all  the  watchmen  stood  amazed.  Then  he  took 
me  into  a  little  parlour  with  the  other  man,  and  desired  to  see  what  I 
had  in  my  pockets  of  letters  or  intelligence.  I  plucked  out  my  linen, 
and  shewed  him  I  had  no  letters.  He  said,  he  is  not  a  vagrant  by  his 
linen :  then  he  set  me  at  liberty.  I  went  back  to  Patrington,  with  the 
man  that  had  rode  before  me  to  the  justice :  for  he  lived  at  Patrington. 
When  I  came  there,  he  would  have  had  me  had  a  meeting  at  the  Cross ; 
but  I  said,  it  was  no  matter,  his  house  would  serve.  He  desired  me  to 
go  to  bed,  or  lie  down  upon  a  bed  ;  which  he  did,  that  they  might  say 
they  had  seen  me  in  or  upon  a  bed,  for  they  had  got  a  report  that  I 
would  not  lie  on  any  bed,  because  I  laid  many  times  without  doors. 
When  first-day  was  come  I  went  to  the  steeple-house,  and  declared  the 
truth  to  the  priest  and  people ;  and  the  people  did  not  molest  me,  for  the 
power  of  God  was  come  over  them.  Presently  after  I  had  a  great 
meeting  at  the  man's  house  where  I  lay,  and  many  were  convinced  of 
tlie  Lord's  everlasting  truth,  who  stand  faithful  witnesses  of  it  to  this 
day ;  and  they  were  exceedingly  grieved  that  they  did  not  receive  me, 
nor  give  me  lodging,  when  I  was  there  before. 

From  hence  I  travelled  through  the  country  to  the  furthest  part  there- 
of, warning  people  in  towns  and  villages  to  repent,  and  directing  them 
to  Christ  Jesus,  their  teacher. 

On  first-day  I  came  to  colonel  Overton's,  and  had  a  great  meeting  of 
the  prime  of  the  people  of  that  country,  where  many  things  were  opened 
out  of  the  scriptures,  which  they  had  never  heard  before.  Many  were 
convinced,  and  received  the  word  of  hfe,  and  were  settled  in  the  truth 
of  God. 

I  returned  to  Patrington  again,  and  visited  those  friends  that  were 
convinced  there  ;  by  whom  I  understood,  that  a  taylor  and  some  wild 
blades  in  that  town  had  occasioned  my  being  carried  before  the  justice. 
.  The  taylor  came  to  ask  me  forgiveness,  fearing  I  would  complain  of 
him.  The  constables  also  were  afraid,  lest  I  should  trouble  them.  But 
I  forgave  them  all,  and  warned  them  to  turn  to  the  Lord,  and  to  amend 
their  lives.  That  which  made  them  the  more  afraid  was  this :  when  I 
was  in  the  steeple-house  at  Oram  not  long  before,  a  professor  gave  me 
a  push  on  the  breast  in  the  steeple-house,  and  bid  me  get  out  of  the 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  109 

church.  Alas !  poor  man !  said  I,  dost  thou  call  the  steeple-house  the 
church  ?  The  church  is  the  people  whom  God  hath  purchased  with  his 
blood,  and  not  the  house.  It  happened  that  justice  Hotham  came  to  hear 
of  this  man's  abuse,  sent  his  warrant  for  him,  and  bound  him  over  to  the 
sessions ;  so  affected  was  he  with  the  truth,  and  so  zealous  to  keep  the 
peace :  and  indeed  this  justice  had  asked  me  before,  whether  any  had 
meddled  with  me  or  abused  me  1  But  I  was  not  to  tell  him  any  thing 
of  that  kind ;  but  was  to  forgive  all. 

From  Patrington  I  went  to  several  great  men's  houses,  warning  them 
to  repent.  Some  received  me  lovingly,  and  some  slighted  me.  At  night 
I  came  to  another  town,  where  I  desired  lodging  and  meat,  and  I  would 
pay  for  it ;  but  they  would  not  lodge  me,  except  I  would  go  to  the  con- 
stable, which  was  the  custom  (they  said)  of  all  lodgers  at  inns,  if  stran- 
gers. I  told  them,  I  would  not  go ;  for  that  custom  was  for  suspicious 
persons,  I  was  an  innocent  man.  After  1  had  warned  them  to  repent, 
declared  to  them  the  day  of  their  visitation,  and  directed  them  to  the 
light  of  Christ  and  the  spirit  of  God,  that  they  might  come  to  know  sal- 
vation, I  passed  away ;  and  the  people  were  somewhat  tendered  and 
troubled  afterwards.  When  it  grew  dark,  I  spied  a  hay-stack,  and  went 
and  sate  under  it  till  morning. 

The  next  day  I  passed  into  Hull,  admonishing  and  warning  people, 
as  I  went,  to  turn  to  Christ  Jesus,  that  they  might  receive  salvation. 
That  night  I  got  a  lodging ;  but  was  very  sore  with  travelling  on  foot  so 
far. 

Afterwards  I  came  to  Balby,  visited  friends  up  and  down  in  those 
parts,  and  then  passed  into  the  edge  of  Nottinghamshire,  visiting  friends 
there :  and  so  into  Lincolnshire,  and  visited  friends  there.  On  first-day 
I  went  to  a  steeple-house  on  this  side  of  Trent,  and  in  the  afternoon  to 
another  on  the  other  side  of  Trent,  declaring  the  word  of  life  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  directing  them  to  their  teacher  Christ  Jesus,  who  died  for  them, 
that  they  might  hear  him  and  receive  salvation  by  him.  Then  I  went 
further  into  the  country,  and  had  several  meetings.  To  one  meeting 
came  a  great  man,  a  priest,  and  many  professors ;  but  the  Lord's  power 
came  over  them  all,  and  they  went  their  way  peaceably.  There  came 
a  man  to  that  meeting,  who  had  been  at  one  before,  and  raised  a  false 
accusation  against  me,  and  made  a  noise  up  and  down  the  country,  re- 
porting, that  I  said  I  was  Christ ;  which  was  utterly  false.  When  I  came 
to  Gainsborough,  where  a  friend  had  been  declaring  truth  in  the  market, 
the  town  and  market-people  were  all  in  an  uproar.  I  went  into  a  friend- 
ly man's  house,  and  the  people  rushed  in  after  me ;  so  that  the  house 
was  filled  with  professors,  disputers,  and  rude  people.  This  false  accuser 
came  in,  and  charged  me  openly  before  the  people,  "  That  I  said  I  was 
"  Christ,  and  he  had  got  witnesses  to  prove  it."  Which  put  the  people 
into  such  a  rage,  that  they  had  much  to  do  to  keep  their  hands  off  me. 
I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  stand  up  upon  the  table,  in  the  eternal  power 
of  God,  and  tell  the  people,  "  That  Christ  was  in  them,  except  they 
"  were  reprobates ;  and  that  it  was  Christ,  the  eternal  power  of  God, 
"  that  spoke  in  me  at  that  time  unto  them ;  not  that  I  was  Christ." 
And  the  people  were  greatly  satisfied,  except  himself,  a  professor,  and 
his  own  false  witnesses.  I  called  the  accuser  Judas,  and  was  moved  to 
tell  him  that  Judas's  end  should  be  his ;  that  was  the  word  of  the  Lord 
and  of  Christ  through  me  to  him.  The  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and 
quieted  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  they  departed  in  peace.     But  this 


110  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1G52 

Judas  shortly  after  hanged  himself,  and  a  stake  was  driven  into  his  grave. 
Afterwards  the  wicked  priests  raised  a  scandal  upon  us,  and  reported 
that  a  Quaker  had  hanged  himself  in  Lincolnshire,  and  had  a  stake 
driven  through  him.  This  falsehood  they  printed  to  the  nation,  adding 
sin  to  sin ;  which  the  truth  and  we  were  clear  of:  for  he  was  no  more 
a  Quaker  than  the  priest  that  printed  it,  but  one  of  their  own  people. 
Notwithstanding  this  wicked  slander  by  which  the  adversary  designed 
to  defame  us,  and  turn  people's  minds  against  the  truth  we  held  forth, 
many  in  Lincolnshire  received  the  gospel,  being  convinced  of  the 
Lord's  everlasting  truth,  and  sate  down  therein  under  his  heavenly 
teaching. 

I  passed  in  the  Lord's  power  into  Yorkshire,  came  to  Warnsworth, 
and  went  to  the  steeple-house  in  the  forenoon :  but  they  shut  the  door 
against  me :  but  after  awhile  they  let  in  Thomas  Aldam,  and  then  shut 
it  again ;  and  the  priest  fell  upon  him,  asking  him  questions.  At  last  they 
opened  the  door,  and  I  went  in.  As  soon  as  I  was  come  in  the  priest's 
sight  he  left  preaching,  though  I  said  nothing  to  him ;  and  asked  me, 
"  What  have  you  to  say  1 "  and  presently  cried  out,  "  Come,  come,  I 
"  will  prove  them  false  prophets  in  Matthew."  But  he  was  so  confound- 
ed, he  could  not  find  the  chapter.  Then  he  fell  on  me,  asking  me 
many  questions ;  and  I  stood  still  all  this  while,  not  saying  any  thing 
amongst  them.  At  last  I  said,  "  Seeing  here  are  so  many  questions 
"  asked,  I  may  answer  them."  But  as  soon  as  I  began  to  speak,  the 
people  violently  rushed  upon  me,  thrust  me  out  of  the  steeple-house 
again,  and  locked  the  door  against  me.  As  soon  as  they  had  done  their 
service,  and  were  come  forth,  the  people  ran  upon  me,  knocked  me 
sorely  with  their  staves,  threw  clods  and  stones  at  me,  and  abused  me 
much :  the  priest  also,  being  in  a  great  rage,  laid  violent  hands  on  me 
himself.  I  warned  them  and  him  of  the  terrible  day  of  the  Lord,  and 
exhorted  them  to  repent  and  turn  to  Christ.  Being  filled  with  the  Lord's 
refreshing  power,  I  was  not  sensible  of  much  hurt  I  had  received  by 
their  blows.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  another  steeple-house,  but  the 
priest  had  done  before  I  got  thither:  so  I  preached  repentance  to  the 
people  that  were  left,  and  directed  them  to  their  inward  teacher,  Jesus 
Christ. 

From  hence  I  went  to  Balby,  and  Doncaster,  where  I  had  formerly 
preached  repentance  on  the  market-day ;  which  had  made  a  noise  and 
alarm  in  the  country.  On  first-day  I  went  to  the  steeple-house,  and  af- 
ter the  priest  had  done,  I  spoke  to  him  and  the  people  what  the  Lord 
commanded  me ;  and  they  were  in  a  great  rage,  hurried  me  out,  threw 
me  down,  and  haled  me  before  the  magistrates.  A  long  examination 
they  made  of  me,  and  much  work  I  had  with  them.  They  threatened 
my  life,  if  ever  I  came  there  again ;  and  that  they  would  leave  me  to 
the  mercy  of  the  people.  Nevertheless  I  declared  truth  amongst  them, 
and  directed  them  to  the  light  of  Christ  in  them ;  testifying  unto  them, 
"  That  God  was  come  to  teach  his  people  himself,  whether  they  would 
"  hear  or  forbear."  After  awhile  they  put  us  out  (for  some  friends 
were  with  me)  among  the  rude  multitude,  and  they  stoned  us  down  the 
streets.  An  innkeeper,  a  bailiflf,  came  and  took  us  into  his  house ;  and 
they  broke  his  head,  so  that  the  blood  ran  down  his  face,  with  the  stones 
that  they  threw  at  us.  We  staid  awhile  in  his  house,  and  shewed  the 
more  sober  people  the  priest's  fruits.     Then  we  went  away  to  Balby 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  lli 

about  a  mile  off.  Tlie  rude  people  laid  wait  for  us,  and  stoned  us  down 
the  lane ;  but,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  we  did  not  receive  much  hurt. 

The  next  first-day  I  went  to  Tickhill,  whither  the  friends  of  that  side 
gathered  together,  and  a  mighty  brokenness  by  the  power  of  God  there 
was  amongst  the  people.  I  went  out  of  the  meeting,  being  moved  of 
God  to  go  to  the  steeple-house.  When  I  came  there,  I  found  the 
priest  and  most  of  the  chief  of  the  parish  together  in  the  chancel.  I 
went  up  to  them,  and  began  to  speak ;  but  they  immediately  fell  upon 
me ;  the  clerk  up  with  his  bible,  as  I  was  speaking,  and  "  struck  me  on 
"  the  face  with  it,  so  that  my  face  gushed  out  with  blood ;  and  I  bled 
"  exceedingly  in  the  steeple-house."  The  people  cried,  "  Let  us  have 
"  him  out  of  the  church."  When  they  had  got  me  out,  they  beat  me 
exceedingly,  threw  me  down,  and  turned  me  over  a  hedge.  They 
afterwards  dragged  me  through  a  house  into  the  street,  stoning  and 
beating  me  as  they  dragged  me  along ;  so  that  I  was  all  over  besmeared 
with  blood  and  dirt.  They  got  my  hat  from  me,  which  I  never  had 
again.  Yet  when  I  was  got  upon  my  legs,  I  declared  the  word  of  life, 
shewed  them  the  fruits  of  their  teacher,  and  how  they  dishonoured  Chris- 
tianity. After  awhile  I  got  into  the  meeting  again  amongst  friends,  and 
the  priest  and  people  coming  by  the  house,  I  went  with  friends  into  the 
yard,  and  there  spoke  to  the  priest  and  people.  The  priest  scoffed  at  us, 
and  called  us  Quakers.  But  the  Lord's  power  was  so  over  them,  and 
the  word  of  life  was  declared  in  such  authority  and  dread  to  them,  that 
the  priest  fell  a  trembling  himself;  and  one  of  the  people  said,  "  Look 
"  how  the  priest  trembles  and  shakes,  he  is  turned  a  Quaker  also." 
When  the  meeting  was  over,  friends  departed  ;  and  I  went  without  my 
hat  to  Balby  about  seven  or  eight  miles.  Friends  were  much  abused 
that  day  by  the  priest  and  his  people :  insomuch  that  some  moderate 
justices  hearing  of  it,  two  or  three  of  them  came  and  sate  at  the  town 
to  examine  the  business.  He  that  had  shed  my  blood  was  afraid  of 
having  his  hand  cut  off,  for  striking  me  in  the  church,  as  they  called  it ; 
but  I  forgave  him,  and  would  not  appear  against  him. 

In  the  beginning  of  this  year  1652,  great  rage  got  up  in  priests  and 
people,  and  in  some  of  the  magistrates,  in  the  west  riding  of  Yorkshire, 
against  the  truth  and  friends,  insomuch,  that  the  priest  of  Warnsworth 
procured  a  warrant  from  the  justices  against  me  and  Thomas  Aldam, 
to  be  executed  in  any  part  of  the  west  riding  of  Yorkshire.  At  the 
same  time  I  had  a  vision  of  a  bear  and  two  great  mastiff  dogs ;  that  I 
should  pass  by  them,  and  they  should  do  me  no  hurt :  and  it  proved  so. 
For  the  constable  took  Thomas  Aldam,  and  carried  him  to  York.  I 
went  with  Thomas  twenty  miles  towards  York,  and  the  constable  had  a 
warrant  for  me  also,  and  said,  "  He  saw  me,  but  he  was  loth  to  trouble 
"  strangers ;"  but  Thomas  Aldam  was  his  neighbour.  So  the  Lord's 
power  restrained  him,  that  he  had  not  power  to  meddle  with  me.  We 
went  to  lieutenant  Roper's,  where  we  had  a  great  meeting  of  many 
considerable  men.  The  truth  was  powerfully  declared  amongst  them, 
the  scriptures  wonderfully  opened,  the  parables  and  sayings  of  Christ 
expounded,  the  state  of  the  church  in  the  apostles'  days  plainly  set  forth, 
and  the  apostacy  since  from  that  state  discovered.  The  truth  had  great 
dominion  that  day :  so  that  those  great  men  present  did  generally  con- 
fess to  it,  saying,  "  They  believed  this  principle  must  go  over  the  whole 
"  world."  There  were  at  this  meeting  James  Nayler,  Thomas  Good- 
year, and  William  Dewsbury,  who  had  been  convinced  the  year  before, 


112  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

and' Richard  Farnsworth  also.  The  constable  staid  with  Thomas  Aldam 
till  the  meeting  was  over,  and  then  went  towards  York  prison ;  but  did 
not  meddle  with  me. 

From  hence  I  went  to  Wakefield,  and  the  first-day  after  to  a 
steeple-house,  where  James  Nayler  had  been  a  member  of  an  independ- 
ent church ;  but,  upon  his  receiving  truth,  he  was  excommunicated. 
When  I  came  in,  and  the  priest  had  done,  the  people  called  me  to  come 
to  the  priest ;  which  I  did :  but  when  I  began  to  declare  the  word  of 
life  to  them,  and  to  lay  open  the  deceit  of  the  priest,  they  rushed  upon 
me  on  a  sudden,  thrust  me  out  at  the  other  door,  punching  and  beating 
me,  and  cried,  "  Let  us  have  him  to  the  stocks."  But  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  them,  and  so  restrained  them,  that  they  were  not  able  to  put 
me  in.  So  I  passed  away  to  the  meeting,  where  were  a  great  many 
professors  and  friendly  people  gathered,  and  a  great  convincement  there 
was ;  for  the  people  were  mightily  satisfied,  that  they  were  directed  to 
the  Lord's  teaching  in  themselves.  Here  we  got  lodging ;  for  four  of 
us  had  lain  abroad  under  a  hedge  the  night  before,  there  being  then  few 
friends  in  that  place. 

The  same  day  Richard  Farnsworth  went  to  another  great  steeple- 
house  belonging  to  a  high  priest,  and  declared  the  word  of  truth  unto 
the  people ;  and  great  service  he  had  amongst  them :  for  the  Lord's 
dread  and  power  was  mightily  over  all. 

The  priest  of  that  church,  which  James  Nayler  had  been  a  member 
of,  whose  name  was  Marshal,  raised  many  wicked  slanders  upon  me,  as, 
"  That  I  carried  bottles  about  with  me,  and  made  people  drink  of  my 
"  bottles,  which  made  them  follow  me."  And,  "That  I  rid  upon  a  great 
"  black  horse,  and  was  seen  in  one  country  upon  my  black  horse  in  one 
"  hour,  and  in  the  same  hour  in  another  country  threescore  miles  ofl';" 
and,  "  That  I  should  give  a  fellow  money  to  follow  me  when  I  was  on 
"  my  black  horse."  With  these  hellish  lies  he  fed  his  people,  to  make 
them  think  evil  of  the  truth  which  I  had  declared  amongst  them.  But 
by  these  lies  he  preached  many  of  his  hearers  away  from  him ;  for  I 
travelled  on  foot,  and  had  no  horse  at  that  time ;  and  that  the  people 
generally  knew.  The  Lord  soon  after  met  with  this  envious  priest,  and 
cut  him  ofi'  in  his  wickedness. 

After  this  I  came  to  High-Town  where  dwelt  a  woman  who  had  been 
convinced  a  little  before.  We  went  to  her  house,  and  had  a  meeting. 
The  town's  people  gathered  together ;  we  declared  the  truth  to  them, 
had  some  service  for  the  Lord  amongst  them ;  and  they  passed  away 
again  peaceably.  But  there  was  a  widow  woman  in  the  town,  whose 
name  was  Green,  who,  being  filled  with  envy,  went  to  one  called  a  gen- 
tleman in  the  town,  who  was  reported  to  have  killed  two  men  and  one 
woman,  and  informed  him  against  us,  though  he  was  no  officer.  The 
next  morning  we  drew  up  some  queries,  to  be  sent  to  the  priest.  When 
we  had  done,  and  were  just  going  away,  some  of  the  friendly  people  of 
the  town  came  running,  and  told  us.  That  this  murdering  man  had 
sharpened  a  pike  to  stab  us,  and  was  coming  with  his  sword  by  his  side. 
Being  just  passing  away,  we  missed  him.  But  he  came  to  the  house 
where  we  had  been;  and  the  people  generally  concluded,  if  we  had 
not  been  gone,  he  would  have  murdered  some  of  us.  That  night  we 
lay  in  a  wood,  and  were  very  wet,  for  it  rained  exceedingly.  In  the 
morning  I  was  moved  to  return  to  that  town,  when  we  had  a  full  rela- 
tion of  this  wicked  man. 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  113 

From  hence  we  passed  to  an  house  at  Bradford,  where  we  met  with 
Richard  Farnsworth,  from  whom  we  had  parted  a  Httle  before.  When 
we  came  in  they  set  meat  before  us ;  but  as  I  was  going  to  eat,  the  word 
of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying,  "  Eat  not  the  bread  of  such  as  have  an 
*'  evil  eye."  Immediately  I  arose  from  the  table,  and  ate  nothing.  After 
I  had  exhorted  the  family  to  turn  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  hearken 
to  his  teachings  in  their  own  hearts,  we  departed  thence. 

As  we  travelled  through  the  country,  preaching  repentance  to  the 
people,  we  came  into  a  market-town,  where  a  lecture  was  held  that  day. 
I  went  into  the  steeple-house,  where  many  priests,  professors  and  people 
were.  The  priest  that  preached,  took  for  his  text  those  words  of  Jere- 
miah, chap.  5.  ver.  31.  "  My  people  love  to  have  it  so :"  leaving  out  the 
foregoing  words,  viz.  "  The  prophets  prophesy  falsely,  and  the  priests 
"bear  rule  by  their  means."  I  shewed  the  people  his  deceit;  and 
directed  them  to  Christ,  the  true  teacher  within ;  declaring,  that  God 
was  come  to  teach  his  people  himself,  and  to  bring  them  off  from  all  the 
world's  teachers  and  hirelings ;  that  they  might  come  to  receive  freely 
from  him.  Then  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming 
upon  all  flesh,  I  passed  from  thence  without  much  opposition. 

At  night  we  came  to  a  country  place,  where  there  was  no  publick 
house  near.  The  people  desired  us  to  stay  all  night ;  which  we  did,  and 
had  good  service  for  the  Lord,  declaring  his  truth  amongst  them. 

The  Lord  had  said  unto  me,  "  If  but  one  man  or  woman  were  raised 
*'  by  his  power,  to  stand  and  live  in  the  same  Spirit  that  the  prophets  and 
*'  apostles  were  in  who  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  that  man  or  woman 
"  should  shake  all  the  country  in  their  profession  for  ten  miles  round." 
For  people  had  the  scriptures,  but  were  not  in  the  same  light,  power, 
and  iSpirit,  which  those  were  in  who  gave  forth  the  scriptures ;  so  they 
neither  knew  God,  Christ,  nor  the  scriptures  aright ;  nor  had  they  unity 
one  with  another,  being  out  of  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God.  Therefore 
we  warned  all,  where-ever  we  met  them,  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that 
was  coming  upon  them. 

As  we  travelled,  we  came  near  a  very  great  high  hill,  called  Pendle- 
hill,  and  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  up  to  the  top  of  it ;  which  I  did 
wuth  much  ado,  it  was  so  very  steep  and  high.  When  I  was  come  to 
the  top,  I  saw  the  sea  bordering  upon  Lancashire.  From  the  top  of  this 
hill  the  Lord  let  me  see  in  what  places  he  had  a  great  people  to  be 
gathered.  As  I  went  down,  I  found  a  spring  of  water  in  the  side  of  the 
hill,  with  which  I  refreshed  myself;  having  eaten  or  drunk  but  little 
several  days  before. 

At  night  we  came  to  an  inn,  and  declared  truth  to  the  man  of  the 
house,  and  wrote  a  paper  to  the  priests  and  professors,  declaring  '  the 
'  day  of  the  Lord,  and  that  Christ  was  come  to  teach  people  himself,  by 
'  his  power  and  Spirit  in  their  hearts,  and  to  bring  people  ofi'  from  all  the 
•  world's  ways  and  teachers,  to  his  own  free  teaching  who  had  bought 
'  them,  and  was  the  Saviour  of  all  them  that  believed  in  him.'  The  man 
of  the  house  spread  the  paper  abroad,  and  was  himself  mightily  affected 
with  the  truth.  Here  the  Lord  opened  unto  me,  and  let  me  see  a  great 
people  in  white  raiment  by  a  river-side,  coming  to  the  Lord.  The  place 
that  I  saw  them  in  was  about  Wentzerdale  and  Sedbergh. 

The  next  day  we  travelled  on,  and  at  night  got  a  little  fern  to  put  un- 
der us,  and  lay  upon  a  common.  Next  morning  we  reached  a  town, 
where  Richard  Farnsworth  parted  from  me ;  and  then  I  travelled  alone 

P 


114  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

again.  I  came  up  Wentzerdale,  and  at  the  market-town  in  that  dale 
there  was  a  lecture  on  the  market-day.  I  went  into  the  steeple-house  ; 
and,  after  the  priest  iiad  done,  'proclaimed  the  day  of  the  Lord  to  the 

*  priest  and  people ;  warning  them  to  turn  from  the  darkness  to  the  light, 
'  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  might  come  to  know 

•  God  and  Christ  aright,  and  to  receive  his  teaching,  who  teacheth  freely.' 
Largely  and  freely  did  I  declare  the  word  of  life  unto  them,  and  had  not 
much  persecution  there.  Afterwards  I  passed  up  the  dales,  warning 
people  to  fear  God  ;  and  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel.  In  my  way 
I  came  to  a  great  house,  where  was  a  schoolmaster ;  and  they  got  me 
into  the  house.  I  asked  them  questions  about  their  religion  and  worship; 
and  afterwards  declared  the  truth  to  them.  They  had  me  into  a  parlour, 
and  locked  me  in,  pretending  I  was  mad,  and  had  got  away  from  my 
relations ;  and  they  would  keep  me  till  they  could  send  to  them.  But  I 
soon  convinced  them  of  their  mistake ;  and  they  let  me  forth,  and  would 
have  had  me  to  stay,  but  I  was  not  to  stay  there.  Having  exhorted 
them  to  repentance,  and  directed  them  to  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  that 
Ihro'  it  they  might  come  unto  him,  and  be  saved,  I  passed  from  them, 
and  came  in  the  night  to  a  little  alehouse  on  a  common,  where  a  com- 
pany of  rude  fellows  were  drinking.  Because  I  would  not  drink  with 
them,  they  struck  me  with  their  clubs.  But  I  reproved  them,  and  brought 
them  to  be  somewhat  cooler ;  and  then  walked  out  of  the  house  upon 
the  common  in  the  night.  After  some  time  one  of  these  drunken  fellows 
came  out,  and  would  have  come  close  up  to  me,  pretending  to  whisper 
to  me ;  but  perceiving  he  had  a  knife,  I  kept  oft'  him,  and  bid  him  repent, 
and  fear  God.  So  the  Lord  by  his  power  preserved  me  from  this  wicked 
man ;  and  he  went  into  the  house  again.  Next  morning  I  went  through 
other  dales,  warning  and  exhorting  people  every  where,  as  I  passed,  to 
repent  and  turn  to  the  Lord;  and  several  were  convinced.  At  one 
house,  the  man  of  the  house  whom  I  afterwards  found  to  be  a  kinsman 
of  John  Blakelin's,  would  have  given  me  money,  but  I  would  not  re- 
ceive it. 

As  I  travelled  through  the  dales,  I  came  to  another  man's  house, 
"Vvhose  name  was  Tennant.  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  the  family,  and 
declare  God's  everlasting  truth  to  them ;  and  as  I  was  turning  away  from 
them,  I  was  moved  to  turn  again,  and  speak  to  the  man  himself;  who 
was  convinced,  with  his  family,  and  hved  and  died  in  the  truth.  Thence 
I  came  to  major  Bousfield's,  who  received  me,  as  did  several  others. 
Some  that  were  then  convinced  have  stood  faithful  ever  since.  I  went 
also  through  Grysedale,  and  several  other  of  those  dales ;  in  which  some 
were  convinced.  In  Dent  many  were  convinced  also.  From  major 
Bousfield's  I  came  to  Richard  Robinson's,  and  declared  the  everlasting 
truth  to  him. 

The  next  day  I  went  to  a  meeting  at  justice  Benson's,  where  met  a 
people  that  were  separated  from  the  publick  worship.  This  was  the 
place  that  I  had  seen,  where  a  people  came  forth  in  white  raiment.  A 
large  meeting  it  was;  the  people  were  generally  convinced,  and  continue 
a  large  meeting  still  of  friends  near  Sedbergh ;  which  was  then  first 
gathered  through  my  ministry  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 

The  same  week  there  was  a  great  fair,  at  which  servants  used  to  be 
hired.  I  went  and  declared  the  day  of  the  Lord  through  the  fair.  After 
I  had  done  so,  I  went  into  the  steeple-house  yard ;  and  many  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  fair  came  to  me,  with  abundance  of  priests  and  professors. 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  115 

'  There  I  declared  the  everlasting  truth  of  the  Lord,  and  the  word  of 
'  life  for  several  hours ;  shewing,  that  the  Lord  was  come  to  teach  his 
'  people  himself,  and  to  bring  them  off  from  all  the  world's  ways  and 
'  teachers  to  Christ  the  true  teacher,  and  the  true  way  to  God.  I  laid 
'  open  their  teachers,  shewing,  that  they  were  like  those  that  were  of  old 
'  condemned  by  the  prophets,  by  Christ,  and  by  the  apostles.   I  exhorted 

•  the  people  to  come  off  from  the  temples  made  with  hands ;  and  wait  to 
'  receive  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  that  they  might  know  themselves  to  be 

*  the  temples  of  God.'  Not  one  of  the  priests  had  power  to  open  his 
mouth  against  what  I  declared.  At  last  a  captain  said,  '  Why  will  you 
'  not  go  into  the  Church?  This  is  not  a  fit  place  to  preach  in.'  I  told 
him,  I  denied  their  church.  Then  stood  up  Francis  Howgill,  who  was 
preacher  to  a  congregation.  He  had  not  seen  me  before ;  yet  he  under- 
took to  answer  that  captain ;  and  soon  put  him  to  silence.  Then  said 
Francis  Howgill  of  me, '  This  man  speaks  with  authority,  and  not  as  the 
'  scribes.'  After  this,  I  opened  to  the  people,  that  that  ground  and  house 
was  no  holier  than  another  place ;  and  that  the  house  is  not  the  church, 
but  the  people,  whom  Christ  is  the  head  of.  After  awhile  the  priests  came 
up  to  me,  and  I  warned  them  to  repent.  One  of  them  said,  I  was  mad ; 
so  they  turned  away.  But  many  were  convinced  there  that  day,  who 
were  glad  to  hear  the  truth  declared,  and  received  it  with  joy.  Amongst 
these  was  captain  Ward,  who  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  and 
hved  and  died  in  it. 

The  next  first-day  I  came  to  Firbank  Chapel  in  Westmoreland,  where 
Francis  Howgill  and  John  Audland  had  been  preaching  in  the  morning. 
The  chapel  was  full  of  people,  so  that  many  could  not  get  in.  Francis 
said.  He  thought  I  looked  into  the  chapel,  and  his  spirit  was  ready  to 
fail,  the  Lord's  power  did  so  surprise  him  :  but  I  did  not  look  in.  They 
made  haste,  and  had  quickly  done,  and  they  and  some  of  the  people 
went  to  dinner ;  but  abundance  staid  till  they  came  again.  John  Blakelin 
and  others  came  to  me,  and  desired  me  not  to  reprove  them  publickly ; 
for  they  were  not  parish-teachers,  but  pretty  tender  men.  I  could  not 
tell  them  whether  I  should  or  no,  though  I  had  not  at  that  time  any  draw- 
ings to  declare  pubHckly  against  them ;  but  I  said.  They  must  leave  me 
to  the  Lord's  movings.  While  others  were  gone  to  dinner,  I  went  to  a 
brook,  got  a  little  water,  and  then  came  and  sat  down  on  the  top  of  a 
rock  hard  by  the  chapel.  In  the  afternoon  the  people  gathered  about  me^ 
with  several  of  their  preachers.  It  was  judged  there  were  above  a 
thousand  people ;  to  whom  I  declared  God's  everlasting  truth  and  word 
of  life  freely  and  largely  for  about  the  space  of  three  hours ;  directing 
all  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves ;  that  they  might  be  turned  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  believe  in  it,  that  they  might  become  the  children 
of  it,  and  might  be  turned  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God ;  and  by 
the  Spirit  of  truth  might  be  led  into  all  truth,  and  sensibly  understand  the 
words  of  the  prophets,  of  Christ,  and  of  the  apostles;  and  might  all 
come  to  know  Christ  to  be  their  teacher  to  instruct  them,  their  coun- 
sellor to  direct  them,  their  shepherd  to  feed  them,  their  bishop  to  oversee 
them,  and  their  prophet  to  open  divine  mysteries  to  them ;  and  might 
know  their  bodies  to  be  prepared,  sanctified,  and  made  fit  temples  for 
God  and  Christ  to  dwell  in.  In  the  openings  of  heavenly  hfe,  I  explained 
unto  them  the  prophets,  and  the  figures  and  shadows,  and  directed  them 
to  Christ,  the  substance.  Then  I  opened  the  parables  and  sayings  of 
Christ,  and  things  that  had  been  long  hid  ;  shewing  the  intent  and  scope 


116  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

of  the  apostles'  writings,  and  that  their  epistles  were  written  to  the  elect. 
When  I  had  opened  that  state,  I  shewed  also  the  state  of  the  apostacy 
since  the  apostles'  days ;  that  the  priests  have  got  the  scriptures,  but  are 
not  in  thtf  Spirit  which  gave  them  forth ;  and  have  put  them  into  chapter 
and  verse,  to  make  a  trade  of  the  holy  men's  words ;  that  the  teachers 
and  priests  now  are  found  in  the  steps  of  the  false  prophets,  chief  priests, 
scribes  and  pharisees  of  old,  and  are  such  as  the  true  prophets,  Christ 
and  his  apostles,  cried  against,  and  so  are  judged  and  condemned  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  true  prophets,  of  Christ,  and  of  his  apostles ;  and  that  none 
in  that  Spii'it  could  own  them.  Many  old  people  went  into  the  chapel, 
and  looked  out  at  the  w^indows ;  thinking  it  a  strange  thing  to  -see  a  man 
preach  on  an  hill  or  mountain,  and  not  in  their  church,  as  they  called  it ; 
whereupon  I  was  moved  to  inform  the  people,  '  That  the  steeple-house, 
'  and  the  ground  whereon  it  stood,  were  no  more  holy  than  that  moun- 
'  tain  ;  and  that  those  temples,  which  they  called  the  dreadful  houses  of 
'  God,  were  not  set  up  by  the  command  of  God  and  of  Christ ;  nor  their 
'  priests  called,  as  Aaron's  priesthood  was ;  nor  their  tythes  appointed 
'  by  God,  as  those  amongst  the  Jews  were  ;  but  that  Christ  was  come, 
'  who  ended  both  the  temple  and  its  worship,  and  the  priests  and  their 
'  tythes ;  and  all  now  should  hearken  to  him  :  for  he  said,  "  Learn  of 
"  me :"  and  God  said  of  him,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  w  horn  I  am 
"  well  pleased  ;  hear  ye  him."     I  declared  that  the  Lord  God  had  sent 

*  me  to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  and  word  of  life  amongst  them  ; 

*  and  to  bring  them  off  from  all  these  temples,  tythes,  priests,  and  rudi- 

*  ments  of  the  world,  which  had  got  up  since  the  apostles'  days,  and  had 
'  been  set  up  by  such  as  had  erred  from  the  Spirit  and  power  that  the 
'  apostles  were  in.'  Very  largely  was  I  opened  at  this  meeting ;  the 
Lord's  convincing  power  accompanied  my  ministry,  and  reached  home 
to  the  hearts  of  the  people  ;  whereby  many  were  convinced,  and  all  the 
teachers  of  that  congregation  (who  were  many)  were  convinced  of 
God's  everlasting  truth. 

After  the  meeting,  I  went  to  John  Audland's,  and  from  thence  to  Pres- 
ton Patrick  Chapel,  where  a  great  meeting  was  appointed ;  to  which  I 
went,  and  had  a  large  opportunity  to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel ;  ac- 
quainting the  people  that  the  end  of  my  coming  into  that  place  was  not 
to  hold  it  up ;  no  more  than  the  apostles  going  into  the  Jewish  syna- 
gogues and  temple  was  to  uphold  those ;  but  to  bring  them  off  from  all 
such  things  (as  the  apostles  brought  the  saints  of  old  from  off  the  Jewish 
temple  and  Aaron's  priesthood)  that  they  might  come  to  witness  their 
bodies  to  be  the  temples  of  God,  and  Christ  in  them  to  be  their  teacher. 

From  this  place  I  went  to  Kendal,  where  a  meeting  w^as  appointed  in 
the  town-hall,  in  which  I  declared  the  word  of  life  amongst  the  people, 
shewing  them,  '  How  they  might  come  to  the   saving  knowledge  of 

*  Christ,  and  to  have  a  right  understanding  of  the  holy  scriptures;  open- 
'  ing  to  them  Vv'hat  it  "was  that  would  lead  them  into  the  way  of  reconci- 
'  liation  with  God ;  and  what  would  be  their  condemnation.'  After  the 
meeting  I  staid  awhile  in  the  town ;  several  were  convinced  there,  and 
many  appeared  loving.  One  Cock  met  me  in  the  street,  and  would 
have  given  me  a  roll  of  tobacco.  I  accepted  his  love,  but  did  not  re- 
ceive the  tobacco. 

From  thence  I  went  to  Under-barrow,  to  Miles  Bateman's ;  and  seve- 
ral going  along  with  me,  great  reasonings  I  had  with  them,  especially 
with  Edward  Burrough.     At  night  the  priest  and  many  professors  came 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  117 

to  the  house  ;  and  a  great  deal  of  disputing  I  had  with  them.  Supper 
being  provided  for  the  priest  and  tlie  rest  of  the  company,  I  had  not 
freedom  to  eat  with  them  ;  but  told  them,  If  they  would  appoint  a  meet- 
ing for  the  next  day  at  the  steeple-house,  and  acquaint  the  people  with 
it,  I  might  meet  them.  They  had  a  great  deal  of  reasoning  about  it ; 
some  being  for,  and  some  against  it.  In  the  morning,  after  I  had  spoken 
to  them  again  concerning  the  meeting,  as  I  walked  upon  a  bank  by  the 
house,  there  came  several  poor  travellers,  asking  relief,  who  I  saw  were 
in  necessity ;  and  they  gave  them  nothing,  but  said  they  were  cheats. 
It  grieved  me  to  see  such  hard-heartedness  amongst  professors ;  where- 
upon, when  they  were  gone  in  to  their  breakfast,  I  ran  after  the  poor 
people  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  gave  them  some  money.  Mean 
while  some  that  were  in  the  house,  coming  out,  and  seeing  me  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  off,  said,  I  could  not  have  gone  so  far  in  such  an  instant,  if  I 
had  not  had  wings.  Hereupon  the  meeting  was  like  to  have  been  put 
by  ;  for  they  were  filled  with  such  strange  thoughts  concerning  me,  that 
many  of  them  were  against  having  a  meeting  with  me.  I  told  them,  I 
ran  after  those  poor  people  to  give  them  some  money ;  being  grieved  at 
their  hard-heartedness,  who  gave  them  nothing.  Then  came  Miles  and 
Stephen  Hubbersty ;  who,  being  more  simple-hearted  men,  would  have 
the  meeting  held.  So  to  the  chapel  I  M-ent,  and  the  priest  came.  A 
great  meeting  there  was,  and  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  was  opened ; 
and  after  awhile  the  priest  fled  away.  Many  of  Crook  and  Under-bar- 
row  were  convinced  that  day,  received  the  word  of  life,  and  stood  fast 
in  it  under  the  teaching  of  Christ  Jesus.  After  I  had  declared  the  truth 
to  them  for  some  hours,  and  the  meeting  was  ended,  the  chief  constable 
and  some  other  professors  fell  to  reasoning  with  me  in  the  chapel  yard. 
Whereupon  I  took  a  bible  and  opened  the  scriptures,  and  dealt  tenderly 
with  them,  as  one  would  do  with  a  child.  They  that  were  in  the  light 
of  Christ  and  Spirit  of  God,  knew  when  I  spake  scripture,  though  I  did 
not  mention  chapter  and  verse,  after  the  priest's  form  to  them. 

From  hence  I  went  with  an  ancient  man,  whose  heart  the  Lord  had 
opened,  and  he  invited  me  to  his  house :  his  name  was  James  Dickin- 
son. He  was  convinced  that  day,  received  the  truth,  and  lived  and  died 
in  it. 

I  came  the  next  day  to  James  Taylor's,  of  Newton  in  Cartmel,  in 
Lancashire.  On  first-day  I  went  to  the  chapel,  where  priest  Camelford 
used  to  preach ;  and  after  he  had  done,  I  began  to  speak  the  word  of 
life  to  the  people.  But  he  was  in  such  a  rage,  did  so  fret,  and  was  so 
peevish,  that  he  had  no  patience  to  hear ;  but  stirred  up  the  rude  multi- 
tude, who  haled  me  out,  struck,  and  threw  me  headlong  over  a  stone 
wall.  Yet  blessed  be  the  Lord,  his  power  preserved  me.  He  that  did 
this  violence  to  me,  was  John  Knipe,  a  wicked  man,  whom  afterwards 
the  Lord  cut  off.  There  was  a  youth  in  the  chapel,  writing  after  the 
priest.  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  him,  and  he  came  to  be  convinced, 
and  received  a  part  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel :  his  name  was  John 
Brathwait. 

Then  I  went  to  an  alehouse,  to  which  many  resorted  betwixt  the  time 
of  their  morning  and  afternoon  preaching  ;  and  had  a  great  deal  of  rea- 
soning with  the  people,  declaring  to  them,  That  God  was  come  to  teach 
his  people  himself,  and  to  bring  them  off  from  all  false  teachers,  such  as 
the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles  cried  against.  Many  received  the 
woi'd  of  life  at  that  time,  and  abode  in  it. 


118  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

In  the  afternoon  I  went  about  two  or  three  miles  to  a  steeple-house  or 
chapel  called  Lyndal.  When  the  priest  had  done,  I  spoke  to  him  and 
the  people  what  the  Lord  commanded  me,  and  there  were  great  oppo- 
sers ;  but  afterwards  they  came  to  be  convinced.  After  this  I  went  to 
captain  Sands,  who  with  his  wife  seemed  somewhat  afiected  wuth  truth : 
and  if  they  could  have  held  the  world  and  truth  together,  they  would 
have  received  it ;  but  they  were  hypocrites,  and  he  a  very  chaffy  light 
man.  Wherefore  I  reproved  him  for  his  lightness  and  jesting ;  telling 
him,  It  was  not  seemly  in  a  great  professor  as  he  was.  Thereupon  he 
told  me.  He  had  a  son,  who  upon  his  death-bed  had  also  reproved  him 
for  it,  and  warned  him  of  it.  But  he  neither  regarded  the  admonition  of 
his  dying  son,  nor  the  reproofs  of  God's  Spirit  in  himself. 

From  hence  I  went  to  Ulverstone,  and  to  Swarthmore  to  judge  Fell's ; 
whither  came  one  Lampitt,  a  priest,  who  was  an  high  notionist.  With 
him  I  had  a  great  deal  of  reasoning ;  for  he  would  talk  of  high  notions 
and  perfection,  and  thereby  deceived  the  people.  He  would  have  owned 
me,  but  I  could  not  own  or  join  with  him,  he  was  so  full  of  filth.  He 
said.  He  was  above  John ;  and  made  as  thouj^h  he  knew  all  things.  But 
I  told  him,  '  Death  reigned  from  Adam  to  Moses ;  and  that  he  was  un- 

*  der  death,  and  knew  not  Moses :  for  Moses  saw  the  paradise  of  God ; 
'  but  he  knew  neither  Moses,  nor  the  prophets,  nor  John.'  For  that 
crooked  and  rough  nature  stood  in  him,  and  the  mountain  of  sin  and 
corruption  ;  and  the  way  was  not  prepared  in  him  for  the  Lord.  He 
confessed  he  had  been  under  a  cross  in  things ;  but  now  he  could  sing 
psalms,  and  do  any  thing.  I  told  him,  '  Now  he  could  see  a  thief,  and 
'  join  hand  in  hand  with  him  :  but  he  could  not  preach  Moses,  nor  the 

*  prophets,  nor  John,  nor  Christ,  except  he  were  in  the  same  Spirit  that 

*  they  were  in.'  Margaret  Fell  had  been  abroad  in  the  day-time  ;  and 
at  night  her  children  told  her,  priest  Lampitt  and  I  had  disagreed ;  which 
somewhat  troubled  her,  because  she  was  in  profession  with  him ;  but  he 
hid  his  dirty  actions  from  them.  At  night  we  had  great  reasoning ;  and 
I  declared  the  truth  to  her  and  her  family.  Next  day  Lampitt  came 
again,  and  I  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse  with  him  before  Margaret 
Fell,  who  then  clearly  discerned  the  priest.  A  convincement  of  the 
Lord's  truth  came  upon  her  and  her  family.  Soon  after  a  day  was  to 
be  observed  for  an  humiliation ;  and  Margaret  Fell  asked  me  to  go  with 
her  to  the  steeple-house  at  Ulverstone,  for  she  was  not  wholly  come  off 
from  them :  I  replied,  "  I  must  do  as  I  am  ordered  by  the  Lord."  So  I 
left  her,  and  walked  into  the  fields ;  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to 
me,  saying,  "  Go  to  the  steeple-house  after  them."  When  I  came,  Lam- 
pitt was  singing  with  his  people ;  but  his  spirit  was  so  foul,  and  the  mat- 
ter they  sung  so  unsuitable  to  their  states,  that  after  they  had  done  sing- 
ing, I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  to  him  and  the  people.  The 
word  of  the  Lord  to  them  was,  '  He  is  not  a  Jew  that  is  one  outward  ; 
'  but  he  is  a  Jew  that  is  one  inward,  whose  praise  is  not  of  man,  but  of 

*  God.'     Then,  as  the  Lord  opened  further,  I  shewed  them,  '  That  He 

*  was  come  to  teach  his  people  by  his  Spirit,  and  to  bring  them  off  from 

*  all  their  old  ways,  religions,  churches,  and  worships  ;  for  all  their  reh- 
'  gions,  worships,  and  ways  were  but  talking  of  other  men's  words  ;  but 

*  they  were  out  of  the  life  and  Spirit  which  those  were  in  who  gave 
'  them  forth.'  Then  cried  out  one  justice  Sawrey,  "  Take  him  away  ;" 
but  judge  Fell's  wife  said  to  the  officers,  "  Let  him  alone  ;  why  may  he 
*'  not  speak,  as  well  as  any  other?"     Lampitt  also,  the  priest,  in  deceit, 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  119 

said  "  Let  him  speak."  So  at  length,  when  I  had  declared  a  pretty  while, 
justice  Sawi'ey  caused  the  constable  to  put  me  out ;  and  then  I  spoke  to 
the  people  in  the  grave-yard. 

The  first-day  after,  I  was  moved  to  go  to  Aldenham  steeple-house, 
and  when  the  priest  had  done,  I  spoke  to  him ;  but  he  got  away.  Then 
I  declared  the  word  of  life  to  the  people,  and  warned  them  to  turn  to  the 
Lord. 

From  thence  I  passed  to  Ramside,  where  was  a  chapel,  in  w-hich 
Thomas  Lawson  used  to  preach,  who  was  an  eminent  priest.  He  very 
lovingly  acquainted  his  people  in  the  morning  of  my  coming  in  the  after- 
noon; by  which  means  many  were  gathered  together.  When  I  came, 
I  saw  there  was  no  place  so  convenient  as  the  chapel :  wherefore  I  went 
into  the  chapel,  and  all  was  quiet.  Thomas  Lawson  went  not  up  into  his 
pulpit,  but  left  all  the  time  to  me.  The  everlasting  day  of  the  eternal  God 
was  proclaimed  that  day,  and  the  everlasting  truth  was  largely  declared ; 
which  reached  and  entered  into  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  many  re- 
ceived the  truth  in  the  love  of  it.  This  priest  came  to  be  convinced,  leit 
his  chapel,  threw  ofl"  his  preaching  for  hire,  and  came  to  preach  the 
Lord  Jesus  and  his  kingdom  freely.  After  that  some  rude  people  cast 
scandals  upon  him,  and  thought  to  have  done  him  an  injury;  but  he  was 
carried  over  all,  grew  in  the  wisdom  of  God  mightily,  and  proved  very 
serviceable  in  his  place. 

I  returned  to  Swarthmore  again,  and  the  next  first-day  went  to  Dalton 
steeple-house ;  where,  after  the  priest  had  done,  I  declared  the  word  of 
life  to  the  people,  that  they  might  be  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  from 
the  power  of  Satan  to  God  ;  and  might  come  off  from  their  superstitious 
ways,  and  from  their  teachers  made  by  man,  to  Christ  the  true  and 
hving  way,  to  be  taught  of  him. 

From  thence  I  went  into  the  island  of  Walnah ;  and  after  the  priest 
had  done,  I  spoke  to  him,  but  he  got  away.  Then  I  declared  the  truth 
to  the  people,  but  they  were  something  rude.  I  went  to  speak  with  the 
priest  at  his  house,  but  he  would  not  be  seen.  The  people  said,  he  went 
to  hide  himself  in  the  hay-mow,  and  they  looked  for  him  there,  but 
could  not  find  him.  Then  they  said,  he  was  gone  to  hide  himself  in  the 
standing  corn,  but  they  could  not  find  him  there  neither.  I  went  to 
James  Lancaster's,  who  was  convinced  in  the  island,  and  from  thence 
returned  to  Swarthmore,  where  the  Lord's  power  seized  upon  Margaret 
Fell,  her  daughter  Sarah,  and  several  others. 

Then  I  went  to  Beclift',  where  Leonard  Fell  was  convinced,  and  be- 
came a  minister  of  the  everlasting  gospel.  Several  others  were  con- 
vinced there,  and  came  into  obedience  to  the  truth.  Here  the  people 
said,  they  could  not  dispute ;  and  would  fain  have  put  some  other  to 
hold  talk  with  me ;  but  I  bid  them,  "  Fear  the  Lord ;  and  not  in  a  light 
"  way  hold  a  talk  of  the  Lord's  M'ords,  but  put  the  things  in  practice." 
'  I  directed  them  to  the  Divine  Light  of  Christ  and  his  Spirit  in  their 
'  hearts,  which  would  let  them  see  all  the  evil  thoughts,  words,  and  ac- 
'  tions,  that  they  had  thought,  spoken,  and  acted ;  by  which  light  they 
'  might  see  their  sin,  and  also  their  Saviour  Christ  Jesus  to  save  them 
'  from  their  sins.  This  I  told  them  was  their  first  step  to  peace,  even  to 
'  stand  still  in  the  light  that  shewed  them  their  sins  and  transgressions ; 

*  by  which  they  might  come  to  see  they  were  in  the  fall  of  old  Adam,  in 
'  darkness  and  death,  strangers  to  the  covenant  of  promise,  and  without 

*  God  in  the  world :  and  by  the  same  light  they  might  see  Christ  that 


120  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

*  died  for  them  to  be  their  Redeemer  and  Saviour,  and  their  way  to 

♦  God.' 

After  this  I  went  to  a  chapel  beyond  Gleaston :  which  was  buih,  but 
never  a  priest  had  preaclied  in  it.  Thither  the  country  people  came ; 
and  a  quiet,  peaceable  meeting  it  was,  in  which  the  word  of  life  was  de- 
clared, and  many  were  convinced  of  the  truth  about  Gleaston. 

From  thence  I  returned  to  Swarthmore  again.  After  I  had  staid  a 
few  days,  and  most  of  the  family  were  convinced,  I  went  into  West- 
moreland, where  priest  Lampitt  had  been  amongst  the  professors  on 
Kendal  side,  and  had  mightily  incensed  them  against  me ;  teUing  them  I 
held  many  strange  things.  I  met  with  those  that  he  had  so  incensed,  sate 
up  all  night  with  them  at  James  Dickinson's,  and  answered  all  their  ob- 
jections. They  were  both  thoroughly  satisfied  with  the  truth  I  had  de- 
clared, and  dissatisfied  with  him  and  his  lies,  so  that  he  clearly  lost  the 
best  of  his  hearers  and  followers,  who  hereby  came  to  see  his  deceit, 
and  forsook  him. 

I  passed  to  John  Audland's  and  Gervase  Benson's,  and  had  great 
meetings  amongst  those  that  had  been  convinced  before.  I  passed  to 
John  Biakelin's  and  Richard  Robinson's,  where  I  had  mighty  meetings, 
and  then  towards  Grisedale. 

Soon  after,  judge  Fell  being  come  home,  Margaret  his  wife  sent  to 
me,  desiring  me  to  return  thither ;  and  I,  feeling  freedom  from  the  Lord 
so  to  do,  went  back  to  Swarthmore.  I  found  the  priests  and  professors, 
and  justice  Sawrey,  had  much  incensed  judge  Fell  and  captain  Sands 
against  the  truth  by  their  lies;  but  when  I  came  to  speak  with  him,  I 
answered  all  his  objections,  and  so  thoroughly  satisfied  him  by  the  scrip- 
tures, that  he  was  convinced  in  his  judgment.  He  asked  me,  "  If  I 
*'  was  that  George  Fox  w^hom  justice  Robinson  spoke  so  much  in  com- 
"  mendation  of  amongst  many  of  the  parliament  men?"  I  told  him,  I 
had  been  with  justice  Robinson,  and  justice  Hotham,  in  Yorkshire,  who 
were  very  civil  and  loving  to  me ;  and  that  they  were  convinced  in  their 
judgment  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  the  principle  which  I  bore  testimony 
to  was  the  truth,  and  they  saw  beyond  the  priests  of  the  nation ;  so  that 
they  and  many  others  were  now  come  to  be  wiser  than  their  teachers. 
After  we  had  discoursed  a  pretty  while  together,  judge  Fell  himself  was 
satisfied  also,  and  came  to  see,  by  the  openings  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in 
his  heart,  over  all  the  priests  and  teachers  of  the  world ;  and  did  not  go 
to  hear  them  for  some  years  before  he  died ;  for  he  knew  it  was  the 
truth  that  I  declared,  and  that  Christ  was  the  teacher  of  his  people,  and 
their  Saviour.  He  sometimes  wished  that  I  was  awhile  with  judge 
Bradshaw  to  discourse  w  ith  him.  There  came  to  judge  Fell's  captain 
Sands  before-mentioned,  endeavouring  to  incense  the  judge  against  me; 
for  he  was  an  evil-minded  man,  and  full  of  envy  against  me ;  yet  he 
could  speak  high  things,  use  the  scripture  words,  and  say,  "  Behold,  I 
"  make  all  things  new."  But  I  told  him.  Then  he  must  have  a  new 
God:  for  his  God  was  his  belly.  Besides  him  came  also  that  envious 
justice  John  Sawrey.  I  told  him,  "  His  heart  was  rotten,  and  he  was 
"  full  of  hypocrisy  to  the  brim."  Several  others  also  came,  whose  states 
the  Lord  gave  me  a  discerning  of;  and  I  spoke  to  their  conditions. 
While  I  was  in  those  parts,  Richard 'Farnswdrth  and  .Tames  Nayler 
came  to  see  me  and  the  family ;  and  judge  Fell,  being  satisfied  that  it 
was  the  way  of  truth,  notwithstanding  all  their  opposition,  suffered  the 
meeting  to  be  kept  at  his  house ;  and  a  great  meeting  was  settled  there  in 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  121 

the  Lord's  power,  which  hath  conthiued  near  forty  years,  until  the  year 
1690,  that  a  new  meeting-house  was  erected  near  it. 

After  I  had  staid  awhile,  and  the  meeting  there  was  well  settled,  I  de- 
parted to  Under-barrow,  where  I  had  a  great  meeting.  From  thence  I 
went  to  Kellet,  and  had  a  great  meeting  at  Robert  Withers's,  to  which 
several  came  from  Lancaster,  and  some  from  York ;  and  many  were 
convinced.  On  the  market-day  I  went  to  Lancaster,  and  spoke  through 
the  market  in  the  dreadful  power  of  God ;  declaring  the  day  of  the  Lord 
Jo  the  people,  and  crying  out  against  all  their  deceitful  merchandize.  I 
preached  righteousness  and  truth  unto  them,  which  all  should  follow 
after,  walk  and  live  in ;  directing  them  how  and  where  they  might  find 
and  receive  the  Spirit  of  God  to  guide  them  thereinto.  After  I  had 
cleared  myself  in  the  market,  I  went  to  my  lodging,  whither  several 
people  came;  and  many  were  convinced,  who  stood  faithful  to  the 
truth. 

The  first-day  following,  in  the  forenoon,  I  had  a  great  meeting  in  the 
street  at  Lancaster,  amongst  the  soldiers  and  people,  to  whom  I  declared 
the  word  of  life,  and  the  everlasting  truth.  I  opened  unto  them.  That 
all  the  traditions  they  had  hved  in,  all  their  worships  and  religions,  and 
the  profession  they  made  of  the  scriptures,  were  good  for  nothing,  while 
they  lived  out  of  the  life  and  power  which  those  were  in  who  gave  forth 
the  scriptures.  I  directed  them  to  the  light  of  Christ,  the  heavenly  man, 
and  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  own  hearts,  that  they  might  come  to  be 
acquainted  with  God  and  Christ,  receiv'e  him  for  their  teacher,  and  know 
his  kingdom  set  up  in  them. 

In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  the  steeple-house  at  Lancaster,  and  declared 
the  truth  to  the  priest  and  people ;  laying  open  before  them  the  deceit 
they  hved  in,  and  directing  them  to  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God  which 
they  wanted.  But  they  haled  me  out,  and  stoned  me  along  the  street  till 
I  came  to  John  Lawson's  house. 

Another  first-day  I  went  to  a  steeple-house  by  the  water-side,  where 
one  Whitehead  was  priest ;  to  whom  and  to  the  people  I  declared  the 
truth  in  the  dreadful  power  of  God.  There  came  a  doctor,  so  full  of 
envy,  that  he  said,  "  He  could  find  in  his  heart  to  run  me  through  with 
"  his  rapier,  though  he  was  hanged  for  it  the  next  day  ;"  yet  this  man 
came  afterwards  to  be  convinced  of  the  truth,  so  far  as  to  be  loving  to 
friends.  Some  were  convinced  thereabouts,  who  wilHngly  sate  down 
under  the  ministry  of  Christ,  their  teacher ;  and  a  meeting  was  settled 
there  in  the  power  of  God,  which  has  continued  to  this  day. 

After  this  I  returned  into  Westmoreland,  and  spoke  through  Kendal 
on  a  market-day.  So  dreadful  was  the  power  of  God  upon  me,  that 
people  flew  Uke  chaft^  before  me  into  their  houses.  I  warned  them  of 
the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord,  and  exhorted  them  to  hearken  to  the  voice 
of  God  in  their  own  hearts,  who  was  now  come  to  teach  his  people  him- 
self. When  some  opposed,  many  others  took  my  part.  At  last  some 
fell  to  fighting  about  me ;  but  I  went  and  spoke  to  them,  and  they  parted 
again.     Several  were  convinced. 

The  first-day  after  I  had  a  very  large  meeting  in  Under-barrow  at 
Miles  Bateman's,  where  I  was  moved  to  declare,  '  That  all  people  in  the 

*  fall  were  gone  from  the  image  of  God,  righteousness,  and  holiness,  and 

*  were  become  as  wells  without  the  water  of  life,  as  clouds  without  the 

*  heavenly  rain,  as  trees  without  the  heavenly  fruit ;  and  were  degener- 
'  ated  into  the  nature  of  beasts,  of  serpents,  of  tall  cedars,  of  oaks,  of 

Q 


122  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  [1662 

*  bulls,  and  of  heifers ;  so  that  they  might  read  the  natures  of  these 
'  creatures  within,  as  the  prophets  described  them  to  the  people  of 
'  old,  that  were  out  of  truth.     I  opened  to  them,  how  some  were  in  the 

*  nature  of  dogs  and  swine,  biting  and  rending ;  some  in  the  nature  of 

*  briers,  thistles,  and  thorns ;  some  like  the  owls  and  dragons  in  the 

*  night ;  some  like  the  wild  asses  and  horses,  snuffing  up  the  wind  ;  and 
'  some  like  tl»e  mountains  and  rocks,  and  crooked  and  rough  ways. 
'  WhereforQ  I' exhorted  them  to  read  these  things  within  in  their  own 

*  natures,  a^  well  as  without :  and  that,  when  they  read  without  of  the 

*  wandering  stars,  they  should  look  within,  and  see  how  they  have  wan- 

*  dered  from  the  bright  and  morning  star.  And  they  should  consider, 
'  that  as  the  fallow  ground  in  their  fields  must  be  plowed  up  before  it 

*  would  bear  seed  to  them,  so  must  the  fallow  ground  of  their  hearts  be 

*  plowed  up  before  they  could  bear  seed  to  God.     All  these  names  and 

*  things  I  shewed  were  spoken  of  and  to  man  and  woman,  since  they 
'  fell  from  the  image  of  God ;  but  as  they  come  to  be  renewed  again  into 
'  the  image  of  God,  they  come  out  of  the  natures  of  these  things,  and  so 
'  out  of  the  names  thereof.'  Many  more  such  things  were  declared  to 
them,  and  they  were  turned  to  the  light  of  Christ,  by  which  they  might 
come  to  know  and  receive  him,  and  might  witness  him  to  be  their  sub- 
stance, their  way,  their  salvation  and  true  teacher.  Many  were  con- 
vinced at  that  time. 

After  I  had  travelled  up  and  down  in  those  countries,  having  great 
meetings,  I  came  to  Swarthmore  again ;  and  when  I  had  visited  friends 
awhile  in  those  parts,  I  heard  of  a  great  meeting  the  priests  were  to 
have  at  Ulverstone  on  a  lecture-day.  I  went  to  it,  and  into  the  steeple- 
house  in  the  dread  and  power  of  the  Lord.  When  the  priest  had  done, 
I  spoke  among  them  the  word  of  the  Lord,  which  was  as  an  hammer, 
and  as  a  fire  amongst  them.  And  though  Lampitt,  the  priest  of  the 
place,  had  been  at  variance  with  most  of  the  priests  before,  yet  against 
the  truth  they  all  joined  together.  But  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord 
was  over  all ;  and  so  wonderful  was  the  appearance  thereof,  that  priest 
Bennet  said,  "  The  church  shook ;"  insomuch  that  he  was  afraid  and 
trembled.  And  after  he  had  spoken  a  few  confused  words,  he  hastened 
out  for  fear  the  steeple-house  would  fall  on  his  head.  There  M'ere  many 
priests  got  together,  but  they  had  no  power  as  yet  to  persecute. 

When  I  had  cleared  my  conscience  amongst  them,  I  went  to  Swarth- 
more again.  Thither  came  four  or  five  of  the  priests.  In  discourse,  I 
asked  them,  "  Whether  any  one  of  them  could  say,  he  ever  had  the 
"  word  of  the  Lord  to  go  and  speak  to  such  or  such  a  people  ?"  None 
of  them  durst  say  he  had ;  but  one  of  them  burst  into  a  passion,  and 
said,  "  He  could  speak  his  experiences  as  well  as  I."  I  told  him  expe- 
rience was  one  thing ;  but  to  receive  and  go  with  a  message,  and  to 
have  a  word  from  the  Lord  as  the  prophets  and  apostles  had,  and  as 
I  had  had  to  them,  was  another  thing.  And  therefore  I  put  it  to  tliem 
again ;  "  Could  any  one  of  them  say,  he  ever  had  a  command  or  word 
"  from  the  Lord  immediately  at  any  time  ? "  But  none  of  them  could 
say  so.  Then  I  told  them.  The  false  prophets,  false  apostles,  and  anti- 
christs, could  use  the  words  of  the  true  prophets,  true  apostles,  and  of 
Christ,  and  would  speak  of  other  men's  experiences,  though  themselves 
never  knew  nor  heard  the  voice  of  God  and  Christ :  and  such  as  they 
might  get  the  good  words  and  experiences  of  others.  This  puzzled  them 
much,  and  laid  them  open.     For  at  another  time,  when  I  was  discours- 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  123 

ing  with  several  priests  at  judge  Fell's  house,  and  he  was  by,  I  asked 
them  the  same  question,  "  Whetlier  any  of  them  ever  heard  the  voice  of 
"  God  or  Christ,  to  bid  him  to  go  to  such  or  such  a  people,  to  declare 
"  his  word  or  message  unto  themt"  for  any  one,  I  told  them,  that  could 
but  read,  might  declare  the  experiences  of  the  prophets  and  apostles, 
which  were  recorded  in  the  scriptures.  Hereupon  Thomas  Taylor,  an 
'  ancient  priest,  did  ingenuously  confess  before  Judge  Fell,  "  That  he  had 
"  never  heard  the  voice  of  God,  nor  of  Christ,  to  send  him  to  any  peo- 
"  pie ;  but  he  spoke  his  experiences,  and  the  experiences  of  the  saints  in 
"  former  ages,  and  that  he  preached."  This  very  much  confirmed  judge 
Fell  in  the  persuasion,  "  That  the  priests  were  wrong ;"  for  he  had 
thought  formerly,  as  the  generality  of  people  then  did,  "  That  they  were 
"  sent  from  God." 

Thomas  Taylor  was  convinced  at  this  time,  and  travelled  with  me 
into  Westmoreland.  Coming  to  Crosland  steeple-house,  we  found  the 
people  gathered :  and  the  Lord  opened  Thomas  Taylor's  mouth  (though 
he  was  convinced  but  the  day  before)  so  that  he  declared  amongst  them, 
"  How  he  had  been  before  he  was  convinced,"  and,  like  the  good  scribe 
converted  to  the  kingdom,  he  brought  forth  things  new  and  old  to  the 
people,  and  shewed  them,  "  how  the  priests  were  out  of  the  way :" 
which  fretted  the  priest.  Some  little  discourse  I  had  with  them,  but  they 
fled  away ;  and  a  precious  meeting  there  was,  wherein  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all,  and  the  people  were  directed  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  by  which 
they  might  come  to  know  God  and  Christ,  and  to  understand  the  Scrip- 
tures aright.  After  this  I  passed  on,  visiting  friends,  and  had  very  large 
meetings  in  Westmoreland. 

Now  began  the  priests  to  rage  more  and  more,  and  as  much  as  they 
could  to  stir  up  persecution.  James  Nayler  and  Francis  Howgill  were 
cast  into  prison  in  Appleby  gaol,  at  the  instigation  of  the  malicious 
priests ;  some  of  whom  prophesied,  "  That  within  a  month  we  should 
"  be  all  scattered  again,  and  come  to  nothing."  But  blessed  for  ever  be 
the  worthy  name  of  the  Lord,  his  work  went  on  and  prospered ;  for 
about  this  time  John  Audland,  Francis  Howgill,  John  Camm,  Edward 
Burrough,  Richai'd  Hubberthorn,  Miles  Hubbersty,  and  Miles  Halhead, 
with  several  others,  being  enclued  with  power  from  on  high,  came  forth 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  approved  themselves  faithful  labourers 
therein ;  travelling  up  and  down,  and  preaching  the  gospel  freely ;  by 
means  whereof  multitudes  were  convinced,  and  many  effectually  turned 
to  the  Lord.  Amongst  these,  Christopher  Taylor  was  one,  brother  to 
Thomas  Taylor  before-mentioned,  who  had  been  preacher  to  a  people 
as  well  as  his  brother ;  but  after  they  had  received  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  they  soon  came  into  obedience  thereunto,  and  left  their  preaching 
for  hire  or  rewards ;  and  having  received  a  part  of  the  ministry  of  the 
gospel,  they  preached  Christ  freely,  being  often  sent  by  the  Lord  to  de- 
clare his  word  in  steeple-houses  and  markets,  and  great  sufferers  they 
were. 

After  I  had  visited  friends  in  Westmoreland,  I  returned  into  Lanca- 
shire, and  went  to  Ulverstone,  where  Lampitt  was  priest ;  who  though 
he  had  preached  of  a  people  that  should  own  the  teachings  of  God,  and 
had  said,  "  That  men  and  women  should  come  and  declare  the  gospel ;" 
yet  when  it  came  to  be  fulfilled,  he  persecuted  both  it  and  them.  To  this 
priest's  house  I  went,  where  abundance  of  priests  and  professors  were 
got  together  after  then*  lecture,  with  whom  I  had  great  disputings  con- 


124  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

cerning  Christ  and  the-  scriptures ;  for  they  were  loth  to  let  their  trade 
go  down,  which  they  naade  of  preaching  Christ's,  the  apostles',  and 
prophets'  words.  But  the  Lord's  power  went  over  the  heads  of  them 
all,  and  his  word  of  life  was  held  forth  amongst  them ;  though  many  of 
them  were  exceeding  envious  and  devilish.  Yet  after  this,  many  priests 
and  professors  came  to  me  from  far  and  near.  Those  that  were  inno- 
cent and  simple-minded  were  satisfied,  and  went  away  refreshed  ;  but 
the  fat  and  full  were  fed  with  judgment  and  sent  away  empty ;  for  that 
was  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  be  divided  to  them. 

When  meetings  were  set  up,  and  we  met  in  private  houses,  Lampitt 
began  to  rage.  He  said,  "  We  forsook  the  temple,  and  went  to  Jero- 
"  boam's  calves'  houses."  So  many  professors  began  tQ  see  how  he  was 
declined  from  that  which  he  had  formerly  held  and  preached.  Here- 
upon the  case  of  Jeroboam's  calves  was  opened  to  the  professors, 
priests,  and  people.     It  was  manifested  unto  them,  '  That  their  houses 

*  (called  churches)  were  more  like  Jeroboam's  calves'  houses,  even  the 

*  old  mass-houses,  which  were  set  up  in  the  darkness  of  popery,  which 

*  they  who  called  themselves  protestants,  and  professed  to  be  more  en- 

*  lightened  than  the  papists,  did  still  hold  up,  altho'  God  had  never  com- 
'  manded  them ;  whereas  that  temple,  which  God  had  commanded  at 
'  Jerusalem,  Christ  came  to  end  the  service  of;  and  those  that  received 
'  and  believed  in  him,  their  bodies  came  to  be  the  temples  of  God,  of 
'  Christ,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  dwell  in  them,  and  to  walk  in  them. 

*  And  such  were  gathered  into  the  name  of  Jesus,   whose  Name   is 

*  above  every  name,  and  there  is  no  salvation  by  any  other  name  under 
'  the  whole  heaven  but  by  the  name  of  Jesus.     And  they  that  were  thus 

*  gathered  met  together  in  several  dwelling-houses,  which  were  not 
'  called  the  temple  nor  the  church ;  but  their  bodies  were  the  temples  of 
'  God,  and  the  believers  were  the  church  which  Christ  was  the  head  of. 
'  So  that  Christ  was  not  called  the  head  of  an  old  house,  which  w^as 

*  made  by  men's  hands,  neither  did  he  come  to  purchase,  sanctify,  and 
.'redeem  with  his  blood  an  old  house,  which  they  called  their  church; 

*  but  the  people,  which  he  is  the  head  of  Much  work  I  had  in  those 
days  with  priests  and  people,  concerning  their  old  mass-houses  called 
churches ;  for  the  priests  had  persuaded  the  people,  that  they  were  the 
houses  of  God ;  wdiereas  the  apostle  says,  "  Whose  house  w-e  are,"  <fec. 
Heb.  iii.  6.  The  people  in  whom  he  dwells  are  God's  house.  The 
apostle  saith,  "  Christ  purchased  his  church  with  his  own  blood ;"  and 
Christ  calls  his  church  his  spouse,  his  bride,  the  lamb's  wife :  so  that  this 
title  church  and  spouse  was  not  given  to  an  old  house,  but  to  his  people 
the  true  believers. 

On  a  lecture-day  I  was  moved  to  go  to  the  steeple-house  at  Ulver- 
stone,  where  were  abundance  of  professors,  priests,  and  people.  I  went 
near  to  priest  Lampitt,  who  was  blustering  on  in  his  preaching.  After 
the  Lord  had  opened  my  mouth  to  speak,  John  Sawrey  the  justice  came 
to  me,  and  said,  "  If  I  would  speak  according  to  the  scriptures,  I  should 
"  .speak."  I  admired  at  him  for  speaking  so  to  me,  and  told  him,  "  I 
"  would  speak  according  to  the  scriptures,  and  bring  the  scriptures  to 
"  prove  what  I  had  to  say ;  for  I  had  something  to  speak  to  Lampitt  and 
"  to  them."  Then  he  said,  I  should  not  speak ;  contradicting  himself, 
who  had  said  just  before,  "  I  should  speak,  if  I  would  speak  according 
"  to'  the  scriptures."  The  people  were  quiet,  and  heard  me  gladly,  till 
this  justice  Sawrey  (who  was  the  first  stirrer  up  of  cruel  persecution 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  125 

in  the  north)  incensed  them  against  me,  and  set  them  on  to  hale,  beat, 
and  bruise  me.  But  now  on  a  sudden  the  people  were  in  a  rage,  and 
fell  upon  me  in  the  steeple-house  before  his  face,  knock'd  me  down, 
kick'd  me,  and  trampled  upon  me.  So  great  was  the  uproar,  that  some 
tumbled  over  their  seats  for  fear.  At  last  he  came  and  took  me  from 
the  people,  led  me  out  of  the  steeple-house,  and  put  me  into  the  hands 
of  the  constables  and  other  officers ;  bidding  them  whip  me,  and  put  me 
out  of  the  town.  -They  led  me  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  some  taking 
hold  by  my  collar,  some  by  my  arms  and  shoulders,  who  shook  and 
dragged  me  along.  Many  friendly  people  being  come  to  the  market, 
and  some  to  the  steeple-house  to  hear  me,  divers  of  these  they  knock'd 
down  also,  and  broke  their  heads,  so  that  the  blood  ran  down  from  seve- 
ral ;  and  judge  Fell's  son  running  after  to  see  what  they  would  do 
■with  me,  they  threw  him  into  a  ditch  of  water ;  some  of  them  crying, 
"  Knock  the  teeth  out  of  his  head."  When  they  had  haled  me  to  the 
common  moss  side,  a  multitude  following,  the  constables  and  other  of- 
ficers gave  me  some  blows  over  my  back  with  their  willow  rods,  and 
thrust  me  among  the  rude  multitude ;  who,  having  furnished  themselves 
with  staves,  hedge-stakes,  holm  or  holly  bushes,  fell  upon  me,  and  beat 
me  on  my  head,  arms,  and  shoulders,  till  they  had  deprived  me  of 
sense ;  so  that  I  fell  down  upon  the  wet  common.  When  I  recovered 
again,  and  saw  myself  lying  in  a  watery  common,  and  the  people 
standing  about  me,  I  lay  still  a  little  while,  and  the  power  of  the 
Lord  sprang  through  me,  and  the  eternal  refreshings  revived  me ;  so 
that  I  stood  up  again  in  the  strengthening  power  of  the  eternal  God, 
and  stretching  out  my  arms  amongst  them,  I  said,  with  a  loud  voice, 
"  Strike  again ;  here  are  my  arms,  my  head,  and  my  cheeks."  There 
was  in  the  company  a  mason,  a  professor,  but  a  rude  fellow,  who  with 
his  walking  rule-staff  gave  me  a  blow  with  all  his  might  just  over  the 
back  of  my  hand,  as  it  was  stretched  out ;  with  which  blow  my  hand 
was  so  bruised,  and  my  arm  so  benumbed,  that  I  could  not  draw  it  to 
me  again ;  so  that  some  of  the  people  cried,  "  He  hath  spoiled  his  hand 
"  for  ever  having  the  use  of  it  any  more."  But  I  looked  at  it  in  the 
love  of  God  (for  I  was  in  the  love  of  God  to  all  that  persecuted  me) 
and  after  awhile  the  Lord's  power  sprang  through  me  again,  and 
through  my  hand  and  arm,  so  that  in  a  moment  I  recovered  strength  in 
my  hand  and  arm  in  the  sight  of  them  all.  Then  they  began  to  fall  out 
among  themselves:  some  of  them  came  to  me,  and  said,  If  I  would 
give  them  money,  they  would,  secure  me  from  the  rest.  But  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  declare  the  word  of  life,  and  shewed  them  their 
false  Christianity,  and  the  fruits  of  their  priest's  ministry ;  telling  them. 
They  were  more  like  heathens  and  Jews,  than  true  christians.  Then 
was  I  moved  of  the  Lord  to  come  up  again  through  the  midst  of  the 
people,  and  go  into  Ulverstone  market.  As  I  went,  there  met  me  a  sol- 
dier, with  his  sword  by  his  side ;  "  Sir,"  said  he  to  me,  "  I  see  you  are  a 
"  rnan,  and  I  am  ashamed  and  grieved  that  you  should  be  thus  abused ;" 
and  offered  to  assist  me  in  what  he  could.  I  told  him.  The  Lord's  power 
was  over  all,  and  I  walked  through  the  people  in  the  market,  none  of 
whom  had  power  to  touch  me  then.  But  some  of  the  market  people 
abusing  some  friends  in  the  market,  I  turned  about,  and  saw  this  soldier 
among  tliem  with  his  naked  rapier;  whereupon  I  ran,  and,  catching 
hold  of  the  hand  his  rapier  was  in,  bid  him  put  up  his  sword  again,  if 
he  would  go  along  with  me :  for  I  was  willing  to  draw  him  out  from  the 


126  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

company  lest  some  mischief  should  be  done.  A  few  days  after,  seven 
men  fell  upon  this  soldier,  and  beat  him  cruelly,  because  he  had  taken 
part  with  friends  and  me.  It  was  the  manner  of  the  persecutors  of  that 
country  for  twenty  or  forty  people  to  run  upon  one  man.  They  fell  so 
upon  friends  in  many  places,  that  they  could  hardly  pass  the  highways, 
stoning,  beating,  and  breaking  their  iieads.  When  I  came  to  Swarth- 
more,  I  found  the  friends  there  dressing  the  heads  and  hands  of  friends 
and  friendly  people,  which  had  been  broken  or  hurt  that  day  by  the  pro- 
fessors and  hearers  of  Lampitt.  My  body  and  arms  were  yellow,  black 
and  blue,  with  the  bruises  I  received  amongst  them.  Now  began  the 
priests  to  prophesy  again.  That  within  half  a  year  we  should  be  all  put 
down  and  gone. 

About  two  weeks  after  this,  I  went  into  Walney  island,  and  James 
Nayler  with  me.  We  staid  one  night  at  a  little  town  on  this  side,  called 
Cockan,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  where  one  was  convinced.  After 
awhile  came  a  man  with  a  pistol ;  whereupon  the  people  ran  out  of 
doors.  He  called  for  me ;  and  when  I  came  to  him,  he  snapped  his  pis- 
tol at  me ;  but  it  would  not  go  ofl'.  This  caused  the  people  to  make  a 
great  bustle  about  him ;  and  some  of  them  took  hold  of  him,  to  prevent 
his  doing  mischief.  But  I  was  moved  in  the  Lord's  power  to  speak  to 
him ;  and  he  was  so  struck  by  divine  power,  that  he  trembled  for  fear, 
and  went  and  hid  himself.  Thus  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them  all, 
though  there  was  a  great  rage  in  the  country. 

Next  morning  I  went  in  a  boat  to  James  Lancaster's.  As  soon  as  I 
came  to  land,  there  rushed  out  about  forty  men,  with  staves,  clubs,  and 
fishing-poles ;  who  fell  upon  me,  beating,  punching  me,  and  endeavour- 
ing to  thrust  me  backward  into  the  sea.  When  they  had  thrust  me  al- 
most into  the  sea,  and  T  saw  they  would  have  knocked  me  down  in  it, 
I  went  up  into  the  middle  of  them ;  but  they  laid  at  me  again,  knocked 
me  down,  and  stunned  me.  When  I  came  to  myself,  I  looked  up  and 
saw  James  Lancaster's  wife  throwing  stones  at  my  face,  and  her  hus- 
band lying  over  me,  to  keep  the  blows  and  stones  from  me.  For  the 
people  had  persuaded  James's  wife  that  I  had  bewitched  her  husband ; 
and  had  promised  her,  That  if  she  would  let  them  know  when  I  came 
thither,  they  would  be  my  death ;  and  having  got  knowledge  of  my 
coming,  many  of  the  town  rose  up  in  this  manner  with  clubs  and  staves 
to  kill  me ;  but  the  Lord's  power  preserved  me,  that  they  could  not  take 
away  my  life.  At  length  I  got  upon  my  feet,  but  they  beat  me  down 
again  into  the  boat;  which  James  Lancaster  observing,  he  presently 
came  into  the  boat  to  me,  and  set  me  over  the  water  from  them ;  but 
while  we  were  on  the  water,  within  their  reach,  they  struck  at  us  with 
long  poles,  and  threw  stones  after  us.  By  that  time  we  were  come  to 
the  other  side,  we  saw  them  beating  James  Nayler:  for  whilst  they 
had  been  beating  me,  he  walked  into  a  field,  and  they  never  minded  him 
till  I  was  gone  ;  then  they  fell  upon  him,  and  all  their  cry  was,  "  Kill 
"him,  killhim." 

When  I  was  come  over  to  the  town  again,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
water,  the  townsmen  rose  up  with  pitchforks,  flails,  and  staves,  to  keep 
me  out  of  the  town,  crying,  "  Kill  him,  knock  him  on  the  head ;  bring 
"  the  cart,  and  carry  him  away  to  the  church-yard."  So  after  they  had 
abused  me,  they  drove  me  a  pretty  way  out  of  the  town,  and  there  left 
me.  Then  went  James  Lancaster  again,  to  look  after  James  Nayler ; 
and  I  being  now  left  alone,  went  to  a  ditch ;  and  having  washed  myself, 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  I2i 

walked  about  three  miles  to  Thomas  Hutton's,  where  lodged  Thomas 
Lawson,  the  priest  that  was  convinced.  When  I  came  in,  I  could  hardly 
speak  to  them,  I  was  so  bruised ;  only  I  told  them  where  I  left  James 
Nayler.  Whereupon  they  took  each  of  them  a  horse,  and  went  and 
brought  him  thither  that  night.  The  next  day  Margaret  Fell  hearing  of 
it,  sent  an  horse  for  me ;  but  so  sore  I  was  with  bruises,  that  I  was  not 
able  to  bear  the  shaking  of  the  horse  without  much  pain.  When  I  was 
come  to  Swarthmore,  justice  Sawrey  and  justice  Thompson  of  Lancas- 
ter granted  a  warrant  against  me ;  but  judge  Fell  coming  home,  it  was 
not  served  upon  me :  for  he  was  out  of  the  country  all  this  time  that  I 
was  thus  cruelly  abused.  When  he  came  home,  he  sent  warrants  into 
the  isle  of  Walney,  to  apprehend  all  those  riotous  persons ;  whereupon 
some  of  them  fled  the  country.  James  Lancaster's  wife  was  afterwards 
convinced  of  the  truth,  and  repented  of  the  evil  she  had  done  me  ;  and 
so  did  some  others  of  those  bitter  persecutors  also ;  but  the  judgments 
of  God  fell  upon  some,  and  destruction  is  come  upon  many  of  them 
since.  Judge  Fell  desired  me  to  give  him  a  relation  of  my  persecution ; 
but  I  told  him.  They  could  do  no  otherwise  in  the  spirit  wherein  they 
were  ;  and  that  they  manifested  the  fruits  of  their  priest's  ministr}^,  and 
their  profession  and  religion  to  be  wrong.  So  he  told  his  wife  I  made 
nothing  of  it ;  and  that  I  spake  of  it  as  a  man  that  had  not  been  con- 
cerned :  for  indeed  the  Lord's  power  healed  me  again. 

After  I  was  recovered,  I  went  to  Yelland,  where  was  a  great  meet- 
ing. In  the  evening  came  a  priest  to  the  house,  with  a  pistol  in  his 
hand,  under  pretence  to  light  a  pipe  of  tobacco.  The  maid  of  the  house 
seeing  the  pistol,  told  her  master :  who  thereupon,  clapping  his  hands  on 
both  the  door-posts,  told  him.  He  should  not  come  in  there.  While  he 
stood  there,  keeping  the  door  way,  he  looked  up,  and  spied  over  the 
wall  a  company  of  men  coming,  some  armed  with  staves,  and  one  with 
a  musket.  But  the  Lord  prevented  their  bloody  design  ;  so  that  seeing 
themselves  discovered,  they  went  their  way,  and  did  no  harm. 

The  time  for  the  sessions  at  Lancaster  being  come,  I  went  thither 
with  judge  Fell ;  who  on  the  way  told  me,  He  never  had  such  a  matter 
brought  before  him,  and  could  not  well  tell  what  to  do  in  the  business.  I 
answered,  when  Paul  was  brought  before  the  rulers,  and  the  Jews  and 
priests  came  down  to  accuse  him,  and  laid  many  false  things  to  his 
charge,  Paul  stood  still  all  that  while.  When  they  had  done,  Festus  the 
governor  and  King  Agrippa  beckoned  to  him  to  speak  for  himself; 
which  Paul  did,  and  cleared  himself  of  all  those  accusations :  so  he  might 
do  by  me.  Being  come  to  Lancaster,  and  justice  Sawrey  and  justice 
Thompson  having  granted  a  warrant  to  apprehend  me,  though  I  was 
not  apprehended  by  it,  yet  hearing  of  it,  I  appeared  at  the  sessions ; 
where  there  appeared  against  me  about  forty  priests.  These  had  chosen 
one  Marshal,  a  priest  of  Lancaster,  to  be  their  orator ;  and  had  provided 
one  young  priest  and  two  priests'  sons  to  bear  witness  against  me,  who 
had  sworn  beforehand  that  I  had  spoken  blasphemy.  When  the  justices 
were  set,  they  heard  all  that  the  priests  and  their  witnesses  could  say 
and  charge  against  me ;  their  orator  Marshal  sitting  by,  and  explaining 
their  sayings  for  them ;  but  the  witnesses  were  so  confounded,  that  they 
discovered  themselves  to  be  false  witnesses.  For  when  the  court  had 
examined  one  of  them  upon  oath,  and  then  began  to  examine  another  of 
them,  he  was  at  such  a  loss,  he  could  not  answer  directly ;  but  said, 
The  other  could  say  it.     Which  made  the  justices  say  to  him,  "  Have 


128  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

•'  you  sworn  it,  and  given  it  in  already  upon  oath,  and  now  say,  that  he 
"  can  say  it  1  It  seems,  you  did  not  hear  those  words  spoken  yourself, 
"  though  you  have  sworn  it  1 " 

There  were  then  in  court  several  who  had  been  at  that  meeting, 
wherein  the  witnesses  swore  I  spoke  those  blasphemous  words  which 
the  priests  accused  me  of;  and  these,  being  men  of  integrity  and  repu- 
tation in  the  country,  did  declare  and  affirm  in  court.  That  the  oath, 
which  the  witnesses  had  taken  against  me,  was  altogether  false  :  and 
that  no  such  words  as  they  had  sworn  against  me  were  spoken  by  me 
at  that  meeting.  Indeed,  most  of  the  serious  men  of  that  side  of  the 
country,  then  at  the  sessions,  had  been  at  that  meeting,  and  had  heard 
me  both  at  that  and  other  meetings  also.  This  was  taken  notice  of  by 
colonel  West,  who  being  a  justice  of  the  peace,  was  then  upon  the  bench ; 
and  having  long  been  weak  in  body,  blessed  the  Lord,  and  said.  The 
Lord  had  healed  him  that  day  ,•  adding.  That  he  never  saw  so  many 
sober  people  and  good  faces  together  in  all  his  life.  Then  turning  him- 
self to  me,  he  said  in  the  open  sessions,  "  George,  if  thou  hast  any  thing 
"  to  say  to  the  people,  thou  mayest  freely  declare  it."  I  was  moved  of 
the  Lord  to  speak :  and  as  soon  as  I  began,  priest  Marshal,  the  orator 
for  the  rest  of  the  priests,  went  his  way.  That  which  I  was  moved  to 
declare,  was  this :  "  That  the  holy  scriptures  were  given  forth  by  the 
"  Spirit  of  God ;  and  all  people  must  first  come  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in 
"  themselves,  by  which  they  might  know  God  and  Christ,  of  v^hom  the 
"  prophets  and  apostles  learnt :  and  by  the  same  Spirit  know  the  holy 
"  scriptures ;  for  as  the  Spirit  of  God  was  in  them  that  gave  forth  the 
"  scriptures,  so  the  same  Spirit  must  be  in  all  them  that  come  to  under- 
*'  stand  the  scriptures.  By  which  Spirit  they  might  have  fellowship  with 
"  the  Father,  with  the  Son,  with  the  scriptures,  and  with  one  another : 
"  and  without  this  Spirit  they  can  know  neither  God,  Christ,  nor  the 
*'  scriptures,  nor  have  a  right  fellowship  one  with  another."  I  had  no 
sooner  spoken  these  words,  but  about  half  a  dozen  priests,  that  stood 
behind  me,  burst  into  a  passion.  One  of  them,  whose  name  was  Jackus, 
amongst  other  things  that  he  spake  against  the  truth,  said,  That  the 
Spirit  and  the  letter  were  inseparable.  I  replied,  "  Then  every  one  that 
"  hath  the  letter,  hath  the  Spirit ;  and  they  might  buy  the  Spirit  with  the 
"  letter  of  the  scriptures."  This  plain  discovery  of  darkness  in  the  priest 
moved  judge  Fell  and  colonel  West  to  reprove  them  openly,  and  tell 
them.  That  according  to  that  position,  they  might  carry  the  Spirit  in 
their  pockets  as  they  did  the  scriptures.  Upon  this,  the  priests,  being 
confounded  and  put  to  silence,  rushed  out  in  a  rage  against  the  justices, 
because  they  could  not  have  their  bloody  ends  upon  me.  The  justices, 
seeing  the  witnesses  did  not  agree,  and  perceiving  they  were  brought  to 
answer  the  priests'  envy,  and  finding  that  all  their  evidences  were  not 
sufficient  in  law  to  make  good  their  charge  against  me,  discharged  me. 
And  after  judge  Fell  had  spoken  to  Justice  Sawrey  and  justice  Thomp- 
son concerning  the  warrant  they  had  given  forth  against  me,  and  shew- 
ing them  the  errors  thereof,  he  and  colonel  West  granted  a  supersedeas 
to  stop  the  execution  of  it.  Thus  I  was  cleared  in  open  sessions  of  those 
lying  accusations  which  the  malicious  priests  had  laid  to  my  charge : 
and  multitudes  of  people  praised  God  that  day,  for  it  was  a  joyful  day  to 
many.  Justice  Benson  of  Westmoreland  was  convinced ;  and  major 
Ripan,  mayor  of  the  town  of  Lancaster,  also.  It  was  a  day  of  everlast- 
ing salvation  to  hundreds  of  people :  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  way 


16521  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  129 

to  the  Father,  the  free  Teacher,  was  exalted  and  set  up ;  his  everlasting 
gospel  was  preached,  and  the  word  of  eternal  life  was  declared  over  the 
heads  of  the  priests,  and  all  such  lucrative  preachers.  For  the  Lord 
opened  many  mouths  that  day  to  speak  his  word  to  the  priests,  and  sev- 
eral friendly  people  and  professors  reproved  them  in  their  inns,  and  in 
the  streets,  so  that  they  fell,  like  an  old  rotten  house :  and  the  cry  was 
among  the  people.  That  the  Quakers  had  got  the  day,  and  the  priests 
were  fallen.  Many  were  convinced  that  day,  amongst  whom  Thomas 
Briggs  was  one,  who  before  had  been  so  averse  to  friends  and  truth,  that 
discoursing  with  John  Lawson,  a  friend,  concerning  perfection,  Thomas 
said  to  him,  "  Dost  thou  hold  perfection?"  and  lift  up  his  hand,  to  have 
given  the  friend  a  box  on  the  ear.  But  Thomas,  being  convinced  of  the 
truth  that  day,  declared  against  his  own  priest  Jackus ;  and  afterwards 
became  a  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  stood  so  to  the  end  of  his 
days. 

When  the  sessions  were  over,  James  Nayler,  who  was  present,  gave 
a  brief  account  of  the  proceedings  thereof  in  a  letter,  which  soon  after 
he  wrote  to  friends,  and  is  here  added  for  the  reader's  further  satisfac- 
tion : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  my  dear  love 
'  unto  you  all,  desiring  you  may  be  kept  steadfast  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
'  Christ,  and  in  the  power  of  his  love,  boldly  to  witness  forth  the  truth,  as 
'  it  is  revealed  in  you  by  the  mighty  working  of  the  Father :  to  him  alone 
'  be  everlasting  praise  and  honour  for  evermore !  Dear  friends,  the 
'  Lord  doth  much  manifest  his  love  and  power  in  these  parts.     The 

*  second  day  of  the  last  week  my  brother  George  and  I  were  at  Lancas- 

*  ter.  There  were  abundance  of  friends  from  all  parts ;  and  a  great 
'  many  who  sided  v/ith  the  priests,  giving  out.  They  now  hoped  to  see 
'  a  stop  put  to  that  great  work  which  had  gone  on  so  fast,  and  with  such 
'  power,  that  their  kingdom  is  much  shaken.  We  were  called  before 
'judge  Fell,  colonel  West,  justice  Sawrey,  &c.  to  answer  what  was 

*  charged  against  George.  There  were  three  witnesses  to  eight  particu- 
'  lars,  but  they  were  much  confused  in  themselves  ;  which  gave  much 
'  light  to  the  truth :  whereby  the  justices  did  plainly  see  that  it  was  envy ; 
'  and  they  divers  times  told  them  so.  One  of  the  witnesses  was  a  young 
'  priest,  who  confessed.  He  had  not  meddled,  had  not  another  priest  sent 
'  for  him,  and  set  him  on  work.  The  other  witnesses  were  two  priests' 
'  sons.  It  was  proved  there  by  many,  that  heard  one  of  them  say.  If  he 
'  had  power,  he  would  make  George  deny  his  profession,  and  that  he 
'  would  take  away  his  life.  This  was  a  single  witness  to  one  of  the 
'  greatest  untruths  charged  against  George.  The  justices  told  him, 
'  They  saw,  because  he  could  not  take  away  his  hfe,  he  went  about 

*  to  take  away  his  liberty.  There  was  one  priest  chosen  out  of  the 
'  whole  number,  as  an  orator,  to  plead  against  us ;   who   spared   no 

*  pains  to  shew  his  envy  against  the  truth :   and  when  he  could  not 

*  pi'evail,  he  went  down  in  a  rage ;  and  there  came  a  number  of  them 
'  into  the  room,  among  whom  was  one  Jackus.  George  was  then 
'  speaking  in  the  room   (one  of  the  judges  having  wished,  if  he  had 

*  any  thing  to  say,  that  he  would  speak :)  at  which  priest  Jackus  was  in 
'  such  a  rage,  that  he  brake  forth  into  many  high  expressions  against  the 

*  truth  spoken  by  my  dear  brother  George ;  amongst  which  this  was  one, 

*  That  the  letter  and  the  Spirit  were  inseparable.     Hereupon  the  justices 

R 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

*  Stood  up,  and  bid  him  prove  that,  before  he  went  any  further.  Then 
'  he  seeing  himself  caught,  would  have  denied  it ;  and  when  he  could  not 

*  get  off  so,  the  rest  of  the  priests  would  have  helped  him  to  a  meaning 

*  for  his  words  :  but  the  justices  would  admit  no  other  meaning  than  the 
'  plain  sense  of  the  words,  and  told  him,  He  had  laid  down  a  position, 

*  and  it  was  fit  he  should  prove  it ;  pressing  the  matter  close  upon  him. 

*  Whereupon  the  priests,  being  put  to  silence,  went  down  in  a  greater 

*  rage  than  before ;  and  some  of  them,  after  they  were  gone  down,  be- 

*  ing  asked  what  they  had  done,  lied,  and  said,  They  could  not  get 

*  into  the  room ;  thereby  to  hide  their  shame,  and  keep  the  people  in 

*  blindness.    The  justices,  judge  Fell,  and  colonel  West,  were  much  con- 

*  vinced  of  the  truth,  and  did  set  up  justice  and  equity ;  and  have  much 

*  silenced  the  rage  of  the  people.  Many  bitter  spirits  were  at  Lancaster, 
'  to  see  the  event ;  but  went  home,  and  cried,  The  priests  had  lost  the 

*  day.     Everlasting  praises  be  to  him  who  fought  the  battle  for  us,  who 

*  is  our  King  for  ever !     There  were  others  called,  who  the  witnesses 

*  confessed  were  in  the  room  when  the  things  charged  on  George  were 
'  said  to  have  been  spoken ;  but  they  all,  as  one  man,  denied  that  any 
'  such  words  were  spoken  :  which  gave  much  light  to  the  justices,  and 
'  they  durst  rely  on  what  they  witnessed ;  for  they  said,  they  knew  many 

*  of  them  to  be  honest  men.     There  was  a  warrant  granted  against  us 

*  at  Appleby;  but  justice  Benson  told  them  it  was  not  according  to  law; 

*  and  so  it  ceased.     I  hear  he  is  a  faithful  man  to  the  truth.    The  priests 

*  began  to  preach  against  the  justices,  and  said.  They  were  not  to  med- 

*  die  in  these  things,  but  to  end  controversy  betwixt  neighbour  and  neigh- 

*  bour.     They  are  not  pleased  with  the  law,  because  it  is  not  in  the  stat- 

*  ute  to  imprison  us,  as  the  priest  that  pleaded  against  us  said.     The  jus- 

*  tices  bid  him  go  put  it  into  the  statute,  if  he  could ;  he  said.  It  should 

*  want  no  will  of  his.     They  are  much  afraid  that  they  shall  lose  all. 

*  They  are  much  discontented  in  these  parts ;  and  some  of  them  cry, 
"  All  is  gone."  Dear  friends,  dwell  in  patience,  and  wait  upon  the  Lord, 

*  who  will  do  his  own  work.  Look  not  at  man,  in  the  work ;  nor  at  man, 
'  Avho  opposeth  the  work :  but  rest  in  the  will  of  the  Lord,  that  so  ye 
'  may  be  furnished  with  patience  both  to  do  and  to  suffer  what  ye  shall 
'  be  called  unto ;  that  your  end  in  all  things  may  be  his  praise.  Take  up 
'  his  cross  freely,  which  keeps  low  the  fleshly  man ;  that  Christ  may  be 
'  set  up  and  honoured  in  all  things,  the  light  advanced  in  you,  and  the 
'  judgment  set  up,  which  must  give  sentence  against  all  that  opposeth  the 
'  truth ;  that  the  captivity  may  be  led  captive,  and  the  prisoner  set  free 

*  to  seek  the  Lord ;  that  righteousness  may  rule  in  you,  and  peace  and 
'  joy  may  dwell  in  you,  wherein  consisteth  the  kingdom  of  the  Father ; 

*  to  whom  be  all  praise  for  ever !  Dear  friends,  meet  often  together  ; 
'  take  heed  of  what  exalteth  itself  above  its  brother ;  keep  low,  and  serve 
'  one  another  in  love  for  the  Lord's  sake.  Let  all  friends  know  how  it 
'  is  with  us,  that  God  may  have  the  praise  of  all.' 

'  Written  from  Kellet,  the  30th  day  J.  N. 

'of  the  8th  month,  1652.' 

At  this  time  I  was  in  a  fast,  and  was  not  to  eat  until  this  work  of  God, 
which  then  lay  weighty  upon  me,  was  accomplished.  But  the  Lord's 
power  was  wonderfully  exalted,  and  he  gave  truth  and  friends  dominion 
therein  over  all.  His  glory  was  freely  preached  that  day,  over  the  heads 
of  about  forty  hireling  priests.     I  staid  two  or  three  days  afterwards  in 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  131 

Lancaster,  and  had  some  meetings  there.  The  rude  and  baser  sort  of 
people  plotted  together  to  have  drawn  me  out  of  the  house,  and  to  have 
thrown  me  over  Lancaster  bridge,  but  the  Lord  prevented  them.  Then 
they  invented  another  mischief,  which  w^as  this :  After  a  meeting  at  Lan- 
caster, they  brought  dowai  a  distracted  man,  and  another  with  him, 
having  bundles  of  birchen  rods,  bound  together  like  besoms,  w-ith  which 
they  should  have  whipped  me ;  but  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  them  in  the 
Lord's  mighty  power,  which  chained  down  the  distracted  man,  and  the 
other  also ;  and  made  them  calm  and  quiet.  Then  I  bid  him  throw  his 
rods  into  the  fire,  and  burn  them :  which  he  did.  Thus  the  Lord's  power 
being  over  them,  they  departed  quietly. 

The  priests,  fretting  to  see  themselves  overthrown  at  the  sessions  at 
Lancaster,  got  some  of  the  envious  justices  to  join  wath  them ;  and  at 
the  following  assize  at  Lancaster  informed  judge  Windham  against  me. 
Whereupon  the  judge  made  a  speech  against  me  in  open  court;  and 
commanded  colonel  West,  who  was  clerk  of  the  assize,  to  issue  a  wai-- 
rant  for  the  apprehending  of  me ;  but  colonel  West  told  the  judge  of  my 
innocence,  and  spoke  boldly  in  my  defence.  Yet  the  judge  commanded 
him  again,  either  to  write  a  warrant,  or  go  from  his  seat.  Then  he  told 
the  judge  plainly,  that  he  would  not  do  it;  but  that  he  would  offer  up  all 
his  estate,  and  his  body  also  for  me.  Thus  he  stopped  the  judge,  and  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  all ;  so  that  the  priests  and  justices  could  not 
get  their  envy  executed.  The  same  night  I  came  into  I^ancaster,  it 
being  the  assize-time :  and  hearing  of  a  warrant  to  be  given  out  against 
me,  I  judged  it  better  to  shew  myself  openly,  than  for  my  adversaries  to 
seek  me.  So  I  went  to  judge  Fell's  and  colonel  West's  chambers.  As 
soon  as  I  came  in,  they  smiled  on  me ;  and  colonel  West  said,  "  What ! 
"  are  you  come  into  the  dragon's  mouth  ?"  I  staid  till  the  judge  went  out 
of  town ;  and  I  walked  up  and  down  the  town,  but  no  one  meddled  with 
me,  nor  questioned  me.  Thus  the  Lord's  blessed  power,  which  is  over 
all,  carried  me  through  and  over  this  exercise,  gave  dominion  over  his 
enemies,  and  enabled  me  to  go  on  in  his  glorious  work  and  service  for 
his  great  name's  sake.  For  though  the  beast  maketh  war  against  the 
saints,  yet  the  Lamb  hath  got  and  will  get  the  victory. 

From  Lancaster  I  returned  to  Robert  Withers's.  From  thence  I  went 
to  Thomas  Leper's,  and  a  very  blessed  meeting  we  had  there ;  after 
which,  I  walked  in  the  evening  to  Robert  Withers's  again.  No  sooner 
was  I  gone,  but  there  came  a  company  of  disguised  men  to  Thomas 
Leper's,  with  swords  and  pistols ;  who  suddenly  entering  the  house,  put 
out  the  candles,  and  swung  their  swords  about  amongst  the  people  of  the 
house,  so  that  they  were  fain  to  hold  up  the  chairs  before  them,  to  save 
themselves  from  being  cut  and  wounded.  At  length  they  drove  all  the 
people  out,  and  then  searched  the  house  for  me,  who  it  seems  was  the 
only  person  they  looked  for.  They  had  laid  wait  before  in  the  highway, 
by  which  I  should  have  gone  if  I  had  rid  to  Robert  Withers's,  and  not 
meeting  with  me  on  the  way,  they  thought  to  have  found  me  in  the  house, 
but  the  Lord  prevented  them.  Soon  after  I  came  to  Robert  Withers's, 
some  friends  from  the  town  where  Thomas  Leper  lived  gave  us  a  rela- 
tion of  this  wicked  attempt ;  and  were  afraid  lest  they  should  come  and 
search  Robert  Withers's  house  also  for  me,  and  do  me  a  mischief;  but 
the  Lord  restrained  them,  that  they  came  not.  These  men  were  in  dis- 
guise, yet  friends  perceived  some  of  them  were  Frenchmen,  and  sup- 
posed them  to  be  servants  belonging  to  one  called  Sir  Robert  Bindlas : 


132  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

for  some  of  them  had  said,  in  their  nation  they  used  to  tie  the  protestants 
to  trees,  and  whip  and  destroy  them.  His  servants  often  abused  friends, 
both  in,  and  going  to  and  from  their  meetings.  They  once  took  Richard 
Hubberthorn  and  several  others  out  of  the  meeting,  carried  them  a  long 
way  into  the  fields,  bound  them,  and  left  them  in  the  winter  season. 
Another  time  one  of  his  servants  came  to  Francis  Fleming's,  and  thrust 
his  naked  rapier  in  at  the  door  and  window^s ;  but  a  kinsman  of  Francis 
Fleming's,  not  a  friend,  came  with  a  cudgel,  and  bid  the  servant  man 
put  up  his  rapier ;  which  when  he  would  not,  but  vapoured  at  him  with 
it,  and  was  rude,  he  knocked  him  down,  took  his  rapier  from  him,  and, 
had  it  not  been  for  friends,  would  have  run  him  through  with  it.  So 
friends  preserved  his  life,  that  would  have  destroyed  theirs. 

From  Robert  Withers's  I  went  to  visit  justice  West,  Richard  Hubber- 
thorn accompanying  me.  Not  knowing  the  way,  nor  the  danger  of  the 
sands,  we  rode  where,  we  were  afterwards  told,  no  man  ever  rode  be- 
fore, swimming  our  horses  over  a  very  dangerous  place.  When  we 
were  come  in,  justice  West  asked  us.  If  we  did  not  see  two  men  riding 
over  the  sands  ?  "  I  shall  have  their  clothes  anon,"  said  he,  "  for  they 
"  cannot  escape  drowning ;  and  I  am  the  coroner."  But  when  we  told 
him  we  were  the  men,  he  was  astonished,  and  wondered  how  we  escaped 
drowning.  Upon  this  the  envious  priests  and  professors  raised  a  slan- 
derous report,  That  neither  water  could  drown  me,  nor  could  they  draw 
blood  of  me ;  and  therefore  I  was  a  witch :  indeed,  sometimes  when 
they  beat  me  with  great  staves,  they  did  not  much  draw  my  blood, 
though  they  bruised  my  body  very  sorely.  But  all  these  slanders  were 
nothing  to  me  with  respect  to  myself;  though  I  was  concerned  on  the 
truth's  behalf,  which  I  saw  they  endeavoured  by  these  means  to  preju- 
dice people  against ;  for  I  considered  that  their  forefathers,  the  apostate 
Jews,  called  the  master  of  the  house  Beelzebub;  and  these  apostate 
christians  from  the  life  and  power  of  God  could  do  no  less  to  his  seed. 
But  the  Lord's  power  carried  me  over  their  slanderous  tongues,  and 
their  bloody  murderous  spirits ;  who  had  the  ground  of  witchcraft  in 
themselves,  which  kept  them  from  coming  to  God  and  to  Christ. 

Having  visited  justice  West,  I  went  to  Swarthmore,  visiting  friends, 
and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all  the  persecutors  there.  I  was  moved 
to  write  letters  to  the  magistrates,  priests,  and  professors  thereabouts, 
who  had  raised  persecution  before.  That  to  justice  Sawrey  was  after 
this  manner: 
'  Friend, 

'  Thou  wast  the  first   beginner  of  all  the  persecution  in  the  north. 

*  Thou  wast  the  beginner  and  maker  of  the  people  tumultuous.  Thou 
'  wast  the  first  stirrer  of  them  up  against  the  righteous  seed,  and  against 

*  the  truth  of  God ;   the  first  strengthener  of  the  hands  of  evil-doers 

*  against  the  innocent  and  harmless:  and  thou  shalt  not  prosper.  Thou 
'  wast  the    first   stirrer   up  of  strikers,  stoners,   persecutors,   stockers, 

*  mockers,  and  imprisoners  in  the  north,  and  of  revilers,  slanderers, 
'  railers,  and  false  accusers.     This  was  thy  work ;  this  thou  stirredst  up. 

*  So  thy  fruits  declare  thy  spirit.    Instead  of  stirring  up  the  pure  mind  in 

*  people,  thou  hast  stirred  up  the  wicked,  malicious,  and  envious ;  and 
« taken  hand  with  the  wicked.    Thou  hast  made  the  people's  minds  envi- 

*  ous  up  and  down  the  country :  this  was  thy  work.  But  God  hath  short- 
'  ened  thy  days,  limited  and  set  thy  bounds,  broken  thy  jaws,  discovered 
'thy  religion  "to  the  simple  and  babes,  and  brought  thy  deeds  to  light. 


16521  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  •  133 

*  How  is  thy  habitation  fallen,  and  become  the  habitation  of  devils !  How 

*  is  thy  beauty  lost,  and  thy  glory  withered  !  How  hast  thou  shewed  thy 

*  evil,  that  thou  hast  served  God  but  with  thy  lips,  and  thy  heart  far  from 
'  him,  and  thou  in  the  hypocrisy !  How  hath  the  form  of  thy  teaching 
'  discovered  itself  to  be  the  mark  of  the  false  prophets,  whose  fruit  de- 
'  clares  itself!  for  by  their  fruits  they  are  known.  How  are  the  wise 
'  men  turned  backward !  View  thy  ways  !  take  notice  with  whom  thou 

*  hast  taken  part.     That  of  God  in  thy  conscience  will  tell  thee.     The 

*  Ancient  of  days  will  reprove  thee.  How  hath  thy  zeal  appeared  to  be 
'  the  blind  zeal  of  a  persecutor  which  Christ  and  his  apostles  forbad 
'  Christians  to  follow !  How  hast  thou  strengthened  the  hands  of  evil- 
'  doers,  and  been  a  praise  to  them,  and  not  to  those  that  do  well !    How 

*  like  a  madman  and  a  blind  man  didst  thou  turn  thy  sword  backward 
'  against  the  saints,  against  whom  there  is  no  law !  How  wilt  thou  be 

*  gnawed  and  burned  one  day,  when  thou  shalt  feel  the  flame,  and  have 
'  the  plagues  of  God  poured  upon  thee,  and  thou  begin  to  gnaw  thy 
'  tongue  for  pain,  because  of  the  plagues  !  Thou  shalt  have  thy  reward 
«  according  to  thy  works.  Thou  canst  not  escape ;  the  Lord's  righteous 
'  judgment  will  find  thee  out,  and  the  witness  of  God  in  thy  conscience 
'  shall  answer  it.  How  hast  thou  caused  the  heathen  to  blaspheme,  gone 
'  with  the  multitude  to  do  evil,  and  joined  hand  in  hand  with  the  wicked  ! 
'  How  is  thy  latter  end  worse  than  thy  beginning,  who  art  come  with 
'  the  dog  to  bite,  and  art  turned  as  a  wolf  to  devour  the  Lambs !  How 
'  hast  thou  discovered  thyself  to  be  a  man  more  fit  to  be  kept  in  a  place 

*  to  be  nurtured,  than  to  be  a  set  in  a  place  to  nurture !  How  wast  thou 
'  exalted  and  puffed  up  with  pride !  And  now  art  thou  fallen  down  with 
'  shame,  that  thou  comest  to  be  covered  with  that  which  thou  stiiTcdst 
'  up  and  broughtest  forth.     Let  not  John  Sawrey  take  the  words  of  God 

*  into  his  mouth  till  he  be  reformed :  let  him  not  take  his  name  into  his 

*  mouth,  till  he  depart  from  iniquity.  Let  not  him  and  his  teacher  make 
'  a  profession  of  the  saints'  words,  except  they  intend  to  proclaim  them- 
'  selves  hypocrites,  whose  lives  are  so  contrary  to  the  lives  of  the  saints ; 
'  whose  church  hath  made  itself  manifest  to  be  a  cage  of  unclean  birds. 

*  You  having  a  form  of  godliness,  but  not  t'he  power,  have  made  them 
'  that  are  in  the  power  your  derision,  your  by-word,  and  your  talk  at 

*  your  feasts.  Thy  ill  savour,  John  Sawrey,  the  country  about  have 
'  smelled,  and  of  thy  unchristian  carriage  all  that  fear  God  have  been 
'  ashamed ;  and  to  them  thou  hast  been  a  grief :  in  the  day  of  account 
'  thou  shalt  know  it,  even  in  the  day  of  thy  condemnation.     Thou  wast 

*  mounted  up  and  hadst  set  thy  nest  (yi  high,  but  never  got  higher  than 
'  the  fowls  of  the  air.  Now  thou  art  run  among  the  beasts  of  prey,  and 
'  art  fallen  into  the  earth ;  so  that  earthliness  and  covetousness  have 
'  swallowed  thee  up.     Thy  conceitedness  would  not  carry  thee  through, 

*  in  whom  was  found  the  selfish  principle  which  hath  blinded  thine  eye. 
'  Thy  back  must  be  bowed  down  always ;  for  thy  table  is  already  be- 
'  come  thy  snare^  G.  F.' 

This  justice  Sawrey,  who  was  the  first  persecutor  in  that  country, 
was  afterwards  drowned. 

1  wrote  also  to  WiUiam  Lampitt,  the  priest  of  Ulverstone,  thus : 
'  The  word  of  the  Lord  to  thee,  O  Lampitt !  A  deceiver,  surfehed  and 
'  drunk  with  the  earthly  spirit,  rambling  up  and  down  in  the  scriptures, 
'  and  blending  thy  spirit  amongst  the  saints'  conditions ;  who  hadst  a 


134  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

'  prophec}^  as  thy  father  Balaam  had,  but  art  erred  from  it,  as  thy  father 
'  did.  One  whose  fruit  hath  withered  (of  which  I  am  a  witness)  and 
'  many  who  have  known  thy  fruit  have  seen  the  end  of  it,  that  it  is  with-- 
'  ered ;  and  do  see  where  thou  art,  in  the  blind  world,  a  blind  leader  of 
'  the  blind ;  as  a  beast  wallowing  and  tumbling  in  the  earth,  and  in  the 
'  lust ;  one  that  is  erred  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  of  old  ordained  to 
'  condemnation.  Thou  art  in  the  seat  of  the  Pharisees,  art  called  of  men 
'  master,  standest  praying  in  the  synagogues,  and  hast  the  chief  seat  in 
'  the  assemblies ;  a  right  hypocrite  in  the  steps  of  the  Pharisees,  and  in 
'  the  way  of  thy  fathers,  the  hypocrites,  which  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

*  cried  wo  against.  Such  with  the  light  thou  art  seen  to  be,  and  by  the 
'  light  art  comprehended ;  which  is  thy  condemnation  who  hatest  it,  and 

*  will  be  so  eternally  except  thou  repent.     To  thee  this  is  the  word  of 

*  God ;  for  in  Christ's  way  thou  art  not,  but  in  that  of  the  Pharisees,  as 
'  thou  mayest  read.  Matt,  xxiii.  All  that  own  Christ's  words  may  see 
'  thee  there.     Christ,  who  died  at  Jerusalem,  cried  wo  against  such  as 

*  thou  art ;  and  Christ  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  The 
'  wo  remains  upon  thee,  and  from  under  it  thou  canst  never  come,  but 
'  through  judgment,  condemnation,  and  true  repentance.  To  thee  this  is 
'  the  word  of  God.  To  that  of  God  in  thy  conscience  I  speak,  which 
'  will  witness  the  truth  of  what  I  write,  and  will  condemn  thee.     When 

*  thou  art  in  thy  torment  (though  now  thou  swellest  in  thy  vanity,  and 
'  livest  in  wickedness)  remember   thou  wast  warned   in   thy  life-time. 

*  When  the  eternal  condemnation  is  stretched  over  thee,  thou  shalt  wit- 
'  ness  this  to  be  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  unto  thee,  and  if  ever  thine 

*  eye  should  see  repentance,  thou  wilt  witness  me  to  have  been  a  friend 
«  of  thy  soul.  G.  F.' 

Having  thus  cleared  my  conscience  to  the  justice  and  the  priest  of 
Ulverstone,  it  was  upon  me  to  send  this  warning  in  writing  to  the  people 
of  Ulverstone  in  general. 

'  Consider,  O  people !  who  are  within  the  parish  of  Ulverstone,  I  was 
'  moved  of  the  Lord  to  come  into  your  publick  places  to  speak  among 
'  you,  being  sent  of  God  to  direct  your  minds  to  him,  that  you  might 

*  know  where  to  find  your  teacher ;  that  your  minds  might  be  stayed 

*  alone  upon  God,  and    you  might  not  gad  abroad  without  you  for  a 

*  teacher ;  for  the  Lord  alone  will  teach  his  people ;  he  is  coming  to 

*  teach  them,  and  to  gather  his  people  from  idols'  temples,  and  from  the 

*  customary  worships  which  all  the  world  is  trained  up  in.     God  hath 

*  given  to  every  one  of  you  a  measure  of  his  Spirit  according  to  your 

*  capacity;  liars,  drunkards,  whoremongers,  and  thieves,  and  who  follow 
'  filthy  pleasures,  you  all  have  this  measure  in  you.    This  is  the  measure 

*  of  the  Spirit  of  God  that  shews  you  sin,  evil,  and  deceit ;  which  lets 
'  you  see  lying  is  sin ;   theft,  drunkenness,  and  uncleanness,  to  be  the 

*  works  of  darkness.     Therefore  mind  your  measure  (for  nothing  that  is 

*  unclean  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God)  and  prize  your  time  while 

*  you  have  it,  lest  the  time  come  that  you  will  say,  with  sorrow,  we  had 

*  time,  but  it  is  past.     Oh !  why  will  ye  die !  Why  will  ye  choose  your 

*  own  ways  !  Why  will  ye  follow  the  course  of  the  world !  Why  will  ye 

*  follow  envy,  malice,  drunkenness,  and  foolish  pleasures  !  Know  ye  not 
••  in  your  consciences,  that  all  these  are  evil  and  sin?  and  that  such  as 

*  act  these  things  shall  never  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  ?   Oh !   that 

*  ye  would  consider  and  see  how  you  have  spent  your  time,  and  mind 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  135 

*  how  ye  spend  your  time,  and  observe  whom  ye  serve ;  for  the  wages 

*  of  sin  is  death.  Do  not  ye  know,  that  whatsoever  is  more  than  yea 
'  and  nay  cometh  of  evil  1  Oh  !  ye  drunkards,  who  hve  in  drunkenness, 
'  do  ye  think  to  escape  the  fire,  the  judgment  of  God?  Though  ye  swell 
'  in  venom,  and  Hve  in  lust  for  awhile,  yet  God  will  find  you  out,  and 
'  bring  you  to  judgment.  Therefore  love  the  light  which  Christ  hath 
'  enlightened  you  withal,  who  saith,  I  am  the  light  of  the  world,  and  who 
'  enlightens  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world.  One  loves  the  light, 
'  and  brings  his  works  to  the  light,  and  there  is  no  occasion  at  all  of 
'  stumbling :  the  other  hates  the  light,  because  his  deeds  are  evil,  and  the 
'  light  will  reprove  him.  Thou  that  hatest  this  light,  thou  hast  it.  Thou 
'  knowest,  lying  is  evil,  drunkenness  is  evil,  swearing  is  evil,  whoredom, 
'  theft,  all  ungodliness,  and  unrighteousness,  are  evil.  Christ  Jesus  hath 
'  given  thee  light  enough  to  let  thee  see  these  are  evil.   This  light,  if  thou 

*  lovest  it,  will  teach  thee  holiness  and  righteousness,  without  which  none 

*  siiall  see  God ;  but  if  thou  hatest  this  light,  it  is  thy  condemnation. 
'  Thus  are  Christ's  words  found  to  be  true,  and  fulfilled  among  you.  You 
'  that  hate  this  light  set  up  hirehngs  and  idols'  temples,  and  such  priests 
'  as  bear  rule  by  their  means ;  such  shepherds  as  hold  up  such  things, 
'  such  as  are  called  of  men  masters  and  have  the  chiefest  place  in  the 
'  assemblies,  whom  Christ  cried  wo  against.  Matt,  xxiii.  such  as  go  in  the 

*  way  of  Cain,  in  envy,  and  after  the  error  of  Balaam  for  wages,  gifts, 

*  and  rewards,  these  have  been  your  teachers,  and  these  you  have  held 
'  up.  But  those  who  love  the  light  are  taught  of  God,  and  the  Lord  is 
'  coming  to  teach  his  people  himself,  and  to  gather  his  from  the  hirelings, 
'  from  such  as  seek  for  their  gain  from  their  quarter,  and  from  such  as 
'  bear  rule  by  their  means.  The  Lord  is  opening  the  eyes  of  people, 
'  that  they  shall  see  such  as  bear  rule  over  them.  But  all,  whose  eyes 
'  are  shut,  are  such  as  the  prophet  spoke  of  "  That  have  eyes,  and  see 
"  not ;  but  are  foolish,  upholding  such  things."  Therefore,  poor  people, 
'  as  ye  love  your  own  souls,  consider  the  love  of  God  to  your  souls  while 
'  ye  have  time,  and  do  not  turn  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness.  That 
'  which  shews  you  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts  should  and  would  be 
'  your  teacher,  if  you  would  hearken  to  it ;  for  the  saints  of  old  witnessed 
'  the  grace  of  God  to  be  their  teacher,  which  taught  them  to  live  soberly 
'  and  godly  in  this  present  world.  You  that  are  not  sober,  this  grace  of 
'  God  hath  appeared  unto  you ;  but  you  turn  it  into  wantonness,  and  set 
'  up  teachers  without  you,  who  are  not  sober,  not  holy,  not  godly.  Here 
'  you  are  left  without  excuse,  when  the  righteous  judgment  of  God  shall 
'  be  revealed  upon  all  who  live  ungodlily.  Therefore  to  the  light  in  you 
'  I  speak ;  and  when  the  book  of  conscience  shall  come  to  be  opened, 
'  then  shall  you  witness  what  I  say  to  he  true,  and  you  all  shall  be  judged 
'  out  of  it.  God  Almighty  direct  your  minds  (such  of  you  especially  as 
'  love  honesty  and  sincerity)  that  you  may  receive  mercy  in  the  time  of 
'  need.  Your  teacher  is  within  you ;  look  not  forth :  it  will  teach  you 
'  both  lying  in  bed,  and  going  abroad,  to  shun  all  occasion  of  sin  and  evil. 

G.  F.' 

As  the  foregoing  was  directed  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  Ulverstone  in 
general,  so  it  was  upon  me  to  write  to  those  more  particularly  that  most 
constantly  followed  W.  Lampitt.     To  these  I  wrote  after  this  manner : 

*  The  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  all  the  people  that  follow  priest  Lam- 
'  pitt,  who  is  a  blind  guide.   Ye  are  such  as  are  turned  from  the  light  of 


136  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1652 

Christ  within,  which  he  hath  enlightened  you  withal :  ye  are  such  as 
follow  that  which  Christ  cried  wo  against,  that  go  not  in  Christ's  way, 
but  in  the  Pharisees'  way,  as  ye  may  read,  Matt,  xxiii.  which  our  Lord 
cried  wo  against.  He  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever ;  but 
him  ye  own  not  while  ye  follow  sucii  as  he  cried  wo  against,  though  ye 
make  a  profession,  and  Lampitt,  your  priest,  makes  a  trade  of  Christ's 
and  the  saints'  words,  as  his  fathers,  the  Pharisees,  made  a  profession 
of  the  prophets'  and  of  Moses's  words.  Wo  was  unto  them  who  had 
not  the  life,  so  wo  is  unfo  you  who  have  not  the  life  that  gave  forth  the 
scriptures,  as  your  fruits  have  made  manifest.  For  when  the  Lord 
moved  some  to  come  amongst  you,  to  preach  the  truth  freely,  you 
knock'd  them  down,  beat,  punched,  and  haled  them  out  of  your  assem- 
blies. Such  a  people  serves  thee,  O  Lampitt,  to  make  a  prey  upon,  and 
these  are  thy  fruits.  Oh !  let  shame,  shame  strike  thee  and  you  all  in 
the  faces,  who  make  a  profession  of  Christ's  words,  yet  are  stoners, 
strikers,  mockers,  and  scoffers.  Let  all  see,  if  this  be  not  a  cage  of  un- 
clean birds,  which  they  who  had  the  life  of  the  scriptures  spoke  of. 
Such  a  company  of  people  thou  deceivest,  feedest  them  with  thy  fan- 
cies, makest  a  trade  of  the  scriptures,  and  takest  them  for  thy  cloak. 
But  thou  art  manifest  to  all  the  children  of  light,  for  that  cloak  will  not 
cover  thee,  thy  skirts  are  seen  and  thy  nakedness  appears.  The  Lord 
made  one  to  go  naked  among  you,  a  figure  of  thy  nakedness,  and  of 
your  nakedness,  and  as  a  sign  amongst  you,  before  your  destruction 
Cometh ;  that  you  might  see  you  were  naked  and  not  covered  with  the 
truth.  To  the  light  in  all  your  consciences  I  speak,  which  Christ  Jesus 
doth  enlighten  you  withal.  It  will  shew  you  the  time  you  have  spent, 
and  all  the  evil  you  have  done  in  that  time,  who  follow  such  a  teacher, 
that  acts  contrary  to  tiiis  light,  and  leads  you  into  the  ditch.  When 
you  are  in  the  ditch  together,  both  teacher  and  people,  remember  ye 
were  warned  in  your  life-time.  If  ever  your  eye  come  to  see  repent- 
ance, and  you  obey  the  light  of  Jesus  Christ  in  you,  you  will  witness 
me  to  have  been  a  friend  of  your  souls,  and  that  I  have  sought  your 
eternal  good,  and  written  this  in  dear  love  to  you.  Then  will  you  own 
your  condemnation ;  which  you  must  all  own  before  you  can  come  into 
that  blessed  life,  of  which  there  is  no  end.  But  ye,  who  hate  the  light, 
because  your  deeds  are  evil,  this  light  is  your  condemnation.  Oh!  that 
ye  would  love  this  light  and  hearken  to  it !  It  would  teach  you,  as  you 
walk  up  and  down  about  your  occasions,  and  as  you  lie  upon  your 
beds,  and  would  never  let  you  speak  a  vain  word.  In  loving  it,  you 
love  Christ ;  in  hating  it,  you  bring  the  condemnation  thereof  upon 
yourselves.  To  you  this  is  the  word  of  God,  from  under  which  you 
can  never  pass,  nor  ever  escape  the  terror  of  the  Lord  in  the  state  you 
are  in,  who  hate  the  light.  G.  F.' 

Amongst  the  chief  hearers  and  followers  of  priest  Lampitt,  was  Adam 
Sands,  a  very  wicked,  false  man,  who  would  have  destroyed  the  truth 
and  its  followers,  if  he  could.  To  him  I  was  moved  to  write  on  this 
wise: 

'Adam  Sands, 
*  To  the  light  in  thy  conscience  I  appeal,  thou  child  of  the  devil,  thou 
'  enemy  of  righteousness ;  the  Lord  will  strike  thee  down,  though  now 

*  for  awhile  in  thy  wickedness  thou  may'st  reign.     The  plagues  of  God 

*  are  due  to  thee,  who  hardenest  thyself  in  wickedness  against  the  pure 


1652]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  137  • 

*  truth  of  God.  With  the  pure  truth  of  God,  which  thou  hast  resisted 
'  and  persecuted,  thou  art  to  be  threshed  down,  which  is  eternal,  and 
'  doth  comprehend  thee.  With  the  hght  which  thou  despisest  thou  art 
'  seen,  and  it  is  thy  condemnation.     Thou  as  one  brutish,  thy  wife  as  an 

*  hypocrite,  and  both  as  murderers  of  the  just,  in  that  which  is  eternal 

*  are  seen  and  comprehended;  and  your  hearts  searched,  tried,  and  con- 

*  demned  by  the  Hght.   The  Hght  in  thy  conscience  will  witness  the  truth 

*  of  what  I  write  to  thee,  and  will  let  thee  see  that  thou  art  not  born  of 

*  God,  but  art  out  of  the  truth,  in  the  beastly  nature.  If  ever  thy  eye  see  re- 
'  pentance,  thou  wilt  witness  me  a  friend  of  thy  soul,  and  a  seeker  of  thy 
'  eternal  good.  G.  F.' 

This  Adam  Sands  afterwards  died  miserably. 

J  was  moved  also  to  write  to  priest  Tatham. 

'  The  word  of  the  Lord  to  thee,  priest  Tatham,  who  art  found  out  of 
'  the  doctrine  of  Christ ;  having  the  chiefest  place  in  the  assembly,  being 

*  called  of  men  master,  and  standing  praying  in  the  synagogue  in  the 
'  steps  of  the  Pharisees,  which  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  cried  wo  against. 

*  In  his  way  thou  art  not,  but  in  the  way  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees ; 
'  as  thou  may  est  read,  Matth.  xxiii.  There  Christ's  words  judge  thee, 
'  and  the  scriptures  of  iruth  condemn  thee.  For  thou  art  such  a  one  as 
'  sues  men  at  law  for  tythes,  yet  professest  thyself  to  be  a  minister  of 
'  Christ ;  which  Christ  never  empowered  his  to  do :  neither  did  any  of 
'  his  apostles  or  ministers  ever  do  so.  Here  I  charge  thee  in  the  presence 
'  of  the  Living  God  as  one  out  of  their  doctrine,  and  that  thou  art  one 
'  of  those  evil  beasts  the  scripture  speaks  of,  that  mindest  earthly  things 
'  which  the  life  of  the  scriptures  is  against.  Thou  art  for  destruction  in 
'  the  state  wherein  thou  standest ;  and  it  will  be  thy  portion  eternally,  if 
'  thou  dost  not  repent.   To  that  of  God  in  thy  conscience  I  speak,  which 

*  will  witness  the  truth  of  what  I  say.  Thou  art  one  that  goest  in  Cain's 
'  way,  in  envy,  an  enemy  to  God,  and  from  the  command  of  God.  Thou 
'  art  one  that  goest  in  Balaam's  way,  from  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  gifts 
'  and  rewards,  the  wages  of  unrighteousness.  Thou  son  of  Balaam, 
'  thou  art  worse  than  thy  father :  for  though  he  loved  the  wages  of  un- 
'  righteousness,  yet  he  durst  not  take  it ;  but  thou  not  only  takest  it,  but 
'  suest  men  at  law  if  they  will  not  give  it  thee :  which  no  true  minister 
'  of  Jesus  Christ  ever  did.  Therefore  stop  thy  mouth  for  ever,  and  make 
'  no  mention  of  them,  nor  profess  thyself  one  of  them.     With  the  light 

*  thou  art  seen  and  comprehended ;  who  art  light  and  vain,  and  speakest 
'  a  divination  of  thy  own  brain,  and  deceivest  the  people.     That  in  thy 

*  conscience  will  witness  what  I  say,  and  will  condemn  thee,  who  art  one 

*  of  those  that  bear  rule  by  their  means,  which  the  Lord  sent  Jeremiah 
'  to  cry  against,  Jer.  v.  and  so  thou  boldest  up  the  "  horrible  and  filthy 
"  thing,  that  is  committed  in  the  land."    They  that  do  not  tremble  at  the 

*  word  of  the  Lord  are  the  foolish  people  that  hold  thee  up,  they  are 
'  sottish  children  without  understanding.  They  are  wise  to  do  evil,  but 
'  not  to  do  good,  who  are  deceived  by  thee.  Thou  art  one  of  those  that 
'  seek  their  gain  from  their  quarter ;  a  greedy  dumb  dog  that  never  hath 
'  enough,  as  thy  practice  makes  manifest ;  such  the  Lord  sent  Isaiah  to 
'  cry  against,  Isa.  Ivi.  11,  12.  Thou  art  such  a  one  as  the  Lord  sent 
'  Ezekiel  to  cry  against,  who  feedest  of  the  fat,  and  clothest  with  the 
'  wool,  and  makest  a  prey  of  the  people.  But  the  Lord  is  gathering  his 
'  sheep  from  thy  mouth,  that  to  thee  they  shall  be  a  prey  no  longer. 

S 


138  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1662 

'  Thou  enemy  of  God,  here  this  prophecy  is  fulfilled  upon  thee,  Ezek. 
'  xxxiv.  and  thou  art  one  of  them.  I  charge  it  upon  thee  in  the  presence 
'of  the  Living  God.     A  hireling  thou  art,. and  those  that  put  not  into 

*  thy  mouth,  thou  preparest  war  against.     Thou  hatest  the  good,  and 

*  lovest  the  evil ;  which  the  Lord  sent  Micah  to  cry  against,  Mic.  iii. 
'  Cover  thy  lips,  and  stop  thy  mouth  for  ever,  thou  child  of  darkness ; 

*  for  with  the  light  thou  art  comprehended,  and  seen  to  be  among  them 
'  which  the  holy  men  of  God  cried  wo  against ;  and  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
'  Living  God  thou  art  judged.  In  the  light,  which  is  thy  condemnation, 
'  thou  art  comprehended.  Thy  race  is  seen,  and  thy  compass  known, 
'  who  art  out  of  the  commands  of  Christ,  and  out  of  the  doctrine  and 
'  life  of  the  apostles.  Thou  art  proved  and  tried.  To  thee  this  is  the 
'  word  of  the  Lord ;  to  thee  it  shall  be  as  an  hammer,  a  fire,  and  a 
'  sword  ;  and  from  under  it  thou  shalt  never  come,  unless  thou  repent ; 
'  who  art  with  the  light  to  be  condemned,  in  that  state  wherein  thou 
'  standest.   If  ever  thine  eye  see  repentance,  this  thy  condemnation  thou 

*  must  own.  G.  F.' 

I  wrote  also  to Burton,  priest  of  Sedberg,  to  the  same  purpose, 

he  being  in  the  same  evil  ground,  nature,  and  practice.  Many  other 
epistles  also  and  papers  I  wrote  about  that  time,  as  the  Lord  moved  me 
thereunto,  which  I  sent  among  the  priests,  professors,  and  people  of  all 
sorts,  for  the  laying  their  evil  ways  open  before  them,  that  they  might 
see  and  forsake  them ;  and  opening  the  way  of  truth  unto  them,  that 
they  might  come  to  walk  therein ;  which  are  too  many  and  large  to  be 
inserted  in  this  place. 

After  I  had  cleared  my  conscience  to  the  priest  and  people  near 
Swarthmore,  I  went  again  into  Westmoreland.  A  company  of  men 
with  pikes  and  staves  laid  wait  for  me  at  a  bridge  in  the  way ;  and  they 
met  with  some  friends,  but  missed  me.  Afterwards  they  came  to  the 
meeting  v/ith  their  pikes  and  staves ;  but  justice  Benson  being  there,  and 
m.any  considerable  people  besides,  they  were  prevented  from  doing  that 
mischief  they  intended.  So  they  went  away  in  a  great  rage,  without 
hurting  any  body. 

I  went  from  the  meeting  to  Grayrigg,  and  held  a  meeting  at  Alexan- 
der Dickson's ;  to  which  the  priest,  who  was  a  baptist  and  a  chapel- 
priest,  came  to  oppose ;  but  the  Lord  confounded  him  by  his  power. 
Some  of  the  people  tumbled  down  some  milk-pails  which  stood  upon  the 
side  of  the  house  (which  was  much  crowded)  whereupon  the  priest,  after 
he  and  his  company  were  gone,  raised  a  slander,  "  That  the  devil  frighted 
"  him,  and  took  away  a  side  of  the  house,  while  he  was  in  the  meeting." 
And  though  this  was  a  known  falsehood,  yet  it  served  the  priest  and  pro- 
fessors to  feed  on  for  awhile ;  and  so  shameless  they  were,  that  they 
printed  and  published  it. 

Another  time  this  priest  came  to  a  meeting,  and  fell  to  jangling.  First 
he  said,  "  The  scriptures  were  the  word  of  God."  I  told  him,  they  were 
the  words  of  God,  but  not  Christ,  the  Word ;  and  bid  him  prove  by 
scripture  what  he  said.  Then  he  said,  it  was  not  the  scripture  that  was 
the  word ;  and  setting  his  foot  upon  the  bible,  said,  it  was  but  copies 
bound  up  together.  Many  unsavory  words  came  from  him,  but  after  he 
was  gone  we  had  a  blessed  meeting ;  the  Lord's  power  and  presence 
was  preciously  manifested  and  felt  among  us.  Soon  after  he  sent  me  a 
challenge  to  meet  him  at  Kendal.     I  sent  him  word  he  need  not  go  so 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  139 

far  as  Kendal,  for  I  would  meet  him  in  his  own  parish.  The  hour 
being  fixed,  we  met,  and  abundance  of  rude  people  gathered  together 
(besides  the  baptized  people  who  were  his  own  members)  with  intent  to 
do  mischief,  but  God  prevented  them.  I  declared  the  day  of  the  Lord 
to  them,  and  directed  them  to  Christ  Jesus.  Then  the  priest  out  with  his 
bible,  and  said,  It  was  the  word  of  God.  I  told  him  it  was  the  words  of 
God,  but  not  God  the  Word.  His  answer  was,  He  would  prove  the 
scriptures  to  be  the  word  before  all  the  people.  I  let  him  go  on,  having 
a  man  there  that  could  take  down  in  writing  both  what  he  and  I  said. 
When  he  could  not  prove  it  (for  I  kept  him  to  -scripture-proof,  chapter 
and  verse  for  it)  the  people  gnashed  their  teeth  for  anger,  and  said,  He 
would  have  me  anon :  but  in  going  about  to  prove  that  one  error,  he  ran 
into  many.  And  when  at  length  he  saw  he  could  not  prove  it,  he  said, 
he  would  prove  it  a  God :  so  he  toiled  himself  afresh,  till  he  sweat  again ; 
but  could  not  prove  what  he  had  affirmed.  And  he  and  his  company 
were  full  of  wrath :  for  I  kept  his  assertions  on  the  head  of  him  and 
them  all ;  and  told  them,  I  owned  what  the  scriptures  said  of  themselves, 
namely,  that  they  were  the  words  of  God,  but  Christ  was  the  Word.  So 
the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  they  being  confounded  went  away. 
The  Lord  disappointed  their  mischievous  intentions  against  me ;  friends 
were  established  in  Christ,  and  many  of  the  priest's  followers  saw  the 
folly  of  their  teacher. 

After  this,  priest  Bennet,  of  Cartmel,  sent  a  challenge  to  dispute  with 
me.  I  came  to  his  steeple-house  on  a  first-day,  and  found  him  preaching. 
When  he  had  done,  I  spoke  to  him  and  his  people ;  yet  the  priest  would 
not  stand  the  trial,  but  went  his  way.  After  he  was  gone,  I  had  a  great 
deal  of  discourse  with  the  people :  and  when  I  was  come  into  the  steeple- 
house  yard,  discoursing  further  with  the  professors  and  declaring  truth 
unto  them,  one  of  them  set  his  foot  behind  me,  and  two  of  them  ran 
against  my  breast,  and  threw  me  down  backwards  against  a  grave-stone, 
wickedly  and  maliciously  seeking  to  have  hurt  me :  but  I  got  up  again, 
and  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  to  them.  Then  I  went  to  the 
priest's  house,  and  desired  him  to  come  forth  that  I  might  discourse  with 
him,  seeing  he  had  challenged  me ;  but  he  would  not  be  'seen.  So  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  them  all,  which  was  greatly  manifest  at  that 
time.  There  was  amongst  the  priest's  hearers  one  Richard  Roper,  one 
of  the  bitterest  professors  the  priest  had,  who  was  very  fierce  and  hot  in 
contention ;  but  afterwards  he  came  to  be  convinced  of  God's  eternal 
truth,  became  a  minister  thereof,  and  continued  faithful  to  his  death. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1653  I  returned  to  Swarthmore,  and 
going  to  a  meeting  at  Gleaston,  a  professor  challenged  a  dispute  with 
me.  I  went  to  the  house  where  he  was,  and  called  him  to  come  forth ; 
but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  him,  so  that  he  durst  not  meddle.  I  de- 
parted thence,  visited  the  meetings  of  friends  in  Lancashire,  and  came 
back  to  Swarthmore.  Great  openings  I  had  from  the  Lord,  not  only  of 
divine  and  spiritual  matters,  but  also  of  outward  things  relating  to  the 
civil  government.  Being  one  day  in  Swarthmore-hall,  when  judge  Fell 
and  justice  Benson  were  talking  of  the  news,  and  of  the  parliament  then 
sitting  (called  the  long  parliament)  I  was  moved  to  tell  them.  Before  that 
day  two  weeks  the  parliament  should  be  broken  up,  and  the  speaker 
plucked  out  of  his  chair;  and  that  day  two  weeks  justice  Benson  told 
judge  Fell,  that  now  he  saw  George  was  a  true  prophet ;  for  Oliver  had 
broken  up  the  parliament. 


140  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1653 

About  this  time  I  was  in  a  fast  for  about  ten  days,  my  spirit  being 
greatly  exercised  on  truth's  behalf:  for  James  Milner  and  Richard  Myer 
went  out  into  imaginations,  and  a  company  followed  them.  This  James 
Milner  and  some  of  his  company  had  true  openings  at  the  first;  but 
getting  up  into  pride  and  exaltation  of  spirit,  they  ran  out  from  truth.  I 
was  sent  for  to  them,  and  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  and  shew  them 
their  out-goings :  and  they  were  brought  to  see  their  folly,  and  con- 
demned it,  and  came  into  the  way  of  truth  again.  After  some  time  I 
went  to  a  meeting  at  Arnside,  where  Richard  Myer  was,  who  had  been 
long  lame  of  one  of  his  arms.  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  say  unto 
him  amongst  all  the  people,  '•  Stand  up  upon  thy  legs,"  for  he  was  sitting 
down ;  and  he  stood  up,  and  stretched  out  his  arm  that  had  been  lame  a 
long  time,  and  said,  "  Be  it  known  unto  you,  all  people,  that  this  day  I 
'  am  healed."  Yet  his  parents  could  hardly  believe  it ;  but  after  the 
meeting  was  done,  had  him  aside,  took  off  his  doublet,  and  then  saw  it 
was  true.  He  came  soon  after  to  Swarthmore  meeting,  and  there  de- 
clared how  the  Lord  had  healed  him.  Yet  after  this  the  Lord  com- 
manded him  to  go  to  York  with  a  message  from  him ;  which  he  diso- 
beyed, and  the  Lord  struck  him  again,  so  that  he  died  about  three  quar- 
ters of  a  year  after. 

Now  were  great  threatenings  given  forth  in  Cumberland,  That  if  ever 
I  came  there,  they  would  take  away  my  life.  When  I  heard  it,  I  was 
drawn  to  go  into  Cumberland ;  and  went  to  Miles  Wennington's,  in  the 
same  parish  from  which  those  threatenings  came :  but  they  had  not  power 
to  touch  me. 

About  this  time  Anthony  Pearson  was  convinced,  who  had  been  an 
opposer  of  friends.  He  came  to  Swarthmore;  and  I  being  then  at 
colonel  West's,  they  sent  for  me.  Colonel  West  said,  "  Go,  George,  for 
"  it  may  be  of  great  service  to  the  man."  So  I  went,  and  the  Lord's 
power  reached  him. 

About  this  time  also  the  Lord  opened  several  mouths  to  declare  the 
truth  to  priests  and  people,  and  divers  were  cast  into  prison.  I  went 
again  into  Cumberland ;  and  Anthony  Pearson  and  his  wife,  and  several 
friends,  went 'along  with  me  to  Bootle,  where  Anthony  left  me,  and  went 
to  Carlisle  sessions :  for  he  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  three  counties. 
Upon  the  first-day  I  went  into  the  steeple-house  at  Bootle ;  and  when  the 
priest  had  done,  I  began  to  speak.  The  people  were  exceeding  rude, 
and  beat  me  in  the  steeple-house  yard.  One  gave  me  a  very  great  blow ' 
over  my  wrist,  so  that  the  people  thought  he  had  broken  my  hand  to 
pieces.  The  constable  was  very  willing  to  have  kept  the  peace,  and 
would  have  set  some  of  those  by  the  heels  that  struck  me,  if  I  would 
have  given  way  to  it.  After  my  service  amongst  them  was  over,  I  went 
to  Joseph  Nicholson's,  and  the  constable  accompanied  us,  to  keep  off  the 
rude  multitude.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  up  again ;  and  then  the  priest 
had  got  another  priest  to  help  him,  that  came  from  London,  who  was 
highly  accounted  of.  Before  I  went  into  the  steeple-house,  I  sat  a  little 
upon  the  cross,  and  friends  with  me ;  but  they  were  moved  to  go  into 
the  steeple-house,  and  I  went  in  after  them.  The  London  priest  was 
preaching,  who  gathered  up  all  the  scriptures  he  could  think  of,  that 
spake  of  false  proi:)hets,  antichrists,  and  deceivers,  and  threw  them  upon 
us.  When  he  had  done,  I  recollected  all  those  scriptures,  and  brought 
them  back  upon  himself.  Then  the  people  fell  upon  me  in  a  rude  man- 
ner :  but  the  constable  charged  them  to  keep  the  peace,  and  made  them 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  141 

quiet  again.  Then  the  priest  began  to  rage ;  and  said,  I  must  not  speak 
there.  I  told  him,  He  had  his  hour-glass,  by  which  he  had  preached ; 
and  he  having  done,  the  time  was  free  for  me,  as  well  as  for  him :  for 
he  was  but  a  stranger  there  himself.  So  I  opened  the  scriptures  to  them, 
and  let  them  see,  '  That  those  scriptures,  which  spake  of  the  false 
'  prophets,  antichrists,  and  deceivers,  described  them  and  their  genera- 
'  tion,  and  belonged  to  them  who  were  found  walking  in  their  steps,  and 
'  bringing  forth  their  fruits ;  and  not  unto  us,  who  were  not  guilty  of 
'  such  things.'  I  manifested  to  them,  that  they  were  out  of  the  steps  of 
the  true  prophets  and  apostles ;  and  shewed  them  clearly,  by  the  fruits 
and  marks,  that  they,  and  not  we,  were  such  as  those  scriptures  spoke 
of.  And  I  declared  the  truth  and  the  word  of  life  to  the  people,  and 
directed  them  to  Christ  their  teacher.  All  was  quiet  while  I  was  speak- 
ing ;  but  when  I  had  done,  and  was  come  forth,  the  priests  were  in  such 
a  fret  and  rage,  that  they  foamed  at  the  mouth  for  anger  against  me. 
The  priest  of  the  place  made  an  oration  to  the  people  in  the  steeple- 
house  yard,  saying,  '  This  man  hath  gotten  all  the  honest  men  and 
'  women  in  Lancashire  to  him,  and  now  he  comes  here  to  do  the  same.' 
Then  said  I  to  him,  'What  wilt  thou  have  left?  And  what  have  the 
'priests  left  them,  but  such  as  themselves!  For  if  they  be  the  honest 
'  that  receive  the  truth  and  are  turned  to  Christ,  then  they  must  be  the 
'  dishonest  that  follow  thee,  and  such  as  thou  art.'  Some  also  of  the 
priest's  people  began  to  plead  for  their  priest,  and  for  tythes.  I  told 
them,  It  were  better  for  them  to  plead  for  Christ,  who  had  ended  the 
tything  priesthood  with  the  tythes,  and  had  sent  forth  his  ministers  to 
give  freely,  as  they  had  received  freely.  So  the  Lord's  power  came 
over,  put  to  silence,  and  restrained  the  rude  people,  that  they  could  not 
do  the  mischief  they  intended.  When  I  came  down  again  to  Joseph 
Nicholson's  house,  I  saw  a  great  hole  in  my  coat,  which  was  cut  with  a 
knife,  but  it  was  not  cut  through  my  waistcoat,  for  the  Lord  had  pre- 
vented their  mischief.  The  next  day  there  was  a  rude  wicked  man 
would  have  done  violence  to  a  friend,  but  the  Lord's  power  stopped  him. 
Now  was  I  moved  to  send  James  Lancaster  to  appoint  a  meeting  at 
John  Wilkinson's  steeple-house  near  Cockermouth ;  a  preacher  in  great 
repute,  who  had  three  parishes  under  him;  wherefore  I  staid  at  Milholm 
in  Bootle  till  he  came  back  again.  In  the  mean  time  some  of  the  gentry 
of  the  country  had  formed  a  plot  against  me,  and  had  given  a  little  boy 
a  rapier  to  do  me  a  mischief  with.  They  came  with  the  boy  to  Joseph 
Nicholson's  to  seek  me ;  but  the  Lord  had  so  ordered  it,  I  was  gone  into 
the  fields.  They  met  with  James  Lancaster,  but  did  not  much  abuse 
him ;  and  not  finding  me  in  the  house,  went  away  again.  So  I  walked 
up  and  down  in  the  fields  that  night,  and  did  not  go  to  bed  as  very  often 
I  used  to  do.  We  came  the  next  day  to  the  steeple-house,  where  James 
Lancaster  had  appointed  the  meeting.  There  were  at  this  meeting 
twelve  soldiers  and  their  wives,  from  Carlisle ;  and  the  country  people 
came  in,  hke  as  it  had  been  to  a  fair.  I.  lay  at  an  house  somewhat  short 
of  the  place,  so  that  many  friends  were  got  thither  before  me.  When  I 
came,  I  found  James  Lancaster  speaking  under  a  yew-tree ;  which  was 
so  full  of  people,  I  feared  they  would  break  it  down.  I  looked  about  for 
a  place  to  stand  upon,  to  speak  unto  the  people :  for  they  lay  all  up  and 
down,  like  people  at  a  leaguer.  After  I  was  discovered,  a  professor 
asked.  If  I  would  not  go  into  the  church  ?  I  seeing  no  place  abroad 
convenient  to  speak  to  the  people  from,  told  him,  Yes :  whereupon  thd 


142  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

people  rushed  in ;  so  that  when  I  came,  the  house  and  pulpit  was  so  full, 
I  had  much  ado  to  get  in.  Those  that  could  not  get  in,  stood  abroad 
about  the  walls.     When  the  people  were  settled,  I  stood  up  on  a  seat. 

*  And  the  Lord  opened  my  mouth  to  declare  his  everlasting  truth  and  his 
'  everlasting  day ;  and  to  lay  open  their  teachers,  with  the  rudiments,  tra- 
'  ditions,  and  inventions  they  had  been  under  in  the  night  of  apostacy 

*  since  the  apostles'  days.  I  turned  them  to  Christ  the  true  teacher,  and 
'  to  the  true  spiritual  worship ;  directing  them  where  to  find  the  Spirit 

*  and  truth,  that  they  might  worship  God  therein.  I  explained  Christ's 
'  parables  unto  them,  and  directed  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  them- 

*  selves,  that  would  open  the  scriptures  unto  them.    I  shewed  them,  how 

*  all  might  come  to  know  their  Saviour,  sit  under  his  teaching,  come  to 
'  be  heirs  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  know  God's  and  Christ's  voice,  by 

*  which  they  might  discover  all  the  false  shepherds  and  teachers  they  had 

*  been  under,  and  be  gathered  to  the  true  Shepherd,  Priest,  Bishop,  and 
'  Prophet  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God  commanded  all  to  hear.' 

When  I  had  largely  declared  the  word  of  life  unto  them  for  about  the 
space  of  three  hours,  I  walked  from  amongst  the  people,  who  passed 
away  well  satisfied.  Among  the  rest  a  professor  followed  me,  praising 
and  commending  me ;  but  his  words  were  like  a  thistle  to  me.  At  last  I 
turned  about,  and  bid  him  '  Fear  the  Lord ;'  whereupon  priest  Larkham 
of  Cockermouth  (for  several  priests  were  got  together  on  the  way,  who 
came  after  the  meeting  was  done)  said  to  me,  '  Sir,  why  do  you  judge 
'  so  1  you  must  not  judge.'  I  turned  to  him,  and  said,  '  Friend,  dost  thou 
'not  discern  an  exhortation  from  a  judgment?  I  admonished  him  to 
'  fear  God ;  and  dost  thou  say  I  judge  him  V  So  this  priest  and  I  falling 
into  discourse,  I  manifested  him  to  be  amongst  the  false  prophets  and 
covetous  hirelings ;  and  several  being  moved  to  speak  to  them,  he  and 
two  other  of  the  priests  soon  got  away.  When  they  were  gone,  John 
Wilkinson,  preacher  of  that  parish,  and  of  two  other  parishes  in  Cum- 
berland, began  to  dispute  against  his  own  conscience  for  several  hours, 
till  the  people  generally  turned  against  him :  for  he  thought  to  have  tired 
me  out ;  but  the  Lord's  power  tired  him  out,  and  the  Lord's  truth  came 
over  him  and  them  all.  Many  hundreds  were  convinced  that  day,  who 
received  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  his  free  teaching  with  gladness ;  of 
whom  some  have  died  in  the  truth,  and  many  stand  faithful  witnesses 
thereof.  The  soldiers  also  were  convinced  and  their  wives,  and  con- 
tinued with  me  till  first-day. 

On  first-day  I  went  to  the  steeple-house  at  Cockermouth,  where  priest 
Larkham  lived.  When  he  had  done,  I  began  to  speak,  and  the  people 
began  to  be  rude ;  but  the  soldiers  told  them,  we  had  broken  no  law,  and 
they  became  quiet.  Then  I  turned  to  the  priest,  and  laid  him  open  among 
the  false  prophets  and  hirelings ;  at  which  word  he  went  his  way,  say- 
ing, '  He  calls  me  hireling ;'  which  was  true ;  all  the  people  knew  it. 
Some  great  men  of  the  town  said,  '  Sir,  we  have  no  learned  men  to  dis- 
pute with  you.'  I  told  them,  I  came  not  to  dispute,  but  to  shew  the  way 
of  salvation  to  them,  the  way  of  everlasting  life.  I  declared  largely  the 
way  of  life  and  truth  to  them,  and  directed  them  to  Christ  their  teacher, 
who  died  for  them,  and  bought  them  with  his  blood. 

When  I  had  done,  I  went  about  two  miles  to  another  great  steeple- 
house  of  John  Wilkinson's,  called  Brigham ;  where  the  people,  having 
been  at  the  other  meeting,  were  mightily  affected,  and  would  have  put 
my  horse  into  the  steeple-house  yard :  but  I  said,  '  No ;  the  priest  claims 


465^  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  143 

*  that ;  have  him  to  an  inn.'  When  I  came  into  the  steeple-house  yard,  I 
saw  the  people  coming  in  great  companies,  as  to  a  fair ;  and  abundance 
were  already  gathered  in  the  lanes  and  about  the  steeple-house.  I  was 
very  thirsty,  and  walked  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  a  brook,  where  I 
got  some  water,  and  refreshed  myself.  As  I  came  up  again,  I  met  Wil- 
kinson ;  who,  as  I  passed  by  him,  said, '  Sir,  will  you  preach  to-day  1  If 
'  you  will,'  said  he,  '  I  will  not  oppose  you  in  word  or  thought.'  I  re- 
plied, '  Oppose,  if  thou  wilt ;  I  have  something  to  speak  to  the  people. 
'  And,'  said  I,  '  thou  carriedst  thyself  foolishly  the  other  day,  and  spakest 
'  against  thy  conscience  and  reason,  insomuch  that  thy  hearers  cried  out 
'  against  thee.'  So  I  left  him,  and  went  on ;  for  he  saw  it  was  in  vain  to 
oppose,  the  people  were  so  aflected  with  the  Lord's  truth.  When  I 
came  into  the  steeple-house  yard,  a  professor  asked.  If  I  would  not  go 
into  the  church '(  And  I  seeing  no  convenient  place  abroad,  went  in ; 
and  stood  up  on  a  seat,  after  the  people  were  settled.  The  priest  came 
in  also,  but  did  not  go  up  to  his  pulpit.  '  The  Lord  opened  my  mouth, 
'  and  I  declared  his  everlasting  truth  and  word  of  life  to  the  people ;  di- 
.*  recting  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  by  which  they  might 
'  know  God,  Christ,  and  the  scriptures,  and  come  to  have  heavenly  fel- 
'  lowship  in  the  Spirit.  I  declared  to  them,  that  every  one  that  cometh 
'  into  the  world  was  enlightened  by  Christ  the  hfe ;  by  which  Ught  they 
'  might  see  their  sins,  and  Christ,  who  was  come  to  save  them  from  their 
'  sins,  and  died  for  them.  And  if  they  came  to  walk  in  this  light,  they 
'  might  therein  see  Christ  to  be  the  author  of  their  faith,  and  the  finisher 
'  thereof;  their  Shepherd  to  feed  them,  their  Priest  to  teach  them,  their 
'  great  Prophet  to  open  divine  mysteries  unto  them,  and  to  be  always 
'  present  with  them.  I  explained  also  to  them,  in  the  openings  of  the 
'  Lord,  the  first  covenant,  shewing  them  the  figures,  and  the  substance  of 
'  those  figures ;  bringing  them  on  to  Christ,  the  new  covenant.  I  also 
'  manifested  to  them,  that  there  had  been  a  night  of  apostacy  since  the 
'  apostles'  days ;  but  that  now  the  everlasting  gospel  was  preached  again, 
'  which  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light ;  and  the  day  of  the  Lord 
'  was  come,  and  Christ  was  come  to  teach  his  people  himself  by  his 
'  light,  grace,  power,  and  spirit.'  A  fine  opportunity  the  Lord  gave  me 
to  preach  truth  that  day  for  about  three  hours,  and  all  was  quiet.  Many 
hundreds  were  convinced;  and  some  of  them  praised  God,  and  said, 
'  Now  we  know  the  first  step  to  peace.'  The  preacher  also  said  privately 
to  some  of  his  hearers,  that  I  had  broken  them,  and  overthrown  them. 

After  this  I  went  to  a  village,  and  many  people  accompanied  me.  As 
I  was  sitting  in  an  house  full  of  people,  declaring  the  word  of  life  unto 
them,  I  cast  mine  eye  upon  a  woman,  and  discerned  an  unclean  spirit  in 
her.  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  sharply  to  her ;  and  told  her, 
she  was  under  the  influence  of  an  unclean  spirit.  Whereupon  the  woman 
went  out  of  the  room.  I  being  a  stranger  there,  and  knowing  nothing 
of  the  woman  outwardly,  the  people  wondered,  and  told  me  afterwards, 
I  had  discovered  a  great  thing :  for  all  the  country  looked  upon  her  to 
be  a  wicked  person.  The  Lord  had  given  me  a  Spirit  of  discerning,  by 
which  I  many  times  saw  the  states  and  conditions  of  people,  and  could 
try  their  spirits.  Not  long  before,  as  I  was  going  to  a  meeting,  I  saw 
some  w^omen  in  a  field,  and  discerned  an  evil  spirit  in  them ;  and  I  was 
moved  to  go  out  of  my  way  into  the  field  to  them,  and  declare  unto  them 
their  conditions.  Another  time  there  came  one  into  Swarthmore  hall  in 
tiie  meeting-time,  and  I  was  moved  to  speak  sharply  to  iier,  and  told  her 


144  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

she  was  under  the  power  of  an  evil  spirit ;  and  the  people  said  after- 
wards, she  was  generally  accounted  so  to  be.  There  came  also  another 
time  a  woman,  and  stood  at  a  distance  from  me.  I  cast  mine  eye  upon 
her,  and  said,  *  Thou  hast  been  an  hai'lot :'  for  I  perfectly  saw  the  con- 
dition and  Hfe  of  the  woman.  She  answered  many  could  tell  her  of  her 
outward  sins,  but  none  could  tell  her  of  her  inward.  I  told  her.  Her 
heart  was  not  right  before  the  Lord ;  and  that  from  the  inward  came 
the  outward.  This  woman  was  afterwards  convinced  of  God's  truth, 
and  became  a  friend. 

From  the  aforesaid  village  we  came  to  Thomas  Bewley's,  near  Cold- 
beck  ;  and  from  thence,  having  had  some  service  for  the  Lord  there,  I 
passed  to  a  market-town,  where  I  had  a  meeting  at  the  cross ;  and  all 
was  pretty  quiet.  When  I  had  declared  the  truth  unto  them,  and  directed 
them  to  Christ  their  teacher,  some  received  the  truth.  We  had  another 
meeting  upon  the  borders,  in  a  steeple-house  yard,  to  which  many  pro- 
fessors and  contenders  came ;  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  and 
when  the  word  of  life  had  been  declared  amongst  them,  some  received 
the  truth  there  also. 

From  thence  we  travelled  to  Carlisle,  and  the  pastor  of  the  baptists, 
with  most  of  his  hearers,  came  to  the  abbey,  where  I  had  a  meeting, 
and  declared  the  word  of  Hfe  amongst  them.  Many  of  the  baptists  and 
of  the  soldiers  were  convinced.  After  the  meeting,  the  pastor  of  the 
baptists,  an  high  notionist,  and  a  flashy  man,  asked  me,  '  What  must  be 

*  damned  V  I  was  moved  immediately  to  tell  him,  '  That  which  spoke  in 
'  him  was  to  be  damned.'  This  stopped  his  mouth ;  and  the  witness  of 
God  was  raised  up  in  him.  I  opened  to  him  the  states  of  election  and 
reprobation ;  so  that  he  said.  He  never  heard  the  like  in  his  life.  He 
came  afterwards  to  be  convinced. 

Then  I  went  to  the  castle  among  the  soldiers ;  who  beat  a  drum,  and 
called  the  garrison  together.     I  preached  the  truth  amongst  them,  '  di- 

*  recting  them  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  their  teacher,  and  to  the 
'  measure  of  his  Spirit  in  themselves,  by  which  they  might  be  turned  from 

*  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God.     I  warned 

*  them  all,  that  they  should  do  no  violence  to  any  man,  but  should  shew 
'  forth  a  christian  life :  telling  them,  that  he  who  was  to  be  their  teacher, 

*  would  be  their  condemner,  if  they  were  disobedient  to  hiixf.'  So  I  left 
them,  having  no  opposition  from  any  of  them,  except  the  Serjeants,  who 
afterwards  came  to  be  convinced. 

On  the  market-day  I  went  to  the  cross.  The  magistrates  had  both 
threatened,  and  sent  their  Serjeants ;  and  the  magistrates'  wives  had  said, 
If  I  came  there,  they  would  pluck  the  hair  off  my  head ;  and  the  Ser- 
jeants should  take  me  up.  Nevertheless  I  obeyed  the  Lord  God,  went 
upon  the  cross,  and  declared  unto  them,  '  That  the  day  of  the  Lord  was 
'  coming  upon  all  their  deceitful  ways  and  doings,  and  deceitful  merchan- 
'  dize ;  that  they  should  put  away  all  cozening  and  cheating,  and  keep  to 
'  Yea  and  Nay,  and  speak  the  truth  one  to  another :  so  the  truth  and  the 

*  power  of  God  was  set  over  them.'  After  I  had  declared  the  word  of 
life  to  the  people,  the  throng  being  so  great  that  the  Serjeants  could  not 
reach  me,  nor  the  magistrates'  wives  come  at  me,  I  passed  away  quietly. 
Many  people  and  soldiers  came  to  me,  and  some  baptists,  that  were 
bitter  contenders ;  amongst  whom  one  of  their  deacons,  an  envious  man, 
finding  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them,  cried  out  for  very  anger. 
Whereupon  I  set  my  eyes  upon  him,  and  spoke  sharply  to  him  in  the 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  145 

power  of  the  Lord :  and  he  cried,  '  Do  not  pierce  me  so  with  thy  eyes, 
'  keep  thy  eyes  off  me.' 

The  first-day  following  I  went  into  the  \teeple-house :  and  after  the 
priest  had  done,  I  preached  the  truth  to  the  people,  and  declared  the 
word  of  \i{e  amongst  them.  The  priest  got  away ;  and  the  magistrates 
desired  me  to  go  out  of  the  steeple-house.  But  I  still  declared  the  way 
of  the  Lord  unto  them,  and  told  them,  I  came  to  speak  the  word  of  life 
and  salvation  from  the  Lord  amongst  them.  The  power  of  the  Lord 
was  dreadful  amongst  them,  so  that  the  people  trembled  and  shook ;  and 
they  thought  the  steeple-house  shook;  some  of  them  feared  it  would 
have  fallen  down  on  their  heads.  The  magistrates'  wives  were  in  a  rage, 
and  strove  mightily  to  have  been  at  me :  but  the  soldiers  and  friendly 
people  stood  thick  about  me.  At  length  the  rude  people  of  the  city  rose, 
and  came  with  staves  and  stones  into  the  steeple-house,  crying,  '  Down 
'  with  these  round-headed  rogues :'  and  they  threw  stones.  Whereupon 
the  governor  sent  a  file  or  two  of  musqueteers  into  the  steeple-house  to 
appease  the  tumult;  and  commanded  all  the  other  soldiers  out.  So 
those  soldiers  took  me  by  the  hand  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  said,  they 
would  have  me  along  with  them.  When  we  came  into  the  street,  the 
city  was  in  an  uproar ;  the  governor  came  down ;  and  some  of  those 
soldiers  were  put  in  prison  for  standing  by  me  against  the  town's-people. 
A  lieutenant,  who  had  been  convinced,  came  and  brought  me  to  his 
house,  where  there  was  a  baptist  meeting,  and  thither  came  friends  also. 
We  had  a  very  quiet  meeting  ;  they  heard  the  word  of  life  gladly,  and 
many  received  it.  The  next  day,  the  justices  and  magistrates  of  the 
town  being  gathered  together  in  the  town-hall,  they  granted  a  warrant 
against  me ;  and  sent  for  me  before  them.  I  was  then  gone  to  a  baptist's ; 
but  hearing  of  it,  I  went  up  to  the  hall,  where  many  rude  people  were : 
some  of  whom  had  sworn  strange  false  things  against  me.  I  had  a 
great  deal  of  discourse  with  the  magistrates,  wherein  I  laid  open  the 
fruits  of  their  priests'  preaching ;  shewed  them  how  they  were  void  of 
Christianity ;  and  that,  though  they  were  such  great  professors  (for  they 
wei-e  independents  and  presbyterians)  they  were  without  the  possession 
of  that  which  they  professed.  After  a  large  examination,  they  com- 
mitted me  to  prison  as  a  blasphemer,  an  heretick,  and  a  seducer ;  though 
they  could  not  justly  charge  any  such  thing  against  me.  The  gaol  at 
Carlisle  had  two  gaolers,  an  upper  and  an  under,  who' looked  like  two 
bear-wards.  When  I  was  brought  in,  the  upper  gaoler  had  me  up  into 
a  great  chamber,  and  told  me,  I  should  liave  what  I  would  in  that  room. 
But  I  told  him,  he  should  not  expect  any  money  from  me,  for  I  would 
neither  lie  in  any  of  his  beds,  nor  eat  any  of  his  victuals.  Then  he  put 
me  into  another  room ;  where  after  awhile  I  got  something  to  lie  upon. 
There  I  lay  till  the  assizes  came ;  and  then  all  the  talk  was,  that  I  was  to 
be  hanged.  The  high  sheriff,  Wilfred  Lawson,  stirred  them  much  up  to 
take  away  my  life;  and  said,  He  would  gj.iard  me  to  my  execution  him- 
self. They  were  in  a  rage,  and  set  three  musqueteers  for  guard  upon 
me ;  one  at  my  chamber-door,  another  at  the  stairs-foot,  and  a  third  at 
the  street-door;  and  they  would  let  none  come  at  me,  except  one  some- 
times, to  bring  me  some  necessary  things.  At  night  they  would  bring  up 
priests  to  me,  sometimes  as  late  as  the  tenth  hour;  who  were  exceeding 
rude  and  devilish.  There  were  a  company  of  bitter  Scotch  priests, 
presbyterians,  made  up  of  envy  and  mahce,  who  were  not  fit  to  speak 
of  the  things  of  God,  they  were  so  foul-mouthed ;  but  the  Lord  by  his 

T 


146  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

power  gave  me  dominion  over  tiiem  all,  and  I  let  them  see  both  their 
fruits  and  their  spirits.  Great  ladies  also  (as  they  were  called)  came  to 
see  the  man  that  they  said  was  to  die.  While  the  judge,  justices,  and 
sheriff  were  contriving  together  how  they  might  put  me  to  death,  the 
Lord  disappointed  their  designs  by  an  unexpected  way.  For  the  judge's 
clerk,  as  I  was  informed,  started  a  question  among  them,  which  con- 
founded all  their  counsels ;  after  which,  they  had  not  power  to  call  me 
before  the  judge. 

Anthony  Pearson  being  then  in  Carlisle,  and  perceiving  they  did  not 
intend  to  bring  me  upon  my  trial,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  judges,  as  fol- 
ioweth : 

'  To  the  judges  of  assize  and  gaol-delivery  for  the  northern  parts,  sitting 

'  at  Carlisle. 

'  You  are  raised  up  to  do  righteousness  and  justice,  and  sent  forth  to 
<  punish  him  that  doth  evil,  and  to  encourage  him  that  doth  well,  and  to 
'  set  the  oppressed  free.  I  am  therefore  moved  to  lay  before  you  the 
'  condition  of  George  Fox,  whom  the  magistrates  of  this  city  have  cast 
'  into  prison  for  words  that  he  is  accused  to  have  spoken,  which  they  call 
'  blasphemy.  He  was  sent  to  the  gaol,  till  he  should  be  delivered  by  due 
'  course  of  law;  and  it  was  expected  he  should  have  been  proceeded 
'  against  in  the  common  law-course  at  this  assizes.  The  informations 
'  against  him  were  delivered  into  court,  and  the  act  allows  and  appoints 
'  that  way  of  trial.  How  hardly  and  unchristianly  he  hath  been  hitherto 
'  dealt  with,  I  shall  not  now  mention ;  but  you  may  consider,  that  no- 

•  thing  he  is  accused  of  is  nice  and  difficult.  And,  to  my  knowledge,  he 
'  utterly  abhors  and  detests  every  particular  which  by  the  act  against 
'  blasphemous  opinions  is  appointed  to  be  punished,  and  differs  as  much 
'  from  those  people  against  whom  the  law  was  made,  as  light  from  dark- 
'  ness.  Though  he  be  committed,  judgment  is  not  given  him,  nor  have 
'  his  accusers  been  face  to  face,  to  affirm  before  him  what  they  have  in- 

*  formed  against  him ;  nor  was  he  heard  as  to  the  particulars  of  their 
'  accusation,  nor  doth  it  appear  that  any  word  they  charge  against  him 
'  is  within  the  act.  But  indeed  I  could  not  yet  so  much  as  see  the  in- 
'  formation,  no  not  in  court,  though  I  desired  it  both  of  the  clerk  of  the 
'  assizes  and  of  the  magistrate's  clerk ;  nor  hath  he  had  a  copy  of  them. 
'  This  is  very  hard ;  and  that  he  should  be  so  close  restrained,  that  his 
'  friends  may  not  speak  with  him,  I  know  no  law  nor  reason  for.  I  do 
'  therefore  claim  for  him  a  due  and  lawful  hearing,  and  that  he  may  have 
'  a  copy  of  his  charge,  and  freedom  to  answer  for  himself;  and  that 
'  rather  before  you,  than  to  be  left  to  the  rulers  of  this  town,  who  are 
'  not  competent  judges  of  blasphemy,  as  by  their  mittimus  appears ;  who 
'  have  committed  him  upon  an  act  of  parhament,  and  mention  words  as 
'  spoken  by  him  at  his  examination  which  are  not  within  the  act,  and 
'  which  he  utterly  denies.  The  words  mentioned  in  the  mittimus  he 
'  denies  to  have  spoken,  and  hath  neither  professed  nor  avowed  them. 

*  Anthony  Pearson.' 

Notwithstanding  this  letter,  the  judges  were  resolved  not  to  suffer  me 
to  be  brought  before  them;  but  reviling  and  scoffing  at  me  behind  my 
back,  left  me  to  the  magistrates  of  the  town  :  giving  them  what  encour- 
agement they  could  to  exercise  their  cruelty  upon  me.  Whereupon 
(though  I  had  been  kept  so  close  in  the  gaoler's  house  that  friends  were 


J653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNALw  147  '-Si 

not  suffered  to  come  at  me,  and  colonel  Benson  and  justice  Pearson  were 
denied  to  see  me,  yet)  the  next  day,  after  the  judges  were  gone  out  of 
town,  an  order  was  sent  to  the  gaoler  to  put  me  down  into  the  prison 
amongst  the  moss-troopers,  thieves,  and  murderers ;  which  accordingly 
he  did.  A  fihhy,  nasty  place  it  was,  where  men  and  women  were  put 
together  in  a  very  uncivil  manner,  and  never  a  house  of  office  to  it ; 
and  the  prisoners  so  lousy,  that  one  woman  was  almost  eaten  to  death 
with  hce.  Yet  as  bad  as  the  place  was,  the  prisoners  were  all  made 
very  loving  and  subject  to  me,  and  some  of  them  were  convinced  of  the 
truth,  as  the  publicans  and  harlots  were  of  old;  so  that  they  were  able 
to  confound  any  priest  that  might  come  to  the  grates  to  dispute.  But  the 
gaoler  was  cruel,  and  the '  under-gaoler  very  abusive  both  to  me  and  to 
friends  that  came  to  see  me ;  for  he  would  beat  friends  with  a  great  cudgel, 
who  did  but  come  to  the  window  to  look  in  upon  me.  I  could  get  up  to 
the  grate,  where  sometimes  I  took  in  my  meat ;  at  which  the  gaoler  was 
often  ofiended.  Once  he  came  in  a  great  rage,  and  beat  me  with  his 
cudgel,  though  I  was  not  at  the  grate  at  that  time ;  and  as  he  beat  me, 
he  cried,  Come  out  of  the  window,  though  I  was  then  far  from  it.  While 
he  struck  me,  I  was  moved  to  sing  in  the  Lord's  power,  which  made 
him  rage  the  more.  Then  he  fetched  a  fiddler,  and  set  him  to  play, 
thinking  to  vex  me ;  but  while  he  played,  I  was  moved  in  the  everlast- 
ing power  of  the  Lord  God  to  sing ;  and  my  voice  drowned  the  noise 
of  the  fiddle,  struck  and  confounded  them,  and  made  them  give  over 
fiddling  and  go  their  way. 

Justice  Benson's  wife  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  come  to  visit  me,  and 
to  eat  no  meat  but  what  she  eat  with  me  at  the  bars  of  the  prison  window. 
She  was  afterwards  herself  imprisoned  at  York,  when  she  was  great 
with  child,  for  speaking  to  a  priest ;  and  was  kept  in  prison,  and  not  suf- 
fered to  go  out  when  the  time  of  her  travail  was  come :  so  she  was  de- 
livered of  her  child  in  the  prison.  She  was  an  honest,  tender  woman, 
and  continued  faithful  to  the  truth  until  she  died. 

Whilst  I  was  in  prison  at  Carlisle,  James  Parnel,  a  little  lad  about  six- 
teen years  of  age,  came  to  see  me,  and  was  convinced.  The  Lord 
quickly  made  him  a  powerful  minister  of  the  word  of  life,  and  many 
were  turned  to  Christ  by  him,  though  he  lived  not  long.  For  travelling 
ijito  Essex  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  the  year  1655,  he  was  com- 
mitted to  Colchester  castle,  where  he  endured  very  great  hardships  and 
sufferings ;  being  put  by  the  cruel  gaoler  into  a  hole  in  the  castle  wall, 
called  the  oven,  so  high  from  the  ground  that  he  went  up  to  it  by  a 
ladder,  which  being  six  feet  too  short,  he  was  obliged  to  cHmb  from  the 
ladder  to  the  hole  by  a  rope  that  was  fastened  above.  And  when  friends 
would  have  given  him  a  cord  and  a  basket  to  have  drawn  up  his  victuals 
in,  the  inhuman  gaoler  would  not  suffer  them,  but  forced  him  to  go  down 
and  up  by  that  short  ladder  and  rope  to  fetch  his  victuals  (which  for  a 
long  time  he  did)  or  else  he  might  have  famished  in  the  hole.  At  length 
his  limbs  being  much  benumbed  with  lying  in  that  place,  yet  being 
obliged  to  go  down  to  take  up  some  victuals,  as  he  came  up  the  ladder 
again  with  his  victuals  in  one  hand,  and  catched  at  the  rope  with  the 
other,  he  missed  the  rope  and  fell  down  from  a  very  great  height  upon 
the  stones ;  by  which  fall  he  was  so  wounded  in  his  head,  arms,  and 
body,  that  he  died  in  a  short  time  after.  When  he  was  dead  the  wicked 
professors,  to  cover  their  cruelty,  wrote  a  book  of  him,  and  said,  "  He 
"  fasted  himself  to  death !"  which  was  an  abominable  falsehood,  and  was 


148  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  \t&S 

manifested  so  to  be  by  another  book,  wrote  in  answer  to  that,  called, 
*'  The  Lamb's  Defence  against  Lies." 

When  I  saw  that  I  was  not  hke  to  be  brought  to  a  publick  hearing 
and  trial  (although  I  had  before  answered  in  writing  the  particular  mat- 
ters charged  against  me  at  the  time  of  my  first  examination  and  com- 
mitment) I  was  moved  to  send  the  following  paper,  as  a  publick  challenge 
to  all  those  that  belied  the  truth  and  me  behind  my  back,  to  come  forth 
.and  make  good  their  charge. 

*  If  any  in  Westmoreland,  Cumberland,  or  elsewhere,  that  profess 
'  Christianity  and  pretend  to  love  God  and  Christ,  are  not  satisfied  con- 

*  cerning  the  things  of  God  which  I  George  Fox  have  spoken  and  de- 

*  clared,  let  them  publish  their  dissatisfaction  in  writing,  and  not  backbite, 
'  lie,  and  persecute  in  secret.  This  I  demand  of  you  all  in  the  presence 
'  of  the  Living  God,  as  ye  will  answer  it  to  him.  For  the  exaltation  of 
'  the  truth,  and  the  confounding  of  the  deceit,  is  this  given  forth.     To 

*  that  of  God  in  your  consciences  I  speak ;  declare  or  write  your  dis- 
'  satisfaction  to  any  of  them  whom  you  call  Quakers,  that  truth  may  be 

*  exalted,  and  all  may  come  to  the  light,  with  which  Christ  hath  enlight- 

*  ened  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world ;  that  nothing  may  be  hid  in 

*  darkness,  in   prisons,   holes,  or  corners ;   but   that  all  things  may  be 

*  brought  to  the  light  of  Christ,  and  by  it  may  be  tried.    This  I  am 

*  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write,  and  publish  to  be  set  upon  the  market- 

*  crosses  in  Westmoreland  and  elsewhere.    To  the  light  of  Christ  in  you 

*  I  speak,  that  none  of  you  may  speak  evil  of  the  things  of  God,  which 

*  you  know  not ;  nor  act  contrary  to  the  light  that  gave  forth  the  scrip- 

*  tures :  lest  you  be  found  fighters  against  God,  and  the  hand  of  the  Lord 

*  be  turned  against  you.  G.  F.' 

While  I  thus  lay  in  prison,  the  report  raised  at  the  time  of  the  assizes, 
"  That  I  should  be  put  to  death,"  was  gone  far  and  near ;  insomuch  that 
the  parliament  then  sitting,  which  I  thinlc  was  called  the  little  parliament, 
hearing  that  a  young  man  at  Carlisle  Vv'as  to  die  for  religion,  caused  a 
letter  to  be  sent  to  the  sherifT  and  magistrates  concerning  me.  Much 
about  the  same  time  I  wrote  also  to  the  justices  at  CarHsle,  who  had 
cast  me  into  prison,  and  persecuted  friends  at  the  instigation  of  the  priests 
for  tythes ;  expostulating  the  matter  with  them  thus :  » 

'  Friends,  Thomas  Craston  and  Cuthbert  Studholm, 
'  Your  noise  is  gone  up  to  London  before  the  sober  people.   What  im- 

*  prisoning,  what  gagging,  what  havoc  and  spoiling  the  goods  of  people 
'have  you  made  within  these  few  years!  Unlike  men;  as  though  you 

*  had  never  read  the  scriptures,  or  had  not  minded  them !  Is  this  the  end 

*  of  Carlisle's  religion  1  Is  this  the  end  of  your  ministry  1  Is  this  the  end  of 

*  your  church,  and  of  your  profession  of  Christianity  ?  You  have  shamed 

*  it  by  your  folly,  madness,  and  blind  zeal.  Was  it  not  always  the  work  of 
'  the  blind  guides,  watchmen,  leaders,  and  false  prophets,  to  prepare  war 
'  against  f  hem  that  could  not  put  into  their  mouths  ?  Have  not  you  been  the 
'  priests'  pack-horses  and  executioners  1  When  they  spur  you  up  to  bear 

*  the  sword  against  the  just,  do  not  you  run  on  against  those  that  cannot 

*  hold  up  such  as  the  scriptures  always  testified  against  1  Yet  will  you  lift 
'  up  your  unholy  hands,  and  call  upon  God  with  your  polluted  lips,  and  pre- 

*  tend  a  fast,  who  are  full  of  strife  and  debate.  Did  your  hearts  never  burn 
'  within  youl  Did  you  never  come  to  question  your  conditions  ?  Are  you 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  149 

« wholly  given  up  to  do  the  devil's  lusts,  to  persecute  1  Where  is  your 
'  lovinw  enemies T  Where  is  your  entertaining  strangers?  Where  is  your 

*  overcoming  evil  with  good  I  Where  are  your  teachers,  that  can  stop 

*  the  mouths  of  gain-sayers,  convince  gain-sayers,  and  such  as  oppose 
'  themselves  1    Have  you  no  ministers  of  the  Spirit,  no   soldiers  with 

*  spiritual  weapons,  displaying  Christ's  colours  \  But  all  the  dragon's,  the 

*  murderer's,  the  persecutor's,  arm  of  flesh,  Cain's  weapons,  chief  priests 
'  taking  counsel,  Judas  and  the  multitude  with  swords  and  staves,  So- 
'  dom's  company  raging  about  Lot's  house,  like  the  priests  and  princes 
'  against  Jeremiah,  like  the  dragon,  beast,  and  great  whore,  and  the  false 

*  church,  which  John  saw  should  cast  into  prison,  kill,  and  persecute  ? 

*  Whose  weapons  are  you  bearing  1  Doth  not  the  false  church,  the  whore, 

*  make  merchandise  of  cattle,  corn,  wine,  and  oil,  even  to  the  very  souls 
'  of  men  1  Hath  not  all  this  been  since  the  true  church  went  into  the 
'  wilderness?  Read  Revelations  the  12th,  with  the  18th ;  do  you  not  read 
'  and  see  what  a  spirit  you  are  of,  and  what  a  bottomless  pit  you  are  in  ? 

*  Have  not  you  dishonoured  the  place  of  justice  and  authority  ?  What ! 
'turned  your  sword  backward,,  like  madmen,  who  are  a  praise  to  the 

*  evil-doer,  and  would  be  a  terror  to  the  good,  with  all  force  and  might 

*  to  stop  the  way  of  justice !  Doth  not  the  Lord,  think  you,  behold  your 
'  actions  ?  How  many  have  you  wronged  ?  How  many  have  you  impris- 
'  oned,  persecuted,  and  put  out  of  your  synagogues  ?  Are  you  they  that 
'  must  fulfil  the  prophecy  of  Christ,  Matth.  xxiii.  John  xvi.  Read  the 
'  scriptures,  see  how  unlike  you  are  to  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  his  apos- 

*  ties,  and  what  a  visage  you  have,  like  unto  them  that  persecuted  the 

*  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles.  You  are  found  in  their  steps,  wrest- 
'  ling  with  flesh  and  blood,  not  with  principalities  and  powers,  and  spirit- 

*  ual  wickedness ;  your  teachers  imprisoning  and  persecuting  for  out- 
'  ward  things,  you  being  their  executioners ;  the  like  whereof  hath  not 
'  been  in  all  the  nations.  The  havoc  that  hath  been  made,  the  spoiling 
'  of  people's  goods,  taking  away  their  oxen  and  fatted  beeves,  their  sheep, 
'  corn,  wool,  and  household  goods,  and  giving  them  to  the  priests  that 

*  have  done  no  work  for  them.  More  like  moss-troopers  than  ministers 
'  of  the  gospel,  they  take  them  from  friends ;  suing  them  in  your  courts, 

*  and  fining  them  because  they  will  not  break  the  command  of  Christ ; 

*  that  is,  because  they  will  not  swear.  Thus  you  act  against  them  that 
'  do  not  lift  up  a  hand  against  you,  and  as  much  as  you  turn  against  them 
'  you  turn  against  Christ.  But  he  is  risen  that  will  plead  their  cause,  and 
'  you  cannot  be  hid.  Your  works  are  come  to  light,  and  the  end  of  your 
'  ministry  is  seen,  what  it  is  for ;  for  means.  You  have  dishonoured  the 
'  truth,  the  gospel ;  and  are  of  those  that  make  it  chargeable.  You 
'  have  lost  your  glory.    You  have  dishonoured  yourselves.     Persecution 

*  was  ever  blind  and  mad.  Read  the  apostle,  what  he  saith  of  himself, 
'  when  he  was  in  your  nature.    Exaltation  and  pride,  and  your  lifting  up 

*  yourselves,  hath  brought  you  to  this ;  not  being  humble,  not  doing  jus- 
'  tice,  not  loving  mercy.     When  such  as  have  been  beaten  and  bruised 

*  by  your  rude  company,  to  whom  you  are  a  praise  and  encouragement, 
'  have  come  and  laid  things  before  you,  that  you  might  have  done  justice, 

*  preserved  and  kept  peace,  you,  knowing  they  could  not  swear,  have 
'  put  an  oath  to  them.     This  hath  been  your  trick  and  cover,  that  ye 

*  might  not  do  justice  to  the  just ;  but  by  this  means  go  on  still  further  to 
'  encourage  the  evil-doer.  But  the  Lord  sees  your  hearts  !  If  ye  were 
'  not  men  past  feeling,  ye  would  fear  and  tremble  before  the  God  of  the 


150  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

*  whole  earth  ;  who  is  risen,  and  will  stain  your  glory,  mar  your  pride, 
'  deface  your  beauty,  and  lay  it  in  the  dust.  Though  for  a  time  you  may 
'  swell  in  your  pride,  glory  in  your  shame,  and  make  a  mock  of  God's 

*  messengers,  who,  for  reproving  sin  in  the  gate,  are  become  your  prey ; 
'  you  will  feel  the  heavy  hand  of  God  and  his  judgments  at  the  last. 
'  This  is  from  a  lover  of  the  truth,  of  righteousness,  and  of  your  souls ; 
'  but  a  witness  against  all  such  as  make  a  trade  of  the  prophets',  Christ's, 
'  and  the  apostles'  words,  and  are  found  in  the  steps  of  them  who  perse- 
'  cuted  the  prophets',  Christ's  and  the  apostles'  life;  who  persecute  those 
'  that  will  not  hold  you  up,  put  into  your  mouths,  and  give  you  means. 
'  Tythes  were  before  the  law,  and  tythes  were  in  the  law ;  but  tythes 
'  since  the  days  of  the  apostles  have  been  only  since  the  false  church  got 
'  up.  Christ,  who  is  come  to  end  the  law,  and  to  end  war,  redeems  men 
'  out  of  the  tenths,  and  out  of  the  nines  also.  The  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
'  shall  reign  upon  the  earth,  and  know  the  election  which  was  before  the 
'  world  began.     Since  the  days  of  the  apostles,  tythes  have  been  set  up 

*  by  the  papists,  and  by  them  that  w^ent  from  the  apostles  into  the  world ; 

*  set  up  by  the  false  church  that  made  merchandize  of  the  people,  since 
'  the  true  church  went  into  the  wilderness.  But  now  is  the  judgment  of 
'  the  great  whore  come ;  the  beast  and  false  prophet  (the  old  dragon) 

*  shall  be  taken  and  cast  into  the  fire,  and  the  Lamb  and  his  saints  shall 

*  have  the  victory.  Now  is  Christ  come  who  will  make  war  in  righte- 
'  ousness,  and  destroy  with  the  sword  of  his  mouth  all  these  inventors 
'  and  inventions  that  have  been  set  up  since  the  days  of  the  apostles,  and 
'  since  the  true  church  went  into  the  wilderness.  And  the  everlasting 
'  gospel,  which  is  the  power  of  God,  shall  be  preached  again  to  all 
'  nations,  kindreds,  and  tongues  in  this  the  Lamb's  day ;  before  whom 
'  you  shall  appear  to  judgment.  You  have  no  way  to  escape.  For  he 
'  hath  appeared  who  is  the  First  and  the  Last,  the  Beginning  and  the 

*  Ending,  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega :  he  that  was  dead  is  alive  again, 

*  and  lives  for  evermore  !' 

I  mentioned  before,  that  Gervase  Benson  and  Anthony  Pearson,  though 
they  had  been  justices  of  the  peace,  w^ere  not  permitted  to  come  to  me 
in  the  prison ;  whereupon  they  jointly  wrote  a  letter  to  the  magistrates, 
priests,  and  people  at  Carhsle,  concerning  my  imprisonment :  thus, 

'  He  who  is  called  George  Fox,  who  is  persecuted  by  rulers  and  ma- 
'  gistrates,  by  justices,  priests,  and  people,  and  who  sutlers  the  imprison- 
'  ment  of  his  body  at  this  present  time  as  a  blasphemer,  an  heretick,  and 
'  a  seducer,  him  do  we  witness  (who  in  measure  are  made  partakers  of 
'  the  same  life  which  lives  in  him)  to  be  a  minister  of  the  eternal  word 
'  of  God,  by  whom  the  everlasting  gospel  is  preached ;  by  the  powerful 
'  preaching  whereof  the  eternal  Father  of  the  saints  hath  opened  the 
'  blind  eyes,  unstopped  the  deaf  eai*s,  let  the  oppressed  go  free,  and  hath 

*  raised  the  dead  out  of  the  graves.     Christ  is  now  preached  in  and 

*  among  the  saints,  the  same  that  ever  he  was ;  and  because  his  heavenly 
'  image  is  borne  up  in  this  his  faithful  servant,  therefore  doth  fallen  man 
'  (rulers,  priests,  and  people)  persecute  him.  Because  he  lives  up  out  of 
'  the  fall,  and  testifies  against  the  works  of  the  world,  that  the  deeds 
'  thereof  are  evil,  he  suffers  by  you  magistrates,  not  as  an  evil-doer. 
'  Thus  it  was  ever  where  the  seed  of  God  was  kept  in  prison  under  the 
'  cursed  nature,  that  nature  sought  to  imprison  them  in  whom  it  was 

*  raised.     The  Lord  will  make  him  to  you  as  a  burdensome  stone ;  for 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  151 

'  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Almighty  is  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
'  saints,  which  shall  wound  all  the  wicked ;  and  shall  not  be  put  up  till  it 

<  hath  cut  down  all  corrupt  judges,  justices,  magistrates,  priests  and  pro- 
'  fessors ;  till  he  hath  brought  his  wonderful  thing  to  pass  in  the  earth, 
'  which  is  to  make  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  shall  dwell 
«  righteousness ;  which  now  he  is  about  to  do.     Therefore  fear  the  Lord 

<  God  Almighty,  ye  judges,  justices,  commanders,  priests,  and  people ;  ye 

<  that  forget  God,  suddenly  will  the  Lord  come  and  destroy  you  with  an 

<  utter  destruction,  and  will  sweep  your  names  out  of  the  earth,  and  will 

<  restore  his  people  judges  as  at  the  first,  and  counsellors  as  at  the  begin- 

<  nino-.     And  all  persecutors  shall  partake  of  the  plagues  of  the  whore, 

<  who  hath  made  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  the  great  men  drunk  with 

<  the  wine  of  her  fornications,  and  hath  drunk  the  blood  of  the  saints ; 
'  and  therefore  shall  you  be  partakers  of  her  plagues.     We  are  not  suf- 

<  fered  to  see  our  friend  in  prison,  whom  we  witness  to  be  a  messenger 

<  of  the  Living  God.    Now,  all  people,  mind  whether  this  be  according 

<  to  law,  or  from  the  wicked,  perverse,  envious  will  of  the  envious  rulers 
«  and  magistrates,  who  are  of  the  same  generation  that  persecuted  Jesus 
'  Christ ;  for  he  said,  "  as  they  have  done  to  me,  so  will  they  do  to  you." 

<  And  as  he  took  the  love,  the  kindness,  and  service  that  was  shewed  and 

<  performed  to  any  of  his  afflicted  ones  in  their  sufferings  and  distress,  as 
'  done  unto  himself;  so  the  injuries  and  wrongs  that  were  done  by  any 
'  to  any  of  his  little  ones,  he  resented  as  done  unto  himself  also.    There- 

<  fore  you,  who  are  so  far  from  visiting  him  yourselves  in  his  suffering 

<  servant  that  ye  will  not  suffer  his  brethren  to  visit  him,  ye  must  depart, 

<  ye  workers  of  iniquity,  into  the  lake  that  burns  with  fire.  The  Lord  is 
'  coming  to  thresh  the  mountains,  and  will  beat  them  to  dust ;  and  all 

<  corrupt  rulers,  corrupt  officers,  and  corrupt  laws,  the  Lord  will  take 

*  vengeance  on,  by  which  the  tender  consciences  of  his  people  are  op- 
'  pressed.  He  will  give  his  people  his  law,  and  will  judge  his  people 
'  himself,  not  according  to  the  sight  of  the  eye  and  hearing  of  the  ear, 

<  but  with  righteousness  and  equity.  Now  are  your  hearts  made  mani- 
'  fest  to  be  full  of  envy  against  the  living  truth  of  God,  which  is  made 
'  manifest  in  his  people,  who  are  contemned  and  despised  of  the  world, 
'  and  scornfully  called  Quakers.  You  are  worse  than  the  heathens  that 
'  put  Paul  in  prison,  for  none  of  his  friends  or  acquaintance  were  hin- 

*  dered  to  come  to  him  by  them :  therefore  they  shall  be  witnesses  against 
'  you.  Ye  are  made  manifest  to  the  saints  to  be  of  the  same  generation 
'  that  put  Christ  to  death,  and  that  put  the  apostle  in  prison,  on  the  same 
'  pretence  as  you  act  under ;  in  calling  truth  error,  and  the  ministers  of 
'  God  blasphemers,  as  they  did.  But  the  day  is  dreadful  and  terrible  that 
'  shall  come  upon  you,  ye  evil  magistrates,  priests,  and  people,  who  pro- 
'  fess  the  truth  in  words  outwardly,  and  yet  persecute  the  power  of  truth 
"  and  them  that  stand  in  and  for  the  truth.  While  ye  have  time,  prize  it, 
'  and  remember  what  is  written,  Isa.  liv.  17. 

*  Gervase  Benson, 
'  Anthony  Pearson.' 

Not  long  after  this  the  Lord's  power  came  over  the  justices,  and  they 
were  made  to  set  me  at  liberty.  But  some  time  before  the  governor  and 
Anthony  Pearson  came  down  into  the  prison  to  see  the  place  where  I 
was  kept,  and  understand  what  usage  I  had.  They  found  the  place  so 
bad,  and  the  savour  so  ill,  that  they  cried  shame  of  the  magistrates  for 


152  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

suffering  the  gaoler  to  do  such  things.  They  called  for  the  gaolers  into 
the  prison,  and  required  them  to  find  sureties  for  their  good  behaviour ; 
and  the  under-gaoler  who  had  been  such  a  cruel  fellow,  they  put  into  the 
prison  with  me  amongst  the  moss-troopers. 

After  I  was  set  at  liberty  I  went  to  Thomas  Bewley's,  where  came  a 
baptist-teacher  to  oppose  me ;  who  was  convinced.  Robert  Widders 
being  with  me  was  moved  to  go  to  Coldbeck  steeple-house,  and  the 
baptist-teacher  went  along  with  him  the  same  day.  The  people  fell  upon 
them,  almost  killed  Robert  Widders,  and  took  the  baptist's  sword  from 
him  and  beat  him  sorely.  This  baptist  had  the  inheritance  of  an  impro- 
priation of  tythes,  and  he  went  home  and  gave  it  up  freely.  Robert 
Widders  was  sent  to  Carlisle  gaol,  where  having  lain  awhile  he  was  set 
at  liberty.  William  Dewsberry  also  went  to  a  steeple-house  hard  by, 
and  the  people  almost  killed  him,  they  beat  him  so ;  but  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all  and  healed  them  again.  In  that  day  many  friends  went  to 
the  steeple-houses  to  declare  the  truth  to  the  priests  and  people ;  and 
great  sufferings  they  underwent,  but  the  Lord's  power  sustained  them. 

Now  I  went  into  the  country,  and  had  mighty  great  meetings.  The 
everlasting  gospel  and  word  of  life  flourished,  thousands  were  turned  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  to  his  teaching.  Several  who  had  taken  tythes 
as  impropriators  denied  the  receiving  of  them  any  longer,  and  delivered 
them  up  freely  to  the  parishioners.  Passing  into  Westmoreland  I  liad 
many  great  meetings.  At  Strickland-head  I  had  a  large  meeting,  where 
Henry  Draper,  a  justice  of  peace  out  of  Bishoprick,  came,  and  many 
contenders  were  there.  The  priests  and  magistrates  were  in  a  great 
rage  against  me  in  Westmoreland,  and  had  a  warrant  to  apprehend  me ; 
which  they  renewed  from  time  to  time.  Yet  the  Lord  did  not  suffer 
them  to  serve  it  upon  me.  I  travelled  amongst  friends,  visiting  meetings 
till  I  came  to  Swarthmore,  where  I  heard  the  baptists  and  professors  in 
Scotland  had  sent  to  have  a  dispute  with  me.  I  sent  them  word  I  would 
meet  them  in  Cumberland  at  Thomas  Bewley's,  whither  accordingly  I 
went,  but  none  of  them  came.  Some  dangers  at  this  time  I  underwent 
in  my  travels.  Going  through  Wigton  on  a  market-day,  the  people  of 
the  town  had  set  a  guard  with  pitch-forks ;  and  though  some  of  their 
own  neighbours  were  with  us,  they  kept  us  out  of  the  town  and  would 
not  let  us  pass  through  it,  under  a  pretence  of  preventing  the  sickness, 
which  there  was  no  occasion  for.  However,  they  fell  upon  us,  and  had 
like  to  have  spoiled  us  and  our  horses ;  but  the  Lord  restrained  them, 
that  they  did  not  much  hurt ;  and  we  passed  away.  Another  time,  as 
we  were  passing  between  two  friends'  houses,  some  rude  fellows  lay  in 
wait  in  a  lane,  and  exceedingly  stoned  and  abused  us ;  but  at  last,  through 
the  Lord's  assistance,  we  got  through  them,  and  had  not  much  hurt.  But 
this  shewed  the  fruits  of  the  priests'  teaching,  which  shamed  their  pro- 
fession of  Christianity. 

After  I  had  visited  friends  in  that  county,  I  went  into  Bishoprick 
having  large  meetings  by  the  way.  A  very  large  meeting  I  had  at  An 
thony  Pearson's,  where  many  were  convinced.  From  thence  I  passed 
through  Northumberland  to  Derwentwater,  where  we  had  great  meet- 
ings ;  and  the  priests  threatened  they  would  come,  but  none  came.  The 
everlasting  word  of  life  was  freely  preached,  and  freely  received  ;  hun- 
dreds being  turned  to  Christ,  their  teacher. 

In  Northumberland  many  came  to  dispute.    Some  pleaded  against  per- 
fection ;  to  whom  I  declared,  *  That  Adam  and  Eve  were  perfect  before 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  153 

*  they  fell :  and  all  that  God  made  was  perfect ;  and  that  the  imperfection 

*  came  by  the  devil  and  the  fall :  but  Christ,  who  came  to  destroy  the 
'  devil,  said,  "  Be  ye  perfect."  One  of  the  professors  alledged  that  Job 
said, '  tShall  mortal  man  be  more  pure  than  his  Maker?  The  heavens  are 
'  not  clean  in  his  sight.  God  charged  his  angels  with  folly.'  I  shewed 
him  his  mistake,  and  let  him  see, '  it  was  not  Job  that  said  so,  but  one  of 
'  those  that  contended  against  him ;  for  Job  stood  for  perfection,  and 
'  held  his  integrity ;  and  they  were  called  miserable  comforters.'  These 
professors  said.  The  outward  body  was  the  body  of  death  and  sin.  I 
discovered  their  mistake  in  that  also,  shewing  them,  '  That  Adam  and 
'  Eve  had  each  of  them  an  outward  body,  before  the  body  of  death  and 

*  sin  got  into  them  ;  and  that  man  and  woman  will  have  bodies,  when  the 

*  body  of  sin  and  death  is  put  off  again ;  when  they  are  renewed  up  into 
'  the  image  of  God  again  by  Christ  Jesus,  which  they  were  in  before 

*  they  fell.'  They  ceased  at  that  time  from  opposing,  and  glorious  meet- 
ings we  had  in  the  Lord's  power. 

Then  passed  we  to  Hexam,  where  we  had  a  great  meeting  atop  of  an 
hill.  The  priest  threatened  he  would  come  and  oppose  us,  but  he  came 
not;  so  all  was  quiet:  'And  the  everlasting  day  and  renowned  truth  of 

*  the  everliving  God  was  sounded  over  those  dark  countries,  and  his  Son 
'  exalted  over  all.  It  was  proclaimed  amongst  the  people,  that  the  day 
'  was  now  come,  wherein  all  that  made  a  profession  of  the  Son  of  God, 

*  might  receive  him ;  and  that  to  as  many  as  would  receive  him,  he 
'  would  give  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  as  he  had  done  to  me.' 
It  was  further  declared,  '  That  he  who  had  the  Son  of  God,  had  hfe 
'  eternal ;  but  he  that  had  not  the  Son  of  God  (though  he  professed  all 
'  the  scriptures,  from  the  first  of  Genesis  to  the  last  of  the  Revelations) 
'  had  no  life.'  So  after  all  were  directed  to  the  light  of  Christ,  by  which 
they  might  see  him,  receive  him,  and  know  where  their  true  teacher  was, 
and  the  everlasting  truth  had  been  largely  declared  amongst  them,  we 
passed  through  Hexam  peaceably,  and  came  into  Gilsland,  a  country 
noted  for  thieving. 

Here  a  friend  spying  the  priest,  went  to  speak  to  him ;  whereupon  he 
came  to  our  inn,  and  the  town's-people  gathered  about  us.  The  priest 
said.  He  would  prove  us  deceivers  out  of  the  bible,  but  could  find  no 
scripture  for  his  purpose.  Then  he  went  into  the  inn,  and  after  awhile 
came  out  again,  and  brought  some  broken  sentences  of  scripture,  that 
mention  the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men,  &c.  and  Touch  not, 
Taste  not,  &c.  for  they  perish  with  the  using.  All  which,  poor  man ! 
was  his  own  condition ;  whereas  we  were  persecuted  because  we  would 
not  taste,  nor  touch,  nor  handle  their  doctrines  and  traditions  which  we 
knew  perished  with  using.  I  asked  him.  What  he  called  the  steeple- 
house  ?  '  Oh,'  said  he,  '  the  dreadful  house  of  God,  the  temple  of  God.'  I 
shewed  him,  and  the  poor,  dark  people, '  That  their  bodies  should  be  the 

*  temples  of  God,  and  that  Christ  never  commanded  these  temples,  but 
'  ended  that  temple  at  Jerusalem  which  God  had  commanded.'  While  I 
was  speaking,  the  priest  got  away :  and  afterwards  the  people  made  as 
if  they  feared  we  would  take  their  purses,  or  steal  their  horses;  judging 
us  like  themselves,  who  are  naturally  given  to  thieving. 

The  next  day  we  came  into  Cumberland  again,  where  we  had  a 
general  meeting  of  thousands  of  people  atop  of  an  hill  near  Langlands. 
A  glorious  and  heavenly  meeting  it  was ;  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  did 
shine  over  all ;  and  there  were  as  many  as  one  could  well  speak  over, 

U 


154  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  [1653 

the  multitude  was  so  great.  Their  eyes  were  turned  to  Christ  their 
teacher ;  and  they  came  to  sit  under  their  own  vine ;  insomuch  that 
Francis  Hovvgill,  coming  afterwards  to  visit  them,  found  they  had  no 
need  of  words ;  for  they  were  sitting  under  their  teacher  Christ  Jesus ; 
in  the  sense  whereof  he  sat  down  amongst  them,  without  speaking  any 
thing.  A  great  convincement  there  was  in  Cumberland,  Bishoprick, 
Northumberland,  Westmoreland,  Lancashire,  and  Yorkshire ;  and  the 
plants  of  God  grew  and  flourished,  the  heavenly  rain  descending,  and 
God's  glory  shining  upon  them :  many  mouths  were  opened  by  the  Lord 
to  his  praise ;  yea,  to  babes  and  suckhngs  he  ordained  strength. 

After  my  release  from  CarHsle  prison,  I  was  moved  to  go  to  priest 
Wilkinson's  steeple-house  again:  and  being  got  in  before  him,  when  he 
came,  I  was  declaring  the  truth  to  the  people,  though  they  were  but  few ; 
for  the  most  and  best  of  his  hearers  were  turned  to  Christ's  free  teach- 
ing ;  and  we  had  a  meeting  of  friends  hard-by,  where  Thomas  Stubbs 
was  declaring  the  word  of  life  amongst  them.  As  soon  as  the.  priest 
came  in,  he  opposed  me:  and  there  we  staid  most  part  of  the  day:  for 
when  I  began,  he  opposed  me ;  so  if  any  law  was  broken,  he  broke  it. 
When  his  people  would  be  haling  me  out,  I  manifested  his  fruits  to  be 
such  as  Christ  spake  of,  when  he  said, '  They  shall  hale  you  out  of  their 
'  synagogues :'  and  then  he  would  be  ashamed,  and  they  would  let  me 
alone.  There  did  he  stand,  till  it  was  almost  night,  janghng,  and  oppos- 
ing me  ;  and  would  not  go  to  his  dinner,  for  he  thought  to  have  wearied 
me  out.  But  at  last  the  Lord's  power  and  truth  came  so  over  him,  that 
he  packed  away  with  his  people.  When  he  was  gone,  I  went  to  the 
meeting  of  friends,  who  were  turned  to  the  Lord,  and  established  by  his 
power  upon  Christ,  the  rock  and  foundation  of  the  true,  prophets  and 
apostles. 

About  this  time  the  priests  and  professors  fell  to  prophesying  against 
us  afresh.  They  had  said  long  before.  That  we  should  be  destroyed 
within  a  month;  after  that,  they  prolonged  the  time  to  half  a  year:  but 
that  time  being  long  expired,  and  we  mightily  increased  in  number,  they 
now  gave  out,  That  we  would  eat  out  one  another.  For  after  meetings, 
many  tender  people,  having  a  great  way  to  go,  tarried  at  friends'  houses 
by  the  way,  and  sometimes  more  than  there  were  beds  to  lodge  in ;  so 
that  some  have  lain  on  the  hay-mows  :  hereupon  fear  possessed  the  pro- 
fessors and  world's  people.  For  they  were  afraid,  that  when  we  had 
eaten  one  another  out,  we  would  all  come  to  be  maintained  by  the  par- 
islies,  and  be  chargeable  to  them.  But  after  awhile,  when  they  saw  that 
the  Lord  blessed  and  increased  friends,  as  he  did  Abraham,  both  in  the 
field  and  in  the  basket,  at  their  goings  forth  and  comings  in,  at  their 
risings  up  and  lyings  down,  and  that  all  things  prospered  with  them ; 
then  they  saw  the  falsehood  of  all  their  prophecies  against  us ;  and  that 
it  was  in  vain  to  curse  where  God  had  blessed.  At  the  first  convince- 
ment, when  friends  could  not  put  off  their  hats  to  people,  nor  say  You 
to  a  single  person,  but  Thou  and  Thee,  or  could  not  bow,  nor  use  flatter- 
ing words  in  salutations,  nor  go  into  the  fashions  and  customs  of  the 
world  ;  many  friends,  that  were  tradesmen,  lost  their  customers ;  for  the 
people  were  shy  of  them,  and  would  not  trade  with  them  ;  so  that  for  a 
time  some  could  hardly  get  money  enough  to  buy  bread.  But  after- 
wards, when  people  came  to  have  experience  of  friends'  honesty  and 
faithfulness,  and  found  that  their  Yea  was  Yea,  and  their  Nay  was  Nay ; 
that  they  kept  to  a  word  in  their  dealings,  and  that  they  would  not  cozen 


1653]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  155^ 

and  cheat  them ;  but  that  if  they  sent  a  cliild  to  their  shops  for  any- 
thing, they  were  as  well  used  as  if  they  had  come  themselves ;  the  lives 
and  conversations  of  friends  did  preach,  and  reached  to  the  witness  of 
God  in  the  people.     Then  things  altered  so,  that  all  the  inquiry  was, 

*  Where  was  a  draper,  or  shopkeeper,  or  taylor,  or  shoemaker,  or  any 
'  other  tradesman,  that  was  a  Quaker?  Insomuch  that  friends  had  more 
business  than  many  of  their  neighbours ;  and  if  there  was  any  trading, 
they  had  a  great  part  of  it.  Then  the  envious  professors  altered  their 
note,  and  began  to  cry  out,  '  If  we  let  these  Quakers  alone,  they  will 

*  take  the  trade  of  the  nation  out  of  our  hands.'  This  hath  been  the 
Lord's  doings  to  and  for  his  people !  which  my  desire  is,  that  all  who 
profess  his  holy  truth  may  be  truly  kept  sensible  of;  and  that  all  may  be 
preserved  in  and  by  his  power  and  Spirit,  faithful  to  God  and  man :  first 
to  God,  in  obeying  him  in  all  things ;  and  then  in  doing  unto  all  men  that 
which  is  just  and  righteous,  in  all  things  that  they  have  to  do  or  deal 
with  them  in :  that  the  Lord  God  may  be  glorified  in  their  practising 
truth,  holiness,  godliness,  and  righteousness  amongst  people,  in  their  lives 
and  conversations. 

Friends  being  grown  very  numerous  in  the  northern  parts  of  this 
nation,  and  divers  young  convinced  ones  coming  daily  in  among  us,  I 
was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write  the  following  epistle,  and  send  it 
amongst  them,  for  the  stirring  up  the  pure  mind,  and  raising  an  holy 
care  and  watchfulness  in  them  over  themselves,  and  one  another,  for  the 
honour  of  truth. 

'  To  you  all,  friends  every -where,  scattered  abroad : 

♦  In  the  measure  of  the  Hfe  of  God  wait  for  wisdom  from  God,  from 
'  whom  it  comes.     And  all  ye,  who  are  children  of  God,  wait  for  the 

*  living  food  from  the  living  God,  to  be  nourished  up  to  eternal  hfe,  from 
'  the  one  fountain  from  whence  life  comes ;  that  in  order  ye  may  all  be 
'  guided  and  walk :   servants  in   your   places,  young   men  and  young 

*  women  in  your  places,  and  rulers  of  families ;  that  every  one,  in  your 
'  respective  places,  may  adorn  the  truth  in  the  measure  of  it.  With  it 
'  let  your  minds  be  kept  up  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  from  whence  it  doth  come ; 
'  that  a  sweet  savour  ye  may  be  to  God,  and  in  wisdom  ye  may  all  be 
'  ordered  and  ruled :  that  a  crown  and  a  glory  ye  may  be  one  to  another 
'  in  the  Lord.  And  that  no  strife,  bitterness,  nor  self-will  may  appear 
'  amongst  you ;  but  with  the  Light  in  which  the  unity  is,  all  that  may  be 
'  condemned.  And  that  every  one  in  particular  may  see  to  and  take  care 
'  of  the  ordering  and  ruling  of  their  own  family ;  that  in  righteousness 
'  and  wisdom  it  may  be  governed,  the  fear  and  dread  of  the  Lord  set  in 
'  every  one's  heart,  that  the  secrets  of  the  Lord  every  one  may  come  to 
'  receive,  that  stewards  of  his  grace  you  may  come  to  be,  to  dispense  it 
'  to  every  one  as  they  have  need  ;  and  so  in  savouring  and  right-discern- 
'  ing  you  may  all  be  kept ;  that  nothing  contrary  to  the  pure  life  of  God 
'  may  be  brought  forth  in  you,  or  among  you ;  but  all  that  is  contrary  to 
'  it,  may  by  it  be  judged ;  that  in  light,  in  life  and  love  ye  may  all  live ; 
'  and  all  that  is  contrary  to  the  light,  life,  and  love,  may  be  brought  to 
'  judgment,  and  by  that  light  be  condemned.  And  that  no  fruitless  trees 
'  be  among  you ;  but  all  cut  down,  condemned  by  the  light,  and  cast  into 
'  the  fire ;  that  every  one  may  bear  and  bring  forth  fruit  to  God,  and 
'  grow  fruitful  in  his  knowledge  and  in  his  wisdom ;  and  that  none  may 
'  appear  in  words,  beyond  what  they  are  in  the  hfe  that  gave  forth  the 


156  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1653 

'  words.  Here  none  shall  be  as  the  untimely  figs ;  none  shall  be  of  those 
'  trees  whose  fruit  withers :  such  go  in  Cain's  way,  from  the  light ;  and 
'by  it  are  condemned.  Let  none  of  you  boast  yourselves  above  your 
'  measure :  if  you  do,  out  of  God's  kingdom  you  are  excluded ;  for  in 
'  that  boasting  part  gets  up  the  pride  and  the  strife  which  is  contrary  to 
'  the  light  that  leads  to  the  kingdom  of  God,  gives  an  entrance  thereinto, 

*  and  an  understanding  to  know  the  things  that  belong  to  the  kingdom. 
'  There  the  light  and  life  of  man  every  one  receives ;  him  who  was  be- 
'  fore  the  world  was,  by  whom  it  was  made  ;  who  is  the  righteousness 
'  of  God,  and  his  wisdom ;  to  whom  all  glory,  honour,  thanks,  and  praise 

*  belongs,  who  is  God  blessed  for  ever.  Let  no  image  nor  hkeness  be 
'  made ;  but  wait  in  the  light,  which  will  bring  condemnation  on  that 
'  part  which  would  make  images ;  for  that  prisons  the  just.  To  the  lust 
'  yield  not  the  eye,  nor  the  flesh ;  for  the  pride  of  life  stands  in  that 
'  which  keeps  out  the  love  of  the  Father ;  and  upon  which  his  judgments 

*  and  wrath  remain,  where  the  love  of  the  world  is  sought  after,  and  a 
'  crown  that  is  mortal.  In  this  ground  the  evil  enters,  which  is  cursed ; 
'  which  brings  forth  briers  and  thorns,  where  death  reigns,  and  tribu- 
'  lation  and  anguish  are  upon  every  soul,  and  the  Egyptian  tongue  is 
'  heard  :  all  which  is  by  the  light  condemned.  There  the  earth  is,  which 
'  must  be  removed :  by  the  light  it  is  seen,  and  by  the  power  it  is  re- 

*  moved,  and  out  of  its  place  it  is  shaken ;  to  which  the  thunders  utter 
'  their  voices,  before  the  mysteries  of  God  be  opened,  and  Jesus  revealed. 
'  Therefore  all  ye,  whose  minds  are  turned  to  this  light,  wait  upon  the 
'  Lord  Jesus  for  the  crown  that  is  immortal,  and  that  fadeth  not  away. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  This  is  to  be  sent  amongst  all  friends 
'  in  the  truth,  the  flock  of  God,  to  be 
'  read  at  their  meetings.' 

While  friends  abode  in  the  northern  parts,  a  priest  of  Wrexham  in 
Wales,  named  Morgan  Floyd,  having  heard  reports  concerning  us,  sent 
two  of  his  congregation  into  the  north  to  inquire  concerning  us,  to  try 
us,  and  bring  him  an  account  of  us.  When  these  triers  came  amongst 
us,  the  power  of  the  Lord  seized  on  them,  and  they  were  both  convinced 
of  the  truth.  So  they  staid  some  time  with  us,  and  then  returned  to 
Wales;  where  afterwards  one  of  them  departed  from  his  convince- 
ment ;  but  the  other  named  John-ap-John,  abode  in  the  truth,  and  re- 
ceived a  part  of  the  ministry,  in  which  he  continued  faithful. 

Now  were  the  priests  greatly  disturbed  at  Newcastle,  Kendal,  and  in 
most  of  the  northern  counties.  There  being  one  Gilpin,  who  had  some- 
times come  amongst  us  at  Kendal,  and  soon  ran  out  from  the  truth  into 
vain  imaginations ;  they  made  what  evil  use  they  could  of  him  against 
us;  but  the  Lord's  power  confounded  them  all.  And  the  Lord  God  cut 
oft'  two  of  those  persecuting  justices  at  Carlisle  ;  and  the  other,  after  a 
time,  was  turned  out  of  his  place,  and  left  the  town. 

About  this  time  the  oath  or  engagement  to  O.  Cromwell  was  tendered 
to  the  soldiers ;  many  of  whom  were  disbanded,  because  in  obedience  to 
Christ,  they  could  not  swear :  John  Stubbs,  for  one,  who  was  convinced 
when  I  was  in  Carlisle  prison,  became  a  good  soldier  in  the  Lamb's  war, 
and  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ  Jesus ;  travelling  much  in  the  service 
of  the  Lord  in  Holland,  Ireland,  Scotland,  Italy,  Egypt,  and  America. 
And  the  Lord's  power  preserved  him  out  of  the  hands  of  the  papists, 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  157 

though  many  times  he  was  in  great  danger  of  the  inquisition.  But  some 
of  the  soldiers,  who  had  been  convinced  in  their  judgment,  but  had  not 
come  into  obedience  to  the  truth,  took  O.  Cromwell's  oath ;  and,  going 
afterwards  into  Scotland,  and  coming  before  a  garrison  there,  the  gar- 
rison thinking  they  had  been  enemies,  fired  at  them,  and  killed  divers  of 
them ;  which  was  a  sad  event. 

When  the  churches  were  settled  in  the  north,  and  friends  were  sat 
down  under  Christ's  teaching,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shined  over 
them,  I  passed  from  Swarthmore  to  Lancaster  about  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1654,  visiting  friends,  till  I  came  to  Synder-hill-green,  where  a 
meeting  was  appointed  three  weeks  before ;  leaving  the  north  fresh  and 
green,  under  Christ  their  teacher.  We  passed  through  Halifax,  a  rude 
town  of  professors,  and  came  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  who  had  been  a  cap- 
tain, wdiere  we  met  with  some  janglers :  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over 
all ;  for  I  travelled  in  the  motion  of  God's  power.  When  I  came  to 
Synder-hill-green,  there  was  a  mighty  meeting ;  some  thousands  of  peo- 
ple, as  it  was  judged,  and  many  persons  of  note  were  there,  captains, 
and  other  officers ;  and  there  was  a  general  convincement ;  for  the 
Lord's  power  and  truth  was  set  over  all,  and  there  was  no  opposition. 

About  this  time  did  the  Lord  move  upon  the  spirits  of  many  whom  he  had 
raised  up,  and  sent  forth  to  labour  in  his  vineyard,  to  travel  southwards, 
and  spread  themselves  in  the  service  of  the  gospel  to  the  eastern,  south- 
ern, and  western  parts  of  the  nation :  Francis  Howgill  and  Edward  Bur- 
rough  to  London ;  John  Camm  and  John  Audland  to  Bristol ;  Richard 
Hubberthorn  and  George  Whitehead  towards  Norwich ;  Thomas 
Holmes  into  Wales,  and  many  others  different  ways :  for  above  sixty 
ministers  had  the  Lord  raised  up,  and  did  now  send  abroad  out  of  the 
north  country.  The  sense  of  their  service  being  very  weighty  upon  me, 
I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  paper : 

'  To  friends  in  the  ministry : 

'  All  friends  every-where,  Know  the  Seed  of  God,  which  bruiseth  the 
'  seed  of  the  serpent,  and  is  atop  of  the  seed  of  the  serpent ;  w^hich  Seed 

*  sins  not,  but  bruiseth  the  serpent's  head  that  doth  sin,  and  tempts  to  sin : 
'  which  Seed  God's  promise  and  blessing  is  to ;  and  which  is  one  in  the 
'  male  and  in  the  female.  Where  it  is  head,  and  hath  bruised  the  head 
'  of  the  other,  to  the  beginning  you  are  come ;  and  the  younger  is  known, 
'  and  he  that  is  servant  to  the  younger;  and  the  promise  of  God,  which 
'  is  to  the  Seed,  is  fulfilled  and  fulfilling ;  and  the  scriptures  come  to  be 

*  opened  and  owned ;  and  the  flesh  of  Christ  known,  who  took  upon  him 
'  the  seed  of  Abraham  according  to  the  flesh ;  the  everlasting  priesthood 
'  known,  and  everlasting  covenant.     Christ  takes  upon  him  the  seed  of 

*  Abraham,  and  is  a  priest  after  the  order  of  Melchisedeck;  without  father, 

*  without  mother,  without  beginning  of  days  or  end  of  life :  this  is  the 
'  priest  that  ever  lives ;  the  covenant  of  life,  light,  and  peace.    The  evei'- 

*  lasting  offering  here  is  known  once  for  all,  which  offering  overthrows 
'  that  nature  which  offered ;  out  of  which  the  priesthood  arose,  that 
'  could  not  continue  by  reason  of  death.     And  here  is  the  other  offering 

*  known,  the  everlasting  offering ;  which  perfects  for  ever  them  that  are 

*  sanctified :  which  offering  blotted  out  the  hand-writing  of  ordinances, 

*  triumphs  over  them,  and  ascends  above  all  principalities  and  powers. 

*  He  that  hath  the  Spirit  of  Jesus,  sees  this ;  and  here  is  the  love  of  God 

*  received,  that  doth  not  rejoice  in  iniquity,  but  leads  to  repent  of  it. 


158  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  you  all,  friends  every-where  scat- 
tered abroad,  Know  the  power  of  God  in  one  another,  and  in  that  re- 
joice ;  for  then  you  rejoice  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  who  is  not  of  the 
world ;  which  cross  is  the  power  of  God  to  all  them  that  are  saved. 
You,  that  know  and  feel  the  power,  you  feel  the  cross  of  Christ,  you 
feel  the  gospel,  which  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth.  He  that  believes  in  the  light,  believes  in  the  everlasting 
covenant,  in  the  one  offering,  comes  to  the  life  of  the  prophets  and 
Moses,  comes  to  see  Christ  the  hope,  the  mystery,  which  hope  perisheth 
not ;  lets  you  see  the  hope  that  perisheth,  which  is  not  that  mystery  : 
and  the  expectation  in  that  perishing  hope  fades.  Where  this  never- 
failing  hope  is  witnessed,  the  Lord  comes  to  be  sanctified  in  the  heart, 
and  you  come  to  the  beginning,  to  Christ  the  hope,  which  perisheth  not ; 
but  the  other  hope,  the  other  expectation  perisheth.  So  all  of  you, 
know  the  perishing  of  the  other,  and  the  failing  of  the  expectation 
therein ;  and  know  ihat  which  perisheth  not :  that  you  may  be  ready  to 
give  a  reason  of  this  hope  with  meekness  and  fear,  to  every  man  that 
asketh  you.  Christ  the  hope,  the  mystery,  perisheth  not;  the  end  of 
all  perishing  things,  the  end  of  all  changeable  things,  the  end  of  the  de- 
caying covenant,  the  end  of  that  which  waxeth  old ;  the  end  of  the 
first  covenant,  of  Moses,  and  of  the  prophets ;  the  righteousness  of 
God,  C'hrist  Jesus  the  Son;  his  throne  ye  will  know,  heirs  with  him  ye 
will  be ;  who  makes  his  children  kings  and  priests  to  him,  and  brings 
them  to  know  his  throne,  and  his  power.  There  is  no  justification  out 
of  the  light,  out  of  Christ ;  justification  is  in  the  light,  in  Christ.  Here 
is  the  doer  of  the  will  of  God ;  here  is  the  entering  into  the  kingdom. 
He  that  believes  in  the  light,  becomes  a  child  of  light;  and  here  the 
wisdom  is  received,  that  is  justified  of  her  children.  Here  believing  in 
the  light,  you  shall  not  abide  in  darkness ;  but  shall  have  the  light  of 
life ;  and  come  every  one  to  witness  the  light  that  shines  in  your  hearts, 
which  will  give  you  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ.  With  this  light  you  will  see  him  reign,  who' 
is  the  prince  of  life  and  peace ;  which  light  turns  from  him  that  is  out 
of  the  truth,  and  abode  not  in  it ;  where  the  true  peace  is  not. 

'  Friends,  Be  not  hasty :  for  he  that  behoves  in  the  light,  makes  not 
haste.  Here  the  grace  is  received,  by  which  5^ou  come  to  be  saved ; 
the  election  is  known,  which  obtains  the  promise ;  the  will  is  seen,  that 
wills ;  the  mind  is  known,  that  runs,  which  obtains  not ;  but  stops  and 
dulls.  Now,  that  M'ith  the  light  being  seen,  and  judged,  and  stopped, 
the  patience  is  here  known,  which  obtains  the  crown;  and  the  immor- 
tahty  is  brought  to  light.  So  all  who  act  contrary  to  the  light,  and  do 
not  believe  in  it,  do  not  come  to  justification.  And  all  friends,  if  you 
go  from  the  light,  from  wanting  to  have  the  promise  of  God  fulfilled  to 
the  Seed,  whereby  you  may  know  Christ  reign,  you  thereby  bring  on 
yourselves  changeable  garments,  and  come  to  wear  the  changeable 
garments,  and  the  strange  flesh,  which  leads  to  adulter}^,  which  the  law 
goes  upon ;  which  shuts  out  of  the  kingdom :  and  out  of  this  will  doth 
proceed  the  work  or  building  that  is  for  the  fire ;  whereby  you  may 
come  to  sutler  loss.  Tlierefore  love  the  light,  which  doth  condemn  that ; 
and  receive  the  power  from  the  Lord,  with  which  you  stand  over  that, 
and  condemn  it ;  feehng  and  seeing  that  which  gives  you  victory  over 
the  world,  and  to  see  out  of  time,  to  before  time.  Again,  friends,  Know 
Abraham,  that  must  obey  the  voice  of  Sarah,  that  bears  seed ;  which 


654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  15S 

casts  forth  the  bond-woman  and  her  son.  Do  not  go  forth,  there  will 
the  wildness  lodge.  Know  that  which  bears  the  wild  son,  and  its 
mother,  who  is  npt  Sarah ;  for  the  promise  is  to  the  Seed,  not  of  many, 
but  one ;  which  seed  is  Christ :  and  this  seed  now  you  come  to  witness 
stands  on  the  top  of  all,  yea,  on  the  head  of  the  serpent.  And  so  all, 
as  I  said  before,  who  come  to  feel  and  witness  this,  come  to  the  begin- 
ning :  and  this  to  all  the  seed  of  God,  the  church,  that  it  you  may  all  come 
to  know,  where  there  is  no  blemish,  nor  spot,  nor  wrinkle,  nor  any  such 
thing.  This  is  that  which  is  purchased  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  to 
the  Father  presented  out  of  all  that  defiles;  which  is  the  pillar  and 
ground  of  truth.  None  attain  to  this,  but  such  who  come  to  the  light 
of  Christ,  who  purchased  this  church.  They  who  go  from  the  light, 
are  shut  out  and  condemned,  though  they  profess  all  the  scriptures  de- 
clared from  it.  Therefore  walk  in  the  light,  that  you  may  have  fellow- 
ship with  the  Son,  and  with  the  Father ;  and  come  all  to  witness  his 
image,  his  power,  and  his  law,  which  is  his  light,  that  hath  converted 
your  souls,  and  brought  them  to  submit  to  the  higher  power,  above  that 
which  is  out  of  the  truth:  that  you  may  know  here  the  mercy  and 
truth,  and  the  faith  that  works  by  love,  which  Christ  is  the  author  of; 
who  lighteth  every  one  of  you :  which  faith  gives  the  victory.  That 
which  gives  the  victory,  is  perfect ;  and  that  which  the  ministers  of 
God  received  from  God,  is  that  which  is  perfect ;  and  that  which  they 
are  to  minister,  is  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints ;  till  they  all  come  in 
the  unity  of  the  faith  unto  a  perfect  man.  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord 
to  you  all ;  Every  one  in  the  measure  of  Ufe  wait,  that  with  it  all  your 
minds  may  be  guided  up  to  the  Father  of  life,  the  Father  of  spirits :  to 
receive  power  from  him,  and  wisdom,  that  with  it  you  may  be  ordered 
to  his  glory :  to  whom  be  all  glory  for  ever !  All  keep  in  the  light  and 
life,  that  judgeth  down  that  which  is  contrary  to  the  light  and  life.  So 
the  Lord  God  Almighty  be  with  you  all.  And  keep  your  meetings 
every-where,  being  guided  by  that  of  God ;  by  that  you  may  see  the 
Lord  among  you,  who  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world ; 
that  men  who  are  come  into  the  world  might  believe.  He  that  believ- 
eth  not,  the  light  condemns  him ;  he  that  believeth,  cometh  out  of  con- 
demnation. This  light,  which  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
world,  which  they  that  hate  it  stumble  at,  is  the  light  of  men. 

'  All  friends  that  speak  in  publick,  see  that  it  be  in  the  life  of  God ;  for 
that  begets  to  God ;  the  fruits  of  that  shall  never  wither.  This  sows  to 
the  Spirit  which  is  in  prison,  and  of  the  Spirit  reaps  life ;  and  the  other 
sows  to  the  flesh,  and  of  the  flesh  reaps  corruption.    This  you  may  see 

•  all  the  world  over  amongst  these  seeds-men,  what  may  be  reaped  in  the 

•  field,  that  is  the  world.    Therefore  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  wait,  which 

•  cuts  down  and  casts  out  all  this,  the  root  and  branches  of  it.     So  in 
that  wait  to  receive  power,  and  the  Lord  God  Almighty  preserve  you 

'  in  it ;  whereby  you  may  come  to  feel  the  light,  that  comprehends  time 
'  and  the  world,  and  fathoms  it:  which,  believed  in,  gives  you  victory 
'  over  the  world.  Here  the  power  of  the  Lord  is  received,  which  sub- 
'  dues  all  the  contrary,  and  puts  off  the  garments  that  will  stain  and  pol- 
'  lute.  With  this  light  you  come  to  reach  the  light  in  every  man,  which 
'  Christ  enlightens  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  withal ;  and 
'  here  the  things  of  Christ  come  to  be  known,  and  the  voice  of  Christ 
'  heard.  Therefore  keep  in  the  light,  the  covenant  of  peace ;  and  walk 
'  in  the  covenant  of  life.     There  is  that  which  maketh  merry  over  the 


160  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1664 

*  witness  of  God,  and  there  is  that  which  maketh  merry  in  the  Lord ; 
'  which  rejoiceth  over  that  which  hath  made  merry  over  it ;  of  that  take 

*  notice,  you  who  be  in  the  hght.     Such  the  Lord  doth  beautify,  whose 

*  trust  is  in  his  strength ;  and  the  Lord  doth  see  such,  and  them  that  are 
'  in  his  hght.  But  such  as  be  from  the  hght,  whose  eyes  are  after  their 
'  abominations  and  idols,  their  eyes  are  to  be  Winded,  their  beautiful  idols 

*  and  their  abominations  to  be  destroyed,  and  by  the  light  condemned, 

*  which  they  have  made  from  the  life  in  their  own  strength :  which  with 
'  the  light  is  seen,  and  overthrown  by  the  power  of  God.  "  If  you  can 
"  change  my  covenant,"  saith  the  Lord,  "  which  keeps  the  day  in  its  sea- 
"  son,  and  the  night  in  its  season  (mark,  my  covenant,  the  light)  if  you 
"  can  change  this,  then  may  you  change  the  covenant  of  God  with  his 
"  seed."  So  all  friends  that  are  turned  to  the  hght  which  cometh  from 
'  him  by  whom  the  world  was  made,  who  was  before  it  was  made, 
'  Christ  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  your  souls,  abide  in  the  light,  and  you  will 
'  see  your  salvation  to  be  walls  and  bulwarks  against  that  which  the  light 
'  discovers  to  be  contrary  to  it.  Waiting  in  the  light  you  will  receive 
'  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the  gospel  of  peace,  that  you  may  be  shod 
'  with  it.  Know  that  in  one  another  which  raiseth  up  the  seed  of  God, 
'  sets  it  over  the  world  and  the  earth,  and  crucifies  the  affections  and 
'  lusts :  then  the  truth  comes  to  reign,  which  is  the  guide. 

'  G.  f: 

About  this  time'  Rice  Jones  of  Nottingham  (who  had  been  a  Baptist 
and  was  turned  Ranter)  and  his  company  began  to  prophesy  against  me, 
giving  out,  That  I  was  then  at  the  highest,  and  after  that  time  I  should 
fall  down  as  fast.  He  sent  a  bundle  of  railing  papers  from  Nottingham 
to  Mansfield,  Clauson,  and  the  towns  thereabouts,  judging  friends  for  de- 
claring the  truth  in  the  markets  and  in  the  steeple-houses ;  which  papers 
I  answered.  But  their  prophecies  came  upon  themselves ;  for  soon  after 
they  fell  to  pieces,  and  many  of  his  followers  became  friends,  and  con- 
tinued so.  And  through  the  Lord's  blessed  power  truth  and  friends  have 
increased,  and  do  increase  in  the  increase  of  God ;  and  I  by  the  same 
power  have  been  and  am  preserved,  and  kept  in  the  everlasting  seed  that 
never  fell  nor  changes.  But  Rice  Jones  took  the  oaths  that  were  put  to 
him,  and  so  disobeyed  the  command  of  Christ.  Many  such  false 
prophets  have  risen  up  against  me,  but  the  Lord  hath  blasted  them,  and 
will  blast  all  who  rise  against  the  blessed  seed,  and  me  in  that.  My  con- 
fidence is  in  the  Lord ;  for  whosoever  did,  I  saw  their  end,  and  how  the 
Lord  would  confound  them  before  he  sent  me  forth. 

I  was  now  at  Synder-hill-green,  where  I  had  a  large  meeting  in  the 
day-time,  and  another  at  night  in  Thomas  Stacy's  house ;  for  the  people 
came  from  far  and  could  not  soon  depart.  The  high  sheriff  of  the 
county  told  captain  Bradford  he  intended  to  come  up,  with  half  a  dozen 
of  his  troopers,  to  the  meeting ;  but  the  Lord  prevented  him.  When  I 
had  staid  some  meetings  thereabouts,  I  travelled  up  and  down  in  York- 
shire as  far  as  Holderness,  and  to  the  Land's-end  that  way,  visiting 
friends  and  the  churches  of  Christ ;  which  were  finely  settled  under  his 
teaching.  At  length  I  reached  captain  Bradford's  house,  whither  many 
Ranters  came  from  York  to  wrangle ;  but  they  were  confounded. 
Thither  came  she  called  the  lady  Montague ;  who  was  then  convinced, 
and  lived  and  died  in  the  truth. 

Then  I  went  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  within  three  miles  of  Halifax,  where 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  161 

was  a  meeting  of  about  two  hundred  people;  amongst  which  were 
many  rude  persons,  and  divers  butchers,  who  had  bound  themselves  with 
an  oath  before  they  came  out,  that  they  would  kill  me  (as  I  was  told) : 
one  of  those  butchers  had  been  accused  for  kilhng  a  man  and  a  woman. 
They  came  in  a  very  rude  manner,  and  made  a  great  disturbance  in  the 
meeting,  which  being  in  a  close,  Thomas  Taylor  stood  up  and  said  to 
them,  "  If  you  will  be  civil,  you  may  stay ;  but  if  not,  I  charge  you  to 
"  be  gone  from  off  my  ground."  But  they  grew  worse,  and  said  they 
would  make  it  like  a  common ;  and  they  yelled  and  made  a  noise  as  if 
they  had  been  at  a  bear-baiting.  They  thrust  friends  up  and  down,  who 
being  peaceable,  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them.  Several  times  they 
push'd  me  off  from  the  place  I  stood  on,  by  the  crowding  of  the  people 
together  against  me ;  but  still  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  stand  up 
again  as  I  was  thrust  down.  At  last  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  say  to 
them,  '  If  they  would  discourse  of  the  things  of  God,  let  them  come  up 
'  to  me  one  by  one  ;  and  if  they  had  any  thing  to  object,  I  would  answer 
*  them  all,  one  after  another ;'  but  they  were  all  silent,  and  had  nothing 
to  say :  and  then  the  Lord's  power  came  so  over  them  all,  and  answered 
the  divine  witness  in  them,  that  they  were  bound  by  the  power  of  God, 
and  a  glorious  powerful  meeting  we  had,  and  the  minds  of  the  people 
were  turned  by  the  holy  Spirit  in  them  to  God,  and  to  Christ  their 
teacher.  The  powerful  word  of  life  was  largely  declared  that  day,  and 
in  the  life  and  power  of  God  we  broke  up  our  meeting ;  and  that  rude 
company  went  their  way  to  Halifax.  The  people  asked  them,  "  Why 
"  they  did  not  kill  me,  according  to  the  oath  they  had  sworn  ?"  They 
maliciously  answered,  "  I  had  so  bewitched  them,  they  could  not  do  it." 
Thus  was  the  devil  chained  at  that  time.  Friends  told  me,  they  used  to 
come  at  other  times  and  be  very  rude,  and  sometimes  break  their  seats 
and  make  frightful  work  amongst  them ;  but  the  Lord's  power  had  now 
bound  them.  Shortly  after,  this  butcher,  that  had  been  accused  of  kill- 
ing a  man  and  a  woman  before,  and  who  was  one  of  those  that  had 
bound  himself  by  an  oath  to  kill  me,  killed  another  man,  and  was  there- 
upon sent  to  York  gaol.  Another  of  those  rude  butchers,  who  had  also 
sworn  to  kill  me,  having  accustomed  himself  to  thrust  his  tongue  out  of 
his  mouth  in  derision  of  friends  when  they  passed  by  him,  had  his  tongue 
so  swollen  out  of  his  mouth  that  he  could  never  draw  it  in  again,  but 
died  so.  Several  strange  and  sudden  judgments  came  upon  many  of 
these  conspirators  against  me,  which  would  be  too  large  to  declare  here. 
God's  vengeance  from  heaven  came  upon  the  blood-thirsty,  who  sought 
after  blood ;  for  all  such  spirits  I  laid  before  the  Lord,  and  left  him  to 
deal  with  them,  who  is  stronger  than  all,  in  whose  power  I  was  pre- 
served and  carried  on  to  do  his  worli»  The  Lord  hath  raised  a  fine  peo- 
ple in  those  parts,  whom  he  hath  drawn  to  Christ,  and  gathered  in  his 
name ;  who  feel  Christ  amongst  them,  and  sit  under  his  teaching. 

After  this  I  came  to  Balby ;  from  whence  several  friends  accompanied 
me  into  Lincolnshire,  of  whom  some  went  to  the  steeple-houses,  and 
some  to  private  meetings.  There  came  to  the  meeting  where  I  was,  the 
sheriff  of  Lincoln,  and  several  with  him ;  who  made  great  contention 
and  jangling  for  a  time :  but  at  length  the  Lord's  power  struck  him,  that 
he  was  convinced  of  the  truth,  and  received  the  word  of  hfe,  as  did 
several  others  also  who  had  opposed,  and  continued  amongst  friends  till 
they  died.  Great  meetings  there  were,  and  a  large  convincement  in 
those  parts.     Many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  came  to  sit 


i&i  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  \l6Si 

under  his  teaching,  leaving  their  priests  and  their  superstitious  ways ; 
and  the  day  of  the  Lord  flourished  over  all  amongst  them  that  came  to 
our  meetings  in  that  country.  One  called  Sir  Richard  Wrey  was  con- 
vinced ;  also  his  brother  and  his  brother's  wife,  who  abode  in  the  truth 
and  died  therein ;  though  he  afterwards  ran  out. 

Having  visited  those  countries,  I  came  into  Derbyshire ;  the  sheriff 
of  Lincoln,  who  was  lately  convinced,  being  with  me.  In  one  meeting 
we  had  some  opposition ;  but  the  Lord's  glorious  power  gave  dominion 
over  all.  At  night  came  a  company  of  bailifls  and  serving-men,  and 
called  me  out.  I  went  out  to  them,  having  some  friends  with  me.  They 
were  exceeding  rude  and  violent;  for  they  had,  it  seems,  plotted  to- 
gether, and  intended  to  have  carried  me  away  with  them  in  the  dark  of 
the  evening  by  force,  to  have  done  me  a  mischief;  but  the  Lord's  power 
chained  them,  so  that  they  could  not  effect  their  design ;  and  at  last  they 
went  away.  The  next  day  Thomas  Aldam,  understanding  the  serving- 
men  belonged  to  a  knight,  who  lived  not  far  oft",  went  to  his  house  and 
laid  belbre  him  the  bad  carriage  of  his  servants.  The  knight  rebuked 
them,  and  did  not  allow  of  their  evil  behaviour  towards  us. 

After  this  we  came  to  Skegby,  in  Nottinghamshire,  where  we  had  a 
great  meeting  of  divers  sorts ;  and  the  Lord's  power  went  over  them, 
and  all  was  quiet.  The  people  were  turned  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  by 
which  many  came  to  receive  his  power,  and  to  sit  under  the  teaching  of 
Christ,  their  Saviour.     A  great  people  the  Lord  hath  in  those  parts. 

I  passed  towards  Kidsley-park,  where  came  many  Ranters ;  but  the 
Lord's  power  check'd  them.  From  thence  I  went  into  the  Peak-country 
to  Thomas  Hammersley's  where  came  the  Ranters  of  that  country,  and 
many  high  professors.  The  Ranters  opposed  me,  and  fell  a  swearing. 
When  I  reproved  them  for  swearing,  they  would  bring  scripture  for  it, 
alledging  Abraham,  Jacob,  and  Joseph  swore ;  and  the  priests,  Moses, 
the  prophets,  and  the  angels  swore.    '  I  confessed  all  these  did  so,  as  the 

•  scripture  records  ;  but  said  I,  Christ  (who  said.  Before  Abraham  was  I 

*  am)  commanded,  Swear  not  at  all.  Christ  ends  the  prophets,  the  old 
'  priesthood,  the  dispensation  of  Moses,  and  reigns  over  the  house  of 
'  Jacob  and  Joseph ;  and  he  says.  Swear  not  at  all.  And  God,  when  he 
'  bringeth  the  first-begotten  into  the  world,  saith.  Let  all  the  angels  of 
'  God  worship  him,  to  wit,  Christ  Jesus,  who  saith.  Swear  not  all.  As 
'  for  the  plea  that  men  make  for  swearing  to  end  their  strife,  Christ,  who 
'  says.  Swear  not  all,  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  who  is  the  author 
'  of  strife :  for  that  is  one  of  his  works.  And  God  said,  "  This  is  my  be- 
"  loved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased ;  hear  ye  him."  So  the  Son  is 
'  to  be  heard  wlio  forbids  swearing.  And  the  apostle  James,  who  did 
'  hear  the  Son  of  God,  followed  him,  and  preached  him,  forbids  all  oaths, 
'  James  v.  12.'  So  the  Lord's  power  went  over  them :  and  his  Son  and 
his  doctrine  was  set  over  them.  The  word  of  hfe  was  fully  and  richly 
preached,  and  many  were  convinced  that  day.  This  Thomas  Ham- 
mersley  being  summoned  to  serve  upon  a  jury,  was  admitted  to  serve 
without  an  oath ;  and  being  foreman  of  the  jury,  when  he  brought  in 
the  verdict,  the  judge  declared,  "  That  he  had  been  a  judge  so  many 
"  years,  but  never  heard  a  more  upright  verdict  than  that  Quaker  had 
"  then  brought  in."  Much  might  be  written  of  things  of  this  nature, 
which  time  would  fail  to  declare.  But  the  Lord's  blessed  power  and 
truth  was  exalted  over  all,  who  is  worthy  of  all  praise  and  glory  for 
ever ! 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  163 

Travelling  through  Derbyshire,  I  visited  friends  till  I  came  to  Swan- 
ington,  in  Leicestershire,  where  was  a  general  meeting,  to  which  many- 
Ranters,  Baptists,  and  other  professors  came ;  for  great  contests  there 
had  been  with  them,  and  with  the  priests  in  that  town.  To  this  meeting 
several  friends  came  from  divers  parts ;  John  Audland,  Francis  Howgill, 
Edward  Pyot  from  Bristol,  and  Edward  Burrough  from  London ;  and 
several  were  convinced  in  those  parts.  The  Ranters  made  a  disturb- 
ance, and  were  very  rude  ;  but  at  last  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them, 
and  they  were  confounded.  The  next  day  Jacob  Bottomly,  a  great 
Ranter,  came  from  Leicester ;  but  the  Lord's  power  stopt  him,  and  came 
over  them  all.  There  came  a  priest  too ;  but  he  also  was  confounded 
by  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord.  About  this  time  the  priests,  Baptists, 
Ranters,  and  other  professors  were  very  rude,  and  stirred  up  rude  peo- 
ple against  us.  We  sent  to  the  Ranters  to  come  forth,  and  try  their  god. 
Abundance  of  them  came,  who  sung,  whistled,  and  danced ;  but  the 
Lord's  power  so  prevailed  over  them  that  many  of  them  were  con- 
vinced. 

After  this  I  went  to  Twycross,  whither  came  some  Ranters,  who  sung 
and  danced  before  me ;  but  I  was  moved  in  the  dread  of  the  Lord  to  re- 
prove them :  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  so  that  some  of  them 
were  convinced,  and  received  the  Spirit  of  God ;  who  are  become  a 
pretty  people,  living  and  walking  soberly  in  the  truth  of  Christ.  I  went 
to  Anthony  Brickley's,  in  Warwickshire,  where  there  was  a  great  meet- 
ing ;  several  Baptists  and  others  came  and  jangled :  but  the  Lord's  power 
came  over  them. 

Then  I  went  to  Drayton,  in  Leicestershire,  to  visit  my  relations.  As 
soon  as  I  was  come  in,  Nathaniel  Stevens,-  the  priest,  having  got  another 
priest,  and  given  notice  to  the  country,  sent  to  me  to  come  to  them ;  for 
they  could  not  do  any  thing  till  I  came.  I,  having  been  three  years  away 
from  my  relations,  knew  nothing  of  their  design.  But  at  last  I  went  into 
the  steeple-house  yard,  where  the  two  priests  were ;  and  they  had  gath- 
ered abundance  of  people.  They  would  have  had  me  gone  into  the 
steeple-house.  I  asked  them,  what  I  should  do  there  ?  They  said,  Mr. 
Stephens  could  not  bear  the  cold.  I  told  them,  he  might  bear  it  as  well 
as  I.  At  last  we  went  into  a  great  hall,  Richard  Farnsworth  being  with 
me ;  and  a  great  dispute  we  had  with  these  priests  concerning  their  prac- 
tice, how  contrary  they  were  to  Christ  and  his  apostles.  The  priests 
would  know  where  tithes  were  forbidden  or  ended.  I  shewed  them  out 
of  the  seventh  chapter  to  the  Hebrews,  '  That  not  only  tithes,  but  the 

*  priesthood  that  took  tithes,  was  ended ;  and  the  law  was  ended  and  dis- 
'  annulled  by  which  the  priesthood  was  made,  and  tithes  were  command- 
'ed  to  be  paid.'  Then  they  stirred  up  the  people  to  some  lightness  and 
rudeness.  I  had  known  Stephens  from  a  child,  therefore  I  laid  open  his 
condition  and  the  manner  of  his  preaching:  'and  how  he,  like  the  rest 
'  of  the  priests,  did  apply  the  promises  to  the  first  birth  which  must  die. 
'  But  I  shewed  that  the  promises  were  to  the  seed,  not  to  many  seeds,  but 

*  to  the  one  seed,  Christ ;  who  was  one  in  male  and  female :  for  all  were 

*  to  be  born  again,  before  they  could  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.' 
Then  he  said,  I  must  not  judge  so.  I  told  him,  'He  that 'was  spiritual 
'judged  all  things.'  Then  he  confessed,  That  was  a  full  scripture;  But, 
neighbours,  said  he,  this  is  the  business ;  George  Fox  is  come  to  the  hght 
of  the  sun,  and  now  he  thinks  to  put  out  my  star-light.     I  told  him,  '  I 

*  would  not  quench  the  least  measure  of  God  in  any,  much  less  put  out 


164  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

*  his  star-light,  if  it  were  true  Ught  from  the  morning-star.     But  I  told 

*  him,  if  he  had  any  thing  from  Christ,  he  ought  to  speak  it  freely,  and  not 

*  take  tithes  from  the  people  for  preaching ;  seeing  Christ  commanded  his 
'  ministers  to  give  freely,  as  they  had  received  freely.'  So  I.  charged  him 
to  preach  no  more  for  tithes  or  any  hire.  But  he  said,  he  would  not 
yield  to  that.  After  awhile  the  people  began  to  be  vain  and  rude,  where- 
upon we  broke  up ;  yet  some  were  made  loving  to  the  truth  that  day. 
Before  we  parted,  I  told  them,  '  If  the  Lord  would,  I  intended  to  be  at 

*  the  town  again  that  day  seven-night.'  In  the  interim  I  went  into  the 
country,  had  meetings,  and  came  again  that  day  seven-night.  Against 
that  time  this  priest  had  got  seven  priests  to  help  him ;  for  he  had  given 
notice  at  a  lecture  on  a  market-day  at  Adderston,  that  such  a  day  there 
would  be  a  meeting  and  a  dispute  with  me.  I  knew  nothing  of  it ;  but 
only  had  said  I  should  be  in  town  that  day  seven-night  again.  These 
eight  priests  had  gathered  several  hundreds  of  people,  even  most  of  the 
country  thereabouts,  and  would  have  had  me  into  the  steeple-house.  I 
refused  to  go  in,  and  got  on  a  hill,  and  there  spoke  to  them  and  the  peo- 
ple. Thomas  Taylor,  James  Parnel,  and  several  other  friends  were  with 
me.  The  priests  thought  that  day  to  have  trampled  down  truth;  but  the 
truth  came  over  them.  Then  they  grew  light  and  the  people  rude.  The 
priests  would  not  stand  trial  with  me ;  but  would  be  contending  here  and 
there  a  httle  with  one  friend  or  other.  At  last  one  of  the  priests  brought 
his  son  to  dispute  with  me ;  but  his  mouth  was  soon  stopt.  When  he 
could  not  tell  how  to  answer,  he  would  ask  his  father,  and  his  father  was 
confounded  also  when  he  came  to  answer  for  his  son.  So  after  they  had 
toiled  themselves,  they  went  in  a  rage  to  priest  Stephens's  house  to  drink. 
As  they  went  away  I  said,  '  I  never  came  to  a  place  where  so  many 
'  priests  together  would  not  stand  the  trial  with  me.'  Whereupon  they 
and  some  of  their  wives  came  about  me,  laid  hold  of  me,  and  fawningly 
said, '  What  might  I  have  been,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  Quakers  V  Then 
they  fell  a  pushing  of  friends  to  arid  fro,  to  thrust  them  from  me,  and  to 
pluck  me  to  themselves.  After  awhile  several  lusty  fellows  came,  took 
me  up  in  their  arms,  and  carried  me  into  the  steeple-house  porch,  intend- 
ing to  have  carried  me  into  the  steeple-house  by  force ;  but  the  door  be- 
ing locked,  they  fell  down  on  an  heap,  having  me  under  them.  As  soon 
as  I  could  I  got  from  them  to  my  hill  again :  then  they  got  me  from  that 
place,  took  me  to  the  steeple-house  wall,  and  set  me  on  a  bass  like  a  stool ; 
and  all  the  priests,  being  come  back,  stood  under  with  the  people.  The 
priests  cried,  Come,  to  argument,  to  argument.  I  said,  '  I  denied  all  their 
'  voices,  for  they  were  the  voices  of  hirelings  and  strangers.'  They  cried. 
Prove  it,  prove  it.  I  directed  them  to  the  tenth  of  John,  where  they 
might  see  what  Christ  said  of  such ;  he  declared, '  He  was  the  true  Shep- 

*  herd  that  laid  down  his  hfe  for  his  sheep,  and  his  sheep  heard  his  voice 
'  and  followed  him ;  but  the  hireling  would  fly  when  the  wolf  came,  be- 
'  cause  he  was  an  hireling.'  I  offered  to  prove  that  they  were  such  hire- 
lings. Then  the  priests  plucked  me  off  from  the  bass  again,  and  them- 
selves got  ail  upon  basses  under  the  sleeple-house  wall.  Then  I  felt  the 
mighty  power  of  God  arise  over  all,  and  told  them,  '  If  they  would  give 
'  audience,  and  hear  me  quietly,  I  would  shew  them  by  the  scriptures  why 
'  I  denied  those  eight  priests  or  teachers  tliat  stood  before  me,  and  all  the 
'  hireling  teachers  of  the  world  whatsoever,  and  I  would  give  them  scrip- 
'  tures  for  what  I  said.'  Whereupon  both  priests  and  people  consented. 
Then  I  shewed  them  out  of  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Ezekiel,  Micah,  Malachi, 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  165 

and  other  prophets,  that  they  were  in  the  steps  of  such  as  God  sent  his 
true  prophets  to  cry  against;  for,  said  I,  'You  are  such  as  the  prophet 
'Jeremiah  cried  against,  chap.  v.  when  he  said,  "The  prophets  prophesy 
"falsely,  and  the  pi'iests  bear  rule  by  their  means;"  which  he  called  an 
'horrible  filthy  thing.  You  are  such  as  used  their  tongues,  and  said.  Thus 
'  saith  the  Lord,  when  the  Lord  never  spoke  to  them.  Such  as  followed 
'their  own  spirits,  and  saw  nothing;  but  spoke  a  divination  of  their  own 
'  brain :  and  by  their  lies  and  their  lightness  caused  the  people  to  err, 
'  Jer.  xiv.  You  are  such  as  they  were  that  sought  their  gain  from  their 
'quarter;  that  were  as  greedy  dumb  dogs,  that  could  never  have  enough, 
'whom  the  Lord  sent  his  prophet  Isaiah  to  cry  against,  Isa.  Ivi,  You 
'  are  such  as  they  were  who  taught  for  handfuls  of  barley  and  pieces  of 
'  bread,  who  sewed  pillows  under  people's  arm-holes,  that  they  might  lie 
'  soft  in  their  sins,  Ezek.  xiii.  You  are  such  as  they  that  taught  for  the 
'  fleece  and  the  wool,  and  made  a  prey  of  the  people,  Ezek.  xxxiv.  But 
'  the  Lord  is  gathering  his  sheep  from  your  mouths,  and  from  your  bar- 
'  ren  mountain ;  and  is  bringing  them  to  Christ,  the  one  shepherd,  whom 
'  he  hath  set  over  his  flocks ;  as  by  his  prophet  Ezekiel  he  then  declared 
'he  would  do.  You  are  such  as  those  that  divined  for  money,  and 
'  preached  for  hire ;  and  if  a  man  did  not  put  into  their  mouths  they  pre- 
'  pared  war  against  him,  as  the  prophet  Micah  complained,  chap,  iii.' 
Thus  I  went  through  the  prophets  too  largely  to  be  here  repeated.  Then 
coming  to  the  New  Testament,  I  shewed  from  thence,  that  '  they  were 
'like  the  chief  priests,  scribes,  and  pharisees,  whom  Christ  cried  wo 
'  against,  Matth.  xxiii.  And  that  they  were  such  false  apostles  as  the 
'  true  apostles  cried  against,  such  as  taught  for  filthy  lucre ;  such  anti- 
'christs  and  deceivers  as  they  cried  against,  that  minded  earthly  things, 
'  and  served  not  the  Lord  .Jesus  Christ,  but  their  own  bellies :  for  they 
'that  served  Christ  gave  freely  and  preached  freely,  as  he  commanded 
'  them.  But  they  that  will  not  preach  without  hire,  tithes,  or  outward 
'  means,  serve  their  own  bellies,  and  not  Christ ;  and  through  the  good 
'  words  of  the  scriptures,  and  feigned  words  of  their  own,  they  made 
'  merchandize  of  the  people  then,  as  (said  I)  ye  do  now.  When  I  had 
'  largely  quoted  the  scriptures,  and  shewed  them  wherein  they  were  like 
'  the  pharisees,  loving  to  be  called  of  men  masters,  to  go  in  long  robes, 
'  to  stand  praying  in  the  synagogues,  to  have  the  uppermost  rooms  at 
'feasts  and  the  like;  and  when  I  had  thrown  them  out  in  the  sight  of  the 
'  people  amongst  the  false  prophets,  deceivers,  scribes,  and  pharisees,  and 
'  shewed  at  large  how  such  as  they  were  judged  and  condemned  by  the 
'  true  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles,  I  directed  them  to  the  liglit  of 
'Jesus,  who  enlightens  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world ;  that  by  it 
'  they  might  see  whether  these  things  were  not  true  as  had  been  spoken.* 
When  I  appealed  to  that  of  God  in  their  consciences,  the  light  of  Christ 
Jesus  in  them,  they  could  not  abide  to  hear  it.;  they  were  all  quiet  till 
then;  but  then  a  professor  said,  George,  what!  wilt  thou  never  have 
done  ?  I  told  him,  I  should  have  done  shortly.  I  went  on  a  little  longer, 
and  cleared  myself  of  them  in  the  Lord's  power.  When  I  had  done,  all 
the  priests  and  people  stood  silent  for  a  time ;  at  last  one  of  the  priests 
said,  They  would  read  the  scriptures  that  I  had  quoted.  I  told  them, 
with  all  my  heart.  They  began  to  read  the  twenty-third  of  Jeremiah, 
where  they  saw  the  marks  of  the  false  prophets  that  he  cried  against. 
When  they  had  read  a  verse  or  two,  I  said,  Take  notice,  people ;  but  the 
priests  said,  Hold  thy  tongue,  George.     I  bid  them  read  the  whole  chap- 


166  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

ter  throughout,  for  it  was  all  agamst  them.  Then  they  stopt,  and  would 
read  no  further;  but  asked  me  a  question.  I  told  them  I  would  answer 
their  question,  the  matter  being  first  granted  that  I  had  charged  them 
with,  viz.  that  they  were  false  prophets,  false  teachers,  antichi'ists,  and 
deceivers,  such  as  the  true  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles,  cried  against. 
A  professor  said  Nay  to  that;  but  I  said,  'Yea:  for  you  leaving  the 
'  matter,  and  going  to  another  thing,  seem  to  consent  to  the  proof  of  the 
'  former  charge.'  Then  I  answered  their  question,  which  was  this  ; 
'  Seeing  those  false  prophets  were  adulterated.  Whether  I  did  judge 
'priest  Stephens  to  be  an  adulterer]'  To  which  I  answered,  'He  was 
'  adulterated  from  God  in  his  practice,  like  those  false  prophets  and  the 
'  Jews.'  They  would  not  stand  to  vindicate  him,  but  broke  up  the  meet- 
ing. Then  the  priests  whispered  together ;  and  Stephens  came  to  me, 
and  desired  that  my  father,  brother,  and  I  might  go  aside  with  him,  that 
he  might  speak  to  me  in  private,  and  the  rest  of  the  priests  should  keep 
the  people  from  coming  to  us.  I  was  very  loth  to  go  aside  with  him; 
but  the  people  cried,  '  Go,  George ;  do,  George,  go  aside  with  him.'  Be- 
ing afraid,  if  I  did  not  go,  they  would  say  I  was  disobedient  to  my  pa- 
rents, I  went,  and  the  rest  of  the  priests  were  to  keep  the  people  oft';  but 
they  could  not,  for  the  people,  being  willing  to  hear,  drew  close  to  us.  I 
asked  the  priest,  what  he  had  to  say  1  He  said, '  If  he  was  out  of  the  way 
'  I  should  pray  for  him,  and  if  I  was  out  of  the  way  he  would  pray  for 
'  me ;  and  he  would  give  me  a  form  of  words  to  pray  for  him  by.'  I  re- 
plied, '  It  seems  thou  dost  not  know  whether  thou  beest  in  the  right  Avay 
'or  no ;  neither  dost  thou  know  whether  I  am  in  the  right  way  or  no ; 
'  but  I  know  that  I  am  in  the  everlasting  way,  Christ  Jesus,  which  thou 
•  art  out  of.  Thou  wouldst  give  me  a  form  of  words  to  pray  by,  yet 
'  thou  deniest  the  Common  Prayer  Book  to  pray  by  as  well  as  I,  and  I 
'  deny  thy  form  of  words  as  well  as  it.  If  thou  wouldst  have  me  pray 
'  for  thee  by  a  form  of  words,  is  not  this  to  deny  the  apostle's  doctrine 
'  and  practice  of  praying  by  the  Spirit,  as  it  gave  words  and  utterance '?' 
Here  the  people  fell  a  laughing ;  but  I  was  moved  to  speak  more  to  him. 
And  when  I  had  cleared  myself  to  him  and  them  we  parted,  after  I  had 
told  them,  that  I  should,  God  willing,  be  in  town  that  day  seven-night 
again.  So  the  priests  pack'd  away,  and  many  people  were  convinced 
that  day ;  for  the  Lord's  power  came  over  alL  Many  that  were  con- 
vinced before,  were  by  that  day's  work  confirmed  in  the  truth,  and  abode 
in  it :  and  a  great  shake  it  gave  to  the  priests.  Yea,  my  father,  though 
a  hearer  and  follower  of  the  priest,  was  so  well  satisfied,  that  he  struck 
his  cane  upon  the  ground,  and  said,  '  Truly  I  see,  he  that  will  but  stand 
'  to  the  truth,  it  will  bear  him  out.'  I  passed  about  in  the  country  till 
that  day  seven-night,  and  thea  came  again ;  for  we  had  appointed  a 
meeting  at  my  relations'  house.  Priest  Stephens,  having  notice  before- 
hand thereof,  had  got  another  priest  to  him.  They  had  a  company  of 
troopers  with  them ;  and  sent  for  me  to  come  to  them.  But  I  sent  them 
word,  our  meeting  was  appointed,  and  they  might  come  to  it  if  they 
would.  The  priests  came  not ;  but  the  troopers  came,  and  many  rude 
people.  They  had  laid  their  plot.  That  the  troopers  should  take  every 
one's  name,  and  then  command  them  to  go  home ;  and  such  as  v/oidd 
not  go,  they  should  take,  and  carry  away  with  them.  Accordingly  they 
began,  and  took  several  names,  charging  them  to  go  home ;  but  when 
they  came  to  take  my  name,  my  relations  told  them  I  was  at  home  al- 
ready :  so  they  could  not  take  me  away  that  time.     Nevertheless  they 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  167 

took  my  name ;  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them,  and  they  went 
away,  both  professors  and  troopers,  crossed  and  vexed  because  they  had 
not  their  ends.  But  several  were  convinced  that  day,  and  adtnired  the 
love  and  power  of  God.  This  was  that  priest  Stephens,  who  once  said 
of  me,  '  Never  such  a  plant  was  bred  in  England :'  yet  afterwards  he 
reported,  '  That  I  was  carried  up  into  the  clouds,  and  found  again  full  of 
'gold  and  silver;'  and  many  false  reports  he  raised  on  me,  but  the  Lord 
swept  them  all  away.  The  reason  why  I  would  not  go  into  their  steeple- 
house  was,  because  I  was  to  bear  my  testimony  against  it,  and  to  bring 
all  off  from  such  places  to  the  Spirit  of  God ;  that  they  might  know  their 
bodies  to  be  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  to  bring  them  off  from 
all  the  hireling  teachers  to  Christ,  their  free  teacher,  who  died  for  them, 
and  purchased  them  with  his  blood. 

After  this  I  went  into  the  country,  had  several  meetings,  and  came  to 
Swanington,  where  the  soldiers  came ;  but  the  meeting  was  quiet,  the 
Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  the  soldiers  did  not  meddle.  Then  I 
went  to  Leicester;  and  from  Leicester  to  Whetstone.  There  came 
about  seventeen  troopers  of  colonel  Hacker's  regiment,  with  his  marshal, 
and  took  me  up  before  the  meeting,  though  friends  were  beginning  to 
gather  together;  for  there  were  sev^eral  friends  from  divers  parts.  I 
told  the  marshal,  '  He  might  let  all  the  friends  go,  I  would  answer  for 
'  them  all.'  Whereupon  he  took  me,  and  let  all  the  friends  go ;  only  Al- 
exander Parker  went  along  with  me.  At  night  they  had  me  before  col- 
onel Hacker,  his  major,  and  captains,  a  great  company  of  them ;  and  a 
great  deal  of  discourse  we  had  about  the  priests,  and  about  meetings ; 
for  at  this  time  there  was  a  noise  of  a  plot  against  O.  Cromwell  Much 
reasoning  I  had  with  them  about  the  light  of  Christ,  which  enlighteneth 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world.  Col.  Hacker  asked.  Whether  it 
was  not  this  hght  of  Christ  that  made  Judas  betray  his  master,  and  after 
led  him  to  hang  himself?  I  told  him,  '  No  :  that  was  the  spirit  of  dark- 
'  ness,  which  hated  Christ  and  his  light.'  Then  Col.  Hacker  said,  I  might 
go  home,  and  keep  at  home ;  and  not  go  abroad  to  meetings.  I  told  him, 
'  I  was  an  innocent  man,  free  from  plots,  and  denied  all  such  work.'  His 
son  Needham  said,  '  Father,  this  man  hath  reigned  too  long ;  it  is  time 
'  to  have  him  cut  off.'  I  asked  him,  '  For  what  ?  What  had  I  done  ?  or 
'  whom  had  I  wronged  from  a  child?  for  I  was  bred  and  born  in  that 
'  country,  and  who  could  accuse  me  of  any  evil  from  a  child  V  Col. 
Hacker  asked  me  again,  If  I  would  go  home,  and  stay  at  home  ?  I  told 
him, '  If  I  should  promise  him  so,  it  would  manifest  that  I  was  guilty  of 
'  something,  to  make  my  home  a  prison :  and  if  I  went  to  meetings,  they 
'  would  say  I  broke  their  order.  Therefore  I  told  them,  I  should  go  to 
'  meetings,  as  the  Lord  should  order  me ;  and  could  not  submit  to  their 
'  requirings :  but  I  said,  we  were  a  peaceable  people.'  '  Well  then,'  said 
colonel  Hacker,  '  I  w^ill  send  you  to-morrow  morning  by  six  o'clock  to 
'  my  lord  protector,  by  captain  Drury,  one  of  his  life-guard.'  That  night 
I  was  kept  prisoner  at  the  Marshalsea ;  and  the  next  morning  by  the 
sixth  hour  I  was  delivered  to  captain  Drury.  I  desired  he  would  let  me 
speak  with  colonel  Hacker  before  I  went ;  and  he  had  me  to  his  bed-side. 
Colonel  Hacker  set  upon  me  presently  again  to  go  home,  and  keep  no 
more  meetings.  I  told  him,  '  I  could  not  submit  to  that ;  but  must  have 
'  my  liberty  to  serve  God,  and  to  go  to  meetings.'  '  Then,'  said  he,  '  you 
'  must  go  before  the  protector.'  Whereupon  '  I  kneeled  on  his  bed-side, 
'  and  besought  the  Lord  to  forgive  him ;  for  he  was  as  Pilate,  though  he 


168  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

*  would  wash  his  hands ;  and  when  the  day  of  his  misery  and  trial  should 
'  come  upon  him,  I  bid  him,  Then  remember  what  I  had  said  to  him.' 
But  he  was  stirred  up  and  set  on  by  Stephens,  and  the  other  priests  and 
professors,  wherein  their  envy  and  baseness  was  manifest ;  who,  when 
they  could  not  overcome  me  by  disputes  and  arguments,  nor  resist  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  that  was  in  me,  they  got  soldiers  to  take  me  up. 

Afterwards,  when  colonel  Hacker  was  impi'isoned  in  London,  a  day 
or  two  before  his  execution,  he  was  put  in  mind  of  what  he  had  done 
against  the  innocent ;  and  he  remembered  it,  and  confessed  it  to  Marga- 
ret Fell ;  saying.  He  knew  well  whom  she  meant ;  and  he  had  trouble 
upon  him  for  it.  So  his  son,  who  had  told  his  father  I  had  reigned  too 
long,  and  it  was  time  to  have  me  cut  off,  might  observe  how  his  father 
was  cut  off  afterwards,  he  being  hanged  at  Tyburn. 

I  was  cari'ied  up  prisoner  by  captain  Drury  from  Leicester ;  and  when 
we  came  to  Harborough,  he  asked  me,  If  I  would  go  home,  and  stay  a 
fortnight  1  I  should  have  my  liberty,  he  said,  if  I  would  not  go  to  nor 
keep  meetings.  I  told  him,  I  could  not  promise  any  such  thing.  Several 
times  upon  the  road  did  he  ask,  and  try  me  after  the  same  manner;  and 
still  I  gave  him  the  same  answers.  So  he  brought  me  to  London,  and 
lodged  me  at  the  Mermaid  over  against  the  Mews  at  Charing-Cross.  As 
we  travelled,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  warn  people  at  the  inns  and 
places,  M'here  I  came,  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon 
them.  WilHam  Dewsbury  and  Marmaduke  Storr  being  in  prison  at 
Northampton,  he  let  me  go  and  visit  them. 

After  captain  Drury  had  lodged  me  at  the  Mermaid,  he  went  to  give 
the  protector  an  account  of  me.  When  he  came  to  me  again,  he  told 
me.  The  protector  required  that  I  should  promise  not  to  take  up  a  carnal 
sword  or  weapon  against  him  or  the  government,  as  it  then  was  ;  and 
that  I  should  write  it  in  what  words  I  saw  good,  and  set  my  hand  to  it. 
I  said  little  in  reply  to  captain  Drury.  But  the  next  morning  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  write  a  paper  *  To  the  protector,  by  the  name  of 

*  Oliver  Cromwell ;  wherein  I  did  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  God  de- 

*  clare,  that  I  did  deny  the  wearing  or  drawing  of  a  carnal  sword,  or 

*  any  other  outward  weapon,  against  him  or  any  man.     And  that  I  was 

*  sent  of  God  to  stand  a  witness  against  all  violence,  and  against  the 

*  works  of  darkness ;  and  to  turn  people  from  darkness  to  light ;  to  bring 
'  them  from  the  occasion  of  war  and  fighting  to  the  peaceable  gospel ; 

*  and  from  being  evil-doers,  which  the  magistrate's  sword  should  be  a 

*  terror  to.'  When  I  had  written  what  the  Lord  had  given  me  to  write, 
I  set  my  name  to  it,  and  gave  it  to  captain  Drury  to  hand  to  O.  Crom- 
well ;  which  he  did.  After  some  time  captain  Drury  brought  me  before 
the  protector  himself  at  Whitehall.  It  was  in  a  morning,  before  he  was 
dressed ;  and  one  Harvey,  who  had  come  a  little  among  friends,  but 
was  disobedient,  waited  upon  him.  When  I  came  in,  I  was  moved  to 
say,  'Peace  be  in  this  house:  and  I  exhorted  him  to  keep  in  the  fear  of 

*  God,  that  he  might  receive  wisdom  from  him ;  that  by  it  he  might  be 

*  ordered,  and  with  it  might  order  all  things  under  his  hand  unto  God's 

*  glory.'  I  spoke  much  to  him  of  truth ;  and  a  great  deal  of  discourse 
I  had  with  him  about  religion :  wherein  he  carried  himself  very  moder- 
ately. But  he  said.  We  quarrelled  with  the  priests,  whom  he  called 
ministers.  I  told  him,  '  I  did  not  quarrel  with  them,  they  quarrelled  with 
'  me  and  my  friends.     But,  said  I,  if  we  own  the  prophets,  Christ,  and 

*  the  apostles,  we  cannot  hold  up  such  teachers,  prophets,  and  shepherds, 


16541  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  169 

*  as  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles  declared  against ;  but  we  must 

*  declare  against  them  by  the  same  power  and  Spirit.  Then  I  shew- 
'  ed  him.  That  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles  declared  freely, 

*  and  declared  against  them  that  did  not  declare  freely ;  such  as  preach- 

*  ed  for  filthy  lucre,  divined  for  money,  and  preached  for  hire,  and  were 
'  covetous  and  greedy,  like  the  dumb  dogs  that  could  never  have  enough : 

*  and  that  they,  who  have  the  same  Spirit  that  Christ  and  the  prophets, 
'and  the  apostles  had,  could  not  but  declare  against  all  such  now,  as 
'  they  did  then.'  As  I  spoke  he  several  times  said.  It  was  very  good,  and 
it  was  truth,    '  I  told  him.  That  all  Christendom  (so  called)  had  the  scrip- 

*  tures,  but  they  wanted  the  power  and  Spirit  that  those  had  who  gave 

*  forth  the  scriptures ;  and  that  was  the  reason  they  were  not  in  fellow- 

*  ship  with  the  Son,  nor  with  the  Father,  nor  with  the  scriptures,  nor  one 

*  with  another.'  Many  more  words  I  had  with  him ;  but  people  coming 
in,  I  drew  a  little  back.  As  I  was  turning,  he  catched  me  by  the  hand, 
and  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  said,  '  Come  again  to  my  house ;  for  if  thou 

*  and  I  were  but  an  hour  of  a  day  together,  we  should  be  nearer  one  to 

*  the  other ;'  adding.  That  he  wished  me  no  more  ill  than  he  did  to  his 
ov/n  soul.     I  told  him,  '  If  he  did,  he  wronged  his  own  soul ;  and  ad- 

*  monished  him  to  hearken  to  God's  voice,  that  he  might  stand  in  his 
'  counsel,  and  obey  it ;  and  if  he  did  so,  that  would  keep  him  from  hard- 
'  ness  of  heart :  but  if  he  did  not  hear  God's  voice,  his  heart  would  be 

*  hardened.'  He  said.  It  was  true.  Then  I  went  out ;  and  when  captain 
Drury  came  out  after  me,  he  told  me.  His  lord  protector  said,  I  was  at 
liberty,  and  might  go  whither  I  would.  Then  I  was  brought  into  a  great 
hall,  where  the  protector's  gentlemen  were  to  dine.  I  asked  them.  What 
they  brought  me  thither  for  1  They  said.  It  was  by  the  protector's  order, 
that  I  might  dine  with  them.  I  bid  them  let  the  protector  know,  I  would 
not  eat  of  his  bread,  nor  drink  of  his  drink.  When  he  heard  this,  he 
said,  *  Now  I  see  there  is  a  people  risen,  that  I  cannot  win  either  with 
'  gifts,  honours,  offices,  or  places ;  but  all  other  sects  and  people  I  can.' 
It  was  told  him  again,  '  That  we  had  forsook  our  own ;  and  were  not 
'  like  to  look  for  such  tilings  from  him.' 

Being  set  at  Uberty,  I  went  to  the  inn  where  captain  Drury  at  first 
lodged  me.  This  captain,  though  he  sometimes  carried  it  fairly,  was  an 
enemy  to  me  and  to  truth,  and  opposed  it.  When  professors  came  to 
me,  while  I  was  under  his  custody,  and  he  was  by,  he  would  scoff  at 
trembling,  and  call  us  Quakers,  as'  the  Independents  and  Presbyterians 
had  nicknamed  us  before.  But  afterwards  he  came  and  told  me,  That, 
as  he  was  lying  on  his  bed  to  rest  himself  in  the  day-time,  a  sudden 
trembling  seized  on  him,  that  his  joints  knocked  together ;  and  his  body 
shook  so  that  he  could  not  rise  from  his  lx;d :  he  was  so  shaken,  that  he 
had  not  strength  enough  left  to  rise.  Pat  he  felt  the  power  of  the  Lord 
was  upon  him ;  and  he  tumbled  off  his  bed,  and  cried  to  the  Lord,  and 
said.  He  would  never  speak  against  the  Quakers  more,  such  as  trembled 
at  the  word  of  God. 

During  the  time  I  was  prisoner  at  Charing-Cross,  there  came  abun- 
dance to  see  nie,  almost  of  all  sorts,  priests,  professors,  officers  of  the 
army,  &c.  Once  a  company  of  officers  being  with  me,  desired  me  to 
pray  with  them.  I  sat  still,  with  my  mind  retired  to  the  Lord.  At  last 
I  felt  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God  move  in  me ;  and  the  Lord's  power 
did  so  shake  and  shatter  them,  that  they  wondered,  though  they  did  not 
live  in  it.  W 


170  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

Among  those  that  came  was  colonel  Packer,  with  several  of  his 
officers.  While  they  were  with  me,  came  in  one  Cob,  and  a  great  com- 
pany of  Ranters  with  him.  The  Ranters  began  to  call  for  drink  and 
tobacco ;  but  I  desired  them  to  forbear  it  in  my  room,  telling  them,  '  If 

*  they  had  such  a  mind  to  it,  they  might  go  into  another  room.'  One  of 
them  cried,  '  All  is  ours :'  and  another  of  them  said,  '  All  is  well.'  I  re- 
plied, '  How  is  all  well,  while  thou  art  so  peevish,  envious,  and  crabbed?' 
for  I  saw  he  was  of  a  peevish  nature.  I  spake  to  their  conditions,  and 
they  were  sensible  of  it,  and  looked  one  upon  another,  wondering. 

Then  colonel  Packer  began  to  talk  with  a  light,  chaffy  mind,  con- 
cerning God,  Christ,  and  the  scriptures :  it  was  a  great  grief  to  my  soul 
and  spirit,  when  I  heard  him  talk  so  lightly ;  so  that  I  told  him, '  He  was 
'  too  light  to  talk  of  the  things  of  God :  for  he  did  not  know  the  solidity 
'  of  a  man.'  Thereupon  the  officers  raged,  and  said,  Would  I  say  so  of 
their  colonel  1  Packer  was  a  Baptist :  he  and  the  Ranters  bowed  and 
scraped  to  one  another  very  much ;  for  it  was  the  manner  of  the  Rant- 
ers to  be  exceeding  complimental,  so  that  Packer  bid  them  give  over 
their  compliments ;  but  I  told  them,  '  They  were  fit  to  go  together,  for 
'  they  were  both  of  one  spirit.' 

This  colonel  lived  at  Theobalds  near  Waltham,  and  was  made  a  jus- 
tice of  peace.  He  set  up  a  great  meeting  of  the  Baptists  at  Theobalds 
Park ;  for  he  and  some  other  officers  had  purchased  it.  They  were  ex- 
ceeding high,  railed  against  friends  and  truth ;  and  threatened  to  appre- 
hend me  with  their  warrants,  if  ever  I  came  there.  Yet  after  I  was  set 
at  liberty,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  Theobalds,  and  appoint  a 
meeting  hard-by  them ;  to  which  many  of  his  people  came,  and  divers 
of  his  hearers  were  convinced  of  the  way  of  truth,  received  Christ  the 
free  teacher,  and  came  off  from  the  Baptist ;  which  made  him  rage  the 
more.  But  the  Lord's  power  came  over  him  so,  that  he  was  not  able  to 
meddle  with  me.  Then  I  went  to  Waltham,  hard-by  him,  and  had  a 
meeting  there.  The  people  were  very  rude,  gathered  about  the  house, 
and  broke  the  windows.  Whereupon  I  went  out  to  them,  with  the  bible 
in  my  hand,  desired  them  to  come  in ;  and  told  them,  '  I  would  shew 
them  scripture  both  for  our  principles  and  practices.'  W^hen  I  had 
done  so,  I  shewed  them  also  '  that  their  teachers  were  in  the  steps  of 
'  such  as  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles  cried  against.  I  directed 
'  them  to  the  light  of  Christ,  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  own  hearts ;  that 

*  by  it  they  might  come  to  know  their  free  teacher,  the  Lord  Jesus 

*  Christ.'  The  meeting  being  ended,  they  went  away  quieted  and  satis- 
fied ;  and  a  meeting  hath  smce  been  settled  in  that  town.  But  this  was 
some  time  after  I  was  set  at  liberty  by  0.  Cromwell. 

When  I  came  from  Whitehiijl  to  the  Mermaid  at  Charing-Cross,  I 
staid  not  long  there :  but  went  inio  the  city  of  London,  Ay  here  we  had 
great  and  poM^erful  meetings;  so  great  were  the  throngs  of  people,  that 
I  could  hardly  get  to  and  from  the  meetings  for  the  crowds;  and  the 
truth  spread  exceedingly.  T.  Aldam  and  R.  Craven,  who  had  been 
siierifis  of  Lincoln,  and  divers  friends,  came  up  to  London  after  me : 
but  A.  Parker  abode  with  me. 

After  awhile  I  went  to  Whitehall  again,  and  was  moved  to  declare 
'  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst  them ;  and  that  the  Lord  was  come  to 
'  teach  his  people  himself:'  so  I  ])reached  truth  both  to  the  officers,  and 
lo  them  that  were  called  Oliver's  gentlemen,  who  were  of  his  guard. 
But  a  priest  opposed,  while  I  declared  the  word  of  the  Lord  amongst 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  171 

them :  for  Oliver  had  several  about  him,  of  which  this  was  his  news- 
monger ;  an  envious  priest,  a  light,  scornful,  chaffy  man.  I  bid  him  re- 
pent ;  oind  he  put  it  in  his  news-paper  the  next  week,  that  I  had  been  at 
Whitehall,  and  had  bid  a  godly  minister  there  repent.  When  I  went  thither 
again,  I  met  with  him ;  and  abundance  of  people  gathered  about  me.  I 
manifested  the  priest  to  be  a  liar  in  several  things  that  he  had  affirmed ; 
and  he  was  put  to  silence.  He  put  in  the  news,  that  I  wore  silver  but- 
tons ;  which  was  false ;  for  they  were  but  ochimy.  Afterwards  he  put 
in  the  news,  that  I  hung  ribands  on  people's  arms,  which  made  them 
follow  me.  This  was  another  of  his  lies ;  for  I  never  used  nor  wore 
ribands  in  my  Ufe.  Three  friends  went  to  examine  this  priest,  that  gave 
forth  this  false  inteUigence ;  and  to  know  of  him  where  he  had  that  in- 
formation? He  said,  It  was  a  woman  that  told  him  so;  and  if  they 
would  come  again,  he  would  tell  them  the  woman's  name.  When  they 
came  again,  he  said.  It  was  a  man,  but  would  not  tell  them  his  name 
then ;  but  if  they  would  come  again,  he  would  tell  them  his  name,  and 
where  he  lived.  "  They  went  the  third  time ;  and  then  he  would  not  say 
who  told  him;  but  oflered,  if  I  would  give  it  under  my  hand  that  there 
was  no  such  thing,  he  would  put  that  into  the  news.  Thereupon  the 
friends  carried  it  to  him  under  my  hand ;  but  when  they  came,  he  broke 
his  promise,  and  would  not  put  it  in :  but  was  in  a  rage,  and  threatened 
them  with  the  constable.  This  was  the  deceitful  doing  of  this  forger  of 
lies :  and  these  lies  he  spread  over  the  nation  in  the  news,  to  render  truth 
odious,  and  to  put  evil  into  people's  minds  against  friends  and  truth ;  of 
which  a  more  large  account  may  be  seen  in  a  book  printed  soon  after 
this  time,  for  the  clearing  of  friends  and  truth  from  the  slanders  and  false 
reports  raised  and  cast  upon  them.  These  priests,  the  news-mongers, 
were  of  the  independent  sect,  like  them  in  Leicester;  but  the  Lord's 
power  came  over  all  their  lies,  and  swept  them  away ;  and  many  came 
to  see  the  naughtiness  of  these  priests.  The  God  of  heaven  carried  me 
over  all-in  his  power,  and  his  blessed  power  went  over  the  nation;  inso- 
much that  many  friends  about  this  time  were  moved  to  go  up  and  down, 
to  sound  forth  the  everlasting  gospel  in  most  parts  of  this  nation,  and 
also  in  Scotland ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was  felt  over  all  to  his  ever- 
lasting praise.  A  great  convincement  there  was  in  London ;  some  in 
the  protector's  house  and  family.  I  went  to  have  seen  him  again,  but 
could  not  get  to  him,  the  officers  were  grown  so  rude. 

The  Presbyterians,  Independents,  and  Baptists  were  greatly  disturbed ; 
for  many  of  their  people  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  sat  down  under 
his  teachings,  received  his  power,  and  felt  it  in  their  hearts ;  and  then 
they  were  moved  of  the  Lord  to  declare  against  the  rest  of  them. 

I  appointed  a  meeting  in  the  fields  near  Acton,  in  which  the  word  of 
life,  the  saving  truth  was  declared  freely.  The  Lord's  power  was  emi- 
nently manifested,  and  his  blessed  day  exalted  over  all. 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  write  a  paper,  and  send  it  among  the 
professors,  on  this  wise : 

'  To  all  professors  of  Christianity : 

'  All  those  that  professed  Jesus  Christ  in  words,  and  yet  heard  him 
'  not  w^hen  he  was  come,  said,  he  was  a  deceiver  and  a  devil.  The  chief 
'  priests  called  him  so.  The  Jews  said,  "  He  hath  a  devil,  and  is  mad  ; 
"  why  do  ye  hear  him?"  But  others  said,  "  These  are  not  the  words  of 
"  him  that  hath  a  devil.     Can  a  devil  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind  V  The 


172  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

Jews  then  doubted  whether  he  was  the  Christ,  or  no.  So  all,  like  the 
Jews,  in  the  knowledge,  in  the  notion,  that  profess  Christ  without  only, 
where  he  is  risen  within,  do  not  own  him,  but  doubt  of  him ;  though 
Christ  be  the  same  now  and  for  ever.  He  said,  "  I  and  my  Father  are 
'  one ;  then  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  stone  him ;"  and  where  Jesus 
Christ  is  now  spiritually  come  and  niade  manifest,  such  as  are  chris- 
tians in  outward  profession  only,  have  the  same  hard  hearts  inwardly 
now  as  the  Jews  had  then ;  and  cast  stones  at  him,  where  he  is  risen. 
Jesus  said,  "For  which  of  these  good  works  do  ye  stone  me  ?"  The  Jews 
answered,  "  For  thy  good  works  we  stone  thee  not ;  but  for  blasphemy, 
'  in  that  thou  being  a  man,  makest  thyself  God."  Jesus  answered  them, 
*  Is  it  not  written  in  your  law,  I  said  you  are  gods  1  and  the  scripture 
'  cannot  be  broken.  Say  ye  of  him,  whom  the  Father  hath  sanctified 
'  and  sent  into  the  world.  Thou  blasphemest,  because  I  said,  I  am  the 
'  Son  of  God  ?  The  Jews  said  to  him.  Say  we  not  well,  that  thou  hast  a 
'  devil?  Jesus  answered,  I  honour  my  Father,  and  ye  dishonour  me.  And 
'  they  that  were  in  the  synagogue  rose  up,  and  thrust  him  out  of  the  city ; 
'  and  took  him  up  to  the  edge  of  the  hill  whereon  their  city  was  built, 
'  to  cast  him  down  headlong.  The  Pharisees  said,  "  He  casteth  out 
'  devils  by  the  prince  of  devils."  Christ  was  called  a  glutton  and  a  wine- 
bibber;  a  friend  of  publicans  and  sinners;  but  wisdom  is  justified  of 
her  children.  The  officers,  when  the  high-priests  and  Pharisees  asked 
them,  "  Why  have  ye  not  brought  him  1"  said,  "  Never  man  spake  like 
'  this  man."  The  Pharisees  said,  "  Are  you  also  deceived  1  Do  any  of 
'  the  rulers  or  of  the  Pharisees  believe  on  him  ?  but  this  people,  which 
'  know  not  the  law,  are  accursed.  Nicodemus  said  unto  them  (he  that 
came  unto  Jesus  by  night)  doth  our  law  judge  any  man  before  it  hear 
him  ?"  When  Stephen  confessed  Jesus,  the  substance  of  all  figures  and 
types,  and  was  brought  before  the  chief  priests  to  his  trial,  he  told 
them,  "  The  Most  High  dwelleth  not  in  temples  made  with  hands ;"  and 
brought  the  prophets'  words  to  witness,  and  told  them.  They  were  stiff- 
necked  and  uncircumcised  in  heart  and  ears,  and  always  resisted  the 
Holy  Ghost,  as  their  fathers  had  done.  Stephen  was  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  said.  He  saw  Jesus ;  and  they  ran  upon  him,  and  stoned  him 
to  death,  as  he  was  calling  upon  the  Lord.  When  Paul  confessed  Jesus 
Christ,  and  his  resurrection,  Festus  said.  He  was  mad.  When  Paul 
preached  the  resurrection,  some  mocked.  The  Jews  persuaded  the 
people,  and  they  stoned  him,  and  drew  him  out  of  the  city,  thinking  he 
had  been  dead.  The  Jews  stirred  up  the  Gentiles,  to  make  their  minds 
evil-affected  towards  the  brethren.  The  Jews  stirred  up  the  devout  and 
honourable  women,  and  the  chief  of  the  city ;  and  raised  persecution 
against  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  expelled  them  out  of  their  coasts :  and 
there  was  an  assault  made  both  of  the  Gentiles  and  of  the  Jews,  with 
their  rulers,  to  use  them  despitefuUy,  and  to  stone  them.  In  like  man- 
ner all  in  the  nature  of  those  Jews  now,  whose  religion  stands  in  no- 
tions, stir  up  the  rulers  and  the  ignorant  people,  and  incense  them 
against  Jesus  Christ,  to  stone  all  with  one  consent  in  whom  he  is  risen. 
This  is,  that  the  scripture  might  be  fulfilled,  and  the  blindness  of  the 
people  might  be  discovered.  The  same  power  now  is  made  manifest, 
and  doth  overturn  the  world,  as  did  then  overturn  the  world,  to  the 
exalting  of  the  Lord,  and  the  pulling  down  of  the  kingdom  of  Satan 
and  of  this  world,  and  setting  up  his  own  kingdom,  to  his  everlasting 
praise.     The  Lord  is  now  exalting  himself,  and  throwing  down  man's 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  173 

'  self.  The  proud  one's  head  is  aloft,  fearing  he  should  lose  his  pride  and 
'  his  crown.    The  priests  incense  the  ignorant  people,  for  fear  their  trade 

*  should  go  down ;  and  professors  shew  forth  what  is  in  them,  being  full 
'  of  rage  ;  which  shews  that  Jesus  Christ  the  substance  is  not  there ;  but 
'  a  stony  heart,  to  stone  the  precious,  where  it  is  risen.  The  carnal  mind 
'  feeds  upon  the  outward  letter;  earth  feeds  upon  earth;  and  that  vine- 
« yard  is  not  dressed,  but  is  full  of  briers  and  nettles ;  and  ravenous 
'  beasts,  swine,  dogs,  wolves,  and  lions,  and  all  venomous  creatures  lodge 
'  in  that  habitation.  That  house  is  not  swept.  These  are  the  persecutors 
'  of  the  just,  enemies  of  the  truth,  and  of  Christ.    These  are  blasphemers 

*  of  God  and  his  truth.     These  call  upon  God  with  their  lips,  but  their 

*  hearts  are  far  from  him.  These  feed  on  lies;  priests  and  people.  These 
'  incense  the  people,  and  stir  up  envy ;  for  it  begets  its  own,  one  like 
'  itself.  These  are  as  the  waves  of  the  sea,  foaming  out  their  own  shame. 
'  These  have  double  eyes ;  whose  bodies  are  full  of  darkness.  These 
'  paint  themselves  with  the  prophets',  with  Christ's,  and  with  the  apostles' 
'  words  most  fair.     Whited  walls,  painted  sepulchres,  murderers  of  the 

*  just  you  are.  Your  eyes  are  double,  your  minds  are  double,  your  hearts 
'  are  double.  Ye  flatterers,  repent  and  turn  from  your  carnal  ends,  who 
'  are  full  of  mischief;  pretending  God  and  godliness,  taking  him  for  your 

*  cloak ;  but  he  will  uncover  you,  and  he  hath  uncovered  you  to  his  chil- 

*  dren.     He  will  make  you  bare,  discover  your  secrets,  take  off  your 

*  crown,  take  away  your  mantle  and  your  veil,  and  strip  you  of  your 
'  cloathing ;  that  your  nakedness  may  appear,  and  how  you  sit  deceiving 
'  the  nations.  Your  abomination  and  your  falsehood  is  now  made  mani- 
'  fest  to  those  who  are  of  God ;  who  in  his  power  triumph  over  you,  re- 

*  joice  over  you,  the  beast,  the  dragon,  the  false  prophet,  the  seducer,  the 
'  hypocrite,  the  mother  of  all  harlots.     Now  thou  must  have  thy  cup 

*  double.  Give  it  to  her  double.  Sing  over  her,  ye  righteous  ones,  sing 
'  over  them  all,  ye  saints ;  triumph  in  glory,  triumph  over  the  deceit :  sing 
'  the  song  of  the  lamb  ;  triumph  over  the  world,  spread  the  truth  abroad. 
'  Come  ye  captives  out  of  the  prison ;  rejoice  with  one  accord,  for  the 
'  joyful  days  are  coming.  Let  us  be  glad,  and  rejoice  for  ever !  Single- 
'  ness  of  heart  is  come ;  pureness  of  heart  is  come ;  joy  and  gladness  is 
'  come.  The  glorious  God  is  exalting  himself;  truth  hath  been  talked  of, 
'  but  now  it  is  possessed.  Christ  hath  been  talked  of;  but  now  he  is  come 
'  and  possessed.  The  glory  hath  been  talked  of;  but  now  it  is  possessed, 
'  and  the  glory  of  man  is  defacing.  The  Son  of  God  hath  been  talked 
'  of;  but  now  he  is  come,  and  hath  given  us  an  understanding.  Unity 
'  hath  been  talked  of;  but  now  it  is  come.  Virgins  have  been  talked  of; 
'  but  now  they  are  come  with  oil  in  their  lamps.  He  will  be  glorified 
'  alone.  Where  pride  is  thrown  down,  earth  and  the  fleshly  will  is  thrown 
'  down,  and  the  pure  is  raised  up ;  there  alone  is  the  Lord  exalted.  Let 
'  the  heavens  bow  down  to  him,  and  the  earth  reel  to  and  fro,  and  stag- 

*  ger  up  and  down.     The  Lord  is  setting  up  his  throne  and  his  crown, 

*  and  throwing  down  the  crown  of  man  ;  he  alone  will  be  glorified:  to 
'  whom  be  all  honour  and  glory,  all  praises  and  all  thanks !  He  gives  his 
'  children  wisdom  and  strength,  knowledge  and  virtue,  power  and  riches, 
'  blessings  and  durable  substance ;  an  eye  to  discern,  and  an  ear  to  hear 
'things  singly;  brings  down  the  pride  of  man's  heart,  and  turns  the 
'  wicked  out  of  the  kingdom.     The  righteous  inherit  righteousness ;  the 

pure,  pureness ;  the  holy,  holiness.     Praises,  praises  be  to  the  Lord, 
whose  glory  now  shines,  whose  day  is  broken  forth ;  which  is  hid  from 


174  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [i6S4 

*  the  world,  hid  from  all  worldly-wise  ones,  from  all  the  prudent  of  this 

*  world ;  from  the  fowls  of  the  air ;  from  all  vultures'  eyes,  all  venomous 

*  beasts,  all  liars,  all  dogs,  and  all  swine.   But  to  them  that  fear  his  name, 

*  the  secrets  of  the  Lord  are  made  manifest,  the  treasures  of  wisdom  are 

*  opened,  and  the  fulness  of  knowledge :  for  thou,  O  Lord !  dost  make 

*  thyself  manifest  to  thy  children.  G.  F.' 

My  spirit  was  greatly  burdened  to  see  the  pride  that  was  got  up  in  the 
nation,  even  amongst  professors ;  in  the  sense  whereof  I  was  moved  to 
give  forth  a  paper  directed 

'  To  such  as  follow  the  world's  fashions : 
'What  a  world  is  this!  how  doth  the  devil  garnish  himself!  how 

*  obedient  are  people  to  do  his  will  and  mind !  They  are  altogether  car- 

*  ried  away  with  fooleries  and  vanities,  both  men  and  women.     They 

*  have  lost  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  the  meek  and  quiet  spirit ;  which 
'  with  tiie  Lord  is  of  great  price.     They  have  lost  the  adorning  of 

*  Sarah ;  they  are  putting  on  gold  and  gay  apparel ;  women  plaiting  the 
'  hair,  men  and  women  powdering  it;  making  their  backs  look  hke  bags 

*  of  meak     They  look  so  strange,  that  they  can  scarce  look  at  one  an- 

*  other ;  they  are  so  lifted  up  in  pride.  Pride  is  flown  up  into  their  head ; 
'  and  hath  so  lifted  them  up,  that  they  snuff  up,  like  wild  asses,  and  like 

*  Ephraim :  they  feed  upon  wind,  and  are  got  to  be  like  wild  heifers,  who 

*  feed  upon  the  mountains.  Pride  hath  puffed  up  every  one  of  them. 
'  They  are  out  of  the  fear  of  God ;  men  and  women.  Young  and  old ; 
'  one  puffs  up  another.  They  must  be  in  the  fashion  of  the  world,  else 
'  they  are  not  in  esteem  ;  nay  they  shall  not  be  respected,  if  they  have 

*  not  gold  or  silver  upon  their  backs,  or  if  the  hair  be  not  powdered. 

*  But  if  one  have  store  of  ribands  hanging  about  his  waist,  at  his  knees, 

*  and  in  his  hat,  of  divers  colours,  red,  white,  black,  or  yellow,  and  his 
'  hair  powdered ;  then  he  is  a  brave  man,  then  he  is  accepted,  then  he  is 

*  no  Quaker.  He  hath  ribands  on  his  back,  belly,  and  knees,  and  his  hair 
'  powdered.     This  is  the  array  of  the  world.     But  is  not  this  from  the 

*  lust  of  the  eye,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  or  the  pride  of  life  ?  Likewise  the 

*  women  having  their  gold,  their  patches  on  their  faces,  noses,  cheeks, 

*  foreheads,  their  rings  on  their  fingers,  wearing  gold,  their  cufls  double 
'  under  and  above,  like  a  butcher  with  his  white  sleeves ;  their  ribands 

*  tied  about  their  hands,  and  three  or  four  gold  laces  about  their  cloaths ; 
'  this  is  no  Quaker,  say  they.  This  attire  pleaseth  the  world ;  and  if 
'  they  cannot  get  these  things,  they  are  discontented.  But  this  is  not  the 
'  attire  of  Sarah,  whose  adorning  was  in  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart, 
'  of  a  quiet  and  meek  spirit.     This  is  the  adorning  of  the  heathen ;  not 

*  of  the  apostle,  nor  of  the  saints,  whose  adorning  was,  not  wearing  of 
'  gold,  nor  plaiting  of  hair,  but  that  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is 
'  of  great  price  with  the  Lord.     Here  was  the  sobriety  and  good  orna- 

*  ment  which  was  accepted  of  the  Lord.     This  was  Paul's  exhortation 

*  and  preaching.  But  we  see,  the  talkers  of  Paul's  words  five  out  of 
'  Paul's  command,  and  out  of  the  example  of  Sarah,  and  are  found  in 

*  the  steps  of  the  great  heathen,  who  comes  to  examine  the  apostles  in 
'  his  gorgeous  apparel  Are  not  these,  that  have  got  ribands  hanging 
'  about  their  arms,  hands,  back,  waists,  knees,  hats,  like  fiddler's  boys  ? 

*  This  shews,  that  they  are  got  into  the  basest  and  most  contemptible  life, 

*  who  are  in  the  fasiiion  of  fiddler's  boys  and  stage-players,  quite  out  of 

*  the  paths  and  steps  of  solid  men ;  in  the  very  steps  and  paths  of  the  wild 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  175 

*  heads,  who  give  themselves  up  to  every  invention  and  vanity  of  the 
'world  that  appears,  and  are  inventing  how  to  get  it  upon  their  backs, 
'  heads,  feet,  and  legs ;  and  say,  If  it  be  out  of  the  fashion,  it  is  nothing 

*  worth.  Are  not  these  spoilers  of  the  creation,  who  have  the  fat  and 
'  the  best  of  it,  and  waste  and  destroy  it  ?    Do  not  these  incumber  God's 

*  earth  ?  Let  that  of  God  in  all  consciences  answer,  and  who  are  in  the 
'  wisdom  judge.  And  further ;  if  one  get  a  pair  of  breeches  like  a  coat, 
'  and  hang  them  about  Math  points,  and  up  almost  to  the  middle,  a  pair 
'  of  double  cufts  upon  his  hands,  and  a  feather  in  his  cap,  here's  a  gen- 
'  tleman ;  bow  before  him,  put  off  your  hats,  get  a  company  of  fiddlers, 

*  a  set  of  musick,  and  women  to  dance.  This  is  a  brave  fellow.  Up  in 
'the  chamber;  up  in  the  chamber  without,  and  up  in  the  chamber  within. 
'  Are  these  your  fine  Chiistians  1  Yea,  say  they,  They  are  Christians ; 
'  but  say  the  serious  people,  They  are  out  of  Christ's  life,  out  of  the  apos- 
'  ties'  command,  and  out  of  the  saints'  ornament.  To  see  such  as  are  in 
'  the  fashions  of  the  world  before-mentioned,  a  company  of  them  playing 
'at  bowls,  or  at  tables,  or  at  shovel-board,  or  each  taking  his  horse,  with 

bunches  of  ribands  on  his  head,  as  the  rider  hath  on  his  own,  perhaps 
'  a  ring  in  his  ear  too,  and  so  go  to  horse-racing  to  spoil  the  creatures. 
'  Oh !  these  are  gentlemen  indeed,  these  are  bred  up  gentlemen,  these  are 
'  brave  fellows,  they  must  take  their  recreation ;  for  pleasures  are  lawful. 

*  These  in  their  sports,  set  up  their  shouts  like  wild  asses.  They  are  like 
'  the  kine  or  beasts,  when  they  are  put  to  grass,  lowing  when  they  are 
'  full.  Here  is  the  glorying  of  those  before-mentioned ;  but  it  is  in  the 
'  flesh,  not  in  the  Lord.  These  are  bad  christians,  and  shew  that  they 
'  are  gluttoned  with  the  creatures,  and  then  the  flesh  rejoiceth.  Here  is 
'  evil  breeding  of  youth  and  young  women,  who  are  carried  away  with 
'  the  vanities  of  the  mind  in  their  own  inventions,  pride,  arrogance,  lust, 
'  gluttony,  uncleanness.  They  eat  and  drink,  and  rise  up  to  play.  This 
'  is  the  generation  which  God  is  not  well  pleased  with ;  for  their  eyes  are 
'  full  of  adultery,  who  cannot  cease  from  evil.  These  be  they  that  live 
'  in  pleasures  upon  earth ;  these  be  they  who  are  dead  while  they  five ; 
'who  glory  not  in  the  Lord,  but  in  the  flesh:  these  be  ihey  that  are  out 
'  of  the  life  that  the  scriptures  were  given  forth  from,  who  live  in  tlie 
'  fashions  and  vanities  of  the  world,  out  of  truth's  adorning  in  the  devil's 

*  adorning  (who  is  out  of  the  truth)  not  in  the  adorning  of  the  Lord, 
'  which  is  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  and  is  with  the  Lord  of  great  price. 
'  But  this  ornament  and  this  adorning  is  not  put  on  by  them  that  adorn 

themselves,  and  have  the  ornament  of  him  that  is  out  of  the  truth.  That 

*  is  not  accepted  with  the  Lord  which  is  accepted  in  their  eye. 

'G.  F.' 

It  came  upon  me  about  this  time  from  the  Lord  to  write  '  a  short 

*  paper  and  send  forth,  as  an  exhortation  and  warning  to  the  pope,  and 

*  all  kings  and  rulers  in  Europe. 

'  Friends, 
'  Ye  heads,  rulers,  kings,  and  nobles,  of  all  sorts,  Be  not  bitter,  nor 

*  hasty  in  persecuting  the  lambs  of  Christ,  neither  turn  yourselves  against 
'  the  visitation  of  God,  and  his  tender  love  and  mercies  from  on  high, 
'  who  sent  to  visit  you ;  lest  the  Lord's  hand,  arm,  and  power  take  hold 
'  swiftly  upon  you ;  which  is  now  stretched  over  the  world.  It  is  turned 
'  against  kings,  and  shall  turn  wise  men  backward,  will  bring  their  crowns 
'  to  the  dust,  and  lay  them  low  and  level  with  the  earth.     The  Lord  will 


176  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

*  be  king,  who  gives  crowns  to  whomsoever  obey  his  will.     This  is  the 

*  age,  wherein  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  and  earth  is  staining  the  pride  of 
'  man  and  defacing  his  glory.  You  that  profess  Christ,  and  do  not  love 
'  your  enemies,  but  on  the  contrary  shut  up  and  imprison  those  who  are 

*  his  friends ;  these  are  marks  that  you  are  out  of  his  life,  and  do  not  love 
'  Christ,  who  do  not  the  things  he  commands.     The  day  of  the  Lord's 

*  wrath  is  kindling,  his  fire  is  going  forth  to  burn  up  the  wicked,  which 
'  will  leave  neither  root  nor  branch.     They  that  have  lost  their  habita- 

*  tion  with  God  are  out  of  his  vSpirit  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  and 

*  from  the  light  that  Jesus  Christ  hath  enlightened  them  withal ;  and  so 

*  from  the  true  foundation.     Therefore  be  swift  to  hear,  slow  to  speak, 

*  and  slower  to  persecute ;  for  the  Lord  is  bringing  his  people  to  himself, 
'  from  all  the  world's  ways,  to  Christ  the  way ;  from  all  the  w^orld's 

*  churches,  to  the  church  which  is  in  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 

*  Christ ;  from  all  the  world's  teachers,  to  teach  his  people  himself  by  his 

*  Spirit;  from  all  the  world's  images,  into  the  image  of  himself;  and  from 
'  all  the  world's  crosses  of  stone  or  wood,  into  his  power  which  is  the 

*  cross  of  Christ.  For  all  these  images,  crosses,  and  likenesses  are  among 
'  them  that  are  apostatized  from  the  image  of  God,  the  power  of  God,  the 
'  cross  of  Christ,  which  now  fathoms  the  world,  and  is  throwing  down 

that  which  is  contrary  to  it ;  which  power  of  God  never  changes. 

*  Let  this  go  to  the  kings  of  France  and  of  Spain,  and  to  the  pope,  for 

*  them  to  prove  all  things  and  to  hold  that  which  is  good.     And  first  to 

*  prove,  that  they  have  not  quenched  the  Spirit ;  for  the  mighty  day  of 
'  the  Lord  is  come,  and  coming  upon  all  wickedness,  ungodliness,  and 
'  unrighteousness  of  men,  who  will  plead  with  all  flesh  by  fire  and  by 

*  sword.  And  the  truth,  the  crown  of  glory,  and  the  sceptre  of  right- 
'  eousness  over  all  shall  be  exalted ;  which  shall  answer  that  of  God  in 
'  every  one  upon  the  earth,  though  they  be  from  it.     Christ  is  come  a 

*  light  into  the  world,  and  doth  enlighten  every  one  that  cometh  into  the 

*  world,  that  all  through  him  might  believe.  He  that  feeleth  the  light, 
'  that  Christ  hath  enlightened  him  withal,  he  feeleth  Christ  in  his  mind, 

*  and  the  cross  of.  Christ,  which  is  the  power  of  God ;  he  shall  not  need 
'  to  have  a  cross  of  wood  or  stone  to  put  him  in  mind  of  Christ,  or  of  his 
'  cross,  which  is  the  power  of  God  manifest  in  the  inward  parts. 

'G.  F.' 

Besides  this  I  was  moved  to  write  a  letter  to  the  Protector  (so  called) 

*  to  warn  him  of  the  mighty  work  the  Lord  hath  to  do  in  the  nations, 
'  and  the  shaking  of  them ;  and  to  beware  of  his  own  wit,  craft,  subtilty, 
'  and  policy,  or  seeking  any  by-ends  to  himself 

There  was  about  this  time  an  order  for  the  trying  of  ministers  (so 
called)  and  for  approving,  or  rejecting  them  out  of  their  places  or  bene- 
fices; whereupon  I  wrote  a  paper  to  the  justices  and  other  commissioners, 
who  were  appointed  to  that  work. 

*  Friends, 

*  You  that  are  justices,  and  in  commission  to  try  ministers,  who  have 
'  so  long  been  in  the  vineyard  of  God,  see  whether  they  be  such  as  are 
'  mentioned  in  the  scriptures,  whom  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apos- 
'  ties  disapproved  of  And  if  they  be  such  as  they  disapproved,  see  how 
'ye  can  stand  approved  in  the  sight  of  God,  to  let  such  go  into  his  vine- 

*  yard,  and  approve  of  them  who  will  admire  your  persons  because  of 
'advantage,  and  if  you  do  not  give  them  advantage  they  will  not  admire 


1654]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  17T 

'  your  persons ;  such  Jude  speaks  of.     See  if  they  be  not  such  as  teach 

*  for  filthy  lucre,  for  love  of  money,  covetous,  such  as  love  themselves, 
•who  have  a  form  of  godliness,  but  deny  the  power;  from  such  the 
'  apostle  bids.  Turn  away.  The  apostles  said,  their  mouths  should  be 
'  stopped,  who  served  not  the  Lord  Jesus,  but  their  own  bellies ;  being 
'  evil  beasts,  slow  bellies,  who  mind  earthly  things.     Paul  gave  Timothy 

*  a  description  to  try  ministers  by :  he  said.  They  must  not  be  covetous, 
'  nor  given  to  wine,  nor  filthy  lucre,  nor  novices ;  lest  being  lifted  up  into 
'  pride,  they  fall  into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil.  These  he  was  to  try 
'  and  prove  without  partiality.  Take  heed  of  approving  such  as  he  dis- 
'  approved ;  for  since  the  apostles'  days,  such  as  he  disapproved  have  had 
'  their  liberty ;  and  they  have  told  us.  The  tongues  were  their  original, 

*  that  they  were  orthodox  men,  and  that  the  steeple-house,  with  a  cross 
'  on  the  top  of  it,  was  the  church  (the  Papists'  mass-house,  you  may  look 
'  on  the  top  of  it  and  see  the  sign.)  But  the  scriptures  tell  us,  "  All  the 
"  earth  was  of  one  language  before  the  building  of  Babel."  And  when 
'  Pilate  crucified  Christ,  he  set  the  tongues,  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  Latin 

*  over  his  head.  And  John  tells  us,  that  the  beast  had  power  over  the 
'  tongues,  kindreds  and  nations :  and  that  the  whore  sits  upon  the  tongues, 
'  of  whose  cup  all  nations  have  drunk,  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  have 
'  committed  fornication  with  her.      John  also   said.   The  tongues   are 

*  waters.  Christ  gives  marks  to  his  disciples,  and  to  the  multitude,  how 
'  to  try  such  as  these  that  you  are  to  try.  They  are  called  of  men  mas- 
'  ter,  they  love  the  chiefest  seat  in  the  assemblies,  they  be  sayers  but  not 
'  doers ;  and,  said  he,  they  shall  put  you  out  of  the  synagogues.  Seven 
'woes  he  denounced  against  them,  and  therefore  disapproved  them. 
'  Christ  said.  False  prophets  should  come ;  and  John  saw,  They  were 
'  come :  for  they  went  forth  from  them ;  and  the  world  since  hath  gone 
'after  them.     But  Babylon  must  be  confounded,  the  mother  of  harlots; 

*  and  the  devil  must  be  taken,  and  with  him  the  beast,  and  the  false  pro- 
'  phet  must  be  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire :  for  the  Lamb  and  his  saints  over 
'  all  must  reign,  and  have  the  victory.    The  Lord  sent  his  prophets  of  old 

*  to  cry  against  the  shepherds  that  sought  for  the  fleece,  Ezek.  xxxiv.  and 

*  to  cry  against  such  shepherds  as  seek  for  their  gain  from  their  quarter, 

*  and  never  have  enough,  Isa.  v.  6,  and  to  cry  against  the  prophets  that 

*  prophesied  falsely,  and  the  priests  that  bore  rule  by  their  means ;  which 
'  was  the  filthy  and  horrible  thing,  Jer.  v.  And  if  you  would  forbear  to 
'  give  them  means,  you  would  see  how  long  they  would  bear  rule.  There 
'  was  in  old  time  a  storehouse  for  the  fatherless,  strangers,  and  widows, 
'  to  come  to  and  be  filled ;  and  those  did  not  prosper  then  who  did  not 
'  bring  their  tithes  to  the  storehouse.     But  did  not  Christ  put  an  end  to 

*  that  priesthood,  tithes,  temple,  and  priests  ?  Doth  not  the  apostle  say, 
'  The  priesthood  is  changed,  the  law  is  changed,  and  the  commandment 
'disannulled?  Might  not  they  have  pleaded  the  law  of  God,  that  gave 
'  them  tithes  1  Was  not  the  first  author  of  them  since  Christ's  time  the 

*  pope,  or  some  of  his  church  1  Did  the  apostles  cast  men  into  prison  for 

*  tithes,  as  your  ministers  do  now  1    As  instance :  Ralph  Hollingworth, 

*  priest  of  Phillingham,  for  petty  tithes,  not  exceeding  six  shillings,  hath 
'  cast  into  Lincoln  prison  a  poor  thatcher,  Thomas  Bromby ;  where  he 
'  hath  been  about  eight-and-thirty  weeks,  and  still  remains  prisoner :  and 
'  the  priest  petitioned  the  judge,  that  the  poor  man  might  not  labour  in 
'  the  city  to  get  a  little  money  towards  his  maintenance  in  prison.     Is 

*  this  a  good  savour  amongst  you  that  are  in  commission  to  choose  min- 


178  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1654 

'  isters  1  Is  this  glad  tidings  ?  to  cast  in  prison  a  man  that  is  not  his  hear- 

*  er,  because  he  could  not  put  into  his  mouth  ?  Can  such  as  are  in  the  fear 

*  of  God,  and  in  his  wisdom,  own  such  things  'i  the  ministers  of  Christ 

*  are  to  plant  a  vineyard,  and  then  eat  of  the  fruit ;  to  plow,  sow,  and 
'  thresh,  and  get  the  corn ;  and  then  let  them  reap :  but  not  cast  them  into 
'prison  for  whom  they  do  no  work.  Christ,  when  he  sent  foi'th  his 
'  ministers,  bid  them  give  freely  as  they  had  received  freely ;  and  into 
'  what  city  or  town  soever  they  came,  inquire  who  were  worthy  and 
'  there  abide ;  and  what  they  set  before  you,  said  he,  that  eat.  And  when 
'  these  came  back  again  to  Christ,  and  he  asked  them,  If  they  wanted 
'  any  thing  ?  they  said.  No.     They  did  not  go  to  a  town,  and  call  the 

*  people  together,  to  know  how  much  they  might  have  by  the  year,  as 
'  these  that  are  in  the  apostacy  do  now.     The  apostle  said.  Have  I  not 

*  power  to  eat  and  to  drink  ?  But  he  did  not  say.  To  take  tithes,  easter- 

*  reckonings,  midsummer-dues,  augmentations,  and  great  sums  of  money ; 
'  but  have  I  not  power  to  eat  and  to  drink  ?  Yet  he  did  not  use  that  power 
'  among  the  Corinthians.     But  they  that  are  apostatized  from  him  will 

*  take  tithes,  great  sums  of  money,  easter-reckonings,  and  midsummer- 

*  dues ;  and  cast  those  into  prison  that  will  not  give  it  them,  whom  they 

*  do  no  work  for.     The  ox's  mouth  must  not  be  muzzled  that  treads  out 

*  the  corn ;  but  see  if  the  corn  be  trodden  out  in  you,  and  the  wheat  be 
'  in  the  garner  1  This  is  from  a  lover  of  your  souls,  and  one  that  desires 
'  your  eternal  good. 

'G.  F.' 

After  I  had  made  some  stay  in  the  city  of  London,  I  was  moved  of 
the  Lord  to  go  into  Bedfordshire  to  John  Crook's  ;  where  there  was  a 
great  meeting,  and  people  generally  convinced  of  the  Lord's  truth. 
When  I  was  come  thither,  John  Crook  told  me,  that  the  next  day  seve- 
ral of  those  called  the  gentlemen  of  the  country  would  come  to  dine 
with  him,  and  to  discourse  with  me.  They  came,  and  I  declared  to 
them  God's  eternal  truth.  Several  friends  went  to  the  steeple-houses  that 
day.  And  there  was  a  meeting  in  the  country,  which  Alexander  Parker 
went  to ;  and  towards  the  middle  of  the  day  it  came  upon  me  to  go  to 
it,  though  it  was  several  miles  off.     John  Crook  went  with  me.     When 

we  came  there,  there  was  one Gritton,  who  had  been  a  Baptist, 

but  he  was  got  higher  than  they,  and  called  himself  a  trier  of  spirits. 
He  used  to  tell  people  their  fortunes,  and  pretended  to  discover  when 
goods  were  stolen,  or  houses  broken  up,  who  the  persons  were  that  did 
it :  by  which  he  had  got  into  the  affections  of  many  thereabouts.  This 
man  was  in  that  meeting  speaking,  and  making  an  hideous  noise  over 
the  young  convinced  friends,  when  I  came  in ;  and  he  bid  Alexander 
Parker  give  a  reason  of  his  hope.  Alexander  Parker  told  him,  Christ 
was  his  hope ;  but  because  he  did  not  answer  him  so  soon  as  he  expect- 
ed, he  boastingly  cried,  His  mouth  is  stopped.  Then  Gritton  directed 
his  speech  to  me ;  for  I  stood  still  and  heard  him  express  many  things 
not  agreeable  to  scripture.  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  he  could  make  those 
'things  out  by  scripture  which  he  had  spoken  ('  He  said.  Yes,  yes. 
Then  I  bid  the  people  take  out  their  bibles  and  search  the  places  he 
should  quote  for  proof  of  his  assertions ;  but  he  could  not  make  good  by 
scripture  what  he  had  said.  So  he  was  ashamed,  and  fled  out  of  the 
house,  and  his  people  were  generally  convinced;  for  his  spirit  was  dis- 
covered, and  he  came  no  more  amongst  them.    When  they  were  settled 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  179 

in  God's  truth,  they  pubUshed  a  book  against  him,  denying  his  spirit  and 
his  false  discoveries.  Many  were  turned  to  Christ  that  day,  and  came 
to  sit  under  his  teaching ;  insomuch  that  the  judges  were  in  a  great 
rage,  and  many  of  the  magistrates  in  Bedfordshire,  because  so  many 
were  turned  from  the  hirehng  priests  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  free 
teaching.  But  John  Crook  was  kept  by  the  power  of  the  Lord ;  yet 
he  was  discharged  from  being  a  justice. 

After  some  time  I  returned  to  London  again ;  where  friends  w^ere 
finely  established  in  the  truth,  and  great  comings-in  there  were.  About 
this  time  several  friends  went  beyond  sea,  to  declare  the  everlasting 
truth  of  God.  When  I  had  staid  awhile  in  the  city,  I  went  into  Kent. 
When  we  came  into  Rochester,  there  was  a  guard  kept  to  examine  pas- 
sengers ;  but  we  passed  by,  and  were  not  stopped.  60  I  went  to  Cran- 
brook,  where  there  was  a  great  meeting ;  several  soldiers  were  at  it,  and 
many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  that  day.  After  the  meeting  some  of 
the  soldiers  were  somewhat  rude ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
them.  Thomas  Howsigoe,  an  independent  preacher,  who  hved  not  far 
from  Cranbrook,  was  convinced,  and  became  a  fahhful  minister  for  the 
Lord  Jesus.  Some  friends  had  travelled  into  Kent  before,  as  John 
Stubbs  and  William  Caton ;  and  the  priests  and  professors  had  stirred 
up  the  magistrates  at  Maidstone  to  whip  them  for  declaring  God's  truth 
unto  them  ;  as  may  be  seen  in  the  journal  of  William  Caton's  life.  Cap- 
tain Dunk  was  also  convinced  in  Kent.  He  went  with  me  to  Rye, 
where  we  had  a  meeting;  to  which  the  mayor,  officers,  and  several 
captains  came.  They  took  what  I  said  in  writing,  which  I  was  w'ell 
pleased  with.     All  was  quiet,  and  the  people  affected  with  the  truth. 

From  Rye  I  went  to  Rumney,  where  the  people  had  notice  of  my 
coming  some  time  before.  There  was  a  very  large  meeting.  Thither 
came  Samuel  Fisher,  an  eminent  preacher  among  the  Baptists,  who  had 
a  parsonage  reputed  worth  two  hundred  pounds  a  year ;  which  for  con- 
science sake  he  had  given  up.  There  was  also  the  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tists, and  abundance  of  their  people.  The  power  of  the  Lord  was  so 
mightily  over  the  meeting,  that  many  were  reached,  and  one  greatly 
shaken  ;  and  the  life  sprang  up  in  divers.  One  of  the  pastors  of  the 
Baptists,  being  amazed  at  ihe  work  of  the  Lord's  pov^-er,  bid  one  of  our 
friends  that  was  so  wrought  upon,  Have  a  good  conscience.  Where- 
upon I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  bid  him.  Take  heed  of  hypocrisy  and 
deceit ;  and  he  was  silent.  A  great  convincement  there  was  that  day. 
Many  were  turned  from  darkness  to  the  divine  light  of  Christ,  and  came 
to  see  their  teachers'  errors,  and  to  sit  under  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's 
teaching  ;  to  know  him  their  way,  and  the  covenant  of  hght,  which  God 
had  given  to  be  their  salvation ;  and  they  were  brought  to  the  one  Bap- 
tism, and  to  the  one  Baptizer,  Christ  Jesus.  When  the  meeting  was  done, 
Samuel  Fisher's  wife  said,  '  We  may  discern  this  day  betwixt  flesh  and 
'  Spirit,  and  distinguish  spiritual  teaching  from  fleshly.'  The  people 
were  generally  well  satisfied  with  what  had  been  declared ;  but  the  two 
Baptist  teachers  and  their  company,  when  they  were  gone  from  the 
meeting,  fell  to  reasoning  amongst  the  people.  Samuel  Fisher,  with 
divers  others,  reasoned  for  the  word  of  life,  M'hich  had  been  declared 
that  day,  and  the  other  pastor  and  his  party  reasoned  against  it ;  so  it 
divided  them  asunder  and  cut  them  in  the  midst.  A  friend  came  and 
told  me,  '  That  the  Baptists  were  disputing  one  with  another,  and  desired 
'  me  to  go  to  them.'     I  said,  '  Let  them  alone,  the  Lord  will  divide  them, 


180  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

*  and  they  that  reason  for  truth  will  be  too  hard  for  the  other :'  and  so  it 
was.  Samuel  Fisher  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  became  a  faith- 
ful minister,  preached  Christ  freely,  and  laboured  much;  being  moved 
of  the  Lord  to  go  and  declare  the  word  of  life  at  Dunkirk,  in  Holland, 
and  in  divers  parts  of  Italy,  as  Leghorn,  and  Rome  itself;  yet  the 
Lord  preserved  him  and  his  companion  John  Stubbs  out  of  their  in- 
quisitions. 

From  Rumney  I  passed  to  Dover,  and  had  a  meeting,  where  several 
were  convinced.  Near  Dover  a  governor  and  his  wife  were  convinced, 
who  had  been  Baptists.  The  Baptists  thereabouts  were  much  offended, 
and  grew  very  envious ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all.  Luke 
Howard  of  Dover  was  convinced  some  time  before,  and  became  a  faith- 
ful minister  of  Christ. 

Returning  from  Dover  I  went  to  Canterbury,  whore  a  few  honest- 
hearted  people  were  turned  to  the  Lord ;  who  sate  down  under  Christ's 
teaching.  Thence  I  passed  to  Cranbrook  again,  where  I  had  a  great 
meeting.  A  friend  went  to  the  steeple-house,  and  was  cast  into  prison ; 
but  the  Lord's  power  was  manifested,  and  his  truth  spread. 

From  thence  I  passed  into  Sussex,  and  lodged  near  Horsham,  where 
was  a  great  meeting  ;  and  many  convinced.  Also  at  Steyning  we  had  a 
great  meeting  in  the  market-house,  and  several  were  convinced  there 
and  thereaM'ay ;  for  the  Lord's  power  was  with  us.  Several  meetings  I 
had  thereabouts;  amongst  the  rest  a  meeting  was  appointed  at  a  great 
man's  house,  and  he  and  his  son  went  to  fetch  several  priests  who  had 
threatened  to  come  and  dispute.  But  none  of  them  came,  for  the  Lord's 
power  was  mighty  in  us.  A  glorious  meeting  we  had.  The  man  of  the 
house  and  his  son  w^ere  vexed,  because  none  of  the  priests  would  come. 
So  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  opened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  they 
•were  turned  from  the  hirelings  to  Christ  Jesus,  their  shepherd,  who  had 
purchased  them  without  money,  and  would  feed  them  without  money  or 
price.  Many  that  came,  expecting  to  hear  a  dispute,  were  convinced ; 
amongst  whom  Nicholas  Beard  was  one. 

Thus  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  his  day  many  came  to  see. 
There  were  abundance  of  Ranters  in  those  parts,  and  professors,  who 
had  been  so  loose  in  their  lives  that  they  began  to  be  weary  of  them,  and 
had  thought  to  have  gone  into  Scotland  to  have  lived  privately;  but  the 
Lord's  net  catched  them,  and  their  understandings  were  opened  by  his 
light.  Spirit,  and  power,  through  which  they  came  to  receive  the  truth, 
and  to  be  settled  upon  the  Lord ;  and  so  became  very  sober  men,  and 
good  friends  in  the  truth.  Great  blessing  and  praising  the  Lord  there 
was  amongst  them,  and  great  admiration  in  the  country. 

Out  of  Sussex  I  travelled  till  I  came  to  Reading ;  where  I  found  a  few 
that  were  convinced  of  the  way  of  the  Lord.  I  staid  till  the  first-day, 
and  had  a  meeting  in  George  Lambold's  orchard ;  and  a  great  part  of 
the  town  came  to  it.  A  glorious  meeting  it  proved ;  great  convincement 
there  was,  and  the  people  were  mightily  satisfied.  Thither  came  two  of 
judge  Fell's  daughters  to  me,  and  George  Bishop,  of  Bristol,  with  his 
sword  by  his  side,  for  he  was  a  captain.  After  the  meeting  many  Bap- 
tists and  Ranters  came  privately,  reasoning  and  discoursing;  but  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  them.  The  Rantei's  jileaded,  that  God  made 
the  devil :  I  denied  it,  and  told  them,  '  I  was  come  into  the  power  of  God.. 

*  the  seed  Christ,  which  was  before  the  devil  was,  and  bruised  his  head  , 

*  and  he  became  a  devil  by  going  out  of  truth ;  and  so  became  a  murderer 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  1^1 

*  and  a  destroyer.     I  shewed  them,  that  God  did  not  make  him  a  devil ;  for 

*  God  is  a  God  of  truth,  and  made  all  things  good,  and  blessed  them ; 

*  but  God  did  not  bless  the  devil.  And  the  devil  is  bad,  and  was  a  liar  and 

*  a  murderer  from  the  beginning,  and  spoke  of  himself,  and  not  from  God.' 
So  the  truth  stopt  and  bound  them,  and  came  over  all  the  highest  notions 
in  the  nation,  and  confounded  them.  For  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  I 
was  manifest,  and  sought  to  be  made  manifest  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  all, 
that  by  it  they  might  be  turned  to  God ;  as  many  were  turned  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  the  holy  Spirit,  and  were  come  to  sit  under  his 
teaching. 

After  this  I  passed  to  London,  where  I  staid  awhile,  and  had  large 
meetings :  then  went  into  Essex,  and  came  to  Cogshall,  where  was  a 
meeting  of  about  two  thousand  people,  as  it  was  judged,  which  lasted 
several  hours,  and  a  glorious  meeting  it  was ;  for  the  word  of  life  was 
freely  declared,  and  people  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their 
teacher  and  Saviour,  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life. 

On  the  sixth-day  I  had  a  large  meeting  near  Colchester,  to  which 
many  professors  and  the  Independent  teachers  came.  After  I  had  done 
speaking,  and  was  stept  down  from  the  place  on  which  I  stood,  one  of 
the  Independent  teachers  began  to  make  a  jangling ;  which  Amor  Stod- 
dart  perceiving,  said.  Stand  up  again,  George ;  for  I  was  going  away, 
and  did  not  at  the  first  hear  them.  But  when  I  heard  the  Independent,  I 
stood  up  again,  and  after  awhile  the  Lord's  power  came  over  him  and 
his  company ;  who  were  confounded,  and  the  Lord's  truth  went  over  all. 
A  great  flock  of  sheep  hath  the  Lord  in  that  country,  that  feed  in  his 
pastures  of  life.  On  the  first-day  following  we  had  a  very  large  meeting 
not  far  from  Colchester,  wherein  the  Lord's  power  was  eminently  mani- 
fested, and  the  people  were  very  well  satisfied ;  for  being  turned  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ's  free  teaching,  they  received  it  gladly.  Many  of 
these  people  were  of  the  stock  of  the  martyrs. 

As  I  passed  through  Colchester,  I  went  to  visit  James  Parnel  in 
prison ;  but  the  gaoler  would  hardly  let  us  come  in,  or  stay  with  him. 
Very  cruel  they  were  to  him.  The  gaoler's  wife  threatened  to  have  his 
blood;  and  in  that  gaol  they  did  destroy  him,  as  the  reader  may  see  in 
a  book  printed  soon  after  his  death,  giving  an  account  of  his  life  and 
death;  and  also  in  an  epistle  printed  with  his  collected  books  and 
writings. 

From  Colchester  I  went  to  Ipswich,  M'here  we  had  a  little  meeting, 
and  very  rude ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them.  After  the  meet- 
ing, I  said,  '  If  any  had  a  desire  to  hear  further,  they  might  come  to  the 
'  inn;'  and  there  came  in  a  company  of  rude  butchers  that  had  abused 
friends :  but  the  Lord's  power  so  chained  them  they  could  not  do  mis- 
chief Then  I  wrote  a  paper  and  gave  it  forth  to  the  town,  '  warning 
'  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord,  that  they  might  repent  of  the  evals  they 
'  lived  in ;  directing  them  to  Christ,  their  teacher  and  way ;  and  exhort- 
*  ing  them  to  forsake  their  hireling-teachers.' 

We  passed  from  Ipswich  to  Mendlesham,  in  Suffolk,  where  Robert 
Duncon  lived.  There  we  had  a  large  meeting  that  was  quiet,  and  the 
Lord's  power  was  preciously  felt  amongst  us.  Then  we  passed  to  a 
meeting  at  captain  Lawrence's,  in  Norfolk;  where,  it  was  judged,  were 
above  a  thousand  people ;  and  all  was  quiet.  Many  persons  of  note 
were  present,  and  a  great  convincement  there  was.  They  were  turned 
to  Christ,  and  many  of  them  received  him,  and  sate  down  under  him, 


182  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

their  vine.     Here  we  parted  with  Amor  Stoddart  and  others,  who  in- 
tended to  meet  us  again  in  Huntingdonshire, 

About  the  second  hour  in  tlie  morning  we  took  horse  for  Norwich, 
where  Christopher  Atkins,  that  dirty  man,  had  run  out,  and  brought  dis- 
honour upon  the  blessed  truth  and  the  name  of  the  Lord.  But  he  had 
been  denied  by  friends,  and  afterwards  he  gave  forth  a  paper  of  con- 
demnation of  his  sin  and  evil.  We  came  to  Yarmouth,  and  staid  awhile ; 
where  there  was  a  friend,  Thomas  Bond,  in  prison,  for  the  truth  of 
Christ.  There  we  had  some  service ;  some  being  turned  to  the  Lord  in 
that  town.  From  thence  we  rode  to  another  town  about  twenty  miles 
off,  where  were  many  tender  people.  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak 
to  the  people  as  I  sat  upon  my  horse,  in  several  places  as  I  passed  along. 
We  went  to  another  town  about  five  miles  from  thence,  and  set  up  our 
horses  at  an  inn ;  Richard  Hubberthorn  and  I  having  travelled  five-and- 
forty  miles  that  day.  There  were  some  friendly  people  in  the  town ;  and 
we  had  a  tender,  broken  meeting  amongst  them,  in  the  Lord's  power,  to 
his  praise. 

We  bid  the  hostler  have  our  horses  ready  by  three  in  the  morning; 
for  we  intended  to  ride  to  Lynn,  about  three-and-thirty  miles,  next  morn- 
ing.    But  when  we  were  in  bed,  about  eleven  at  night  came  the  consta- 
ble and  officers,  with  a  great  rabble  of  people  into  the  inn,  and  said, 
They  were  come  with  an  hue  and  cry  from  a  justice  of  peace,  that  lived 
near  the  town  where  I  had  spoken  to  the  people  in  the  streets  as  I  rode 
along,  to  search  for  two  horsemen  that  rode  upon  grey  horses,  and  in 
grey  cloaths ;  an  house  having  been  broken  upon  the  seventh-day  before 
at  night.     We  told  them,  '  We  were  honest  innocent  men,  and  abhorred 
*  such  things;'  yet  they  apprehended  us,  and  set  a  guard  with  halberds 
and  pikes  upon  us  that  night ;  making  some  of  those  friendly  people, 
with  others,  watch  us.     Next  morning  we  were  up  betime,  and  the  con- 
stable with  his  guard  carried  us  before  a  justice  of  peace  about  five 
miles  off.     We  took  two  or  three  of  the  sufficient  men  of  the  town  with 
us,  who  had  been  at  the  meeting  at  captain  Lawrence's,  and  could  testify 
that  we  lay  both  the  seventh-day  night  and  the  first-day  night  at  captain 
Lawrence's;  and  it  was  the  seventh-day  night  that  they  said  the  house 
was  broken  up.     The  reader  is  to  be  informed,  that  during  the  time  I 
was  prisoner  at  the  Mermaid  at  Charing-Cross,  this  captain  Lawrence 
brought  several  Independent  justices  to  see  me  there,  with  whom  I  had 
a  great  deal  of  discourse  ;  which  they  took  offence  at.    For  they  pleaded 
for  imperfection,  and  to  sin  as  long  as  they  lived ;  but  did  not  like  to 
hear  of  Christ's  teaching  his  people  himself,  and  making  people  as  clear 
whilst  here  upon  the  earth  as  Adam  and  Eve  were  "before  they  fell. 
These  justices  had  plotted  together  this  mischief  against  me  in  the  coun- 
try, pretending  an  house  was  broken  up ;  that  they  might  send  their 
hue  and  cry  after  me.     They  were  vexed  also  and  troubled  to  hear  of 
the  great  meeting  at  John  Lawrence's;  for  a  colonel  was  convinced 
there  that  day,  who  lived  and  died  in  the  truth.     But  Providence  so  or- 
dered, that  the  constable  carried  us  to  a  justice  about  five  miles  onward 
m  our  way  towards  I^ynn,  avIio  was  not  an  Independent  justice,  as  the 
rest  were.     When  we  were  brought  before  lum,  he  began  to  be  angry, 
because  we  did  not  put  off  our  hats  to  him.     I  told  him^  I  had  been' be- 
fore the  protector,  and  he  was  not  ofiended  at  my  hat ;  and  why  should 
he  be  ofiended,  who  was  but  one  of  his  servants  f  Then  he  read  the  hue 
and  cry ;  and  I  told  iiim,  '  That  night,  wherein  the  house  was  said  to  be 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  183 

*  broken  up,  we  were  at  captain  Lawrence's  house ;  and  that  we  had 
'  several  men  present  could  testify  the  truth  thereof.'  Thereupon  the 
justice,  having  examined  us  and  them,  said, '  He  believed  we  were  not 

*  the  men  that  had  broken  the  house ;  but  he  was  sorry,'  he  said,  '  that  he 
'  had  no  more  against  us.'     We  told  him,  '  He  ought  not  to  be  sorry  for 

*  not  having  evil  against  us,  but  rather  to  be  glad ;  for  to  rejoice  when  he 
'  got  evil  against  people,  as  for  house-breaking  or  the  hke,  was  not  a 

*  good  mind  in  him.'  It  was  a  good  while  yet  before  he  could  resolve, 
whether  to  let  us  go,  or  send  us  to  prison ;  and  the  wicked  constable 
stirred  him  up  against  us,  telling  him, '  We  had  good  horses ;  and  that  if  it 

*  pleased  him,  he  would  carry  us  to  Norwich  gaol.'  But  we  took  hold 
of  the  justice's  confession, '  That  he  believed  we  were  not  the  men  that 
'  had  broken  the  house ;'  and  after  we  had  admonished  him  to  fear  the 
Lord  in  his  day,  the  Lord's  power  came  over  him,  that  he  let  us  go  ;  so 
their  snare  was  broken.  A  great  people  were  afterwards  gathered  to  the 
Lord  in  that  town,  where  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  them  in  the  street, 
from  whence  the  hue  and  cry  came. 

Being  set  at  liberty,  we  travelled  to  Lynn;  to  which  we  came  about 
the  third  hour  in  the  afternoon.  Having  set  up  our  horses,  we  met  with 
Joseph  Fuce,  who  was  an  ensign.  We  desired  him  to  speak  to  as  many 
of  the  people  of  the  town  as  he  could,  that  feared  God ;  and  the  captains 
and  officers  to  come  together ;  which  he  did.  We  had  a  very  glorious 
meeting  amongst  them,  and  turned  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  by  which 
they  might  know  God  and  Christ,  and  understand  the  scriptures ;  and 
learn  of  God  and  of  Christ,  as  the  prophets  and  apostles  did.  Many 
were  convinced  there ;  and  a  fine  meeting  there  is,  of  them  that  are 
come  off  from  the  hirelings'  teaching,  and  sit  under  the  teaching  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Lynn  being  then  a  garrison,  we  desired  Joseph  Fuce  to  get  us  the  gate 
opened  by  the  third  hour  next  morning ;  for  we  had  forty  miles  to  ride 
next  day.  By  that  means  getting  out  early,  we  came  next  day  by  the 
eleventh  or  twelfth  hour  to  Sutton,  near  the  isle  of  Ely,  where  Amor 
Stoddart,  and  the  friends  with  him,  met  us  again.  A  multitude  of  peo- 
ple was  gathered  thither,  and  no  less  than  four  priests.  The  priest  of 
the  town  made  a  great  jangle ;  but  the  Lord's  power  so  confounded  him, 
that  he  went  away.  The  other  three  staid ;  and  one  of  tiiem  was  con- 
vinced. One  of  the  other  two,  whilst  I  was  speaking,  came  to  lean  upon 
me :  but  I  bid  him  sit  down,  seeing  he  was  so  slothful.  A  great  con- 
vincement  there  was  that  day.  Many  hundreds  were  turned  from  dark- 
ness to  light,  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  and  from  the  spirit  of 
error  to  the  Spirit  of  truth,  to  be  led  thereby  into  all  truth.  People  came 
to  this  meeting  from  Huntingdon,  and  beyond ;  the  mayor's  wife  of  Cam- 
bridge was  there  also.  A  glorious  meeting  it  was ;  many  were  settled 
under  Christ's  teaching,  and  knew  ban  their  Shepherd  to  feed  them :  for 
the  word  of  life  was  freely  declared,  and  gladly  received  by  them.  The 
meeting  ended  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  and  in  peace ;  and  after  it  was 
done,  I  walked  into  a  garden :  where  I  had  not  been  long,  before  a  friend 
came  and  told  me,  several  justices  were  come  to  break  up  the  meeting. 
But  many  of  the  people  were  gone  away ;  so  they  missed  of  their  design ; 
and  after  they  had  staid  awhile,  they  departed  also  in  a  fret. 

That  evening  I  passed  to  Cambridge.  When  I  came  into  the  town, 
the  scholars,  hearing  of  me,  were  up,  and  were  exceeding  rude.  I  kept 
on  my  horse's  back,  and  rode  through  them  in  the  Lord's  power ;  but 


184  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

they  unhorsed  Amor  Stoddart  before  he  could  get  to  the  inn.  When  we 
■were  in  the  inn,  they  were  so  rude  in  the  courts  and  in  the  streets,  that 
the  miners,  colUers,  and  carters  could  never  be  ruder.  The  people  of 
the  house  asked  us,  What  we  would  have  for  supper?  '  Supper!'  said  1, 

*  were  it  not  that  the  Lord's  power  is  over  them,  these  rude  scholars  look 
'  as  if  they  would  pluck  us  in  pieces,  and  make  a  supper  of  us.'  They 
knew  I  was  so  against  the  trade  of  preaching,  which  they  were  there  as 
apprentices  to  learn,  that  they  raged  as  bad  as  ever  Diana's  craftsmen 
did  against  Paul.  At  this  place  John  Crook  met  us.  When  it  was  withm 
night,  the  mayor  of  the  town,  being  friendly,  came  and  fetched  me  to 
his  house  ;  and  as  we  walked  through  the  streets,  there  was  a  bustle  in 
the  town ;  but  they  did  not  know  me,  it  being  darkish.  They  were  in  a 
rage  not  only  against  me,  but  against  the  mayor  also ;  so  that  he  was 
almost  afraid  to  walk  the  streets  with  me,  for  the  tumult.  We  sent  for 
the  friendly  people,  and  had  a  fine  meeting  in  the  power  of  God ;  and  I 
staid  there  all  night.  Next  morning,  having  ordered  our  horses  to  be 
ready  by  the  sixth  hour,  we  passed  peaceably  out  of  town ;  and  the  de- 
stroyers were  disappointed :  for  they  thought  I  would  have  staid  longer 
in  the  town,  and  intended  to  have  done  us  mischief;  but  our  passing  away 
early  in  the  morning  frustrated  their  evil  purposes  against  us. 

Then  we  rode  to  Bishop-Stortford,  where  some  were  convinced ;  and 
to  Hertford,  where  also  some  were  convinced ;  and  where  now  there  is  • 
a  large  meeting. 

From  thence  we  returned  to  London,  where  friends  received  us  glad- 
ly ;  the  Lord's  power  having  carried  us  through  many  snares  and  dan- 
gers. Great  service  we  had,  for  many  hundreds  were  brought  to  sit 
under  the  teaching  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  their  Saviour,  and  to  praise 
the  Lord  through  him.  James  Nayler  also  was  come  up  to  London ;  and 
Richard  Hubberthorn  and  I  staid  some  time  in  the  city,  visiting  friends, 
and  answering  gainsayers :  for  we  had  great  disputes  with  professors  of 
all  sorts.  Many  reproaches  they  cast  upon  truth,  and  lying  slanderous 
books  they  gave  forth  against  us ;  but  we  answered  them,  cleared  God's 
truth,  set  it  over  them,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all. 

Amongst  other  services  for  the  Lord,  which  then  lay  upon  me  in  the 
city,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  a  paper  to  those  that  made  a  scorn  at 
trembling  and  qaaking : 

*  The  word  of  the  Lord  to  you  all,  that  scorn  trembling  and  quaking, 
'  who  scorn,  throw  stones  at,  and  belch  forth  oaths  against  those  who 
'  are  trembling  and  quaking,  threatening  and  beating  them.     Strangers 

♦  ye  are  to  all  the  apostles  and  prophets ;  and  are  of  the  generation  that 
'  stoned  them  and  mocked  them  in  those  ages.  Ye  are  of  the  scoffers 
'  which  they  spake  of,  that  are  come  in  the  last  times.  Be  ye  witnesses 
'  against  yourselves.  To  the  light  m  all  your  consciences  I  speak,  that 
'  with  it  you  may  see  yourselves  to  be  out  of  the  life  of  the  holy  men 
'of  God.  ^ 

'  Moses,  who  was  judge  over  all  Israel,  trembled,  feared,  and  quaked, 
'  when  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  I  am  the  God  of"  Abraham,  and  the  God 
<of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob;  then  he  trembled,  and  durst  not  be- 
'  hold.  This,  which  makes  to  tremble  now,  ye  teachers  and  people  scoff 
'  at,  and  scorn  those  in  your  streets  who  witness  the  power  of  the  Lord. 

*  Moses  forsook  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  which  he  might  have  enjoyed 

♦  for  a  season.    He  might  have  been  called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daugh- 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  18$ 

<  ter ;  he  refused  it,  and  forsook  Pharaoh's  house ;  yet  was  no  vagabond. 

*  David,  a  king,  trembled.     He  was  mocked ;  they  made  songs  on  him ; 

*  they  wagged  their  heads  at  him.     Will  you  profess  David's  words,  and 

*  Moses's  words,  who  are  in  the  generation  of  your  fathers,  mockers, 

*  scoffers,  wonderers  and  despisers,  which  are  to  perish  1    O  blush !  Be 

*  ashamed  of  all  your  profession,  and  be  confounded !  Job  trembled,  his 
'  flesh  trembled,  and  they  mocked  him ;  so  do  you  now  mock  them  in 
'  whom  the  same  power  of  God  is  made  manifest ;  yet  you  profess  Job's 

*  words.     O  deceitful  hypocrites !   will  ye  not  own  scripture  ?    O  for 

*  shame !  Never  profess  scripture  words,  and  deny  the  power,  which,  ac- 
'  cording  to  the  scripture,  makes  the  keepers  of  the  house  to  tremble,  and 

*  the  strong  man  to  bow  himself.  These  things  priests,  magistrates,  and 
'  people  scoff  at ;  but  with  the  power  ye  are  judged,  and  by  the  power 

*  and  life  condemned. 

'  The  prophet  Jeremiah  trembled,  he  shook,  his  bones  quaked,  he  reeled 

*  to  and  fro,  like  a  drunken  man,  when  he  saw  the  deceit  of  the  priests 

*  and  prophets  who  were  turned  from  the  way  of  God ;  and  they  were 

*  not  ashamed,  neither  could  they  blush.    Such  were  gone  from  the  light ; 

*  and  such  were  they  that  ruled  over  the  people.     But  he  was  brought  to 

*  cry,  O  foolish  people  !  that  had  eyes,  and  could  not  see ;  that  had  ears, 

*  and  could  not  hear ;  that  did  not  fear  the  Lord,  and  tremble  at  his  pres- 

*  ence,  who  placed  the  sands  for  bounds  to  the  sea  by  a  perpetual  decree, 
'  that  the  waves  thereof  cannot  pass !  And  he  said,  "  A  horrible  thing  is 
•'  committed  in  the  land ;  the  prophets  prophesy  falsely,  and  the  priests 
"  bear  rule  by  their  means.  Shall  not  I  visit  for  these  things,  saith  the 
*'  Lord  ?  Shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged  upon  such  a  nation  as  this  1 " 
'  They  were  such  as  did  not  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord ;  therefore 

*  he  called  them  a  foolish  people.  Hear  all  ye  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye 
'  foolish  people,  who  scorn  trembling  and  quaking.    Give  over  professing 

*  the  prophet  Jeremiah's  words,  and  making  a  trade  of  them ;  for  with 
'  his  words  you  are  judged  to  be  among  the  scoffers,  scorners,  and  stock- 

*  ers.  For  he  was  stocked  by  your  generation ;  and  you  now  stock  them 
'that  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord,  at  the  power  of  the  mighty  God, 
'  which  raises  up  the  Seed  of  God,  and  throws  down  the  earth  which 

*  hath  kept  it  down.  So  you  that  are  in  the  fall,  where  death  reigneth, 
'  enemies  of  the  truth,  despising  the  power  of  God,  as  those  of  your  gen- 

*  eratioii  ever  did,  wo  and  misery  is  your  portion,  except  you  speedily 

*  repent-  Isaiah  said,  "  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  all  ye  that  tremble 
♦'  at  his  word."  And  he  said,  "  This  was  the  man  that  God  did  regard, 
*'  who  was  of  a  broken  and  contrite  heart,  and  trembled  at  his  word. 
•'  When  their  brethren  hated  and  persecuted  them,  saying.  Let  the  Lord 
"be  glorified;  he  shall  appear  to  your  joy,  but  they  shall  be  ashamed," 

*  Isa.  Ixvi.  5.  Now  all  ye  scoffers  and  scorners,  that  despise  trembhng, 
'  you  regard  not  the  word  of  the  Lord ;  they  are  not  regarded  by  you, 

*  that  tremble  at  the  word ;  who  are  regarded  by  the  Lord :  therefore 

*  you  are  contrary  to  Isaiah's  words.  Profess  him  and  his  words  no 
'  more  for  shame,  nor  make  a  trade  of  his  words.    Ye  that  seek  for  your 

*  gain  from  your  quarter,  ye  greedy,  dumb  dogs,  that  never  have  enough, 
'ye  are  they  that  despise  trembling;  ye  are  such  as  Isaiah  cried  against, 
'  who  himself  witnessed  trembling.     Here  therefore   be   ye  witnesses 

*  against  yourselves,  that  with  the  light  in  your  consciences  ye  may  see 
'  ye  are  out  of  the  prophet  Isaiah's  spirit,  and  are  haters  of  them  that 

*  tremble,  whom  the  Lord  regards ;  but  such  you  regard  not,  but  hate, 

Y 


186  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

persecute,  mock,  and  rail  against.  It  is  manifest  you  walk  in  the  steps 
of  your  forefathers,  that  persecuted  the  prophets.  Habakkuk,  the  pro- 
phet of  the  Lord,  trembled.  Joel,  the  prophet  of  the  Lord,  said,  "  Blow 
'  the  trumpet  in  Zion,  and  let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  tremble." 
The  people  shall  tremble,  and  all  faces  shall  gather  blackness ;  and  the 
people  shall  be  much  pained.  And  now  this  trembling  is  witnessed  by 
the  power  of  the  Lord.  This  power  of  the  Lord  is  come ;  the  trumpet 
is  sounding,  the  earth  is  shaking ;  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  trem- 
bling ;  the  dead  is  arising ;  and  the  living  is  praising  God :  the  world  is 
raging ;  the  scoflers  are  scorning ;  and  they  that  witness  trembling  and 
quaking  wrought  in  them  by  the  power  of  the  Lord,  can  scarce  pass  up 
and  down  the  streets  but  with  stones  and  blows,  fists  and  sticks,  or  dogs 
set  at  them,  or  they  are  pursued  with  mockings  and  reproaches.  Thus 
you  vent  your  malice  against  them  that  witness  the  power  of  the  Lord, 
as  the  prophets  did;  who  are  come  to  the  broken  heart  and  contrite 
spirit ;  who  tremble  at  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  whom  the  Lord  re- 
gards :  these  you  stone,  stock,  set  your  dogs  at ;  these  you  scoff  and 
scorn ;  these  you  revile  and  reproach ;  but  these  reproaches  are  our 
riches ;  praised  be  the  Lord  who  hath  given  us  power  over  them.  If 
you  see  one,  as  Habakkuk,  whose  lips  quivered,  whose  belly  shook ;  who 
said,  "  Rottenness  was  entered  into  his  bones,"  and  who  trembled  in 
himself;  if  you  see  such  an  one  in  this  condition  now,  ye  say  he  is  be- 
witched. Here  again  you  shew  yourselves  strangers  to  that  power,  to 
that  life  which  was  in  the  prophet :  therefore,  for  shame,  never  make  a 
profession  of  his  words,  nor  a  trade  of  his  words ;  nor  of  Joel's,  who 
witnessed  trembling,  which  ye  scorn  and  scoff  at.  Ye  proud  scorners, 
misery  is  your  end,  except  you  speedily  repent.  Daniel,  a  servant  of 
the  most  high  God,  trembled ;  his  strength  and  his  breath  were  gone. 
He  was  prisoned,  he  was  hated,  he  was  persecuted.  They  laid  baits 
and  snares  for  him,  in  whom  the  holy  Spirit  of  God  was.  For  shame, 
you  that  make  a  profession  of  Daniel's  words,  give  over  your  profes- 
sion, priests  and  people,  who  scoff  and  scorn  at  trembling :  with  the 
light  you  are  seen  to  be  out  of  Daniel's  life,  and  by  the  same  power  you 
are  judged,  at  which  you  scorn  and  scoff.  Here  again  be  ye  witnesses 
against  yourselves,  that  you  are  scorners  and  scoffers  against  the  truth ; 
and  with  the  scripture  you  are  judged  to  be  contrary  to  the  life  of  the 
holy  men  of  God.  Paul,  a  minister  of  God,  made  by  the  will  of  God  a 
messenger  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  a  vessel  of  the  Lord,  to  carry  his  name 
abroad  into  several  nations,  when  the  dark,  blind  world  have  got  some 
of  his  words  and  epistles,  you  teachers  make  a  trade  of  them,  and  get 
great  sums  of  money  for  it,  so  you  destroy  souls  for  dishonest  gain ; 
making  a  trade  of  his  words,  and  of  the  rest  of  the  apostles,  prophets, 
and  of  Christ's  words,  but  denying  the  Spirit  and  life  that  they  were 
guided  by,  and  that  power  which  shook  the  flesh  and  the  earth ;  which 
the  apostle  witnessed,  who  said,  "  When  he  came  among  the  Corinthi- 
'  ans,  he  was  with  them  in  weakness  and  fear,  and  in  much  trembling, 
'  that  their  faith  might  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  words,  but  in  the 
'  power  of  God ;"  in  that  power  which  made  him  to  tremble.  This 
power  it  is  that  the  world,  and  all  the  scoffing  teachers,  scoff  at  and 
scorn  at  in  your  towns,  in  your  villages,  in  your  assemblies,  in  your 
alehouses.  For  shame,  lay  aside  all  your  professions  of  the  apostle's 
words  and  conditions !  Some  that  scoff  at  this  power,  call  it  the  power 
of  the  devil.    Some  j)ersecute,  stone  and  stock,  imprison  and  whip  them, 


16553  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  187 

in  whom  that  power  is  made  manifest,  and  load  them  with  reproaches, 
as  not  worthy  to  walk  on  the  earth;  hated  and  persecuted,  as  the  off- 
scouring  of  all  things.  Here  you  may  see  you  are  in  the  steps  of  your 
forefathers,  who  persecuted  the  apostles,  and  acted  so  against  them ; 
stocked  them,  mocked  them,  prisoned  them,  stoned  them,  whipped  them, 
haled  them  out  of  the  synagogues,  reproached  them,  and  shamefully 
treated  them.  Do  not  you  here  fulfil  the  scripture,  and  Christ's  saying, 
who  said,  "  If  they  kill  you,  they  will  think  they  do  God  service?'  Yet 
you  make  a  profession  of  Christ's  words,  of  the  prophets'  and  apos- 
tles' words,  and  call  yourselves  churches,  and  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
I  charge  you,  in  the  presence  of  the  living  God,  to  be  silent  who  act 
such  things !  Mind  the  light  in  your  consciences,  ye  scoffers  and  scorn- 
ers,  which  Christ  hath  enlightened  you  withal ;  that  with  it  ye  may  see 
yourselves,  what  ye  act,  and  what  ye  have  acted ;  for  who  act  such 
things  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God :  all  such  things  are  by  the 
light  condemned. 

'  You  who  come  to  witness  trembling  and  quaking,  the  powers  of  the 
earth  to  be  shaken,  the  lustful  nature  to  be  destroyed,  the  scorning  and 
scoffing  nature  judged  by  the  light ;  in  it  wait  to  receive  power  from 
him  who  shakes  the  earth.  That  power  we  own,  and  our  faith  stands 
in  it,  which  all  the  world  scoffs  at ;  the  lofty,  the  proud,  the  presumptu- 
ous, who  live  in  presumption,  and  yet  make  a  profession  of  the  scrip- 
tures, as  your  fathers  the  Pharisees  did,  who  w'ere  painted  sepulchres 
and  serpents ;  and  as  the  Scribes  did,  who  had  the  chiefest  places  in 
the  assemblies,  stood  praying  in  the  synagogues,  and  were  called  of 
men.  Masters,  whom  Christ  cried  wo  against.  These  are  not  come  so 
far  as  the  trembling  of  devils,  who  believed  and  trembled.  Let  that 
judge  you.  The  light  and  life  of  the  scripture  is  seen  and  made  manifest, 
and  with  it  all  you  scorners,  persecutors,  and  railers  are  seen. 

'  Take  warning,  all  ye  powers  of  the  earth,  how  ye  persecute  them 
whom  the  world  nicknames  and  calls  Quakers,  who  dwell  in  the  eternal 
power  of  God ;  lest  the  hand  of  the  Lord  be  turned  against  you,  and  ye  be 
all  cut  off.  To  you  this  is  the  word  of  God,  Fear  and  tremble,  and 
take  warning ;  for  this  is  the  man  whom  the  Lord  doth  regard,  who 
trembles  at  his  word ;  which  you,  who  are  of  the  world,  scorn,  stock, 
persecute,  and  imprison.  Here  ye  may  see  ye  are  contrary  to  God, 
contrary  to  the  prophets ;  and  are  such  as  hate  what  the  Lord  regards, 
which  we,  whom  the  world  scorns,  and  calls  Quakers,  own.  We  exalt 
and  honour  that  power  which  makes  the  devils  tremble,  shakes  the 
earth,  throws  down  the  loftiness  of  man,  the  haughtiness  of  man,  and 
makes  the  beasts  of  the  field  to  tremble,  and  causes  the  earth  to  reel  to 
and  fro,  cleaves  it  asunder,  and  overturneth  the  world.  This  power  we 
own,  honour,  and  preach  up,  whom  the  world  scornfully  calls  Quakers. 
But  all  persecutors,  railers,  and  scorners,  stockers  and  whippers,  we 
deny  by  that  power  which  throweth  down  all  that  nature ;  as  seeing 
that  all  who  act  such  things,  without  repentance,  shall  not  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God,  but  are  for  destruction. 

'  Rejoice,  all  ye  righteous  ones,  who  are  persecuted  for  righteousness' 
sake ;  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven.  Rejoice,  ye  that  suffer  for 
well-doing ;  for  ye  shall  not  lose  your  reward.  Wait  in  the  light,  that 
you  may  grow  up  in  the  life  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures ;  that  with  it 
ye  may  see  the  saints'  conditions,  and  all  that  which  they  testified 
against ;  with  it  ye  will  see  the  state  of  those  that  did  reproach  and 


188  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

'  scoff  them,  mock,  persecute,  whip,  stock,  and  hale  them  out  of  the 
'  synagogues  beibre  magistrates.  To  you,  who  are  in  the  same  hghl  and 
'  Hfe,  the  same  things  they  do  now ;  that  they  may  fill  up  the  measure  of 
'  their  fathers.     With  the  light  now  they  are  seen,  where  the  light,  life, 

*  and  power  of  God  is  made  manifest ;  for  as  they  did  unto  them,  so  will 
'  they  do  unto  you.     Here  is  our  joy ;  the  scripture  is  fulfilled,  and  ful- 

*  filling ;  with  the  light  which  was  before  the  world  was,  which  is  now 

*  made  manifest  in  the  children  of  light,  they  see  the  world,  comprehend 
'  it,  and  the  actions  of  it :  for  he  that  loves  the  world,  and  turns  from  the 
'  light  is  an  enemy  to  God ;  he  turneth  into  wickedness :  for  the  whole 
'  world  lieth  in  wickedness.  He  who  turns  from  the  light,  turns  into  the 
'  works  of  evil,  which  the  light  of  Christ  testifies  against.    By  this  light, 

*  where  it  is  made  manifest,  all  the  works  of  the  world  are  seen  and 

*  made  manifest.  G.  F.' 

Great  was  the  rage  and  enmity  of  the  people,  professors  as  well  as 
prophane,  against  the  truth  and  people  of  God  at  this  time ;  and  great 
the  contempt  and  disdain  they  shewed  of  friends'  plainness.  Wherefore 
I  was  moved  to  write  the  following  paper,  and  send  it  forth,  directed  as 
—  An  epistle  to  gathered  churches  into  outward  forms,  upon  earth. 

'  All  ye  churches  gathered  into  outward  forms  upon  the  earth,  the 
'  Son  of  God  is  come  to  reign ;  he  will  tread  and  trample,  will  shake, 

*  and  make  you  quiver,  you  that  are  found  without  his  life,  his  light,  and 

*  his  power.  His  day  hath  appeared ;  mortar  and  clay  will  you  be  found. 
'  Breaking,  shaking,  and  quaking  is  coming  among  you !  Your  high 
'  building  is  to  be  laid  desolate ;  your  professed  liberty  shall  be  your 
'  bondage :  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  spoken  it.  Tremble, 
'  ye  hypocrites,  ye  notionists.  The  fenced  cities  shall  be  laid  desolate, 
'  the  fruitful  fields  shall  become  a  wilderness ;  your'  false  joy  shall  be- 

*  come  your  heaviness :  the  time  of  weeping  and  desolation  draweth 
'  nigh !  Come  ye  witty  ones,  see  how  ye  can  stand  before  the  Almighty, 
'  who  is  now  come  to  plead  with  you.  You'll  fall  like  leaves,  and  wither 
'  like  weeds  !  Come  you,  that  have  boasted  of  my  name,  saith  the  Lord, 
'  and  have  gloried  in  the  flesh,  ye  shall  fade  like  a  flower :  who  have 
'  slain  my  witness,  yet  boast  of  my  words,  which  have  been  as  a  song 
'  unto  you.  Come  ye  novelists,  who  love  novelties,  changeable  suits  of 
'  apparel,  who  are  in  the  fashions  outward  and  inward,  putting  on  one 
'  thing  this  day,  and  another  the  other  day.  "  I'll  strip  thee,"  saith  the 
'  Lord,  "  I'll  make  thee  bare,  I'll  make  thee  naked,  and  thou  shalt  know 
"  that  I  am  the  Lord."  What !  hast  thou  professed  the  prophets'  words? 
'  hast  thou  professed  the  apostles'  words,  and  my  Son's  words  ?  hast  thou 
'  covered  thyself  with  their  expressions  1  thinkest  thou  not  that  I  see  thee 
'  out  of  my  life  ?  thinkest  thou,  thou  witty  one,  to  hide  thyself  where 
'  none  can  see  thee  1  thinkest  thou,  if  thou  fliest  to  the  uttermost  parts 

*  of  the  earth,  that  I  am  not  there  1  Is  not  the  earth  mine,  and  the  fulness 
'  of  it,  saith  the  Lord  ?  Come  all  ye  that  have  trusted  in  your  own  con- 
'  ceited  knowledge  and  wisdom,  who  were  never  yet  out  of  the  earth, 
'  and  the  lusts  of  it,  never  yet  got  the  load  of  thick  clay  oft'  you,  never 
'  were  out  of  the  drunken  spirit,  whose  imperfection  appears,  which  must 
'  be  come  upon  as  a  potter's  vessel ;  broken  cisterns  ;  ye  that  have  been 
'  wise  in  your  own  conceit,  wise  in  your  own  eyes,  in  which  pride  hath 
'lifted  you  up,  and  not  humility;  you  must  be  abased.     You  have  run 

*  on,  every  one  after  his  own  invention,  and  every  man  hath  done  that 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  189 

which  was  right  in  his  own  eyes,  that  which  pleased  himself.  This 
hath  been  the  course  of  people  upon  earth.  Ye  have  run  on  without  a 
king,  without  Christ,  the  light  of  the  world,  which  hath  enlightened 
every  one  that  is  come  into  the  world.  But  now  is  truth  risen,  now 
are  your  fruits  withering.  You  that  are  fortified,  and  have  fortified 
your  strong  houses,  called  your  churches,  make  your  cords  strong,  the 
Lord  will  break  you  asunder,  ye  that  are  gathering  in,  and  ye  that  are 
gathered.  For  the  Lord  is  risen  to  scatter  you,  his  witness  is  risen  in 
the  hearts  of  his  people  ;  they  will  not  be  fed  with  dead  words,  nor  with 
that  which  dies  of  itself;  nor  will  they  be  satisfied  with  the  husks  which 
the  swine  feed  upon.  All  ye  priests  in  the  nation,  and  teachers,  that 
now  stand  against  the  light,  your  envy  shews  that  ye  are  in  Cain's  way ; 
your  greediness  shews  that  ye  are  in  Balaam's  way ;  your  standing 
against  the  light,  which  hath  enlightened  every  man  that  cometh  into 
the  world,  doth  manifest  that  you  are  in  Core's  way,  that  spoke  the 
great  high  words  of  vanity ;  ye,  whose  consciences  are  seared  as  with 
an  hot  iron,  whose  judgment  doth  not  linger,  whose  damnation  doth  not 
slumber,  who  serve  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  your  own  bellies ; 
who  are  as  the  evil  beasts  spoken  of,  which  have  destroyed  many  fami- 
lies, taken  away  their  cattle,  their  horses,  their  goods,  even  their  house- 
hold goods ;  destroyed  many  poor  men,  even  whole  families,  taking 
their  whole  estates  from  them,  whom  you  do  no  work  for.  O  the  griev- 
ous actions  that  are  seen  done  by  you,  the  ministers  of  unrighteousness ; 
whose  fruits  declare  to  the  whole  nation,  that  you  are  not  the  messen- 
gers of  God !  your  actions  declare  it ;  your  taking  tythes,  augmenta- 
tions, treble  damages,  midsummer-dues,  as  ye  call  them,  of  those  ye  do 
no  work  for,  nor  minister  to. 

'  All  ye  powers  of  the  earth,  beware  of  holding  such  up  as  are  un- 
righteous. Let  not  the  words  of  the  unrighteous  overcome  you,  lest 
the  righteous  God,  the  judge  of  heaven  and  earth,  take  hold  upon  you  ; 
whose  judgment  is  according  to  that  of  God  in  you,  which  will  let  you 
see  when  you  transgress.  Come  you  proud,  lofty  ones,  who  have  not 
considered  the  handy-works  of  the  Lord,  but  have  destroyed  them; 
nor  have  regarded  the  way  of  the  Loi'd,  but  have  had  plenty  of  the 
creatures,  and  have  therewith  fatted  up  yourselves,  and  forgotten  the 
Lord  and  his  way :  O  let  shame  cover  your  faces  here  upon  earth ! 
Come  ye,  that  are  given  to  pleasures,  who  spend  your  time  in  sports, 
idleness,  and  fulness;  your  fruits  declare  the  sins  of  Sodom;  yet  you 
will  make  a  talk  of  my  name,  and  of  my  saints'  words.  "  But  I  behold  you 
afar  ofl","  saith  the  Lord.  You  are  proud  and  lofty ;  you  are  bad  pat- 
terns, bad  examples,  full,  rich,  and  idle ;  who  say,  others  are  idle,  that 
cannot  maintain  your  lusts.  Oh !  the  unrighteous  balances  that  are 
among  people  !  O  the  iniquity  in  measuring !  O  the  oppression  in  ruling 
and  governing !  Because  of  these  things  my  hand  shall  come  upon  you, 
saith  the  Lord.  For  the  oppression  is  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord, 
who  gives  rest  to  the  wearied,  to  the  burdened,  to  the  oppressed ;  who 
feeds  the  hungry,  and  clothes  the  naked ;  who  brings  the  mighty  from 
their  seats,  beats  the  lofty  to  the  ground,  and  makes  the  haugiity  bend. 
Come,  saith  the  Lord,  ye  mockers,  scorners,  and  rebelhous  ones,  light 
and  wild  people,  vain  and  heady ;  you  have  had  your  day  of  joy,  you 
have  scoffed,  you  have  mocked  and  derided  my  messengers,  my  am- 
bassadors, who  have  preached  in  your  streets,  and  cried'  in  your  syna- 
gogues and  temples ;  a  day  of  trembUng  and  lamentation  shall  come 


190  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

*upon  you  when  you  are  not  aware.     I'll  take  away  your  pride  and 

*  your  height;  I'll  shake  you  as  a  leaf,  and  bring  you  to  be  as  men  dis- 

*  tracted.     I'll  distract  you,  and  make  you  that  you  shall  not  trust  one 

*  another  in  the  earth ;  who  have  joined  hand  in  hand  against  my  ser- 

*  vants  in  the  truth.  I'll  smite  you  with  terrors,  and  bring  frets  and  fears 

*  upon  you ;  the  cup  of  my  indignation  and  fury  shall  you  drink.  Where 

*  will  you  appear,   when   repentance   is  hid  from  your   eyes ;   when 

*  prophane  Esau,  your  father,  is  set  before  you,  and  Ishmael  and  Cain, 

*  wild  and  envious,  whose  fruits  declare  the  stock  1    Come,  ye  proud 

*  priests,  who  have  eaten  up  the  fat  of  the  nation,  w^ho  by  violence  have 

*  taken  other  men's  goods,  whose  envy  hath  slain  many,  whose  wicked- 

*  ness  and  darkness  hath  abounded,  and  whose  unrighteousness  daily  ap- 

*  pears.     Your  fruits  every  day  declare  it,  in  summoning  up  by  writs 
'  and   subpoenas  from  most  parts  of  the  nation  for  wages  and  tythes, 

*  such  as  ye  do  no  work  for.     Oh !    the  abominable  unrighteousness ! 

*  how  is  the  state  of  man  lost,  that  these  things  they  do  not  take  to 

*  heart,  to  feel  them !    What  havock  is  made  in  most  parts  of  the  nation 

*  by  such !  And  all  ye  priests  and  teachers,  who  are  railing  and  brawling 

*  in  the  pulpit,  setting  people  at  variance  one  against  another,  haters  and 
'  hateful,  provoking  people  to  hate  one  another ;  here  is  the  seed  of  en- 

*  mity  seen  which  you  have  sown  and  are  sowing,  whose  seed  must  be 

*  bruised  by  the  seed  of  the  woman,  which  atop  of  your  heads  is  set. 

'  G.  F.' 

This  year  came  out  the  oath  of  abjuration,  by  which  many  friends 
suffered.  Several  friends  went  to  speak  with  the  Protector  about  it ;  but 
he  began  to  harden.  And  sufferings  increasing  upon  friends,  by  reason 
that  envious  magistrates  made  use  of  that  oath  as  a  snare  to  catch  them 
in,  who  they  knew  could  not  swear  at  all ;  I  was  moved  to  write  to  the 
Protector  as  followeth : 

'  The  magistrate  is  not  to  bear  the  sword  in  vain,  who  ought  to  be  a 

*  terror  to  the  evil-doers ;  but  the  magistrate  that  bears  the  sword  in  vain, 

*  as  he  is  not  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  so  he  is  not  a  praise  to  them  that 

*  do  well.  Now  hath  God  raised  up  a  people  by  his  power,  whom  people, 

*  priests,  and  magistrates,  out  of  the  fear  of  God,  scornfully  call  Quakers, 

*  who  cry  against  drunkenness  (for  drunkards  destroy  God's  creatures) 

*  and  cry  against  oaths  (for  because  of  oaths  the  land  mourns)  and  these 

*  drunkards  and  swearers,  to  whom  the  magistrate's  sword  should  be  a 

*  terror,  are,  we  see,  at  liberty ;  but  for  crying  against  such,  many  are 

*  cast  into  prison,  and  for  crying  against  their  pride  and  filthiness,  their 

*  deceitful  merchandize  in  markets,  their  cozening,  their  cheating,  their 
'  excess  and  naughtiness,  their  playing  at  bowls  and  shovel-boards,  at 

*  cards  and  at  dice,  and  their  other  vain  and  wanton  pleasures.     Who 

*  live  in  pleasures  are  dead  while  they  live,  and  who  live  in  wantonness 

*  kill  the  just.     This  we  know  by  the  Spirit  of  God  which  gave  forth  the 

*  scriptures,  which  God  the  Father  hath  given  to  us,  and  hath  placed  his 

*  righteous  law  in  our  hearts  ;  which  law  is  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  and 

*  answers  that  which  is  of  God  in  every  man's  conscience.     They  who 

*  act  contrary  to  the  measure  of  God's  Spirit  in  every  man's  conscience, 

*  cast  the  law  of  God  behind  their  backs,  and  walk  despitefully  against 

*  the  Spirit  of  Grace.     The  magistrate's  sword,  we  see,  is  borne  in  vain, 

*  whilst  evil-doers  are  at  liberty  to  do  evil,  and  they  that  cry  against  such 

*  are,  for  so  doing,  punished  by  the  magistrate,  who  hath  turned  his 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  191 

*  sword  backward  against  the  Lord.    Now  the  wicked  one  fenceth  him- 

*  self,  and  persecutes  the  innocent,  as  vagabonds  and  wanderers,  for 
'  crying  against  sin,  unrighteousness,  and  ungodliness  openly,  in  the  mar- 
'  kets  and  in  the  highways ;  or  as  railers,  because  they  tell  them  what 
'  judgment  will  come  upon  those  that  follow  such  practices.     Here  they 

*  that  depart  from  iniquity  are  become  a  prey,  and  few  lay  it  to  heart. 
'  But  God  will  thresh  the  mountains,  beat  the  hills,  cleave  the  rocks,  and 
'  cast  into  his  press  which  is  trodden  without  the  city,  and  will  bathe  his 

*  sword  in  the  blood  of  the  wicked  and  unrighteous.    You  that  have 

*  drunk  the  cup  of  abominations,  an  hard  cup  have  you  to  drink,  you 

*  who  are  the  enemies  of  God,  of  you  he  will  be  avenged.     You  in 

*  whom  something  of  God  is  remaining,  consider ;  If  the  sword  w^as  not 

*  borne  in  vain,  but  turned  against  evil-doers,  the  righteous  would  not 
'  suffer,  and  be  cast  into  holes,  dungeons,  corners,  prisons,  and  houses  of 

*  correction,  as  peace-breakers,  for  crying  against  sin  openly,  as  they  are 

*  commanded  of  the  Lord,  and  for  crying  against  the  covetousness  of 
'  the  priests  and  their  false  worships ;  who  exact  money  of  poor  people, 

*  whom  they  do  no  work  for.  Oh !  where  will  you  appear  in  the  day  of 
'  the  Lord  1    How  will  you  stand  in  the  day  of  his  righteous  judgment  T 

*  How  many  gaols  and  houses  of  correction  are  now  made  places  to 
'  put  the  lambs  of  Christ  in,  for  following  him  and  obeying  his  com- 
'  mands  !     The  royal  law  of  Christ,  "  To  do  as  ye  would  be  done  by," 

*  is  trodden  down  under  foot ;  so  that  men  can  profess  him  in  words,  but 

*  crucify  him  wheresoever  he  appears,  and  cast  him  into  prison,  as  the 

*  talkers  of  him  always  did  in  generations  and  ages  past.     The  labour- 

*  ers,  which  God,  the  master  of  the  harvest,  hath  sent  into  his  vineyard, 

*  do  the  chief  of  the  priests  and  the  rulers  now  take  counsel  together 

*  against  to  cast  them  into  prison :  here  are  the  fruits  of  priests,  people, 
'  and  rulers,  without  the  fear  of  God.     The  day  is  come  and  coming 

*  that  every  man's  work  doth  and  shall  appear ;  glory  be  to  the  Lord  God 
'  for  ever !   See  and  consider  the  days  you  have  spent,  and  the  days  you 

*  do  spend ;  for  this  is  your  day  of  visitation.  Many  have  suffered  great 
'  fines,  because  they  could  not  swear,  but  abide  in  Christ's  doctrine,  who 

*  saith.  Swear  not  at  all :  and  by  that  means  are  they  made  a  prey  upon 

*  for  abiding  in  the  command  of  Christ.     Many  are  cast  into  prison  and 

*  made  a  prey  upon,  because  they  cannot  take  the  oath  of  abjuration, 

*  tho'  they  denied  all  that  is  abjured  in  it ;  and  by  that  means  many  of 

*  the  messengers  and  ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are  cast  into 

*  prison,  because  they  will  not  swear  nor  go  out  of  Christ's  command. 

*  Therefore,  O  man !  consider ;  to  the  measure  of  the  life  of  God  in  thee 
'  I  speak.     Many  also  lie  in  gaols,  because  they  cannot  pay  the  priests 

*  tythes;  many  have  their  goods  spoiled,  and  treble  damages  taken  of 

*  them ;  many  are  whipped  and  beaten  in  the  houses  of  correction,  who 

*  have  broken  no  law.     These  things  are  done  in  thy  name,  in  order  to 

*  protect  them  in  these  actions.     If  men  fearing  God  bore  the  sword, 

*  and  covetousness  was  hated,  and  men  of  courage  for  God  were  set  up, 

*  then  they  would  be  a  terror  to  evil-doers  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do 

*  well ;  and  not  cause  such  to  suffer.   Here  equity  would  be  heard  in  our 

*  land,  and  righteousness  would  stand  up  and  take  place ;  which  giveth 

*  not  place  to  the  unrighteous,  but  judgeth  it.  To  the  measure  of  God's 
'  Spirit  in  thee  I  speak,  that  thou  mayest  consider  and  come  to  rule  for 
'  God :  that  thou  mayest  answer  that  which  is  of  God  in  every  man's 

*  conscience  ;  for  that  is  it  which  bringeth  to  honour  all  men  in  the  Lord. 


192  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

*  Therefore  consider  for  whom  thou  rulest,  that  thou  mayest  come  to 

*  receive  power  from  God  to  rule  for  him ;  and  all  that  is  contrary  to 

*  God  may  by  his  light  be  condemned. 

'  From  a  lover  of  thy  soul,  who  desires  thy  eternal  good,  G.  F.' 
Sufferings  and  imprisonments  continuing  and  increasing,  and  the  Pro- 
tector, under  whose  name  they  were  inflicted,  hardening  himself  against 
the  complaints  that  were  made  to  him,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the 
following  lines  amongst  friends,  to  bring  the  weight  of  their  sufferings 
more  heavy  upon  the  heads  of  the  persecutors. 

'  Who  is  moved  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  offer  himself  to  the  jus- 

*  tice  for  his  brother  or  sister  in  prison,  to  lie  in  prison  in  then*  stead, 

*  that  his  brother  or  sister  may  come  out  of  prison,  and  so  offer  his  life 

*  for  his  brother  or  sister  I     Where  any  lie  in  prison  for  tythes,  witness- 

*  ing  the  priesthood  changed  that  took  tythes,  and  the  unchangeable 

*  priesthood  come ;  if  any  brother  in  the  light,  who  witnesseth  a  change 
'  of  the  old  priesthood  that  took  tythes,  and  a  disannulling  of  the  com- 

*  mandment  for  tythes,  be  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  the  priest  or  im- 
'  propriator,  to  offer  himself  to  lie  in  prison  for  his  brother,  and  to  lay 

*  down  his  life  that  he  may  come  forth,  he  may  cheerfully  do  it,  and 

*  heap  coals  of  fire  upon  the  head  of  the  adversary  of  God.     Likewise 

*  where  any  suffer  for  the  truth  by  them  who  are  in  the  untruth,  if  any 

*  brother  be  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  the  magistrate,  judge,  general, 
'  or  protector,  and  offer  up  themselves  to  the  prison,  to  lay  down  their 
'  lives  for  the  brethren ;  as  Christ  hath  laid  down  his  life  for  you,  so  offer 

*  your  lives  one  for  another.     Here  you  may  go  over  the  heads  of  per- 

*  secutors,  and  reach  the  witness  of  God  in  all.  And  this  shall  he  a  judg- 

*  ment  upon  them  all  for  ever,  and  be  witnessed  to  by  that  which  is  of 
'  God  in  their  consciences.  Given  forth  from  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
'  through  G.  F.' 

Besides  this,  I  wrote  also  a  short  epistle  to  friends,  as  an  encourage- 
ment to  them  in  their  several  exercises. 
'  My  dear  friends, 

*  In  the  power  of  the  everlasting  God,  which  comprehends  the  power 
'  of  darkness  and  all  temptation,  and  that  which  comes  out  of  it,  in  this 

*  power  of  God  dwell.  This  will  bring  and  keep  you  to  the  word  in  the 
'  beginning ;  it  will  keep  you  up  to  the  life,  to  feed  thereupon,  in 
'  which  you  are  over  the  power  of  darkness,  and  in  which  you  will 

*  feel  dominion  and  life.  And  that  will  let  you  see  before  the  tempter 
'  was  and  over  him,  into  which  the  tempter  cannot  come ;   for  the 

*  power  and  truth  he  is  out  of.  Therefore  in  that  life  dwell,  in  which 
'  you  will  know  dominion.  Let  your  faith  be  in  the  power  over  the 
'weakness  and  temptations;  look  not  at  them;  but  in  the  light  and 
'  power  of  God,  look  at  the  Lord's  strength,  which  will  be  made  perfect 
'  in  your  weakest  state.     In  all  temptations  look  at  the  grace  of  God  to 

*  bring  your  salvation,  which  is  your  teacher  to  teach  you ;  for  when 

*  you  look  or  hearken  to  the  temptations,  you  go  from  your  teacher,  the 

*  Grace  of  God ;    and    so   are  darkened  in   going  from  that  teacher 

*  which   should  bring  your  salvation,  the  Grace  of  God,  which  is  sufli- 

*  cient  in  all  temptations  to  lead  out  of  them  and  to  keep  over  them. 

*G.  F.' 
After  I  had  cleared  myself  of  those  services  for  the  Lord,  which  lay 
upon  me  in  the  city  of  London,  I  passed  into  Bedfordshire  and  North- 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  193 

amptonshire.  At  Wellingborough,  in  Northamptonshire,  I  had  a  great 
meeting,  in  which  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  and  truth  was  over  all ; 
and  many  in  that  country  were  turned  to  the  Lord.  Great  rage  was 
amongst  the  professors ;  for  the  wicked  priests,  Presbyterians,  and  Inde- 
pendents falsely  reported,  '  That  we  carried  bottles  about  with  us,  which 
'  we  gave  people  to  drink  of,  which  made  them  follow  us :'  but  the  Power, 
Spirit,  and  Truth  of  God  kept  friends  over  the  rage  of  the  people.  Great 
spoiling  also  there  wtis  of  friends'  goods  for  tythes  by  the  Independent, 
Presbyterian,  and  some  Baptist  priests,  who  had  got  into  the  steeple- 
houses. 

From  Wellingborough  I  went  into  Leicestershire,  where  colonel 
Hacker  had  threatened,  If  I  came  he  would  imprison  me  again,  though 
the  Protector  had  set  me  at  liberty :  but  when  I  was  come  to  Whetstone, 
the  meeting  from  which  he  took  me  before,  all  was  quiet.  Colonel 
Hacker's  wife  and  his  marshal  came  to  the  meeting,  and  were  convinced ; 
for  the  glorious,  powerful  day  of  the  Lord  was  exalted  over  all,  and 
many  were  convinced  that  day.  There  were  at  that  meeting  two  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  from  Wales,  their  names  were  Peter  Price  and  Walter 
Jenkins ;  who  came  both  to  be  ministers  of  Christ. 

I  went  from  thence  to  Sileby,  to  William  Smith's,  where  was  a  great 
meeting,  to  which  several  Baptists  came ;  one  of  them,  a  Baptist  teacher, 
was  convinced,  and  came  to  sit  under  the  Lord's  teaching  by  his  Spirit 
and  Power.     This  Baptist  said,  He  had  baptized  thirty  in  a  day. 

From  thence  I  went  to  Drayton,  my  native  town,  where  so  many 
priests  and  professors  had  formerly  gathered  together  against  me ;  but 
now  never  a  priest  nor  professor  did  appear.  I  asked  some  of  my  rela- 
tions, Where  all  the  priests  and  professors  were  1  They  said  the  priest 
of  Non-eaton  was  dead,  and  eight  or  nine  of  them  were  seeking  to  get 
his  benefice.     '  They  will  let  you  alone  now,'  said  they,  '  for  they  are 

*  like  a  company  of  crows,  when  a  rotten  sheep  is  dead,  they  all  gather 
'  logether  to  pull  out  the  puddings ;  so  do  the  priests  for  a  fallen  benefice.' 
These  were  some  of  their  own  hearers  that  said  so  of  them :  but  they 
had  spent  their  venom  against  me,  and  the  Lord  delivered  me  by  his 
power  out  of  their  snare. 

Then  I  went  to  Badgley,  where  was  a  great  meeting.  Numbers  came 
far  to  it.  Many  were  convinced,  and  turned  to  the  Lord ;  who  came 
under  Christ's  teaching,  and  were  settled  upon  him,  their  foundation  and 
rock. 

From  thence  I  passed  into  Nottinghamshire,  and  had  large  meetings ; 
and  imo  Derbyshire,  where  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all.  Many 
were  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God, 
and  came  to  receive  the  Holy  Ghost.  Great  miracles  were  wrought 
in  many  places  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  through  several. 

In  Derbyshire  James  Nayler  met  me,  and  told  me,  seven  or  eight 
priests  had  challenged  him  to  a  dispute.  I  had  a  travail  in  my  Spirit  for 
him,  and  the  Lord  answered  me.  I  was  moved  to  bid  him  go  on,  '  and 
'  God  Almighty  would  be  with  him,  and  give  him  the  victory  in  his 

*  power.'  And  the  Lord  did  so ;  insomuch  that  the  people  saw  the  priests 
w^ere  foiled,  and  cried,  '  A  Nailer,  a  Nailer  hath  confuted  them  all.'  After 
the  dispute  he  came  to  me  again,  praising  the  Lord.  Thus  was  the 
Lord's  day  proclaimed,  and  set  over  all  their  heads.  People  began  to 
see  the  apostacy  and  slavery  they  had  been  under  to  their  hireling 
teachers,  and  came  to  know  their  teacher  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  had  pur- 

Z 


104  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

chased  them,  and  made  their  peace  betwixt  God  and  them.  While  we 
were  here,  friends  came  out  of  Yorkshire  to  see  us,  and  were  glad  of 
the  prosperity  of  truth. 

After  this  I  passed  into  Warwickshire  amongst  friends,  visiting  their 
meetings;  and  so  into  Worcestershire.  I  had  a  meeting  at  Birmingham, 
where  several  were  convinced,  and  turned  to  the  Lord.  I  came  to  one 
Cole's  house  near  Chattan.  This  Cole  had  given  an  Independent  preacher 
a  meeting-place,  who  came  to  be  convinced ;  after  which  he  laid  aside 

his  preaching ;  whereupon  the  old  man Cole  gave  him  an  hundred 

pounds  a  year.  I  had  a  meeting  there ;  a  very  great  one  it  was,  inso- 
much that  the  meeting-place  would  not  hold  the  people.  Many  were 
turned  to  the  Lord  that  day.  Afterwards,  when  the  time  of  trials  came, 
this  Independent  did  not  stand  to  that  which  had  convinced  him ;  but 
turned  back :  whereupon  the  old  man  took  away  his  100/.  a  year  from 
him  again.     But  Cole  himself  died  in  God's  truth. 

I  heard  that  at  Evesham  the  magistrates  had  cast  several  friends  into 
divers  prisons ;  and  that,  hearing  of  my  coming,  they  made  a  pair  of 
high  stocks.  I  sent  for  Edward  Pittaway,  a  friend,  who  lived  near  Eves- 
ham, and  asked  him  the  truth  of  the  thing.  He  said,  it  was  so.  I  went 
that  night  with  him  to  Evesham ;  and  in  the  evening  we  had  a  large, 
precious  meeting,  wherein  friends  and  people  were  refreshed  with  the 
word  of  life,  the  power  of  the  Lord.  Next  morning  I  rode  to  one  of 
the  prisons,  and  visited  friends  there,  and  encouraged  them.  Then  I 
rode  to  the  other  prison,  where  were  several  prisoners.  Amongst  them 
was  Humphry  Smith,  who  had  been  a  priest,  but  was  now  become  a 
free  minister  of  Christ.  When  I  had  visited  friends  at  both  prisons,  aryl 
was  turned  to  go  out  of  the  town,  I  espied  the  magistrates  coming  up 
the  town  to  have  seized  me  in  prison.  But  the  Lord  frustrated  their 
intent,  the  innocent  escaped  their  snare,  and  God's  blessed  power  came 
over  them  all.  But  exceeding  rude  and  envious  were  the  priests  and 
professors  about  this  time  in  tnese  parts. 

I  went  from  Evesham  to  Worcester,  and  had  a  precious  meeting 
there,  and  quiet.  After  which,  coming  towards  our  inn,  some  professors 
fell  to  discourse  with  friends,  and  were  like  to  have  made  a  tumult  in  the 
city.  As  we  went  into  the  inn,  they  all  cluttered  into  the  yard ;  but  I 
went  among  them  and  got  them  quieted.  Next  day  I  walked  into  the 
town,  and  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse  with  some  of  the  professors 
concerning  Christ  and  the  way  of  truth.  One  of  them  deniec,  that 
Christ  was  of  Abraham  according  to  the  flesh,  and  that  he  was  declared 
to  be  the  Son  of  God  according  to  the  Spirit.  I  proved  from  Rom.  i. 
that  he  was  of  the  seed  of  Abraham,  being  made  of  the  seed  of  David 
according  to  the  flesh ;  and  that  according  to  the  Spirit  he  was  declared 
to  be  the  Son  of  God.     Afterwards  I  wrote  a  paper  concerning  it. 

From  Worcester  we  went  to  Tewksbury,  where  in  the  evening  we 
had  a  great  meeting,  to  which  came  the  priest  of  the  town  with  a  great 
rabble  of  rude  people.  The  priest  boasted,  that  he  would  see  whether 
he  or  I  should  have  the  victory.     *  I  turned  the  people  to  the  Divine 

*  Light,  which  Christ,  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  man,  enlighteneth  them 

*  withal;  that  with  that  Light  they  might  see  their  sins,  and  that  they 
'  were  in  death  and  darkness,  and  without  God  in  the  world ;  and  might 

*  also  see  Christ  from  whom  it  cometh,  their  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  who 

*  shed  his  blood  and  died  for  them ;  who  is  the  way  to  God,  the  truth, 

*  and  the  life.'    Here  the  priest  began  to  rage  against  the  Light,  and 


J655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  195 

denied  it ;  for  neither  priest  nor  professor  could  endure  to  hear  the  Light 
spoken  of.  Having  railed  at  the  Light  the  priest  went  away,  and  left 
his  rude  company  amongst  us ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them, 
though  mischief  was  in  their  hearts. 

Leaving  Tewksbury  we  passed  to  Warwick,  where  in  the  evening  we 
had  a  meeting  at  a  widow-woman's  house  with  many  sober  people.  A 
pi'ecious  meeting  we  had  in  the  Lord's  power ;  several  were  convinced, 
and  turned  to  the  Lord.  After  the  meeting,  a  Baptist  in  the  company 
began  to  jangle ;  and  the  bailiff  of  the  town,  with  his  officers,  came  in, 
and  said.  What  do  these  people  here  at  this  time  of  night  'i  So  he  secur- 
ed John  Crook,  Amor  Stoddart,  Gerrard  Roberts,  and  me ;  but  we  had 
leave  to  go  to  our  inn,  and  to  be  forth-coming  in  the  morning.  The  next 
morning  many  rude  people  came  into  the  inn,  and  into  our  chambers, 
desperate  fellows ;  but  the  Lord's  power  gave  us  dominion  over  them. 
Gerrard  Roberts  and  John  Crook  went  to  the  bailiff  to  know  what  he 
had  to  say  to  us.  He  said,  we  might  go  our  ways,  for  he  had  little  to 
say  to  us.  As  we  rode  out  of  town,  it  lay  upon  me  to  ride  to  his  house, 
to  let  him  know,  *  That  the  Protector  having  given  forth  an  instrument 
'  of  government,  in  which  liberty  of  conscience  was  granted,  it  was  very 
'strange  that,  contrary  to  that  instrument  of  government,  he  would 
'  trouble  peaceable  people  that  feared  God.'  The  friends  went  with  me, 
but  the  rude  people  gathered  about  us  with  stones.  One  of  them  took 
hold  of  my  horse's  bridle,  and  broke  it ;  but  the  horse  drawing  back 
threw  him  under  him.  Though  the  bailiff  saw  this,  yet  he  did  not  stop, 
nor  so  much  as  rebuke  the  rude  multitude ;  so  that  it  was  much  we  had 
not  been  slain  or  hurt  in  the  streets ;  for  the  people  threw  stones  and 
struck  at  us  as  we  rode  along  the  town. 

When  we  were  quite  out  of  the  town,  I  told  friends,  '  It  was  upon  me 
'  from  the  Lord  that  I  must  go  back  into  the  town  again ;  and  if  any  one 
*  of  them  felt  any  thing  upon  him  from  the  Lord,  he  might  follow  me ;  the 
'  rest  that  did  not,  might  go  on  to  Dun-cow.'  So  I  passed  through  the 
market  in  the  dreadful  power  of  God,  declaring  the  word  of  life  to  them  ; 
and  John  Crook  followed  me.  Some  struck  at  me ;  but  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  them,  and  gave  me  dominion  over  all.  I  shewed  them  their 
unworthiness  of  the  name  of  christians,  and  the  unworthiness  of  their 
teachers,  that  had  not  brought  them  into  more  sobriety ;  and  what  a 
shame  they  were  to  Christianity  ! 

Having  cleared  myself  I  turned  out  of  the  town  again,  and  passed  to 
Coventry ;  where  we  found  the  people  closed  up  with  darkness.  I  went 
to  a  professor's  house  I  had  formerly  been  at,  and  he  was  drunk ;  which 
grieved  my  soul  so,  that  I  did  not  go  into  any  house  in  the  town ;  but 
rode  into  some  of  the  streets,  and  into  the  market-place.  I  felt  the  power 
of  the  Lord  was  over  the  town. 

Then  I  went  to  Dun-cow,  and  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  and  some 
were  turned  to  the  Lord  by  his  Spirit,  as  some  also  were  at  Warwick 
and  Tewksbury.  We  lay  at  Dun-cow  that  night ;  where  we  met  with 
John  Camm,  a  faithful  minister  of  the  everlasting  gospel.  In  the  morn- 
ing there  gathered  a  rude  company  of  priests  and  people,  who  behaved 
more  like  beasts  than  men ;  for  some  of  them  came  riding  on  horse- 
back into  the  room  where  we  were ;  but  the  Lord  gave  us  dominion 
over  them. 

From  thence  we  passed  into  Leicestershire,  where  we  had  a  great 
meeting  at  the  place  where  I  had  been  taken  formerly.    After  that  we 


196  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

came  to  Badgley,  in  Warwickshire.  Here  William  Edmunclson  who 
lived  in  Ireland,  having  some  drawings  upon  his  spirit  to  come  into  Eng- 
land to  see  me,  met  with  me ;  by  whom  I  wrote  a  few  lines  to  friends 
then  convinced  in  the  north  of  Ireland. 

*  Friends, 
'In  that  which  convinced  you,  w^ait;  that  you  may  have  that  remov- 

*  ed  you  are  convinced  of.  And,  all  my  dear  friends,  dwell  in  the  life, 
*love,  power,  and  wisdom  of  God,  in  unity  one  with  another,  and  with 

*  God ;  and  the  peace  and  wisdom  of  God  fill  all  your  hearts,  that  no- 
'  thing  may  rule  in  you  but  the  life  which  stands  in  the  Lord  God. 

'G.  F.' 

When  these  few  lines  were  read  amongst  the  fi'iends  in  Ireland  at  tlieir 
meeting,  the  power  of  the  Lord  seized  upon  all  in  the  room. 

From  Badgley  we  passed  to  Swanington  and  Higham,  and  into  North- 
amptonshire and  Bedfordshire,  having  great  meetings.  Many  were 
turned  to  the  Lord  by  his  Power  and  ^spirit.  When  we  came  to  Baldock 
in  Hertfordshire,  I  asked,  '  If  there  was  nothing  in  that  town,  no  profes- 
*sion?'  It  w^as  answered  me.  There  were  some  Baptists,  and  a  Baptist 
woman  sick.  John  Rush  of  Bedfordshire  went  with  me  to  visit  her. 
When  we  came  in,  many  tender  people  were  about  her.  They  told  me, 
'  She  was  not  a  woman  for  this  world ;  but  if  I  had  any  thing  to  comfort 

*  her  concerning  the  world  to  come,  I  might  speak  to  her.'  I  was  moved 
of  the  Lord  to  speak  to  her ;  and  he  raised  her  up  again,  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  the  town  and  country.  Her  husband's  name  was  Baldock.  This 
Baptist  woman  and  her  husband  came  to  be  convinced ;  and  many  hun- 
dreds of  people  have  met  at  their  house  since.  Great  meetings  and  con- 
vincements  were  in  those  parts  afterwards ;  many  received  the  word  of 
life,  and  sat  down  under  the  teachings  of  Christ  their  Saviour. 

When  we  had  visited  this  sick  woman,  we  returned  to  our  inn ;  where 
we  found  two  desperate  fellows  fighting  so  furiously,  that  none  durst 
come  nigh  to  part  them.  But  I  was  moved  in  the  Lord's  power  to  go 
to  them :  and  when  I  had  loosed  their  hands,  I  held  one  of  them  by  one 
hand,  and  the  other  by  the  other,  shewed  them  the  evil  of  their  doings, 
and  reconciled  them  one  to  the  other ;  and  they  were  so  loving  and 
thankful  to  me,  that  people  admired  at  it. 

From  thence  I  passed  to  Market-street,  where  God  had  a  people ;  and 
through  Albans  to  London,  where  friends  were  glad  of  the  prosperity  of 
truth,  and  the  manifestation  of  the  Lord's  glorious  power,  which  had  de- 
livered us,  and  carried  us  through  many  dangers  and  difficulties.  I  also 
rejoiced  to  find  truth  prosper  in  the  city,  and  all  things  well  am.ongst 
friends  there.  Only  there  was  one  John  Toldervey,  who  had  been  con- 
vinced of  truth,  and  run  out  from  it;  and  the  envious  priests  took  occa- 
sion from  thence  to  write  a  wicked  book  against  friends,  which  they 
stuffed  with  many  lies,  to  render  truth  and  friends  odious.  They  entitled 
their  book,  "  The  Foot  out  of  the  Snare."  But  this  poor  man  came  to 
see  his  folly,  and  returned,  condemned  his  backsliding,  answered  the 
priests'  book,  and  manifested  all  tlieir  lies  and  wickedness.  Thus  tiie 
Lord's  power  came  over  them;  his  everlasting  Seed  reigned,  and  reigns 
to  this  day. 

After  I  had  tarried  some  time  in  London,  and  had  visited  friends  in 
their  meetings,  I  went  out  of  town,  leaving  James  Nayler  in  the  city. 
As  I  passed  from  him,  I  cast  my  eyes  upon  him,  and  a  fear  struck  me 


X/f:.    1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  197 

.'- '  concerning  him ;  but  I  went  away,  and  rode  to  Ryegate  in  Surrey,  where 
I  had  a  httle  meeting.  There  friends  told  me  of  one  Thomas  Moore,  a 
justice  of  peace,  that  Hved  not  far  from  Ryegate,  a  friendly,  moderate 
man;  whereupon  I  went  to  visit  him  at  his  house,  and  he  came  to  be  a 
serviceable  man  in  truth. 

We  passed  to  Thomas  Patchings,  of  Binscombe  in  Godalming,  where 
we  had  a  meeting,  to  which  several  friends  came  from  London.  John 
Bolton  and  his  wife  came  on  foot  in  frost  and  snow.  After  we  had  part- 
ed with  friends  there,  we  went  towards  Horsham  Park ;  where  having 
visited  friends,  we  went  to  Arundel  and  Chichester,  where  we  had  meet- 
ings. At  Chichester  many  professors  came  in,  and  made  some  jangling ; 
but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them.  The  woman  of  the  house,  where 
the  meeting  was,  though  convinced  of  truth,  yet  not  keeping  her  mind 
close  to  that  which  convinced  her,  she  fell  in  love  with  a  man  of  the 
world,  who  was  there  that  time.  When  I  knew  it,  I  took  her  aside,  and 
was  moved  to  speak  to  her  and  to  pray  for  her ;  but  a  light  thing  got  up 
in  her  mind,  and  she  slighted  it.  Afterwards  she  married  that  man ;  and 
soon  after  went  distracted ;  for  he  was  greatly  in  debt,  and  she  greatly 
disappointed.  Then  was  I  sent  for  to  her ;  and  the  Lord  was  entreated, 
raised  her  up  again,  and  settled  her  mind  by  his  power.  Afterwards  her 
husband  died;  and  she  acknowledged  the  just  judgments  of  God  were 
come  upon  her,  for  slighting  the  exhortation  and  counsel  I  had  given 
her. 

After  we  left  Chichester,  we  travelled  to  Portsmouth.  There  the  sol- 
diers had  us  to  the  governor's  house.  After  some  examination,  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  them,  and  we  were  set  at  liberty,  and  had  a 
meeting  in  the  town.  After  which  we  came  to  Ringwood,  where  in  the 
evening  we  had  a  meeting.  Several  were  convinced,  and  turned  to  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  teaching  of  Christ  Jesus  their  Saviour. 

From  Ringwood  we  came  to  Pool ;  and,  having  set  up  our  horses  at 
an  inn,  we  sent  into  the  town  to  inquire  for  such  as  feared  the  Lord,  and 
such  as  were  worthy ;  and  we  had  a  meeting  there  with  several  sober 
people.  William  Baily,  a  Baptist  teacher,  was  convinced  at  that  time. 
The  people  received  truth  in  the  inward  parts,  and  were  turned  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  rock  and  foundation,  their  teacher  and  Saviour; 
and  there  is  become  a  great  gathering  in  the  name  of  Jesus  of  a  very 
tender  people,  who  continue  under  Christ's  teaching. 

We  went  also  to  Southampton,  and  had  a  meeting,  where  several 
were  convinced.  Edward  Pyot  of  Bristol  travelled  with  me  all  this 
western  journey. 

From  thence  we  went  to  Dorchester,  and  alighted  at  an  inn,  a  Bap- 
tist's house :  we  sent  into  the  town  to  the  Baptists,  to  let  us  have  their 
meeting-house  to  assemble  in,  and  to  invite  the  sober  people  to  the  meet- 
ing ;  but  they  denied  it  us.  We  sent  to  them  again,  to  know  why  they 
would  deny  us  their  meeting-house'?  so  the  thing  was  noised  in  the  town. 
Then  we  sent  them  word.  If  they  would  not  let  us  come  to  their  house, 
they,  or  any  people  that  feared  God,  might  come  to  our  inn,  if  they 
pleased ;  but  they  were  in  a  great  rage.  Their  teacher,  and  many  of  them 
came  up,  and  slapped  their  bibles  on  the  table.     I  asked  them,  '  Why 

*  they  were  so  angry  1  were  they  angry  with  the  bible  1 '  But  they  fell 
hito  a  discourse  about  their  water-baptism.     I  asked  them,  '  Whether 

*  they  could  say  they  were  sent  of  God  to  baptize  people,  as  John  was  ? 

*  And  whether  they  had  the  same  Spirit  and  power  that  the  apostles 


198  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1655 

•had?'   They  said,  They  had  not.     Then  I  asked  them,  'How  many 

*  powers  there  are  1  Whether  there  are  any  more  than  the  power  of  God, 
'  and  the  power  of  the  devil  V  They  said.  There  was  not  any  other  power 
than  those  two.     Then  said  I, '  If  you  have  not  the  power  of  God  that 

*  the  apostles  had,  you  act  by  the  power  of  the  devil.'  Many  sober  people 
were  present,  who  said,  "  They  have  thrown  themselves  on  their  backs." 
Many  substantial  people  were  convinced  that  night ;  a  precious  service 
we  had  there  for  the  Lojd,  and  his  power  came  over  all.  Next  morning, 
as  we  were  passing  away,  the  Baptists,  being  in  a  rage,  began  to  shake 
the  dust  off  their  feet  after  us.  '  What,'  said  I,  '  in  the  power  of  dark- 
'  ness !  We,  who  are  in  the  power  of  God,  shake  off  the  dust  of  our  feet 

*  against  you.' 

Leaving  Dorchester,  we  came  to  Weymouth;  where  also  we  inquired 
after  sober  people ;  and  about  fourscore  of  them  gathered  together  at  a 
priest's  house,  all  very  sober  people.  Most  of  them  received  the  word 
of  life,  and  were  turned  to  their  teacher  Christ  Jesus,  who  had  enlight- 
ened them  with  his  divine  hght,  by  which  they  might  see  their  sins,  and 
him  who  saveth  from  sin.  A  blessed  meeting  we  had  with  them,  and 
they  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  with  gladness  of  heart.  The 
meeting  held  several  hours.  '  The  state  of  their  teachers,  and  the  apos- 
'  tacy  was  opened  to  them ;  and  the  state  of  the  apostles,  and  of  the 

*  church  in  their  days :  and  the  state  of  the  law  and  of  the  prophets  be- 
'  fore  Christ,  and  how  Christ  came  to  fulfil  them ;  that  he  was  their 

*  teacher  in  the  apostles'  days;  and  that  he  was  come  now  to  teach  his 

*  people  himself  by  his  power  and  spirit.'  All  was  quiet,  the  meeting 
broke  up  peaceably,  the  people  were  very  loving ;  and  a  meeting  is  con- 
tinued in  that  town  to  this  day.  Many  are  added  to  them ;  and  some 
who  had  been  Ranters  came  to  own  the  truth,  and  to  live  very  soberly. 

There  was  a  captain  of  horse  in  the  town,  who  sent  to  me,  and  would 
fain  have  had  me  to  have  staid  longer ;  but  I  was  not  to  stay.  He  and 
his  man  rode  out  of  town  with  me  about  seven  miles ;  Edward  Pyot 
also  being  with  me.  This  captain  was  the  fattest,  merriest,  cheerfullest 
man,  and  the  most  given  to  laughter,  that  ever  I  met  with:  insomuch', 
that  I  was  several  times  moved  to  speak  in  the  dreadful  power  of  the 
Lord  to  him ;  yet  it  was  become  so  customary  to  him,  he  would  pres- 
ently laugh  at  any  thing  he  saw.  But  I  still  admonished  him  to  come  to 
sobriety,  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  sincerity.  We  lay  at  an  inn  that 
night ;  and  the  next  morning  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  him  again,  when 
he  parted  from  us.  Next  time  I  saw  him,  he  told  me,  When  I  spoke  to 
him  at  parting,  the  power  of  the  Lord  so  struck  him,  that  before  he  got 
home  he  was  serious  enough,  and  had  left  his  lau^hins;.  He  afterwards 
was  convinced,  and  became  a  serious  good  man,  and  died  in  the  truth. 

Parting  from  him,  we  went  to  Honiton ;  and  at  our  inn  inquired.  What 
people  were  in  the  town  that  feared  God,  and  sent  for  them.  There 
came  to  us  some  of  the  particular  Baptists,  with  whom  we  had  a  great 
deal  of  reasoning.  I  told  them,  '  They  held  their  doctrine  of  particular 
'  election  in  Esau's,  Cain's,  and  Ishmael's  nature ;  not  in  Jacob,  the  second 
'  birth:  but  they  must  be  born  again  before  they  could  enter  the  kingdom 

*  of  God.    And  that  as  the  promise  of  God  was  to  the  Seed,  not  as  many, 

*  but  as  one,  which  was  Christ ;  so  the  election  and  choice  stands  in 
'  Christ ;  and  they  must  be  such  as  walk  in  his  light,  arrace,  Spirit,  and 

*  truth. 

From  thence  we  passed  to  Topsham,  and  staid  over  first-day  ;  but  the 


1655]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  199 

inn-keeper  and  his  people  were  rude.  Next  morning  we  gave  forth  some 
queries  to  the  priests  and  professors :  whereupon  some  rude  professors 
came  to  our  inn ;  and,  had  we  not  gone  when  we  did,  they  had  stopped 
us.  I  wore  a  girdle,  which  through  forgetfulness  I  left  behind  me,  and 
afterwards  sent  to  the  inn-keeper  for ;  but  he  would  not  let  me  have  it 
again.  Afterwards,  when  he  was  troubled  in  his  mind  about  it,  he  burnt 
it,  lest  he  should  be  bewitched  by  it,  as  he  said ;  yet  when  he  had  burnt  it, 
he  was  more  troubled  than  before.  Some,  notwithstanding  the  rudeness 
of  the  place,  were  convinced,  and  a  meeting  was  afterwards  settled  in 
that  town,  which  hath  continued  ever  since. 

After  this  we  passed  to  Totnes,  a  dark  town.  We  lodged  there  at  an 
inn ;  and  that  night  Edward  Pyot  was  sick,  but  the  Lord's  power  healed 
him,  so  that  the  next  day  we  got  to  King's  Bridge,  and  at  our  inn  inquired 
for  the  sober  people  of  the  town.  They  directed  us  to  Nicholas  Tripe 
and  his  wife ;  and  we  went  to  their  house.  They  sent  for  the  priest, 
wdth  whom  we  had  some  discourse ;  but  he  being  confounded,  quickly 
left  us.  Nicholas  Tripe  and  his  vife  were  convinced ;  and  since  there  is 
a  good  meeting  of  friends  in  that  country.  In  the  evening  we  returned 
to  our  inn.     There  being  piany  people  drinking  in  the  house,  '  I  was 

*  moved  of  the  Lord  to  gc  amongst  them,  and  direct  them  to   the  light 

*  which  Christ  the  heav«ily  man  had  enlightened  them  withal ;  by  which 

*  they  might  see  all  their  evil  ways,  words,  and  deeds,  and  by  the  same 

*  light  they  might  e^o  see  Christ  Jesus  their  Saviour.'  The  inn-keeper 
stood  uneasy,  seeing  it  hindered  his  guests  from  drinking ;  and  as  soon  as 
the  last  words  ^vere  out  of  my  mouth,  he  snatched  up  the  candle,  and 
said,  '  Come,  Aere  is  a  light  for  you  to  go  into  your  chamber.'  Next 
morning,  wAen  he  was  cool,  I  represented  to  him,  'What  an  uncivil  thing 

*  it  was  foi'  him  so  to  do ;'  then  warning  him  of  the  day  of  the  Lord,  we 
got  reaf^y  and  passed  away. 

We  came  next  day  to  Plymouth,  refreshed  ourselves  at  our  inn,  and 
went  to  Robert  Cary's,  where  we  had  a  very  precious  meeting.  At  this 
meeting  was  Elizabeth  Trelawny,  daughter  to  a  baronet.  She  being 
somewhat  thick  of  hearing,  came  close  up  to  me,  and  clapped  her  ear 
very  nigh  me,  while  I  spake ;  and  she  was  convinced.  After  this  meet- 
ing came  in  some  jangling  Baptists ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over ' 
them,  and  Elizabeth  Trelawny  gave  testimony  thereto.  A  fine  meeting 
was  settled  there  in  the  Lord's  power,  which  hath  continued  ever  since ; 
where  many  faithful  friends  have  been  convinced. 

From  thence  we  passed  into  Cornwall,  and  came  to  an  inn  in  the 
parish  of  Menhenniot.  At  night  we  had  a  meeting  at  Edward  Han- 
cock's, to  which  came  Thomas  Mounce  and  a  priest,  with  a  great  deal 
of  people.  We  brought  the  priest  to  confess.  That  he  was  a  minister 
made  by  the  state,  and  maintained  by  the  state ;  and  he  was  confounded 
and  went  his  way :  but  many  of  the  people  staid.  I  directed  them  to 
the  '  light  of  Christ,  by  which  they  might  see  their  sins,  and  their  Saviour 

*  Christ  Jesus,  the  way  to  God,  their  Mediator  to  make  peace  betwixt 

*  God  and  them ;  their  Shepherd  to  feed  them,  and  their  Prophet  to  teach 
'  them.     I  directed  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  by  which 

*  they  might  know  the  scriptures,  and  be  led  into  all  truth ;  and  by  the 

*  Spirit  might  know  God,  and  in  it  have  unity  one  with  another.'  Many 
were  convinced  at  that  time,  and  came  under  Christ's  teaching ;  and 
there  are  fine  gatherings  in  the  name  of  Jesus  in  those  parts  at  this  day. 

We  travelled  from  thence  through  Penryn,  and  came  to  Helston ;  but 


200  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [165* 

could  not  get  to  the  knowledge  of  any  sober  people,  through  the  badness 
of  the  inn-keepers.  At  length  we  came  to  a  village,  where  some  Baptists 
and  sober  people  lived,  with  M^hom  we  had  discourse.  Some  of  them 
were  brought  to  confess,  that  they  stumbled  at  the  light  of  Christ.  They 
would  have  had  us  to  have  staid  with  them ;  but  we  passed  thence  to 
Market-Jew ;  and  having  taken  up  our  lodging  at  an  inn,  we  sent  over 
night  to  inquire  for  such  as  feared  the  Lord.  Next  morning  the  mayor 
and  aldermen  gathered  together,  with  the  high-sheriff  of  the  county ; 
and  sent  the  constables  to  bid  us  come  before  them.  We  asked  them  for 
their  warrant;  and  they  saying  they  had  none,  we  told  them,  we  should 
not  go  along  with  them  without  a  warrant.  Upon  the  return  of  the  con- 
stables without  us,  they  sent  their  sergeants,  and  we  asked  them  for  their 
warrant.  They  said,  they  had  none ;  but  told  us,  the  mayor  and  alder- 
men staid  for  us.  We  told  them,  the  mayor  and  his  company  did  not 
well  to  trouble  us  in  our  inn ;  and  we  should  not  go  with  them  without  a 
warrant.  So  they  went  away,  and  came  again ;  and  when  we  asked 
them  for  their  warrant,  one  of  them  p\ucked  his  mace  from  under  his 
cloak.  We  asked  them.  Whether  it  was;  their  custom  to  molest  and 
trouble  strangers  in  their  inns  and  lodgings?  After  some  time  Edward 
Pyot  went  to  the  mayor  and  aldermen,  and  a  ^reat  deal  of  discourse  he 
had  with  them ;  but  the  Lord's  power  gave  him  dominion  over  them  all. 
When  he  returned,  several  of  the  officers  came  t^  us ;  and  we  laid  be- 
fore them  the  incivility  and  unworthiness  of  their  carriage  towards  usy 
the  servants  of  the  Lord  God,  thus  to  stop  and  trouble  cs  in  our  inns  and 
lodgings ;  and  what  an  unchristian  act  it  was.  Before  wq  left  the  town^ 
I  wrote  a  little  paper,  to  be  sent  to  the  seven  parishes  at  the.  Land's  End. 

'  The  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  is  come,  and  coming,  whereih  all  hearts 

*  shall  be  made  manifest,  and  the  secrets  of  every  one's  heart  shall  be 
'  revealed  by  the  hght  of  Jesus,  who  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into 

*  the  world,  that  all  men  through  him  might  believe,  and  that  the  world 
'  might  have  hfe  through  him,  who  saith,  "  Learn  of  me ;"  and  of  whom 

*  God  saith,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him."  Christ  is  come  to 
'  teach  his  people  himself;  and  every  one  that  will  not  hear  this  Prophet, 

. '  which  God  hath  raised  up,  and  which  Moses  spake  of,  when  he  said, 
"Like  unto  me  will  God  raise  you  up  a  Prophet,  him  shall  you  hear :"  every 

*  one,  I  say  that  will  not  hear  this  prophet,  is  to  be  cut  off.     They  that 

*  despised  Moses's  law,  died  under  the  hand  of  two  or  three  witnesses ; 
'  but  how  much  greater  punishment  will  come  upon  them  that  neglect 

*  this  great  salvation,  Christ  Jesus,  who  saith,  "  Learn  of  me,  I  am  the 
"  way^  the  truth,  and  the  life ;"  who  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into 
'  the  world ;  and  by  his  light  lets  him  see  his  evil  ways  and  evil  deeds.  But 
'  if  you  hate  that  light,  and  go  on  in  evil,  this  light  will  be  your  con- 
'  demner.  Therefore,  now  ye  have  time,  prize  it :  for  this  is  the  day  of 
'  your  visitation,  and  salvation  offered  to  you.  Every  one  of  you  hath 
'  a  light  from  Christ ;  which  lets  you  see  you  should  not  lie,  nor  do  wrong 

*  to  any,  nor  swear,  nor  curse,  nor  take  God's  name  in  vain,  nor  steal. 

*  It  is  the  light  that  shews  you  these  evil  deeds  :  which  if  you  love,  and 
'  come  unto  it,  and  follow  it,  it  will  lead  you  to  Christ,  who  is  the  way  to 
'  the  Father,  from  whom  it  comes ;  where  no  unrighteousness  enters,  nor 

*  ungodliness.     If  you  hate  this  light,  it  will  be  your  condemnation ;  but 

*  if  you  love  it,  and  come  to  it,  you  will  come  to  Christ ;  and  it  will 
'  bring  you  off  from  all  the  world's  teachers  and  ways,  to  learn  of  Christ, 


M65]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  201 

*  and  will  preserve  you  from  the  evils  of  the  world,  and  all  the  deceivers 

*  in  it.  G.  F.' 

This  paper  a  friend,  then  with  me,  had ;  and  when  we  were  gone 
three  or  four  miles  from  Market-Jew  towards  the  west,  he  meeting  with 
a  man  upon  the  road,  gave  him  a  copy  of  the  paper.  This  man  proved 
to  be  a  servant  to  Peter  Ceely,  a  major  in  the  army,  and  a  justice  of 
peace  in  that  county ;  and  riding  before  us  to  a  place  called  St.  Ives, 
shewed  the  paper  to  his  master.  When  we  came  to  Ives,  Edward 
Pyot's  horse  having  cast  a  shoe,  we  staid  to  have  a  shoe  set ;  and  while 
he  was  getting  his  horse  shod,  I  walked  to  the  sea-side.  When  I  came 
back  I  found  the  town  in  an  uproar.  They  were  haling  Edward  Pyot 
and  the  other  friend  before  major  Ceely.  I  followed  them  into  the  justice's 
house,  though  they  did  not  lay  hands  upon  me.  When  we  came  in,  the 
house  was  full  of  rude  people  ;  whereupon  I  asked,  Whether  there  were 
not  an  officer  among  them,  to  keep  the  people  civil  ?  Major  Ceely  said, 
he  was  a  magistrate.     I  told  him,  '  He  should  shew   forth  gravity  and 

*  sobriety  then,  and  use  his  authority  to  keep  the  people  civil ;  for  I  never 

*  saw  any  people  ruder :  the  Indians  were  more  like  Christians  than 
<  they.'  After  awhile  they  brought  the  paper  and  asked,  Whether  I 
would  own  it  1  I  said.  Yes.  Then  he  tendered  the  oath  of  abjuration  to 
us :  whereupon  I  put  my  hand  in  my  pocket,  and  produced  the  answer 
to  it,  which  had  been  given  to  the  protector.  After  I  had  given  him 
that,  he  examined  us  severally,  one  by  one.  He  had  with  him  a  silly, 
young  priest,  who  asked  us  many  frivolous  questions ;  amongst  the  rest, 
he  desired  to  cut  my  hair,  which  then  was  pretty  long;  but  I  was  not  to 
cut  it,  though  many  were  offended  at  it.  I  told  them,  '  I  had  no  pride 
'  in  it ;  and  it  was  not  of  my  own  putting  on.'  At  length  the  justice 
put  us  under  a  guard  of  soldiers,  who  were  hard  and  wild,  like  the  jus- 
tice himself:    nevertheless  we  '  warned  the  people  of  the  day  of  the 

*  Lord,  and  declared  the  truth  to  them.'  The  next  day  he  sent  us  guard- 
ed by  a  party  of  horse,  with  swords  and  pistols,  who  took  us  to  Redruth. 
On  first-day  the  soldiers  would  have  carried  us  away;  but  we  told  them, 
It  was  their  sabbath,  and  it  was  not  usual  to  travel  on  that  day.  Seve- 
ral of  the  town's  people  gathered  about  us ;  and  whilst  I  held  the  sol- 
diers in  discourse,  Edward  Pyot  spoke  to  the  people ;  and  afterwards 
Edward  Pyot  held  the  soldiers  in  discourse  whilst  I  spoke  to  the  people. 
In  the  mean  time  the  other  friend  got  out  backwards,  and  went  to  the 
steeple-house  to  speak  to  the  priest  and  people.  The  people  were  exceeding 
desperate,  in  a  mighty  rage  against  him,  and  abused  him.  The  soldiers 
also  missing  him,  were  in  a  great  rage,  and  seemed  ready  to  kill  us ; 
but  I  declared  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and  the  word  of  eternal  life  to  the 
people.  In  the  afternoon  the  soldiers  were  resolved  to  have  us  away ; 
so  we  took  horse.  When  we  had  rid  to  the  town's  end,  I  was  moved  of 
the  Lord  to  go  back  again,  to  speak  to  the  old  man  of  the  house.  The 
soldiers  drew  out  their  pistols,  and  swore  I  should  not  go  back.  I 
heeded  them  not ;  but  rode  back,  and  they  rode  after  me.  So  I  cleared 
myself  to  the  old  man  and  the  people ;  and  then  returned  with  them,  and 
reproved  them  for  being  so  rude  and  violent. 

At  night  we  were  brought  to  a  town  then  called  Smethick,  but  since 
Falmouth.  It  being  the  evening  of  the  first-day,  there  came  into  our  inn 
the  chief  constable  of  the  place,  and  many  sober  people ;  some  of  whom 
began  to  inquire  concerning  us.     We  told  them,  We  were  prisoners  for 

2  A 


202  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

truth's  sake  ;  and  a  great  deal  of  discourse  we  had  with  them  concern- 
ing the  things  of  God.  They  were  very  sober,  and  very  loving  to  us. 
Some  of  them  were  convinced,  and  stood  faithful  ever  after. 

When  the  constable  and  these  people  were  gone,  others  came  in,  who 
also  were  very  civil,  and  went  away  very  loving.  When  all  were 
gone,  we  went  to  our  chamber  to  go  to  bed ;  and  about  the  eleventh 
hour  Edward  Pyot  said,  *  I  will  shut  the  door,  it  may  be  some  may  come 
*  to  do  us  a  mischief.'  Afterwards  we  understood  captain  Keat,  who 
commanded  the  party,  purposed  to  have  done  us  some  injury  that  night; 
but  the  door  being  bolted,  he  missed  his  design.  Next  morning  captain 
Keat  brought  a  kinsman  of  his,  a  rude,  wicked  man,  and  put  him  into 
the  room ;  himself  standing  without.  This  evil-minded  man  walked 
huffing  up  and  dov.'n  the  room ;  I  bid  him  fear  the  Lord.  Whereupon 
he  ran  upon  me,  struck  me  with  both  his  hands  ;  and,  clapping  his  leg 
behind  me,  would  have  thrown  me  down,  if  he  could ;  but  he  was  not 
able,  for  I  stood  stiff  and  still,  and  let  him  strike.  As  I  looked  towards  the 
door,  I  saw  captain  Keat  look  on,  and  see  his  kinsman  thus  beat  and  abuse 
me.  Whereupon  I  said  to  him, '  Keat,  dost  thou  allow  this  V  He  said  he  did. 
'  Is  this  manly  or  civil,'  said  I, '  to  have  us  under  a  guard,  and  put  a  man 
'  to  abuse  and  beat  us  ?  Is  this  manly,  civil,  or  christian  V  I  desired  one 
of  our  friends  to  send  for  the  constables,  and  they  came.  Then  I  de- 
sired the  captain  to  let  the  constables  see  his  warrant  or  order,  by 
which  he  was  to  carry  us ;  which  he  did ;  and  his  warrant  was  to  con- 
duct us  safe  to  captain  Fox,  governor  of  Pendennis  castle ;  and  if  the 
governor  should  not  be  at  home,  he  was  to  convey  us  to  Lanceston  gaol. 
I  told  him,  He  had  broken  his  order  concerning  us ;  for  we,  who  were 
his  prisoners,  were  to  be  safely  conducted ;  but  he  had  brought  a  man 
to  beat  and  abuse  us :  so  he  having  broken  his  order,  I  wished  the  con- 
stable to  keep  the  warrant.  Accordingly  he  did,  and  told  the  soldiers. 
They  might  go  their  ways,  for  he  would  take  charge  of  the  prisoners ;  and 
if  it  cost  twenty  shillings  in  charges  to  carry  us  up,  they  should  not  have 
the  warrant  again,  I  shewed  the  soldiers  the  baseness  of  their  carriage 
towards  us ;  and  they  walked  up  and  down  the  house,  pitifully  blank  and 
down.  The  constables  went  to  the  castle,  and  told  the  officers  what 
they  had  done.  The  officers  shewed  great  dislike  of  captain  Keat's 
base  carriage  towards  us ;  and  told  the  constables,  major-general  Des- 
borough  was  coming  to  Bodmin,  and  that  we  should  meet  him ;  and  it 
was  likely  he  would  free  us.  Mean-while  our  old  guard  of  soldiers 
came  by  way  of  entreaty  to  us,  and  promised  they  would  be  civil  to  us, 
if  we  would  go  with  them.  Thus  the  morning  was  spent  till  about  the 
eleventh  hour;  and  then,  upon  the  soldiers'  entreaty,  and  promise  to  be 
more  civil,  the  constables  gave  them  the  order  again ;  and  we  went 
with  them.  Great  was  the  civility  and  courtesy  of  the  constables  and 
people  of  that  town  towards  us,  who  kindly  entertained  us ;  and  the 
Lord  rewarded  them  with  his  truth ;  for  many  of  them  have  since  been 
convinced  thereof,  and  are  gathered  into  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  sit  under 
Christ,  their  Teacher  and  Saviour. 

Captain  Keat  who  commanded  our  guard,  understanding  that  captain 
Fox,  who  was  governor  of  Pendennis  castle,  was  gone  to  meet  major- 
general  Desborough,  did  not  carry  us  thither ;  but  took  us  directly  to 
Bodmin,  in  the  way  to  Lanceston.  We  met  major-general  Desborough 
on  the  way.  The  captain  of  his  troop,  that  rode  before  him,  knew 
me,  and  said,  'Oh,  Mr.  Fox,  what  do  you  here?'    I  replied,  'I  am  a 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  203 

•  prisoner.'  '  Alack,'  said  he,  '  for  what?'  I  told  him,  '  I  was  taken  up  as 
'  I  was  travelling.'     '  Then,'  said  he,  '  I  will  speak  to  my  lord,  and  he 

*  will  set  you  at  liberty.'  So  he  came  from  the  head  of  his  troop,  and 
rode  up  to  the  coach,  and  spoke  to  the  major-general  We  also  gave 
him  an  account  how  we  were  taken.  He  began  to  speak  against  the 
light  of  Christ ;  against  which  I  exhorted  him.  Then  he  told  the  sol- 
diers. They  might  carry  us  to  Lanceston ;  for  he  could  not  stay  to  talk 
v^'ith  us,  lest  his  horses  should  take  cold. 

To  Bodmin  we  were  had  that  night ;  and  when  we  came  to  our  inn, 
captain  Keat,  who  was  in  before  us,  put  me  into  a  room,  and  went  his 
way.  When  I  was  come  in,  there  stood  a  man  with  a  naked  rapier  in 
his  hand.  Whereupon  I  turned  out  again,  called  for  captain  Keat,  and 
said,  '  What  now,  Keat,  what  trick  hast  thou  played  now,  to  put  me 
'  into  a  room  where  there  is  a  man  with  his  naked  rapier  1  What  is  thy 
'  end  in  this  V  '  Oh,'  said  he,  '  pray  hold  your  tongue ;  for  if  you  speak 
'  to  this  man,  we  cannot  all  rule  him,  he  is  so  devilish.'  '  Then,'  said  I, 
'  dost  thou  put  me  into  a  room  where  there  is  such  a  man  with  a  naked 
'  rapier,  that  thou  say'st.  You  cannot  all  rule  him  ?  What  an  unworthy, 
'  base  trick  is  this  1  and  to  put  me  single  into  this  room  from  the  rest 
'  of  my  friends,  that  were  fellow-prisoners  with  me?'  Thus  his  plot  was 
discovered,  and  the  mischief  they  intended  was  prevented.  Afterward 
we  got  another  room,  where  we  were  together  all  night ;  and  in  the 
evening  we  declared  the  truth  to  the  people :  but  they  were  dark  and 
hardened.  The  soldiers,  notwithstanding  their  fair  promises,  were  very 
rude  and  wicked  to  us  again,  and  sat  up  drinking  and  roaring  all  night. 

Next  day  we  were  brought  to  Lanceston,  where  captain  Keat  deliv- 
ered us  to  the  gaoler.  Now  was  there  no  friend,  nor  friendly  people 
near  us ;  and  the  people  of  the  town  were  a  dark,  hardened  people.  The 
gaoler  required  us  to  pay  seven  shillings  a  week  for  our  horse-meat,  and 
seven  shillings  a  week  for  our  diet  apiece.  After  some  time  several 
sober  persons  came  to  see  us,  and  some  of  the  town  were  convinced ; 
and  many  friendly  people  out  of  several  parts  of  the  country  came  to 
visit  us,  and  were  convinced.  Then  got  up  a  great  rage  among  the 
professors  and  priests  against  us.  They  said,  This  people  Thou  and 
Thee  all  men  without  respect,  and  will  not  put  off  their  hats,  nor  bow 
the  knee  to  any  man ;  but  we  shall  see  when  the  assize  comes,  whether 
they  will  dare  to  Thou  and  Thee  the  judge,  and  keep  on  their  hats  be- 
fore him.  They  expected  we  should  be  hanged  at  the  assize.  But  all 
this  was  little  to  us ;  for  we  saw  how  God  would  stain  the  world's  hon- 
our and  glory ;  and  were  commanded  not  to  seek  that  honour,  nor  give 
it ;  but  knew  the  honour  that  cometh  from  God  only,  and  sought  that. 

It  was  nine  weeks  from  the  time  of  our  commitment  to  the  assizes,  to 
which  abundance  of  people  came  from  far  and  near  to  hear  the  trial  of 
the  Quakers.  Captain  Bradden  lay  with  his  troop  of  horse  there,  whose 
soldiers  and  the  sheriff's  men  guarded  us  to  the  court  through  the  multi- 
tude that  filled  the  streets ;  and  much  ado  they  had  to  get  us  through. 
Besides,  the  doors  and  windows  were  filled  with  people  looking  upon  us. 
When  we  were  brought  info  the  court,  we  stood  a  pretty  while  with 
our  hats  on,  and  all  was  quiet ;  and  I  was  moved  to  say,  '  Peace  be 
'  amongst  you?'  Judge  Glyn,  a  Welshman,  then  chief  justice  of  England, 
said  to  the  gaoler,  '  What  be  these  you  have  brought  here  into  the  court  ?' 
'  Prisoners,  my  lord,'  said  he.  '  Why  do  you  not  put  off  your  hats  ? '  said 
the  judge  to  us.     We  said  nothing.     '  Put  off  your  hats,'  said  the  judge 


204  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

again.     Still  we  said  nothing.     Then  said  the  judge,  '  The  court  com- 

*  mands  you  to  put  off  your  hats.'    Then  I  queried,  '  Where  did  ever  any 

*  magistrate,  king,  or  judge,  from  Moses  to  Daniel,  command  any  to  put 

*  off  their  hats,  when  they  came  before  them  in  their  courts,  either 
'amongst  the  Jews  (the  people  of  God)  or  amongst  the  heathen?  And  if 

*  the  law  of  England  doth  command  any  such  thing,  shew  me  that  law 

*  either  written  or  printed.'     The  judge  grew  very  angry,  and  said, '  I  do 

*  not  carry  my  law-books  on  my  back.'     '  But,'  said  I,  '  tell  me  where  it 

*  is  printed  in  any  statute-book,  that  I  may  read  it.'    Then  said  the  judge, 

*  Take  him  away,  prevaricator !  I'll  ferk  him.'  So  they  took  us  away, 
and  put  us  among  the  thieves.  Presently  after  he  called  to  the  gaoler, 
'  Bring  them  up  again  !  Come,'  said  he,  '  where  had  they  hats  from  Moses 

*  to  Daniel  ?  Come,  answer  me ;  I  have  you  fast  now.'     I  replied,  '  Thou 

*  mayest  read  in  the  third  of  Daniel,  that  the  three  children  were  cast 

*  into  the  fiery  furnace  by  Nebuchadnezzar's  command,  with  their  coats, 
'  their  hose,  and  their  hats  on.'  This  plain  instance  stopped  him ;  so  that 
not  having  any  thing  else  to  the  point,  he  cried  again,  '  Take  them  away, 
'  gaoler.'  Accordingly  we  were  taken  away,  and  thrust  in  among  the 
thieves ;  where  we  were  kept  a  great  while ;  and  then,  without  being 
called  again,  the  sherifi:''s  men  and  the  troopers  made  way  for  us  to  get 
through  the  crowd,  and  guarded  us  to  prison  again,  a  multitude  of  people 
following  us,  with  whom  we  had  much  discourse  and  reasoning  at  the 
gaol.  We  had  some  good  books  to  set  forth  our  principles,  and  to  in- 
form people  of  the  truth;  which  the  judge  and  justices  hearing  of,  they 
sent  captain  Bradden  for  them,  who  came  and  violently  took  our  books 
from  us,  some  out  of  Edward  Pyot's  hands,  and  carried  them  away ;  so 
we  never  got  them  again. 

In  the  afternoon  we  were  had  up  again  into  the  chamber  by  the  gaoler, 
sherifi^'s  men,  and  troopers ;  who  had  a  mighty  toil  to  get  us  through  the 
crowd  of  people.  When  we  were  in  the  court,  waiting  to  be  called,  ob- 
serving the  jurymen,  and  such  a  multitude  of  others  swearing,  it  grieved 
my  life  to  see,  that  such  as  professed  Christianity  should  so  openly  dis- 
obey and  break  the  command  of  Christ  and  the  apostle.  And  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  give  forth  a  paper  against  swearing,  which  I  had 
about  me,  to  the  grand  and  petty  juries. 

Concerning  Swearing. 

*  Take  heed  of  giving  people  oaths  to  swear :  for  Christ  our  Lord  and 
'Master  saith,  "Swear  not  at  all;  but  let  your  communication  be  yea, 
"  yea,  and  nay,  nay :  for  whatsoever  is  more  than  these  cometh  of  evil." 

*  If  any  was  to  suffer  death,  it  must  be  by  the  hand  of  two  or  three  wit- 
'  nesses ;  and  the  hands  of  the  witnesses  were  to  be  first  upon  him  to  put 
'  him  to  death.  The  apostle  James  saith,  "  My  brethren,  above  all  things 
*'  swear  not,  neither  by  heaven,  nor  by  earth,  nor  by  any  other  oath,  lest 
"  ye  fall  into  condemnation."  Hence  ye  may  see  those  that  swear  fall 
'  into  condemnation,  and  are  out  of  Christ's  and  the  apostle's  doctrine. 
'Every  one  of  you  have  a  light  from  Christ,  who  saith,  "  I  am  the  light 
"  of  the  world,"  and  doth  enlighten  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world. 
'  He  saith,  "  Learn  of  me,"  whose  doctrine,  and  that  of  the  apostle,  is 
'  not  to  swear ;  but  "  Let  your  yea  be  yea,  and  your  nay  be  nay,  in  all 
"  your  communication ;  for  whatsoever  is  more  cometh  of  evil :"  they 
'that  go  into  more  than  yea  and  nay  go  into  evil,  and  are  out  of  the  doc- 

*  trine  of  Christ.     If  you  say,  "  That  the  oath  was  the  end  of  controversy 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  205 

«  and  strife ;"  those  who  are  in  strife  are  out  of  Christ's  doctrine ;  for  he 
'  is  the  covenant  of  peace,  and  who  are  in  that,  are  in  tiie  covenant  of 
'peace.     The  apostle  brings  that  but  as  an  example:  as  men  swearing 

*  by  the  greater,  and  the  oath  was  the  end  of  controversy  and   strife 

<  among  men ;  saying,  Verily,  men  swear  by  the  greater :  but  God  hav- 

<  ing  no  greater  swears  by  himself  concerning  Christ ;  who,  when  he 
'  was  come,  taught  not  to  swear  at  all.  So  those  who  are  in  him,  and 
'  follow  him,  cannot  but  abide  in  his  doctrine.  If  you  say,  "  They  swore 
<'  under  the  law,  and  under  the  prophets ;"  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law, 
'  and  of  the  prophets,  to  every  one  that  believeth  for  righteousness'  sake. 
'  Now  mark,  If  you  believe  '*  I  am  the  light  of  the  world,  wdiich  enlight- 
"  eneth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,"  saith  Christ,  by  whom  it 

*  was  made;  now  every  man  of  you  that  is  come  into  the  world  is  en- 
'  lightened  with  a  light  that  comes  from  Christ,  by  w^hich  the  world  was 
'  made,  that  all  of  3^ou  through  him  might  believe,  that  is  the  end  for 
'  wdiich  he  doth  enlighten  you.  Now  if  you  do  believe  in  the  light,  as 
'  Christ  commands,  "  Believe  in  the  light,  that  you  may  be  children  of 
"  light ;"  you  believe  in  Christ,  and  learn   of   him,  who  is  the  way  to 

*  the  Father.     This  is  the  light  which  shews  the  evil  actions  you  have  al! 

*  acted,  the  ungodly  deeds  you  have  committed,  the  ungodly  speeches 

*  you  have  spoken  ;  and  all  your  oaths,  cursed  speaking,  and  ungodly  ac- 

*  tions.  If  you  hearken  to  this  light,  it  will  let  you  see  all  that  you  have 
'  done  contrary  to  it ;  and  loving  it,  it  will  turn  you  from  your  evil  deeds, 
'  evil  ways,  and  evil  words,  to  Christ,  who  is  not  of  the  world ;  but  is  the 
'  light,  which  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  and  testifies 
'  against  the  world,  that  the  deeds  thereof  are  evil.  So  doth  the  light  in 
'  every  man,  received  from  him,  testify  against  all  evil  works,  that  they 
'  are  contrary  to  the  light ;  and  each  shall  give  an  account,  at  the  day  of 

*  judgment,  for  every  idle  word  that  is  spoken.  This  light  shall  bring 
'  every  tongue  to  confess,  yea  and  every  knee  to  bow,  at  the  name  of 
'  Jesus :  in  which  light,  if  you  believe,  you  shall  not  come  into  condem- 
'  nation,  but  to  Christ,  who  is  not  of  the  world,  to  him  by  whom  it  was 
'  made :  but  if  you  believe  not  in  the  light,  this  is  your  condemnation. 

'G.  F.' 

This  paper  passing  among  them,  from  the  jury  to  the  justices,  they 
presented  it  to  the  judge ;  so  when  we  were  called  before  the  judge,  he 
bid  the  clerk  give  me  that  paper,  and  then  asked  me,  Whether  that  sedi- 
tious paper  was  mine  ?  I  told  him,  '  If  they  would  read  it  up  in  open  court 
'  that  I  might  hear  it,  if  it  was  mine,  I  would  own  it,  and  stand  by  it.' 
He  would  have  had  me  to  have  taken  it,  and  looked  upon  it  in  my  own 
hand ;  but  I  again  desired,  '  That  it  might  be  read,  that  all  the  country 
'  might  hear  it,  and  judge  whether  there  was  any  sedition  in  it  or  no ;  for 
'if  there  was,  I  was  willing  to  suffer  for  it.'  At  last  the  clerk  of  the 
assize  read  it  with  an  audible  voice,  that  all  the  people  might  hear  it. 
When  he  had  done,  I  told  them,  '  It  was  my  paper.     I  would  own  it ; 

*  and  so  might  they  too,  except  they  would  deny  the  scripture :  for  was 
'not  this  scripture  language,  the  words  and  commands  of  Christ  and  the 
'apostle,  which  all  true  christians  ought  to  obey?'  Then  they  dropped 
that  subject;  and  the  judge  fell  upon  us  about  our  hats  again,  bidding  the 
gaoler  take  them  off;  which  he  did ;  and  giving  them  to  us,  we  put  them 
on  again.  We  asked  the  judge  and  justices,  '  What  we  had  lain  in  prison 
'  for  these  nine  weeks,  seeing  they  now  objected  nothing  to  us  but  about 


206  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  our  hats  V  And  as  for  putting  off  our  hats,  I  told  them, '  That  was  the 
'  honour  which  God  would  lay  in  the  dust,  though  they  made  so  much 
'  ado  about  it ;  the  honour  which  is  of  men,  and  which  men  seek  one  of 

*  another,  and  is  a  mark  of  unbelievers.     '  For  "  How  can  ye  believe," 

*  saith  Christ,  "  who  receive  honour  one  of  another,  and  seek  not  the 
"  honour  that  cometh  from  God  only  ?"  Christ  saith,  "  I  receive  not  hon- 
"  our  from  men ;"  and  all  true  christians  should  be  of  his  mind.'  Then 
the  judge  began  to  make  a  pompous  speech,  how  he  represented  the 
lord  Protector's  person,  who  made  him  lord  chief  justice  of  England, 
and  sent  him  to  come  that  circuit,  &;c.     '  We  desired  him  then,  that  he 

*  would  do  us  justice  for  our  false  imprisonment  which  we  had  sufiered 

*  nine  weeks  wrongfully.'  But  instead  of  that,  they  brought  an  indict- 
ment framed  against  us;  so  full  of  lies,  that  I  thought  it  had  been  against 
some  of  the  thieves.  "  That  we  came  by  force  and  arms,  and  in  a  hos- 
"  tile  manner  into  the  court;"  who  were  brought  as  aforesaid.  I  told 
them,  'It  was  all  false;  and  still  we  cried  for  justice  for  our  false  im- 

*  prisonment,  being  taken  up  in  our  journey  without  cause  by  major 

*  Ceely.'  Then  Peter  Ceely  said  to  the  judge,  '  May  it  please  you,  my 
'  lord,  this  man  (pointing  to  me)  went  aside  with  me,  and  told  me  how 

*  serviceable  I  might  be  for  his  design ;  that  he  could  raise  forty  thou- 

*  sand  men  at  an  hour's  warning,  involve  the  nation  in  blood,  and  so  bring 
'  in  king  Charles.  I  would  have  aided  him  out  of  the  country,  but  he 
'  would  not  go.  If  it  please  you,  my  lord,  I  have  a  witness  to  swear  it.' 
So  he  called  upon  his  witness ;  but  the  judge  not  being  forward  to  ex- 
amine the  witness,  I  desired,  '  That  he  would  be  pleased  to  let  my  mit- 

*  timus  be  read  in  the  face  of  the  court  and  country,  in  which  my  crime 
'  was  signified  for  which  I  was  sent  to  prison.'  The  judge  said,  It  should 
not  be  read.    I  said,  '  It  ought  to  be,  seeing  it  concerned  my  liberty  and 

*  my  life.'  The  judge  said  again.  It  shall  not  be  read.  I  said,  '  It  ought 
'  to  be  read ;  for  if  I  have  done  any  thing  worthy  of  death,  or  of  bonds, 
'  let  all  the  country  know  it.'  Then  seeing  they  would  not  read  it,  I 
spoke  to  one  of  my  fellow-prisoners, '  Thou  hast  a  copy  of  it,  read  it  up, 

*  said  I.'  It  shall  not  be  read,  said  the  judge ;  gaoler,  take  him  away. 
I'll  see  whether  he  or  I  shall  be  master.  So  I  was  taken  away,  and 
awhile  after  called  for  again.  I  still  called  to  have  the  mittimus  read ; 
for  that  signified  the  cause  of  my  commitment.  I  again  spoke  to  the 
friend,  my  fellow-prisoner,  to  read  it  up;  which  he  did,  and  the  judge, 
justices,  and  the  whole  court  were  silent ;  for  the  people  were  eager  to 
hear  it.     It  was  as  followeth : 

'  Peter  Ceely,  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  this  county,  to  the 
'  keeper  of  his  highness's  gaol  at  Lanceston,  or  his  lawful  deputy  in 
*that  behalf,  greeting : 

'  I  SEND  you  here  withal  by  the  bearers  hereof,  the  bodies  of  Edward 
'  Pyot,  of  Bristol,  and  George  Fox,  of  Drayton  in  the  Clay,  in  Leices- 

*  tershire,  and  William  Salt,  of  London,  which  they  pretend  to  be  the 
'  places  of  their  habitations,  who  go  under  the  notion  of  Quakers,  and 
'  acknowledge  themselves  to  be  such ;  who  have  spread  several  papers 
'  tending  to  the  disturbance  of  the  publick  peace,  and  cannot  render 

*  any  lawful  cause  of  coming  into  those  parts,  being  persons  altogether 
'  unknown,  having  no  pass  for  travelling  up  and  down  the  country,  and 
'  refusing  to  give  sureties  for  their  good  behaviour,  according  to  the  law 
'  in  that  behalf  provided ;  and  refuse  to  take  the  oath  of  abjuration,  &c. 


1G55]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  207 

'  These  are  therefore,  in  the  name  of  his  highness  the  lord  Protector,  to 

*  will  and  command  you,  that  when  the  bodies  of  the  said  Edward  Pyot, 

*  George  Fox,  and  William  Salt,  shall  be  unto  you  brought,  you  them 
'  receive,  and  in  his  highness's  prison  aforesaid  you  safely  keep  them, 

*  until  by  due  course  of  law  they  shall  be  delivered.  Hereof  fail  you  not, 
'  as  you  will  answer  the  contrary  at  your  perils.  Given  under  my  hand 
'  and  seal,  at  St.  Ives,  the  18th  day  of  January,  1G55. 

'  P.  Ceely.' 
When  it  was  read  I  spoke  thus  to  the  judge  and  justices,  '  Thou  that 
'  sayest  thou  art  chief  justice  of  England,  and  you  justices,  know  that, 
'  if  I  had  put  in  sui'eties,  I  might  have  gone  whither  I  pleased,  and  have 
'  carried  on  the  design  (if  I  had  had  one)  which  major  Ceely  hath 
'  charged  me  with.  And  if  I  had  spoken  those  words  to  him,  which  he 
'  hath  here  declared,  judge  ye  whether  bail  or  mainprize  could  have 
'  been  taken  in  that  case.'  Then,  turning  my  speech  to  major  Ceely,  I 
said,  '  When  or  where  did  I  take  thee  aside  1  Was  not  thy  house  full  of 

*  rude  people,  and  thou  as  rude  as  any  of  them,  at  our  examination ;  so 

*  that  1  asked  for  a  constable  or  some  other  otficer  to  keep  the  people 
'  civil  1  But  if  thou  art  my  accuser,  why  sittest  thou  on  the  bench  ?  It 
'  is  not  the  place  of  accusers  to  sit  with  the  judge.  Thou  oughtest  to 
'  come  down  and  stand  by  me,  and  look  me  in  the  face.  Besides,  I 
'  would  ask  the  judge  and  justices.  Whether  or  no  major  Ceely  is  not 
'  guilty  of  this  treason,  which  he  charges  against  me,  in  concealing  it  so 
'  long  as  he  hath  done  1  ■  Does  he  understand  his  place,  either  as  a  sol- 
'  dier  or  a  justice  of  the  peace  ?  For  he  tells  you  here,  "  That  I  went 
"  aside  with  him,  and  told  him  what  a  design  I  had  in  hand,  and  how 
"  serviceable  he  might  be  for  my  design  :  that  I  could  raise  forty  thou- 
"  sand  men  in  an  hour's  time,  bring  in  king  Charles,  and  involve  the  na- 
"  tion  in  blood."  He  saith  moreover,  "  He  would  have  aided  me  out 
"  of  the  country,  but  I  would  not  go ;  and  therefore  he  committed  me  to 
"  prison  for  want  of  sureties  for  the  good  behaviour,"  as  the  mittimus 
'  declares.  Now  do  you  not  see  plainly,  that  major  Ceely  is  guilty  of 
'  this  plot  and  treason  he  talks  of,  and  hath  made  himself  a  party  to  it. 
'  by  desiring  me  to  go  out  of  the  country,  demanding  bail  of  me,  and 
'  not  charging  me  with  this  pretended  treason  till  now,  nor  discovering 
'  it  ?  But  I  deny  and  abhor  his  words,  and  am  innocent  of  his  devilish 
'  design.'  So  that  business  was  let  fall ;  for  the  judge  saw  clear  enough, 
that  instead  of  ensnaring  me,  he  had  ensnared  himself. 

Major  Ceely  got  up  again,  and  said, '  If  it  please  you,  my  lord,  to  hear 
'  me  :  this  man  struck  me,  and  gave  me  such  a  blow  as  I  never  had  in 
'  my  life.'  At  this  I  smiled  in  my  heart,  and  said,  '  Major  Ceely,  art  thou 
'  a  justice  of  peace,  and  a  major  of  a  troop  of  horse,  and  tellest  the 
'judge  in  the  face  of  the  court  and  country,  that  I,  a  prisoner,  struck 
'  thee,  and  gave  thee  such  a  blow  as  thou  never  hadst  the  like  in  thy 
'  life  ?  What !  art  thou  not  ashamed  ?  Prithee,  major  Ceely,  said  I,  where 
'  did  I  strike  thee?  and  who  is  thy  witness  for  that?  who  was  by?'  He 
said.  It  was  in  the  Castle-green,  and  captain  Bradden  was  standing  by 
w^hen  I  struck  him.  '  I  desired  the  judge  to  let  him  produce  his  witness 
'  for  that ;  and  called  again  upon  major  Ceely  to  come  down  from  the 
'  bench,  teUing  him.  It  was  not  fit  the  accuser  should  sit  as  judge  over  the 
'  accused.'  When  I  called  again  for  his  witness,  he  said  captain  Brad- 
den was  his  witness.  Then  I  said,  '  Speak,  captain  Bradden,  didst  thou 
'  see  me  give  him  such  a  blow,  and  strike  him  as  he  saith  ?'  Captain 


208  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

Bradden  made  no  answer,  but  bowed  his  head  towards  me.     '  I  desired 

*  him  to  speak  up,  if  he  knew  any  such  thing :  but  he  only  bowed  his 

*  head  again.  Nay,  said  I,  speak  up,  and  let  the  court  and  country  hear; 
'  let  not  bowing  of  the  head  serve  the  turn.     If  I  have  done  so,  let  the 

*  law  be  inflicted  on  me ;  I  fear  not  sufTerings,  nor  death  itself,  for  I  am 

*  an  innocent  man  concerning  all  his  charge.'  But  captain  Bradden  never 
testified  to  it.  -The  judge,  hnding  those  snares  would  not  hold,  cried, 
Take  him  away,  gaoler;  and  when  we  were  taken  away,  he  fined  us 
twenty  marks  apiece  for  not  putting  ofl'our  hats ;  to  be  kept  in  pi'ison  till 
we  paid  it;  and  sent  us  back  to  the  gaol. 

At  night  captain  Bradden  came  to  see  us,  and  seven  or  eight  justices 
with  him  who  were  very  civil  to  us,  and  told  us,  They  believed,  neither 
the  judge  nor  any  in  the  court  gave  credit  to  those  charges  which  major 
Ceely  had  accused  me  of  in  the  face  of  the  country.  And  captain  Brad- 
den said.  Major  Ceely  had  an  intent  to  have  taken  away  my  life,  if  he 
could  have  got  another  witness.     '  But  said  I,  '  Captain  Bradden,  why 

*  didst  not  thou  witness  for  me,  or  against  me,  seeing  major  Ceely  pro- 

*  duced  thee  for  a  witness  that  thou  sawest  me  strike  him?  When  1  de- 

*  sired  thee  to  speak  either  for  me  or  against  me,  according  to  what  thou 

*  sawest  or  knewest,  thou  wouldst  not  speak.'  Why,  said  he,  when  major 
Ceely  and  I  came  by  you,  as  you  were  walking  in  the  Castle-green,  he 
put  off  his  hat  to  you,  and  said.  How  do  you,  Mr.  Fox?  your  servant, 
Sir.  Then  you  said  to  him.  Major  Ceely,  take  heed  of  hypocrisy  and 
of  a  rotten  heart;  for  w^hen  came  I  to  be  thy  master,  and  thou  my  ser- 
vant? Do  servants  use  to  cast  their  masters  into  prison?  This  was  the 
great  blow  he  meant  that  you  gave  him.  Then  I  called  to  mind  that 
they  walked  by  us,  and  that  he  spoke  so  to  me,  and  I  to  him ;  w-hich 
hypocrisy  and  rotten-heartedness  he  manifested  openly,  when  he  com- 
plained of  this  to  the  judge  in  open  court,  and  in  the  face  of  the  country ; 
whom  he  would  have  made  believe  that  I  struck  him  with  my  hand. 

Now  were  we  kept  in  prisoh,  and  divers  came  from  far  and  nigh  to 
see  us,  of  whom  some  were  people  of  account  in  the  world ;  for  the  re- 
port of  our  trial  was  spread  abroad,  and  our  boldness  and  innocency  in 
our  answers  to  the  judge  and  court  was  talked  of  in  the  town  and  coun- 
try. Among  others  Humphry  Lower  came  to  visit  us,  a  grave,  sober, 
ancient  man,  who  had  been  a  justice  of  peace,  and  was  very  sorry  we 
should  lie  in  prison ;  telling  us,  how  serviceable  we  should  be  if  we  were 
at  liberty.  We  reasoned  with  him  concerning  swearing :  and  having 
acquainted  him  they  tendered  the  oath  of  abjuration  to  us  as  a  snare,  be- 
cause they  knew  we  could  not  swear ;  and  shewed  him,  that  no  people 
could  be  serviceable  to  God  if  they  disobeyed  the  command  of  Christ ; 
and  that  they  that  imprisoned  us  for  the  hat-honour,  which  was  of  men, 
and  which  men  sought  for,  they  prisoned  the  good,  and  grieved  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  which  should  have  turned  their  minds  to  him. 
So  we  directed  him  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  his  heart,  the  light  of  Christ 
Jesus :  and  he  was  thoroughly  convinced,  and  continued  so  to  his  death, 
and  became  very  serviceable  to  us. 

There  came  also  to  see  us,  one  colonel  Rouse,  a  justice  of  peace,  and 
a  great  company  with  him.  He  was  full  of  words  and  talk,  as  ever  I 
heard  an}^  man  in  my  life,  so  that  without  intruding,  there  was  no  speak- 
ing to  him.     At  length  I  asked  him,  'Whether  he  had  ever  been  at 

*  school,  and  knew  what  belonged  to  questions  and  answers  ?'  (this  I  said 
to  stop  him.)     At  school !  said  he,  yes.     At  school !  said  the  soldiers ; 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  209 

Doth  he  say  so  to  our  colonel,  that  is  a  scholar  ?  Then  said  I,  '  If  he  be 
'  so,  let  him  be  still  and  receive  answers  to  what  he  hath  said.'  Then  I 
was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  the  word  of  life  to  him  in  God's  dread- 
ful power ;  which  came  so  over  him  that  he  could  not  open  his  mouth. 
His  face  swelled,  and  was  red  like  a  turkey-  His  lips  moved,  and  he 
mumbled  something ;  but  the  people  thought  he  would  have  fallen  down. 
I  stept  to  him ;  and  then  he  said,  He  was  never  so  in  his  life  before ;  for 
the  Lord's  power  stopped  the  evil  power  and  air  in  him,  so  that  he  was 
almost  choked.  The  man  was  ever  after  very  loving  to  friends,  but  not 
so  full  of  airy  words  to  us ;  though  he  was  full  of  pride :  but  the  Lord's 
power  came  over  him,  and  the  rest  that  were  with  him. 

Another  time  there  came  an  officer  of  the  army,  a  very  malicious, 
bitter  professor,  whom  I  had  known  in  London.  He  was  full  of  airy  talk 
also,  and  spoke  slightly  of  the  light  of  Christ,  and  against  the  truth,  as 
colonel  Rouse  had  done,  and  against  the  Spirit  of  God  being  in  men,  as 
it  was  in  the  apostles'  days,  till  the  power  of  God  thai  bound  the  evil  in 
him  had  almost  choked  him  also,  as  it  did  colonel  Rouse ;  for  he  was  so 
full  of  evil  air,  that  he  could  not  speak ;  but  blubbered  and  stuttered. 
From  that  time  that  the  Lord's  power  struck  him,  and  came  over  him, 
he  was  ever  after  more  loving  to  us. 

The  assizes  being  over,  and  we  settled  in  prison  upon  such  a  commit- 
ment that  we  were  not  likely  to  be  soon  released,  we  broke  off  from 
giving  the  gaoler  seven  shillings  a  week  apiece  for  our  horses,  and  seven 
shillings  a  week  for  ourselves,  and  sent  our  horses  into  the  country.  Upon 
which  he  grew  very  wicked  and  devilish,  and  put  us  down  into  Dooms- 
dale,  a  nasty,  stinking  place,  where  they  used  to  put  murderers  after  they 
were  condemned.  The  place  was  so  noisome,  that  it  was  observed  few 
that  went  in  did  ever  come  out  again  in  health.  There  was  no  house  of 
office  in  it ;  and  the  excrement  of  the  prisoners,  that  from  time  to  time 
had  been  put  there,  had  not  been  carried  out  (as  we  were  told)  for  many 
years.  So  that  it  was  all  like  mire,  and  in  some  places  to  the  top  of  the 
shoes  in  water  and  urine ;  and  he  would  not  let  us  cleanse  it,  nor  suffer 
us  to  have  beds  or  straw  to  lie  on.  At  night  some  friendly  people  of  the 
town  brought  us  a  candle  and  a  little  straw ;  and  we  went  to  burn  a  little 
of  our  straw  to  take  away  the  stink.  The  thieves  lay  over  our  heads, 
and  the  head-gaoler  in  a  room  by  them  over  our  heads  also.  It  seems 
the  smoke  went  up  into  the  room  where  the  gaoler  lay;  which, put  him 
into  such  a  rage  that  he  took  the  pots  of  excrement  from  the  thieves,  and 
poured  them  through  a  hole  upon  our  heads  in  Doomsdale,  till  we  were 
so  bespattered  that  we  could  not  touch  ourselves  nor  one  another.  And  the 
stink  increased  upon  us ;  so  that  what  with  stink,  and  what  with  smoke, 
we  had  like  to  have  been  choked  and  smothered.  We  had  the  stink  under 
our  feet  before,  now  we  had  it  on  our  heads  and  backs  also ;  and  he  having 
quenched  our  straw  with  the  lilth  he  poured  down,  had  made  a  great 
smother  in  the  place.  Moreover  he  railed  at  us  most  hideously,  calling 
us  hatchet-faced  dogs,  and  such  strange  names  as  we  had  never  heard 
of  In  this  manner  we  were  obliged  to  stand  all  night,  for  we  could  not 
sit  down,  the  place  was  so  full  of  filthy  excrement.  A  great  while  he 
kept  us  after  this  manner  before  he  would  let  us  cleanse  it,  or  suffer  us 
to  have  any  victuals  brought  in  but  what  we  got  through  the  grate.  One 
time  a  girl  brought  us  a  little  meat ;  and  he  arrested  her  for  breaking 
his  house,  and  sued  her  in  the  town-court  for  breaking  the  prison.  A 
great  deal  of  trouble  he  put  the  voung  woman  to ;  whereby  others  were 

2B 


210  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

SO  discouraged  that  we  had  much  ado  to  get  water,  drink,  or  victuals. 
jNcar  this  time  we  sent  for  a  young  woman,  Ann  Downer,  from  London, 
who  could  write  and  take  things  well  in  short-hand,  to  buy  and  dress  our 
meat  for  us;  which  she  was  very  willing  to  do,  it  being  also  upon  her 
spirit  to  come  to  us  in  the  love  of  God ;  and  she  was  very  serviceable 
to  us. 

The  head-gaoler,  we  were  informed,  had  been  a  thief,  and  was  burnt 
both  in  the  hand  and  in  the  shoulder :  his  wife  too  had  been  burnt  in  the 
hand.  The  under-gaoler  had  been  burnt  both  in  the  hand  and  in  the 
shoulder :  his  wife  had  been  burnt  in  the  hand  also.  Colonel  Bennet,  a 
Baptist-teacher,  having  purchased  the  gaol  and  lands  belonging  to  the 
castle,  had  placed  this  head-gaoler  there.  The  prisoners  and  some  wild 
people  would  be  talking  of  spirits  that  haunted  Doomsdale,  and  how  many 
had  died  in  it,  thinking  perhaps  to  terrify  us  therewith.  But  I  told  them, 
'  That  if  all  the  spirits  and  devils  in  hell  were  there,  I  was  over  them  in 

*  the  power  of  God,  and  feared  no  such  thing ;  for  Christ,  our  Priest, 
'  would  sanctify  the  walls  of  the  house  to  us,  he  who  bruised  the  head  of 

*  the  devil.'  The  priest  was  to  cleanse  the  plague  out  of  the  walls  of  the 
house  under  the  law,  which  Christ,  our  Priest,  ended ;  who  sanctifies  both 
inwardly  and  outwardly  the  walls  of  the  house,  the  walls  of  the  heart, 
and  all  things  to  his  people. 

By  this  time  the  general  quarter-sessions  drew  nigh ;  and  the  gaoler 
still  carrying  himself  basely  and  wickedly  towards  us,  we  drew  up  our 
suffering  case,  and  sent  it  to  the  sessions  at  Bodmin.  Upon  the  reading  of 
which  the  justices  gave  order,  '  That  Doomsdale-door  should  be  opened, 

*  and  that  we  should  have  liberty  to  cleanse  it,  and  to  buy  our  meat  in 

*  the  town.'  We  sent  up  a  copy  also  of  our  sufferings  to  the  Protector, 
setting  forth  how  we  were  taken  and  committed  by  major  Ceely,  and 
abused  by  captain  Keat  as  aforesaid,  and  the  rest  in  order.  Whereupon 
the  Protector  sent  an  order  to  captain  Fox,  governor  of  Pendennis-cas- 
tle,  to  examine  the  matter  about  the  soldiers  abusing  us,  and  striking 
me.  There  were  at  that  time  many  of  the  gentry  of  the  country  at 
the  castle ;  and  captain  Keat's  kinsman,  that  struck  me,  was  sent  for  be- 
fore them,  and  much  threatened.  They  told  him,  '  If  I  should  change 
'  my  principle,  I  might  take  the  extremity  of  the  law  against  him,  and 
'  might  recover  sound  damages  of  him.'  Captain  Keat  was  also  check'd 
for  suffering  the  prisoners  under  his  charge  to  be  abused.  This  was  of 
great  service  in  the  country ;  for  afterwards  friends  might  have  spoken 
in  any  market  or  steeple-house  thereabouts,  and  none  would  meddle 
Avith  them.  I  understood  that  Hugh  Peters,  one  of  the  Protectors 
chaplains,  told  him,  '  They  could  not  do  George  Fox  a  greater  service 
'  for  the  spreading  of  his  principles  in  Cornwall  than  to  imprison  him 
'  there.'  And  indeed  my  imprisonment  there  was  of  the  Lord,  and  for 
his  service  in  those  parts;  for  after  the  assizes  were  over,  and  it  was 
known  we  were  likely  to  continue  prisoners,  several  friends  from  most 
parts  of  the  nation  came  into  the  country  to  visit  us.  Those  parts  of 
the  west  were  very  dark  countries  at  that  time ;  but  the  Lord's  light 
and  truth  broke  forth,  shined  over  all,  and  many  were  turned  from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  satan's  powder  unto  God.  Many  were  moved 
to  go  to  the  steeple-houses,  several  were  sent  to  prison  to  us,  and  a  great 
convincement  began  in  the  country :  for  now  we  had  liberty  to  walk  in 
the  Castle-green,  and  divers  came  to  us  on-first  days,  to  whom  we  de- 
clared the"  word  of  life.     Great  service  we  had,  many  were  turned  to 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  211 

God  up  and  down  the  country ;  but  great  rage  got  up  in  the  priests  and 
professors  against  the  truth  and  us.  One  of  the  envious  professors  had 
gathered  together  many  scripture  sentences  to  prove, '  That  we  ought  to 
'  put  oft'  our  hats  to  the  people,'  and  he  invited  the  town  of  Lanceston 
to  come  into  the  Castle-yard  to  hear  him  read  them.  Amongst  other 
instances  that  he  brought,  one  was,  '  That  Saul  bowed  to  the  witch  of 
'  Endor.'  When  he  had  done  we  got  a  little  liberty  to  speak,  and  shew- 
ed both  him  and  the  people,  '  That  Saul  was  gone  from  God,  and  had 
disobeyed  him,  like  them,  when  he  went  to  the  witch  of  Endor:  that 

*  neither  the  prophets,  nor  Christ,  nor  the  apostles  ever  taught  people  to 
'  bow  to  a  witch.'  The  man  went  away  with  his  rude  people ;  but  some 
staid  with  us,  and  we  shewed  them.  That  this  was  not  gospel  instruc- 
tion, to  teach  people  to  bow  to  a  witch.  For  now  people  began  to  be 
affected  with  the  truth,  and  the  devil's  rage  increased ;  so  that  we  were 
often  in  great  danger. 

One  time  there  came  a  soldier,  and  while  one  of  our  friends  was  ad- 
monishing and  exhorting  him  to  sobriety,  &c.  I  saw  him  begin  to  draw 
his  sword.  Whereupon  I  stept  to  him,  and  represented  what  a  shame 
it  was  to  offer  to  draw  his  sword  upon  a  naked  man,  and  a  prisoner, 
and  how  unfit  and  unworthy  he  was  to  carry  such  a  weapon ;  and  that, 
if  he  should  have  offered  such  a  thing  to  some  men,  they  would  have 
taken  his  sword  from  him,  and  have  broken  it  to  pieces.  So  he  was 
ashamed  and  went  his  way  ;  and  the  Lord's  power  preserved  us. 

Another  time,  about  eleven  at  night,  the  gaoler  being  half  drunk, 
came  and  told  me.  He  had  got  a  man  now  to  dispute  with  me  (this  was 
when  we  had  leave  to  go  a  little  into  the  town.)  As  soon  as  he  spoke 
these  words,  I  felt  there  was  mischief  intended  to  my  body.  AH  that 
night  and  the  next  day  I  lay  down  on  a  grass-plot  to  slumber,  and 
felt  something  still  about  my  body ;  and  I  started  up,  and  struck  at  it  in 
the  power  of  the  Lord,  and  still  it  was  about  my  body.  Then  I  rose 
and  walked  into  the  Castle-green,  and  the  under-keeper  came  and  told 
me.  There  was  a  maid  would  speak  with  me  in  the  prison.  I  felt  a 
snare  in  his  words  too,  therefore  I  went  not  into  the  prison,  but  to  the 
grate;  and,  looking  in,  I  saw  a  man  that  was  lately  brought  to  prison  for 
being  a  conjurer,  who  had  a  naked  knife  in  his  hand.  I  spoke  to  him, 
and  he  threatened  to  cut  my  chaps ;  but  being  within  the  gaol  he  could 
not  come  at  me.  This  was  the  gaoler's  great  disputant.  I  went  soon 
after  into  the  gaoler's  house,  and  found  him  at  breakfast;  he  had  then 
got  his  conjurer  out  with  him.  I  told  the  gaoler,  his  plot  was  dis- 
covered. Then  he  got  up  from  the  table,  and  cast  his  napkin  away  in 
a  rage ;  and  I  left  them,  and  went  to  my  chamber;  for  at  this  time  we 
were  out  of  Doomsdale,  At  the  time  the  gaoler  had  said  the  dispute 
should  be,  I  went  down  and  walked  in  the  court  (the  place  appointed) 
till  about  the  eleventh  hour ;  but  nobody  came.  Then  I  went  up  to  my 
chamber  again ;  and  after  awhile  heard  one  call  for  me.  I  stepped  to 
the  stairshead,  where  I  saw  the  gaoler's  wife  upon  the  stairs,  and  the 
conjurer  at  the  bottom  of  the  stairs,  holding  his  hand  behind  his  back, 
and  in  a  great  rage.     I  asked  him,  '  Man,  what  hast  thou  in  thy  hand 

*  behind  thy  back  ?'  '  Pluck  thy  hand  before  thee,'  said  I ;  '  let's  see  thy 
'hand,  and  what  thou  hast  in  it?'  Then  he  angrily  plucked  forth  his 
hand  with  a  naked  knife  in  it.  I  shewed  the  gaoler's  wife  their  wicked 
design  against  me  ;  for  this  was  the  man  they  brought  to  dispute  of  the 
things  of  God.     But  the  Lord  discovered  their  plot,  prevented  their  evil 


212  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

design ;  and  they  both  raged,  and  the  conjurer  threatened.  Then  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  sharply  to  him  in  the  dreadful  power  of  the 
Lord;  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  hiin,  and  bound  him  down;  so 
that  he  never  after  durst  appear  before  me,  to  speak  to  me.  I  saw  it 
was  the  Lord  alone  that  preserved  me  out  of  their  bloody  hands  ;  for  the 
devil  had  a  great  enmity  to  me,  and  stirred  up  his  instruments  to  seek 
my  hurt.  But  the  Lord  prevented  them  ;  and  my  heart  was  filled  with 
thanksgivings  and  praises  to  him. 

Now  while  I  was  exercised  with  people  of  divers  sorts,  that  came 
some  out  of  good-will  to  visit  us,  some  out  of  an  envious  carping  mind 
to  wrangle  and  dispute  with  us,  and  some  out  of  curiosity  to  see  us ; 
Edward  Pyot,  who  before  his  convincemcnt  had  been  a  captain  in  the 
army,  and  had  a  good  understanding  in  the  laws  and  rights  of  the  peo- 
ple, being  sensible  of  the  injustice  and  envy  of  judge  Glyn  to  us  at  our 
trial,  and  willing  to  lay  the  weight  thereof  upon  him,  and  make  him 
sensible  thei'eof  also,  wrote  an  epistle  to  him,  on  behalf  of  us  all,  which 
was  thus : 

*  To  John  Glyn,  chief  justice  of  England : 

'  Friend, 
We  are  freemen  of  England,  free-born ;  our  rights  and  liberties  are 
'  according  to  law,  and  ought  to  be  defended  by  it ;  therefore,  with  thee, 

*  by  whose  hand  we  have  so  long  sufiered,  and  yet  do  sufier,  let  us  a  lit- 
'  tie  plainly  reason  concerning  thy  proceedings  against  us,  whether  they 
'  have  been  according  to  law,  and  agreeable  to  thy  duty  and  office,  as 
'  chief  minister  of  the  law  or  justice  of  England  ?  And  in  meekness  and 

*  lowliness  abide,  that  the  witness  of  God  in  thy  conscience  may  be 
'heard  to  speak  and  judge  in  this  matter:  for  thou  and  we  must  all  ap- 
'  pear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  that  every  one  may  receive 
'  according  to  what  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad.  There- 
'  fore,  friend,  in  moderation  and  soberness  weigh  what  is  herein  laid  be- 

*  fore  thee. 

'  In  the  afternoon,  before  we  were  brought  before  thee  at  the  assize  at 
'  Lanceston,  thou  didst  cause  divers  scores  of  our  books  to  be  violently 
'  taken  from  us  by  armed  men,  without  due  process  of  law ;  which  books 

*  being  perused,  to  see  if  any  thing  in  them  could  have  been  found  to  have 
'  been  laid  to  our  charge  (  who  were  innocent  men,  and  then  upon  our 
'  legal  issue)  thou  hast  detained  from  us  to  this  very  day.  Our  books  are 
'  our  goods,  our  goods  are  our  property,  and  our  liberty  it  is  to  liave  and 
'  enjoy  our  property :  and  of  our  liberty  and  property  the  law  is  the  de- 
'  fence ;  which  saith,  "  No  freeman  shall  be  disseized  of  his  freehold,  lib- 
" erties,  or  free  customs,  &c.  nor  any  way  otherwise  destroyed:  nor  we 
"  shall  not  pass  upon  him,  but  by  lawful  judgment  of  his  peers,  or  by  the 
"  law  of  the  land,  Magna  Charta,  cap.  29."  Now,  friend,  consider,  is  not 
'  the  taking  away  of  a  man's  goods  violently,  by  force  of  arms,  as  afore- 
'  said,  conU'ary  to  the  law  .of  the  land  ?  Is  not  the  keeping  of  them,  so 
'taken  away,  a  disseizing  him  of  his  property,  and  a  destroying  of  it  and 
'  his  liberty,  yea,  his  very  being,  so  far  as  the  invading  of  the  guard  the 
'  law  sets  about  him  is  in  order  thereunto  ?  Calls  not  the  law  this  a  de- 
'  stroying  of  a  man  ?  Is  there  any  more  than  one  common  guard  or  de- 
'  fence  to  property,  liberty,  and  life,  viz.  the  law  1  And  can  this  guard  be 
'  broken  on  the  former,  viz.  property  and  liberty,  and  the  latter,  viz.  life, 
'  be  sure  1   Doth  not  he,  that  makes  an  invasion  upon  a  man's  property 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  213 

and  liberty  (which  he  doth,  who,  contrary  to  law,  which  is  the  guard, 
acts  against  either)  make  an  invasion  upon  a  man's  life ;  since  that  which 
is  the  ground  of  the  one  is  also  of  the  other  ?  If  a  penny  or  penny's 
worth  be  taken  from  a  man  contrary  to  law,  may  not  by  the  same  rule 
all  a  man  hath  be  taken  away  ?  If  the  bond  of  the  law  be  broken  upon 
a  man's  property,  may  it  not  on  the  same  ground  be  broken  upon  his 
person  ?  And  by  the  same  reason  as  it  is  broken  on  one  man,  may  it  not 
be  broken  upon  all,  since  the  liberty,  property,  and  beings  of  all  men 
under  a  government  are  relative,  a  communion  of  wealth,  as  the  mem- 
bers in  the  body,  but  one  guard  and  defence  to  all,  the  law  ?  One  man 
cannot  be  injiired  therein,  but  it  redounds  to  all.  Do  not  such  things 
tend  to  the  subversion  and  dissolution  of  government  1  Where  there  is 
no  law,  what  is  become  of  government  ?  And  of  what  value  is  the  law 
made,  when  the  ministers  thereof  break  it  at  pleasure  upon  men's  pro- 
perties, liberties,  and  persons  1  Canst  thou  clear  thyself  of  these  things, 
as  to  us  ?  To  that  of  God  in  thy  conscience,  which  is  just,  do  1  speak. 
Hast  thou  acted  like  a  minister,  the  chief  minister  of  the  law,  who  hast 
taken  our  goods,  and  yet  detainest  them,  without  so  much  as  going  by 
lawful  warrant,  grounded  upon  due  information,  which  in  this  our  case 
thou  couldst  not  have ;  for  none  had  perused  them,  whereby  to  give  thee 
information  ?  Shouldest  thou  exercise  violence  and  force  of  arms  on 
prisoners'  goods,  in  their  prison-chamber,  instead  of  proceeding  orderly 
and  legally,  which  thy  place  calls  upon  thee  above  any  man  to  tender, 
defend,  and  maintain  against  wrong,  and  to  preserve  entire  the  guard  of 
every  man's  being,  liberty,  and  livelihood  ?  Shouldst  thou,  whose  duty 
it  is  to  punish  the  wrong-doer,  do  wrong  thyself?  Who  oughtest  to  see 
the  law  be  kept  and  observed,  break  the  law,  and  turn  aside  the  due  ad- 
ministration thereof?  Surely,  from  thee,  considering  thou  art  chief  jus- 
tice of  England,  other  things  were  expected,  both  by  us  and  by  the 
people  of  this  nation. 

'  And  friend,  when  we  were  brought  before  thee  and  stood  upon  our 
legal  issue,  and  no  accuser  or  accusation  came  in  against  us,  as  to  what 
we  had  been  wrongfully  imprisoned  for,  and  in  prison  detained  for  the 
space  of  nine  weeks,  shouldest  not  thou  have  caused  us  to  have  been 
acquitted  by  proclamation  ?  Saith  not  the  law  so  ?  Oughtest  thou  not  to 
have  examined  the  cause  of  our  commitment,  and  there  not  appearing 
a  lawful  cause,  to  have  discharged  us?  Isit  not  the  substance  of  thy  office 
and  duty,  to  do  justice  according  to  the  law  and  custom  of  England  ? 
Is  not  this  the  end  of  the  administration  of  the  law?  of  the  general  as- 
sizes? of  the  gaol-deliveries?  of  the  judges  going  the  circuits?  Hast 
not  thou,  by  doing  otherwise,  acted  contrary  to  all  these,  and  to  Magna 
Charta  ?  which.  Cap.  29,  saith,  "  We  shall  sell  to  no  man,  we  shall  deny 
or  defer  to  no  man,  either  justice  or  right."  Hast  thou  not  both  defer- 
red and  denied  to  us,  who  had  been  so  long  oppressed,  this  justice  and 
right  ?  And  when  of  thee  justice  we  demanded,  saidst  thou  not,  "  If  we 
would  be  uncovered,  thou  wouldst  hear  us,  and  do  us  justice?" — "We 
shall  sell  to  no  man,  we  shall  deny  or  defer  to  no  man  either  justice  or 
right,"  saith  Magna  Charta  as  aforesaid :  again,  "  We  have  command- 
ed all  our  justices,  that  they  shall  from  henceforth  do  even  lav/,  and 
execution  of  right  to  all  our  subjects,  rich  and  poor,  without  having 
regard  to  any  man's  person ;  and  without  letting  to  do  right  for  any 
letters  or  commandments  which  may  come  to  them  from  us,  or  from 
any  other,  or  by  any  other  cause,  &c.  upon  pain  to  be  at  our  will,  body, 


214  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

"  lands  and  goods,  to  do  therewith  as  shall  please  us,  in  case  they  do 
"  contrary,"  saith  Stat.  20  Edw.  III.  Cap.  1.  Again,  "  Yc  shall  sv/ear, 
"  that  ye  shall  do  even  law  and  execution  of  right  to  all,  rich  and  poor, 
"  without  having  regard  to  any  person ;  and  that  ye  deny  to  no  man 
"  common  right  by  the  king's  letters,  nor  none  other  man's,  nor  for  none 
"  other  cause.  And  in  case  any  letter  come  to  you  contrary  to  the  law, 
"  that  ye  do  nothing  by  such  letter ;  but  certify  the  king  thereof,  and  go 
"  forth  to  do  the  law  notwithstanding  those  letters.  And  in  case  ye  be 
"  from  henceforth  found  in  default  in  any  of  the  points  aforesaid,  ye  shall 
"  be  at  the  king's  will  of  body,  lands  and  goods,  thereof  to  be  done,  as 
"  shall  please  him :"  saith  the  oath  appointed  by  the  statute  to  be  taken 
*by  all  the  judges,  Stat.  18  Ed.  III.  But  none  of  these,  nor  any  other 
'  law,  hath  such  an  expression  or  condition  in  it  as  this,  viz.  "  Provided 
"  he  will  put  off  his  hat  to  you,  or  be  uncovered."  Nor  doth  the  law  of 
'  God  so  say,  or  that  your  persons  be  respected ;  but  the  contrary.  From 
'  whence  then  comes  this  new  law,  "  If  ye  will  be  uncovered,  I  will  hear 
"you,  and  do  you  justice?"  This  hearing  complaint    of  wrong,  this  do- 

*  ing  of  justice,  upon  condition ;  wherein  lies  the  equity  and  the  reason- 

*  ableness  of  that  ?  When  were  these  fundamental  laws  repealed,  which 
'were  the  issue  of  so  much  blood  and  war:  which  to  uphold,  cost  the 
'  miseries  and  blood  of  the  late  wars,  that  we  shall  now  be  heard,  as  to 

*  right,  and  have  justice  done  us  but  upon  condition,  and  that  too  such  a 
'  trifling  one  as  the  putting  oft'  the  hat  ?    Doth  thy  saying  so,  who  art 

*  commanded,  as  aforesaid,  repeal  them,  and  make  them  of  no  eftect,  and 

*  all  the  miseries  undergone,  and  the  blood  shed  for  them  of  old  and  of 
'  late  years  1  Whether  it  be  so  or  not  indeed,  and  to  the  nation,  thou  hast 
'  made  it  so  to  us ;  to  whom  thou  hast  denied  the  justice  of  our  liberty 
'  when  we  were  before  thee,  and  no  accuser  nor  accusation  came  in 
'  against  us,  and  the  hearing  of  the  wrong  done  to  us  who  are  innocent, 
'  and  the  doing  us  right.  And  bonds  hast  thou  cast  and  continued  upon 
'  us  until  this  day,  under  an  unreasonable  and  cruel  gaoler,  for  not  per- 
'  forming  that  thy  condition,  for  conscience  sake.  But  thinkest  thou  that 
'  this  thine  own  conditional  justice  maketh  void  the  law  ?  or  can  it  do  so  t 

*  or  absolve  thee  before  God  or  man?  or  acquit  the  penalty  mentioned  in 
' the  laws  aforesaid ?  unto  which  hast  thou  not  consented  and  sworn? 
'  viz.  "  And  in  case  ye  be  from  henceforth  found  in  default  in  any  of  the 
"  points  aforesaid,  ye  shall  be  at  the  king's  will,  of  body,  lands,  and  goods, 
"  thereof  to  be  done  as  shall  please  him."  And  is  not  thy  saying,  "  If 
"  ye  will  be  uncovered  (or  put  off  your  hats)  I  will  hear  you,  and  do  you 
"justice;"  and  because  we  could  not  put  them  oft"  for  conscience  sake, 
'  thy  denying  us  justice,  and  refusing  to  hear  us,  as  to  wrong,  who  had 
'  so  unjustly  suffered,  a  default  in  thee  against  the  very  essence  of  those 
'laws,  yea,  an  overthrow  thereof,  for  which  things'  sake  (being  of  the 
'highest  importance  to  the  well-being  of  men)  so  just,  so  equal,  so  neces- 
'  sary  those  laws  were  made,  and  all  the  provisions  therein  ?  To  make  a 
'  default  in  any  one  point  of  which  provisions,  exposeth  to  the  said  pen- 
*alty.     Dost  not  thou  by  this  time  see  where  thou  art?    Art  thou  sure 

*  thou  shalt  never  be  made  to  understand  and  feel  the  justice  thereof?  Is 
'  thy  seat  so  high,  and  thy  fence  so  great,  and  art  thou  so  certain  of  tiiy 
'  time  and  station,  above  all  that  have  gone  before  thee,  whom  justice 
'  hath  cut  down,  and  given  them  their  due,  that  thou  shalt  never  be  call- 
'  ed  to  an  account,  nor  with  its  long  and  sure  stroke  be  reached  ?  Deceive 
'  not  thyself,  God  is  come  nearer  to  judgment  than  the  workers  of  iniquity 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  215 

'  in  this  age  imagine,  who  persecute  and  evil  entreat  those  that  witness 
'  the  Just  and  Holy  One,  for  their  witnessing  of  him,  who  is  come  to  reign 

*  for  ever  and  ever.  Saith  he  not,  he  will  be  a  swift  witness  against  the 
'  false  swearers  1  God  is  not  mocked. 

'  Surely,  friend,  that  must  needs  be  a  very  great  offence,  which  de- 
'  prives  a  man  of  justice,  of  being  heard  as  to  wrong,  of  the  benefit  of 
'  the  law,  and  of  those  laws  afore  rehearsed ;  to  defend  the  justice  and 

*  equity  of  which,  a  man  hath  adventured  his  blood  and  all  that  is  dear 
'  to  him.  But  to  stand  covered  (or  with  the  hat  on)  in  conscience  to  the 
'  command  of  the  Lord,  is  made  by  thee  such  an  oifence  (which  is  none 
'  in  law)  and  rendered  upon  us  (who  are  innocent,  serving  the  living  God) 
'  effectual  to  deny  us  justice ;  though  the  laws  of  God,  and  of  man,  and 
'  the  oath,  and  equity  and  reason  say  the  contrary,  and  on  it  pronounceth 
'  such  a  penalty.  "  If  ye  will  be  uncovered  (Uncovered,  saidst  thou)  I 
"  will  hear  you,  and  do  you  justice :"  but  justice  we  had  not,  nor  were 
'  we  heard,  because  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  higher  power,  the  lawgiver 
'  of  his  people,  in  our  consciences  commanded  us  not  to  respect  persons  ; 
'  whom  to  obey  we  choose  rather  than  man.  And  for  our  obedience  unto 
'  him  hast  thou  cast  us  into  prison,  and  continuest  us  there,  till  this  very 
'  day ;  having  shewed  us  neither  law  for  it,  nor  scripture,  nor  instances 
'  of  either,  nor  examples  of  heathens  or  others.  Friend,  Come  down  to 
'  that  of  God,  that  is  just  in  thee,  and  consider,  was  there  ever  such  a 

*  thing  as  this  heard  of  in  this  nation  1  What  is  become  of  seriousness, 
'  of  true  judgment,  and  of  righteousness  ?  An  unrighteous  man,  standing 
'  before  thee  with  his  hat  off,  shall  be  heard ;  but  an  innocent  man,  ap- 
'  pearing  with  his  hat  on  in  conscience  to  the  Lord,  shall  neither  be  heard, 
'  nor  have  justice.  Is  not  this  regarding  of  persons  contrary  to  the  laws 
'  aforesaid,  and  the  oath,  and  the  law  of  God  ?    Understand,  and  judge. 

*  Did  we  not  own  authority  and  government  oftentimes  before  the  court  ? 
'  Didst  thou  not  say  in  the  court.  Thou  wast  glad  to  hear  so  much  from 
'  us  of  our  owning  magistracy  1  Pleaded  we  not  to  the  indictment,  though 
'  it  was  such  a  new  found  one  as  England  never  heard  of  before  1  Came 
'  we  not  when  thou  sentest  for  us  ?  Went  we  not  when  thou  bidst  us  go  1 
'  And  are  we  not  still  prisoners  at  thy  command  and  at  thy  will  1    If  the 

*  hat  had  been  such  an  offence  to  thee,  couldst  thou  not  have  caused  it  to 

*  have  been  taken  off,  when  thou  heardst  us  so  often  declare,  we  could  not 

*  do  it  in  conscience  to  the  commands  of  the  Lord ;  and  that  for  that 
'  cause  we  forbore  it,  not  in  contempt  of  thee,  or  of  authority,  nor  in  dis- 
'  respect  to  thine  or  any  man's  person  (for  we  said,  we  honoured  all  men 
'  in  the  Lord,  and  owned  authority,  which  was  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  and 
'  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well ;  and  our  souls  were  subject  to  the  higher 
'  powers  for  conscience  sake)  as  thou  causedst  them  to  be  taken  off,  and 
'  to  be  kept  so,  when  thou  calledst  the  jury  to  find  us  transgressors  with- 
'  out  a  law  1  What  ado  hast  thou  made  to  take  away  the  righteousness 
'  of  the  righteous  from  him,  and  to  cause  us  to  suffer  further,  whom  thou 

*  knewest  to  have  been  so  long  wrongfully  in  prison  contrary  to  law  ?  Is 
'  not  liberty  of  conscience  a  natural  right  ?  Had  there  been  a  law  in  this 
'  case,  and  we  bound  up  in  our  consciences  that  we  could  not  have  obey- 

*  ed  it,  was  not  liberty  of  conscience  there  to  take  place  1  For  where  the 
'  law  saith  not  against,  there  needs  no  plea  of  liberty  of  conscience :  but 
'  the  law  have  we  not  offended ;  yet  in  thy  will  hast  thou  caused,  and 
'  dost  thou  yet  cause  us  to  suffer  for  our  consciences,  where  the  law  re- 

*  quires  no  such  thing:  and  yet  for  liberty  of  conscience  hath  all  the 


216  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

'blood  been  spilt,  and  the  miseries  of  the  late  wars. undergone,  and, 
'  as  the  protector  saith,  this  government  undertaken,  to  preserve  it ;  and 

*  a  natural  right,  he  saith,  it  is ;  and  he  that  would  have  it,  he  saith,  ought 
'  to  give  it.  And  if  it  be  a  natural  right,  as  is  undeniable,  then  to  attempt 
'  to  force  it,  or  to  punish  a  man  for  not  doing  contrary  to  it,  is  to  act 
'  against  nature :  which  as  it  is  unreasonable,  so  it  is  the  same  as  to  offer 
'  violence  to  a  man's  hfe.  And  what  an  offence  that  is  in  the  law,  thou 
'  knowest ;  and  how,  by  the  common  law  of  England,  all  acts,  agree- 
'  ments  and  laws,  that  are  against  nature,  are  mere  nullities :  and  all  the 
'  judges  cannot  make  one  case  to  be  law,  that  is  against  nature.  But  put 
'  the  case,  our  standing  with  our  hats  on  had  been  an  offence  in  law,  and 
'  we  wilfully,  and  in  contempt,  and  not  out  of  conscience  had  stood  so 
'  (which  we  deny)  yet  that  is  not  a  ground  wherefore  we  should  be  de- 
'  nied  justice,  or  to  be  heard,  as  to  the  wrong  done  to  us.  "  If  ye  will 
"  not  offend  in  one  case,  I  will  do  you  justice  in  another:"  this  is  not  the 
'  language  of  the  law,  or  of  justice,  which  distributes  to  every  one  their 
'  right ;  justice,  to  whom  justice  is  due ;  punishment,  to  whom  punish- 
'  ment  is  due.  A  man  who  doth  wrong,  may  also  have  wrong  done  to 
'  him ;  shall  he  not  have  right,  wherein  he  is  wronged,  unless  he  right 
'  him  whom  he  hath  wronged  1  The  law  saith  not  so ;  but  tlie  wrong- 
'  doer  is  to  suffer,  and  the  sufferer  of  wrong  to  be  righted.     Is  not  other- 

*  wise  to  do,  a  denying,  a  letting  or  stopping  of  even  law,  and  execution 
'  of  justice,  and  a  bringing  under  the  penalties  aforesaid?  Mind  and  con- 
'  sider. 

*  And  shouldst  thou  have  accused,  when  no  v^^itness  appeared  against 
'  us,  as  in  the  particulars  of  striking  Peter  Ceely,  and  dispersing  books 
'  (as  thou  saidst)  against  magistracy  and  ministry,  with  which  thou  didst 
'  falsely  accuse  one  of  us  ?  Saith  not  the  law,  "  The  judge  ought  not  to 
"  be  the  accuser?"  much  less  a  false  accuser.     And  wast  thou  not  such 

*  an  one,  in  affirming,  that  he  dispersed  books  against  magistracy  and 
'  ministry,  when  the  books  were  violently  taken  out  of  our  chamber, 
'  undispersed  by  him,  or  any  of  us  ?  Nor  didst  thou  make  it  appear  in 
'  one  particular,  wherein  those  books,  thou  so  violently  didst  cause  to  be 
'  taken  away,  were  against  magistracy  or  ministry ;  or  gavest  one  in- 
'  stance  or  reply,  when  he  denied  what  thou  chargedst  therein ;  and  spoke 
'  to  thee  to  bring  forth  those  books,  and  make  thy  charge  appear.  Is  not 
'  the  sword  of  the  magistrate  of  God  to  pass  upon  such  evil-doing  ?  And 
'  according  to  the  administration  of  the  law,  ought  not  accusations  to  be 
'  by  way  of  indictment,  wherein  the  offence  is  to  be  charged,  and  the  law 

*  expressed,  against  which  it  is?  Can  there  be  an  issue  without  an  indict- 
'  ment  ?     Or  can  an  indictment  be  found,  before  proof  be  made  of  the 

*  offence  charged  therein  ?  And  hast  not  thou  herein  gone  contrary  to 
'  the  law,   and  the  administration  thereof,  and  thy  duty,  as  a  judge  ? 

*  What  just  cause  of  offence  gave  George  Fox  to  thee,  when,  upon  thy 

*  producing  a  paper  concerning  swearing,  sent  by  him  (as  thou  saidst)  to 

*  the  grand  jury,  and  requiring  him  to  say.  Whether  it  was  his  hand- 
'  writing  1  he  answered,  "  Read  it  up  before  the  country ;  and  when  he 
*'  heard  it  read,  if  it  were  his,  he  would  own  it?"     Is  it  not  equal,  and 

*  according  to  law,  that  what  a  man  is  charged  with  before  the  country, 
'  should  be  read  in  the  hearing  of  him  and  of  the  country  ?  When  a  paper 
'  is  delivered  out  of  a  man's  hand,  alterations  may  be  made  in  it  to  his 
'  prejudice,  which,  on  a  sudden  looking  over  it,  may  not  presently  be  dis- 
'  earned ;  but  by  hearing  it  read  up,  may  be  better  understood  whether 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  217 

'  any  such  alterations  have  been  made  therem?  Couldst  thou  injustice 
'  have  expected,  or  required  him  otherwise  to  do  ?  Considering  also,  that 
'  he  w^as  not  insensible  hovv^  much  he  had  suffered  already,  being  innocent ; 
'  and  what  endeavours  there  were  used  to  cause  him  further  to  suffer  1 
'  Was  not  what  he  said  a  plain  and  single  answer,  and  sufficient  in  the 
'  law  ?  Though  (as  hath  been  demonstrated)  contrary  to  law  thou  didst 
'  act,  and  to  thy  ofhce,  in  being  his  accuser  therein,  and  producing  the 
'  paper  against  him.  And  in  his  liberty  it  was,  whether  he  would  have 
'  made  thee  any  answer  at  all  to  what  thou  didst  exhibit,  or  demand  out 
'  of  the  due  course  of  law :  for  to  the  law  answer  is  to  be  made,  not  to 
'  thy  will.     Wherefore  then  wast  thou  so  filled  with  rage  and  fury  upon 

*  that  his  reply  ?  Calmly,  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  consider :  Where- 
'  fore  didst  thou  revile  him,  particularly  with  the  reproachful  names  of 
'  juggler  and  prevaricator  1  Wherein  did  he  juggle  1  Wherein  did  he  pre- 
'  varicate  1  Wherefore  didst  thou  use  such  threatening  language,  and 
'  such  menacings  to  him  and  us,  saying,  Thou  wouldst  ferk  us,  with  such 
'  like  ?  Doth  not  the  law  forbid  reviling,  and  rage,  and  fury,  and  threat- 
'  ening  and  menacing  of  prisoners  1     Soberly  mind ;  is  this  to  act  like 

*  a  judge,  or  a  man?  Is  not  this  transgression?  Is  not  the  sword  of  the 
'  magistrate  of  God  to  pass  on  this  as  evil  doing,  which  the  righteous  law 
'condemns,  and  the  higher  power  is  against,  which  judgeth  for  God? 
'  Take  heed  what  ye  do ;  for  ye  judge  not  for  man,  but  for  the  Lord, 
'  who  is  with  you  in  the  judgment :  "  Wherefore  now,  let  the  fear  of  the 
"  Lord  be  upon  you ;  take  heed,  and  do  it :  for  there  is  no  iniquity  with 
"  the  Lord  our  God,  nor  respect  of  persons,  nor  taking  of  gifts,"  said 
'Jehoshaphat  to  the  judges  of  Judah.  Pride,  and  fury,  and  passion, 
'  and  rage,  and  reviling,  and  threatening  are  not  the  Lord's :  these, 
'  and  the  principle  out  of  which  they  spring,  are  for  judgment,  and 
'  must  come  under  the  sword  of  the  magistrate  of  God ;  and  of  an  ill 
'  savour,  especially  such  an  expression,  as  to  threaten  to  ferk  us.  Is 
'  not  such  a  saying  more  becoming  a  pedant,  or  schoolmaster  with 
'  his  rod  or  ferula  in  his  hand,  than  thee,  who  art  the  chief  justice  of  the 
'  nation,  who  sittest  in  the  highest  seat  of  judgment ;  who  oughtest  to 
'  give  a  good  example,  and  so  to  judge,  that  others  may  hear  and  fear  ? 
'  Weigh  it  soberly,  and  consider,  Doth  not  threatening  language  demon- 
'  strate  an  inequality  and  partiality  in  him  who  sits  as  a  judge  ?    Is  it  not 

*  a  deterring  of  a  prisoner  from  standing  to  and  pleading  the  innocency 
'  of  his  cause  ?  Provides  not  the  law  against  it  ?  Saith  it  not.  That  irons 
'  and  all  other  bonds  shall  be  taken  from  the  prisoner,  that  he  may  plead 
'  without  amazement,  and  with  such  freedom  of  spirit  as  if  he  were  not  a 
'  prisoner  ?  But  when  he,  who  is  to  judge  according  to  the  law,  shall 
'  beforehand  threaten  and  menace  the  prisoner  contrary  to  the  law,  how 
'  can  the  mind  of  the  prisoner  be  free,  to  plead  his  innocency  before  him  ? 
'  or  expect  equal  judgment  from  him,  who,  before  he  hears  him,  threatens 
'  what  he  will  do  to  him  ?  Is  not  this  the  case  between  thee  and  us  ?  Is 
'  not  this  the  measure  we  have  received  at  thy  hands  ?  Hast  thou  herein 
'  dealt  according  to  law  ?  or  to  thy  duty  ?  or  as  thou  wouldst  be  done 
'  unto  ?     Let  that  of  God  in  thy  conscience  judge. 

'  And  didst  not  thou  say,  there  was  a  law  for  putting  off  the  hat ;  and 

*  that  thou  wouldst  shew  a  law  ?  and  didst  thou  not  often  so  express  thy- 
'  self?  But  didst  thou  produce  any  law  ?  or  shew  where  that  law  might 
'  be  found  ?  or  any  judicial  precedent,  or  in  what  king's  reign,  when  we 

*  so  often  desired  it  of  thee  ?  having  never  heard  of  or  known  any  such 

2C 


218  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

law,  by  which  thou  didst  judge  us.  Was  not  what  we  demanded  of 
thee  reasonable  and  just  ?  Was  that  a  savoury  answer,  and  according 
to  law,  which  thou  gavest  us,  viz.  "  I  am  not  to  carry  the  law-books  at 
'  my  back,  up  and  down  the  country  ;  I  am  not  to  instruct  you?"  Was 
ever  such  an  expression  heard  before  these  days  to  come  out  of  a 
judge's  mouth  1  Is  he  not  to  be  of  counsel  in  the  law  for  the  prisoner, 
and  to  instruct  him  therein  1  Is  it  not  for  this  cause  that  the  prisoner, 
in  many  cases,  is  not  allowed  counsel  by  the  law  1  In  all  courts  of 
justice  in  this  nation,  hath  it  not  been  known  so  to  have  been  1  And  to 
the  prisoner  hath  not  this  been  often  declared,  when  he  hath  demanded 
counsel,  alleging  his  ignorance  in  the  law,  by  reason  of  which  his  cause 
might  miscarry,  though  it  were  righteous,  viz.  "  The  court  is  of  coun- 
'  sel  for  you?"  Ought  not  he,  that  judgeth  in  the  law,  to  be  expert  in 
the  law?  Couldst  not  thou  tell  by  what  act  of  parUament  it  was 
made,  or  by  what  judicial  precedent  or  in  what  king's  reign,  or  when 
it  was  adjudged  so  by  the  common  law  (which  are  all  the  grounds 
the  law  of  England  hath)  had  there  been  such  a  law,  though  the  words 
of  the  law  thou  couldst  not  remember  ?  Surely,  to  inform  the  prisoner 
when  he  desired  it,  especially  as  to  a  law  which  was  never  heard  of,  by 
which  he  proceeds  to  judge  him,  that  he  may  know  what  law  it  is  by 
which  he  is  to  be  judged,  becomes  him  who  judgeth  for  God :  for  so  the 
law  was  read  to  the  Jews,  by  which  they  were  to  be  judged,' yea  every 
sabbath-day;  this  was  the  commandment  of  the  Lord.  But  instead 
thereof  to  say,  "  I  am  not  to  carry  the  law  books  at  my  back  up  and 
'  down  the  country ;  I  am  not  to  instruct  you : "  To  say,  "  There  is 
'  a  law,"  and  to  say,  "  Thou  wilt  shew  it;"  and  yet  not  shew  it,  nor 
to  tell  where  it  is  to  be  found ;  consider  whether  it  be  consistent  with 
savouriness,  truth,  or  justice  ? 

'  Have  not  thy  whole  proceedings  against  us  made  it  evidently  to  ap- 
pear that  thy  desire  was  to  cause  us  to  suffer,  not  to  deliver  us,  who 
being  innocent,  suftered ;  to  have  us  aspersed  and  reproached  before  the 
country,  not  to  have  our  innocency  cleared  and  vindicated  ?     Doth  not 
the  taking  away  our  books  as  aforesaid,  and  the  perusing  of  them  in 
such  haste  before  our  trial,  and  thy  accusing  us  with  something  w"hich 
thou  saidst  was  contained  in  them,  make  it  appear  that  matter  was 
sought  out  of  them  wherewithal  to  charge  us,  when  the  Et  Cetera  war- 
rant would  stand  in  law  by  which  we  were  committed,  and  were  then 
upon  our  deli^'ery  according  to  the  due  course  of  law?     Doth  it  not 
further  appear,  by  thy  refusing  to  take  from  our  hands  a  copy  of  the 
strange  Et  Cetera  warrant  by  which  we  were  committed,  and  of  the 
paper  for  which  we  stood  apprehended,  to  read  it  or  cause  it  to  be  read ; 
that  so  our  long  sufferings  by  reason  of  both  might  be  looked  into,  and 
'  weighed  in  the  law,  whether  just  or  righteous,  and  the  country  might 
'  as  well  see  our  innocency  and  sufferings  without  a  cause,  and  the  man- 
'  ner  of  dealing  with  us,  as  to  hear  such  reports  which  went  of  us  as 
'  great  offenders,  when  we  called  upon  thee  often  so  to  do,  and  which 
'  thou  oughtest  to  have  done,  and  saidst,  Thou  wouldst  do,  but  didst  it 
•  not ;  nor  so  much  as  took  notice  before  the  country  that  we  had  been 
'  falsely  imprisoned,  and  had  wrongfully  suffered  ?     But  what  might  as- 
'  perse  and  charge  us  thou  broughtest  in  thyself,  contrary  to  law,  and 
'  didst  call  to  have  us  charged  therewith.     Is  not  this  further  manilest,  in 
'  that  thou  didst  cause  us  on  a  sudden  to  be  withdrawn,  and  the  petty 
'  jury  to  be  called  in  with  their  verdict ;  whereupon  Peter  Ceely's  falsely 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  219. 

'  accusing  George  Fox  "  with  telling  him  pi-ivately  of  a  design,  and  per- 
"  suading  him  to  join  therein,"  was  by  George  Fox  made  so  clear  to  be 
'  a  manifest  falsehood,  and  so  plainly  to  be  perceived,  that  the  cause  of 
'  our  sufierings  was  not  any  evil  we  had  done,  or  law  that  we  had  trans- 

*  gressed,  but  malice  and  wickedness?  And  is  it  not  abundantly  clear 
'  from  thy  not  permitting  us  to  answer,  and  clear  ourselves  of  the  many 
'  foul  slanders  charged  upon  us  in  the  new  found  indictment,  of  which  no 
'  proof  was  made  ?  But  when  we  were  answering  thereunto,  and  clear- 
'  ino-  ourselves  thereof,  thou  didst  stop  us,  saying,  "  Thou  mindedst  not 
"  those  things,  but  only  the  putting  oft'  the  hat :"  when  as  before  the  coun- 
'  try  the  new  found  indictment  charged  us  with  those  things,  and  the  petty 
'jury  brought  in  their  verdict,  "  Guilty  of  the  trespasses  and  contempts 
"  mentioned  therein;"  of  which  (except  as  to  the  hat)  not  one  witness  or 
'  evidence  was  produced;  and  as  to  the  hat,  not  any  law  or  judicial  pre- 
'  cedent,  upon  the  transgression  of  which  all  legal  indictments  are  to  be 
'  grounded  1    Now  the  law  seeks  not  for  causes  whereby  to  make  the  in- 

*  nocent  suffer;  but  helpeth  him  to  right  who  suffers  wrong,  relieveth  the 
'  oppressed,  and  searcheth  out  the  matter.  Whether  that  of  which  a  man 
'  stands  accused  be  so  or  no  ;  seeking  judgment  and  hastening  righteous- 
'  ness :  and  it  saith,  "  The  innocent  and  the  righteous  slay  thou  not." 
'  But  whether  thou  hast  done  so  to  us,  or  the  contrary,  let  the  witness  of 
'  God  in  thee  search  and  judge ;  as  these  thy  fruits  do  also  make  manifest. 

*  And,  friend,  consider  how  abominably  wicked,  and  how  highly  to  be 

*  abhorred,  denied,  and  witnessed  against,  and  how  contrary  to  the  laws 

*  such  a  proceeding  is,  as  to  charge  a  man  w.ith  many  ofiences  in  an  in- 
'  dictment,  which  they  who  draw  the  indictment,  they  wiio  prosecute,  and 
'  they  who  find  the  bill,  know  to  be  false,  and  to  be  put  in  purposely  to 

*  reproach  and  wound  his  good  name ;  whom,  with  some  small  matter 
'  which  they  can  prove,  they  charge  and  indict,  as  is  the  common  prac- 

*  tice  at  this  day.  Prove  but  one  particular  charge  in  the  indictment,  and 

*  it  must  stand  (say  they)  for  a  true  bill ;  though  there  be  never  so  many 

*  falsehoods  and  lies  therein,  on  set  purpose  to  wrong  him  who  is  mali- 
ciously prosecuted :  this  is  known  to  the  judges,  and  almost  to  ev^ery 

*  man  who  hath  to  do  with  and  attends  their  courts.     How  contrary  is 

*  this  to  the  end  and  righteousness  of  the  law,  which  clears  the  innocent 

*  and  condemns  the  guilty,  and  condemneth  not  the  righteous  with  the 

*  wicked  !  Much  it  is  cried  out  of;  but  what  reformation  is  there  thereof? 

*  How  else  shall  clerks  of  assize,  and  other  clerks  of  courts  fill  up  their 

*  bags  (out  of  which  perhaps  their  master  must  have  a  secret  considera- 
'  tion)  and  be  heightened  in  pride  and  impudence ;  that  even  in  open  court 

*  they  take  upon  them  to  check  and  revile  men  without  reproof,  when  a 

*  few  fines  might  serve  instead  of  an  hundred?  How  else  shall  the  spirit 
'  that  is  in  men,  that  lusteth  unto  envy,  malice,  strife,  and  contention,  be 
'  cherished  and  nourished,  to  feed  the  lawyers  and  dependants  on  courts 
'  with  the  bread  of  men's  children  and  the  ruin  of  their  families,  to  main- 
'  tain  their  long  suits  and  malicious  contentions  !  For  a  judge  to  say,  "  I 
*'  mind  not  these  things ;  I'll  not  hear  you  ;  clear  yourselves  of  what  you 
"  are  falsely  accused  of:  one  thing  I  mind  in  your  charge,  the  rest  are 
"  but  matter  of  form,  set  there  to  render  you  such  wicked  men  before 
"  the  country,  as  the  thing  that  is  to  be  proved  against  you  is  not  sufficient 
"  to  make  out."  Oh  !  abominable  wickedness,  and  perverting  of  the  right- 
'  eous  end   of  the  law,  which  is  so  careful  and  tender  of  every  man's 

*  peace  and  innocency  !  How  is  the  law  in  the  administration  thereof  adul- 


220  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  terated  by  the  lawyers,  as  the  scriptures  are  mangled  by  the  priests ! 

*  And  that  which  was  made  to  preserve  the  righteous,  and  to  punish  the 

*  wicked,  pervei'ted  to  the  punishing  of  the  righteous  and  the  preserving 
'  of  the  wicked  !  An  e3'e  for  an  eye,  a  tooth  for  a  tooth,  life  for  life,  burn- 
'  ing  for  burning,  wound  lor  wound,  a  stripe  for  a  stripe;  he  that  accuseth  a 
'  man  falsely,  to  sulier  the  same  as  he  should  have  suffered,  who  was 

*  falsely  accused,  if  he  had  been  guilty.  This  saith  the  righteous  law  of 
'  God ;  which  is  agreeable  to  that  of  God  in  every  man's  conscience.   Are 

*  not  such  forms  of  iniquity  to  be  denied,  which  are  so  contrary  to  the 

*  law  of  God  and  man  ?  Which  serve  for  the  gendering  of  strife,  and  the 
'  kindling  of  contention  ?  And  of  this  nature  was  not  that,  with  which 
'  thou  didst  cause  us  to  be  indicted  ?  And  this  form  didst  not  thou  uphold, 
'  in  not  permitting  us  to  answer  to  the  many  Ibul  slanders  therein ;  say- 
'  ing,  "  Those  things  thou  mindest  not  t"  Will  not  the  wrath  of  God  be 
'  revealed  from  heaven  against  all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of 

*  men,  who  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteousness ;  who  are  so  far  from  the 

*  power  of  godliness,  that  they  have  not  ihe  form,  but  the  form  of  iniquity, 
'  which  is  set  up  and  held  up  instead  of  and  as  a  law,  to  overthrow  and 

*  destroy  the  righteousness  of  the  righteous,  and  so  to  shut  him  up  as  by 
'  the  law  he  can  never  get  out  ?  Is  not  the  cry,  thinkest  thou,  gone  up, 
"  It  is  time  for  thee  to  set  to  thine  hand,  O  Lord,  for  thine  enemies  have 
"  made  void  thy  law  ?"  Draws  not  the  hour  nigh  I  Fills  not  up  the  meas- 
'  ure  of  iniquity  apace  1  Surely  the  day  is  coming,  and  hastcneth.  Warned 
'  ye  have  been  from  the  presence,  and  by  the  mouth  of  the  Lord;  and  clear 
'  will  he  be  when  he  cometh  to  judgment,  and  upright  when  he  giveth 

*  sentence.  That  of  God  in  every  one  of  your  consciences  shall  so  to 
'  him  bear  witness  and  confess,  and  your  mouths  shall  be  stopped,  and 
'  before  your  judge  shall  ye  be  silent,  when  he  shall  divide  you  your  por- 

*  tion,  and  render  unto  you  according  to  your  deeds.     Therefore,  whilst 

*  thou  hast  time,  prize  it,  and  repent :  for  verily,  "  Our  God  shall  come, 
"  and  shall  not  keep  silence ;  a  fire  shall  devour  before  him,  and  it  shall 
"  be  very  tempestuous  round  about  him.  He  shall  call  to  the  heavens 
"  from  above,  and  to  the  earth,  that  he  may  judge  his  people ;  and  the 
"  heavens  shall  declare  his  righteousness :  for  God  is  judge  himself  Con- 
"  sider  this,  ye  that  forget  God,  lest  he  tear  you  in  pieces,  and  there  be 
"  none  to  deliver. 

'  And,  friend,  shouldst  thou  have  given  judgment  against  us  (wherein 
'  thou  didst  fine  us  twenty  marks  a-piece,  and  imprisonment  till  payment) 
'  without  causing  us,  being  prisoners,  to  be  brought  before  thee,  to  hear 
'  the  judgment,  and  to  move  what  we  had  to  say  in  arrest  of  judgment  ? 
'  Is  not  this  contrary  to  the  law,  as  is  manifest  to  those  who  understand 

*  the  proceedings  thereof?  Is  not  the  prisoner  to  be  called  before  judg- 
'ment  be  given?  And  is  not  the  indictment  to  be  read?  and  the  verdict 

*  thereupon?  And  is  not  liberty  to  be  given  him  to  move  in  arrest  of  judg- 
'  ment  ?  And  if  it  be  a  just  exception  in  the  law,  ought  not  there  to  be 
'  an  arrest  of  judgment  ?  For  the  indictment  may  not  be  drawn  up  ac- 
'  cording  to  law,  and  may  be  wrong  placed,  and  the  offence  charged 
'  therein  may  not  be  a  crime  in  law ;  or  the  jury  may  have  been  cor- 

*  rupted  or  menaced,  or  set  on  by  some  of  the  justices ;  with  other  par- 
'  ticulars,  which  are  known  to  be  legal  and  just  exceptions.  And  the  judg- 
'*  ment  ought  to  be  in  the  prisoner's  hearing,  not  behind  his  back ;  as  if 
'  the  judge  were  so  conscious  of  the  error  thereof,  that  he  dares  not  give 


p:656]  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  221 

'  it  to  the  face  of  the  prisoner.  But  these  privileges  of  the  law,  this  justice 

*  we  (who  had  so  long  and  so  greatly  suliered  contrary  to  law)  received 
'  not,  nor  could  have  at  thy  hands  ;  no,  not  so  much  as  a  copy  or  sight 

*  of  that  long  and  new-found  indictment  (which  in  England  was  never 

*  heard  of  before,  nor  that  the  matter  contained  therein  was  an  ofience  in 
'  law,  nor  ever  was  there  any  law  or  judicial  precedent  that  made  it  so) 
'  though  two  friends  of  ours,  in  our  names  and  behalfs,  that  night,  the 
'  next  day,  and  the  day  following  often  desired  it  of  the  clerk  of  the  as- 
'  size,  and  his  assistant  and  servants ;  but  they  could  not  have  it,  nor  so 
'  much  liberty  as  to  see  it.  And  it  is  like  it  was  not  unknown  or  unper- 
'  ceived  by  thee,  that,  had  we  been  called  as  we  ought  to  have  been,  or 

*  had  known  when  it  was  to  be  given,  three  or  four  words  might  have 
'  made  a  sufficient  legal  arrest  of  the  judgment  given  on  that  new-found 
'  indictment,  and  the  verdict  thereupon.  Therefore  as  our  liberties,  who 
'  are  innocent,  have  not  in  thy  account  been  worth  the  minding,  and  es- 
'  teemed  fit  for  nothing  but  to  be  trampled  under  foot  and  destroyed ;  so, 
'  if  we  find  fault  with  what  thou  hast  done,  thou  hast  taken  care  that  no 
'  door  be  left  open  to  us  in  the  law,  but  a  writ  of  error :  the  considera- 

*  tion  whereof,  and  the  judgment  to  be  given  thereon,  is  to  be  had  only 
'where  thyself  is  chief;  of  whom  such  complaint  is  to  be  made,  and  the 

*  error  assigned  for  the  reverse  of  thy  judgment.  And  what  the  fruit  of 
'  that  may  be  well  expected  to  be,  by  what  we  have  already  mentioned 
'  as  having  received  at  thy  hands,  thou  hast  given  us  to  understand.  And 
'  here  thou  mayest  think  thou  hast  made  thyself  secure  and  sufficiently 
'  barred  up  our  way  of  relief,  against  whom  (though  thou  knewest  we 
'  had  done  nothing  contrary  to  the  law  or  worthy  of  bonds,  much  less  of 
'  the  bonds  and  sufferings  we  had  sustained)  thou  hast  proceeded,  as  hath 
'  been  rehearsed ;  notwithstanding  that  thou  art,  as  are  all  the  judges  of 

*  the  nation,  intrusted  not  with  a  legislative  power,  but  to  administer  jus- 

*  tice,  and  to  do  "  even  law  and  execution  to  all,  high  and  low,  rich  and 
"  poor,  without  having  regard  to  any  man's  person ;"  and  art  sworn  so  to 
'  do ;  and  wherein  thou  dost  contrary  art  liable  to  punishment,  as  ceasing 
'  from  being  a  judge,  and  becoming  a  wrong  doer  and  an  oppressor ; 
'  which  what  it  is  to  be  many  of  thy  predecessors  have  understood,  some  by 

*  death,  others  by  fine  and  imprisonment.  And  of  this  thou  mayst  not  be 
'  ignorant,  that  to  deny  a  prisoner  any  of  the  privileges  the  law  allows 
'  him,  is  to  deny  him  justice ;  to  try  him  in  an  arbitrary  way,  to  rob  him 
'  of  that  liberty  which  the  law  gives  him,  which  is  his  inheritance  as  a 
'  freeman :  and  which  to  do,  is  in  effect  "  to  subvert  the  fundamental  laws 
"  and  government  of  England,  and  to  introduce  an  arbitrary  and  tyran- 
*'  nical  government  against  law ;"  which  is  treason  by  the  common  law : 
'  and  treasons  bv  the  common  law  are  not  taken  away  by  the  statutes  of 
'  25  Edw.  III.  i  H.  IV.  1,  2.  m.     See  O.  St.  Johns,  now  chief  justice  of 

*  the  common  pleas,  his  argument  against  Strafford,  fol.  65,  &c.  in  the 
'  case. 

'  These  things,  friend,  we  have  laid  before  thee  in  all  plainness,  to  the 
'  end  that  (with  the  light  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  lighteth  every  one  that 

*  Cometh  into  the  world,  a  measure  of  which  thou  hast,  which  sheweth 

*  thee  evil  and  reproveth  thee  for  sin,  for  which  thou  must  be  accounta- 
'  ble)  thou  being  still  and  cool  mayst  consider  and  see  what  thou  hast  done 

*  against  the  innocent,  and  shame  may  overtake  thee,  and  thou  mayest 

*  turn  to  the  Lord,  who  now  calleth  thee  to  repentance  by  his  servants. 


222  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  whom,  for  witnessing  his  living  truth  in  them,  thou  hast  cast  into,  and 
'  yet  continuest  under  cruel  bonds  and  sufferings. 

*Edw.  Pyot.' 
'  From  the  gaol  in  Lanceston, 
'  the    14th   day  of  the  5th 
*  month,  1656.' 

By  this  letter  the  reader  may  observe  how  contrai'y  to  law  we  were 
made  to  suffer;  but  the  Lord,  who  saw  the  integrity  of  our  hearts  to 
him,  and  knew  the  innocency  of  our  cause,  was  with  us  in  our  suffer- 
ings, bore  up  our  spirits,  and  made  them  easy  to  us;  and  gave  us  oppor- 
tunities of  publishing  his  name  and  truth  amongst  the  people :  so  that 
several  of  the  town  came  to  be  convinced,  many  were  made  loving  to 
us,  and  friends  from  divers  parts  came  to  visit  us ;  amongst  whom  were 
two  out  of  Wales,  who  had  been  justices  of  peace.  Judge  Hagget's 
wife,  of  Bristol,  came  to  visit  us,  who  was  convinced,  with  several  of 
her  children ;  and  her  husband  was  very  kind  and  serviceable  to  friends, 
and  had  a  great  love  to  God's  people,  which  he  retained  to  his  death. 

In  Cornwall,  Devonshire,  Dorsetshire,  and  Somersetshire,  truth  began 
mightily  to  spread ;  many  were  turned  to  Christ  Jesus  and  his  free  teach- 
ing :  for  many  friends  that  came  to  visit  us  were  drawn  to  declare  the 
truth  in  those  counties ;  which  made  the  priests  and  professors  rage,  and 
they  stirred  up  the  magistrates  to  ensnare  friends.  They  set  up  watches 
in  the  streets  and  highways,  on  pretence  of  taking  up  suspicious  persons ; 
under  which  colour  they  stopped,  and  took  up  friends  coming  to  visit  us 
•in  prison;  which  they  did,  that  they  might  not  pass  up  and  down  in  the 
Lord's  service.  But  that  which  they  thought  to  have  stopped  the  truth 
by,  was  the  means  of  spreading  it  so  much  the  more;  for  then  friends 
were  frequently  moved  to  speak  to  one  constable,  and  t'other  officer, 
and  to  the  justices  they  were  brought  before ;  which  caused  the  truth  to 
spread  the  more  in  all  their  parishes.  And  when  friends  were  got  among 
the  watches,  it  would  be  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  before  they  could 
get  out  of  them  again;  for  no  sooner  had  one  constable  taken  and  car- 
ried them  before  the  justices,  and  they  had  discharged  them,  but  another 
would  take  them  up  and  carry  them  before  other  justices :  which  put  the 
country  to  a  great  deal  of  needless  trouble  and  charges. 

As  Thomas  Rawlinson  was  coming  out  of  the  north  to  visit  us,  a  con- 
stable in  Devonshire  took  him  up ;  and  at  night  took  twenty  shillings  out 
of  his  pocket :  and  after  being  thus  robbed  he  was  cast  into  Exeter  gaoh 
They  cast  Henry  Pollexfen  also  into  prison  in  Devonshire,  under  pre- 
tence of  his  being  a  Jesuit ;  who  had  been  a  justice  of  peace  for  the  most 
part  of  forty  years  before.  Many  friends  were  cruelly  beaten  by  them ; 
nay  some  clothiers  that  were  but  going  to  mill  with  their  cloth,  and 
others  about  their  outward  occasions,  they  took  up  and  whipped ;  though 
men  of  about  eighty  or  an  hundred  pounds  by  the  year,  and  not  above 
four  or  five  miles  from  their  families. 

The  mayor  of  Lanceston  took  up  all  he  could,  and  cast  them  into 
prison.  He  would  search  substantial  grave  women,  their  petticoats  and 
their  head-cloaths.  A  young  man  coming  to  see  us,  I  drew  up  all  the 
gross,  inhuman,  and  unchristian  actions  of  the  mayor,  gave  it  him,  and 
bid  him  seal  it  up,  and  go  out  again  the  back  way ;  and  then  come  into 
the  town  through  the  gates.  He  did  so,  and  the  watch  took  him  up,  and 
carried  him  before  the  mayor ;  who  presently  searched  his  pockets  and 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  223 

found  the  letter ;  wherein  he  saw  all  his  actions  characterized ;  which 
shamed  him  so,  that  from  that  time  he  meddled  little  with  the  Lord's  sei'- 
vants. 

From  the  sense  I  had  of  the  snare  that  was  laid,  and  mischief  intended 
in  setting  up  those  watches  at  that  time  to  stop  and  take  up  friends,  it 
came  upon  me  to  give  forth  the  following  lines,  as 

An  exhortation  and  warning  to  the  magistrates. 
'  All  ye  powers  of  the  earth,  Christ  is  come  to  reign,  and  is  among 
'  you,  and  ye  know  him  not ;  who  doth  enhghten  every  one  of  you,  that 
'  ye  all  through  him  might  believe  in  him ;  who  is  the  light,  who  treads 

*  the  wine-press  alone  without  the  city,   and  whose  feet  are  upon  it. 

*  Therefore  see  all,  and  examine  with  the  light  what  ye  are  ripe  for ;  for 
'  the  press  is  ready  for  you. 

'  Before  honour  is  humilhy.  You  that  would  have  honour  before  ye 
'  have  humility,  are  ye  not  as  the  heathen  are '!  Ye  would  have  honour 
'  before  ye  have  humility ;  did  not  all  the  persecutors  that  ever  were 
'  upon  the  earth  want  this  humility  1  They  wanted  the  honour,  and  yet 
'  would  have  the  honour  before  they  had  the  humility,  and  had  learned 

*  that.  So  ye  that  are  out  of  humility,  are  out  of  the  honour,  and  ye  are 
'  not  to  have  the  honour  who  have  not  the  humility ;  for  before  honour  is 

*  humility  :  mark,  before  it. 

'  Ye  pretend  liberty  of  conscience,  yet  one  shall  not  carry  a  letter  to 
'  a  friend,  nor  men  visit  their  friends,  nor  visit  prisoners,  nor  carry  a 
'  book  about  them,  either  for  their  own  use  or  for  their  friends.  Men 
'  shall  not  see  their  friends ;  but  watches  are  set  up  against  them  to  catch 
'  and  stop  them :  and  these  must  be  well  armed  too  against  an  innocent 
'  people,  that  have  not  so  much  as  a  stick  in  their  hands,  who  are  in 
'  scorn  called  Quakers.  Yet  by  such  as  set  up  those  watches  is  pretended 
'  liberty  of  conscience ;  who  take  up  them  whose  consciences  are  exer- 
'  cised  towards  God  and  men,  who  worship  God  in  spirit  and  truth ; 
'  which  they  that  are  out  of  the  light  call  heresy.  These  set  up  watches 
'  against  those  they  in  scorn  call  Quakers,  because  they  confess  and  wit- 
'  ness  the  true  light,  that  lighteth  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world, 
'  amongst  people  as  they  pass  through  the  country,  or  among  their  friends. 
'  This  is  the  dangerous  doctrine  which  watchmen  are  set  up  against,  to 
'  subdue  error,  as  they  call  it,  which  is  the  light  that  doth  enlighten  every 

*  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  ;  him  by  whom  the  world  was  made, 

*  who  was  glorified  with  the  Father  before  the  world  began.  For  those 
'  whom  they  in  scorn  call  Quakers,  have  they  set  up  their  watches,  able 
'  men,  well  armed,  to  take  them  up  that  bear  this  testimony  cither  in 

*  words,  books,  or  letters.  So  that  is  the  light  you  hate,  which  enlightens 
'  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world ;  and  these  that  witness  to  this 
'  light  you  put  in  prison ;  and  after  you  have  imprisoned  them,  you  set  up 
'  your  watches  to  take  all  up  that  go  to  visit  them,  and  to  imprison  them 
'  also :  so  that  by  setting  up  your  watches,  ye  would  stop  all  relief  from 
'  coming  to  prisoners.     Therefore  this  is  the  word  of  the  liOrd  God  to 

*  you,  and  a  charge  to  you  all,  in  the  presence  of  the  living  God  of  hea- 

*  ven  and  earth  :  every  man  of  you  being  enlightened  with  a  light  that 

*  cometh  from  Christ,  the  saviour  of  people's  souls;  to  this  light,  all  take 
'  heed,  that  with  it  ye  may  see  Christ  from  whom  the  light  cometh,  you 
'  may  see  him  to  be  your  Saviour  by  whom  the  world  was  made,  who 
'  saith,  Learn  of  me.     But  if  ye  hate  this  light,  ye  hate  Christ  who  doth 


224  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

'  enlighten  you  all,  that  through  him  you  might  believe.  But  not  believ- 
'  ing  in  the  light,  nor  bringing  your  deeds  to  the  light,  which  will  make 
'  them  manifest  and  reprove  them,  this  becomes  your  condemner,  even 
'  the  light.  Remember  you  are  warned  in  your  lifetime ;  for  this  light  is 
'  your  way  to  salvation,  if  you  walk  in  it ;  and  this  light  is  your  con- 
'  demner,  if  you  reject  and  hate  it.     You  can  never  come  to  Christ,  the 

*  Second  Priest,  until  you  come  to  the  light  which  the  Second  Priest  hath 
'  enlightened  you  withal.  So  ye  that  come  not  to  the  light,  ye  go  to  the 
'  priests  that  take  tythes,  as  did  the  first  priesthood  ;  and  so  hale  out  of 

*  your  synagogues  and  temples  as  that  priesthood  did  which  took  tythes : 
'  which  those  of  the  second  priesthood  did  not.  Was  there  ever  such  a 
'  generation !  Or  did  ever  such  a  generation  of  men  appear  as  doth  now 
'  in  this  age,  who  are  so  full  of  madness,  envy,  and  persecution,  that  they 
'  stand  up  in  watches,  with  bills  and  weapons,  against  the  truth,  to  per- 
'  secute  it,  as  the  towns  and  countries  declare ;  which  rings  as  Sodom, 
'  and  like  Gomorrah ;  And  this  hath  its  liberty,  and  truth  is  stood  against ; 
'  to  reprove  sin  is  accounted  a  breach  of  the  peace,  as  those  say  who 
'  are  out  of  the  truth,  and  set  up  their  watches  against  it.  G.  F.' 

Besides  this  general  warning,  there  coming  to  my  hand  a  copy  of  a 
warrant  issued  from  the  sessions  of  Exon,  in  express  terms,  "  For  appre- 
hending of  all  Quakers ;"  wherein  truth  and  friends  were  reproached 
and  vilified,  1  was  moved  to  write  an  answer  thereunto,  and  send  it 
abroad,  for  the  clearing  of  truth  and  friends  from  the  slanders  therein 
cast  upon  them :  and  to  manifest  the  wickedness  of  that  persecuting 
spirit  from  whence  it  proceeded ;  which  was  after  this  manner : 

'  Whereas  there  was  a  warrant  granted  the  last  sessions  holden  at 

*  Exon,  on  the  eighteenth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1656,  which  warrant  is 
*'  For  the  apprehending  and  taking  up  all  such  as  are  Quakers,  or  call 
"  themselves  Quakers,  or  go  under  the  notion  of  Quakers ;"  and  is  di- 

*  rected  "  to  the  chief  constables,  to  be  sent  by  them  to  the  petty  consta- 
"  bles,  requiring  them  to  set  watches,  able  men  with  bills,  to  take  up  all 
"  such  Quakers  as  aforesaid ;"  and  whereas  in  your  said  warrant  you 

*  speak  of  the  Quakers  spreading  seditious  books  and  papers  ;  I  answer, 

*  They,  whom  ye  in  scorn  call  Quakers,  have  no  seditious   books   or 

*  papers ;  but  their  books  are  against  sedition,  and  seditious  men,  sedi- 

*  tious  books,   seditious  teachers,  and  seditious  ways.     Thus  ye  have 

*  numbered  honest  men,  godly  men,  holy  men,  men  that  fear  God,  among 

*  beggars,  rogues,  and  vagabonds ;   putting  no  difl^erence    between  the 

*  precious  and  the  vile.  You  are  not  fit  to  judge,  who  have  set  up  your 
'  bills,  and  armed  your  men  to  stand  up  together  in  battle  against  inno- 

*  cent  people,  the  lambs  of  Christ,  who  have  not  lifted  up  an  hand  against 
'  you.     But  if  ye  were  sensible  of  the  state  of  your  own  country,  your 

*  cities,  your  towns,  your  villages,  how  the  cry  of  them  is  like  Gomor- 

*  rah,  the  ring  like  Sodom,  and  the  sound  like  the  old  world,  where  all 

*  flesh  had  corrupted  its  way,  which  God  overthrew  with  the  flood ;  if 

*  you  did  consider  this  with  yourselves,  you  would  find  something  to  turn 

*  the  sword  against,  and  not  against  the  lambs  of  Christ,  and  not  make  a 

*  mock  of  the  innocent,  that  stand  a  witness  against  all  sin  and  unrighte- 
'  ousness  in  your  towns  and  steeple-houses.     Noah,  the  eighth  person,  a 

*  preacher  of  righteousness,  was  grieved  with  the  filthy  conversation  of 

*  the  wicked :  so  are  we  now.  Just  Lot  was  grieved  with  their  unmerci- 
'  ful  deeds,  and  the  filthy  conversation  of  Sodom.     And  were  not  these 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  32i5 

hated  of  the  world,  and  of  them  that  lived  in  filthiness  1  And  whereas 
you  speak  of  those  you  in  scorn  call  Quakers,  that  they  are  a  grief  to 
those  whom  you  call  pious  and  religious  people,  and  their  religion ; 
such  as  are  in  the  religion  that  is  vain,  whose  tongues  are  not  bridled, 
I  believe  the  Quakers  are  a  grief  to ;  but  are  not  a  grief  to  such  as  are 
in  the  pure  religion,  which  keepeth  unspotted  of  the  world ;  which  sets 
not  up  bills,  nor  watches,  to  maintain  it  by  the  world  ;  for  they  are  not 
of  the  woi'ld,  who  are  in  the  pure  religion,  which  keeps  them  unspotted 
of  the  world :  mark,  the  "  pui'e  religion,  which  keeps  unspotted  of  the 
world."  But  such  as  are  in  the  religion  that  is  not  pure,  who  have  a 
form  of  godUness,  and  not  the  power,  such  as  you  call  pious,  the  truth 
itself  to  such  was  always  a  grief;  and  so  it  is  in  this  age.  And  now 
your  fruits  appear,  the  end  of  your  religion  and  profession,  and  what 
you  possess ;  but  you  are  in  the  error,  and  have  been  but  in  the  profes- 
sion, out  of  the  possession  of  the  Spirit,  who  are  not  in  the  Spirit  of 
truth.  For  where  did  that  ev^er  set  bounds,  and  number  the  just  and 
innocent  with  the  wicked  1  But  the  wdcked  set  bounds  and  limits  to  the 
just,  and  numbered  them  among  the  wicked;  yea,  all  manner  of  evil 
they  spoke  of  them,  as  ye  are  doing  now  of  us.  According  as  it  was 
foretold  in  the  scripture,  such  as  tremble  at  the  word  of  God,  you  cast 
out  and  hate,  you  that  have  your  temple-worship.  You  say,  the  Qua- 
kers come  to  disturb  you  in  your  churches.  Was  it  not  the  practice 
of  the  apostles  to  go  into  the  synagogues  and  temples,  to  witness  against 
the  priesthood  that  took  tythes?  Was  it  not  the  practice  of  "the  Jews  to 
hale  them  out,  pei'secute  them,  and  stone  them,  that  witnessed  Christ 
the  second  priest,  and  went  to  bring  people  off  from  the  first  priest- 
hood 1  Was  it  not  the  practice  of  the  prophets  to  go  and  cry  against 
the  high  places  1  And  was  it  not  the  practice  of  the  Jews,  when  they 
were  back-slidden,  and  of  the  heathen,  to  imprison  and  persecute  the 
prophets,  and  send  after  them  into  other  countries  1  Is  not  this  your  prac- 
tice now,  who  are  holding  up  your  high  places  erected  by  the  Papists, 
which  ye  now  call  your  churches;  where  ye  beat  and  persecute? 
What  kind  of  religious  people  are  you,  that  are  filled  with  so  much 
madness?  Did  not  Paul  confess  he  was  mad  w'hile  he  was  in  your  prac- 
tice, haling,  beating,  prisoning,  putting  out  of  the  synagogues,  having 
his  authority  from  the  chief  priests?  And  are  not  the  chief  priests  the 
cause  of  this?  Was  there  ever  such  a  cry  made  in  any  age  past,  as 
there  is  now  in  the  pulpits,  railing  against  an  innocent  people,  who  lift 
not  up  an  hand  against  you;  and  who  are  indeed  the  pious,  that  are  of 
the  pure  religion,  who  fear  God,  and  worship  him  in  the  Spirit  and  in 
the  truth,  but  cannot  join  with  you  in  your  religion  ?  Do  not  the  minis- 
ters of  God  say,  that  the  scriptures  are  a  declaration,  which  you  call 
the  word  ?  Do  not  you  rob  Christ  of  his  title,  and  of  his  honour,  and 
give  it  to  the  letter,  and  shew  yourselves  out  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
ministers  of  God,  who  called  the  scriptures  by  the  name  of  writings 
and  treatises,  and  declarations;  and  said,  Christ's  name  is  called  the 
Word  of  God  ?  Are  not  you  here  in  the  error  you  speak  of,  which  is 
common  talk  among  you  ?  There  was  talk  among  some  of  you  of  your 
gospel  shining.  Doth  the  gospel  persecute  ?  Did  ever  any  of  those  that 
did  possess  it  cast  into  prison,  and  not  suffer  others  to  visit  them  ?  Are 
you  like  Christians  in  this,  or  like  heathen,  who  set  bounds  and  watches 
over  the  land,  that  they  should  not  pass  to  visit  those  in  prison?  Was 
ever  the  like  heard  in  any  age  ?  Search  and  see,  if  vou  have  not  out- 

2D 


226  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

'  stript  them  all  in  your  watches,  if  not  in  your  manner  of  persecution, 

*  and  in  your  imprisonments.  Oh !  never  talk  that  we  are  a  grief  to  them 

*  that  are  in  the  pure  religion. 

'  And  whereas  in  your  warrant  we  are  represented  as  disaffected  to 

*  government ;  I  say,  the  law,  that  is  a  terror  to  the  evil-doer,  we  own ; 

*  the  higher  power,  to  which  the  soul  must  be  subject ;  but  we  deny  the 

*  evil-doer,  the  malicious  man  reigning,  and  the  envious  man  seeking  for 

*  his  prey,  whose  envy  is  against  the  innocent ;  who  raiseth  up  the  coun- 

*  try  against  honest  men,  and  so  becomes  a  trouble  to  the  country,  in 

*  raising  them  up  to  take  the  innocent:  but  that  we  leave  to  the  Lord  to 
'judge.     Your  false   accusations  of  heresy  and   blasphemy  we   deny. 

*  You  should  have  laid  them  down  in  particulars,  that  people  might  have 

*  seen  them ;  and  not  have  slandered  us  behind  our  backs.     The  law 

*  saith.  The  crime  should  be  mentioned  in  the  warrant.     Then  for  your 

*  saying,  "  We  deny  the  godly  ministers  to  be  a  true  ministry  of  Christ ;" 

*  that  is  false ;  for  we  say,  The  godly  ministers  are  the  ministers  of. 

*  Christ.   But  which  of  your  ministers  dare  say  that  they  are  truly  godly  ? 

*  And  for  your  charging  us  with  seducing  many  weak  people,  that  is 
'  false  also ;  we  seduce  none.     But  you,  that  deny  the  light  which  light- 

*  eth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  are  seduced  from  the  anoint- 
'  ing  which  should  teach  you ;  and  if  ye  would  be  taught  by  it,  ye  would 

*  not  need  that  any  man  should  teach  you.     But  such  as  are  taught  by 

*  the  anointing  which  abideth  in  them,  and  deny  man's  teaching,  these  ye 
'  call  seducers,  quite  contrary  to  John's  doctrine,  1.  Joh.  2.  That  which 
'  is  truth,  ye  call  seducing ;  and  that  which  he  calls  seducing,  you  call 
'  truth.  Read  the  latter  part  of  the  chapter.  I  warn  you  all  from  the 
'  Lord  God  of  glory,  set  not  any  bound  against  him.  Limit  not  the  Holy 
'  One  of  Israel ;  for  the  Lord  is  rising  in  power  and  great  glory,  who 
'  will  rule  the  nations  with  a  rod  of  iron,  which  to  him  are  but  as  the 
'  drop  of  a  bucket.  He  that  measures  the  waters  in  the  hollow  of  his 
'  hand,  will  dash  nations  together  as  a  potter's  vessel.  And  know,  you 
'  that  are  found  in  this  his  day  blaspheming  his  work  which  he  hath 
'  brought  forth,  calling  it  blasphemy,  fighting  against  it,  setting  up  your 
'  carnal  weapons,  making  your  bonds  strong;  God  will  break  asunder 

*  that  which  your  carnal  policy  hath  invented,  and  which  by  your  carnal 
'  weapons  ye  would  uphold,  and  make  you  know  there  is  a  God  in  heaven, 
'  who  carries  his  lambs  in  his  arms,  which  are  come  among  wolves,  and 
'  are  ready  to  be  torn  in  pieces  in  every  place,  yea,  in  your  steeple- 
'  houses;  where  people  have  appeared  without  reason  and  natural  affec- 
'  tion.  Therefore  all  ye  petty  constables,  sheriffs,  and  justices,  take 
'  warning;  take  heed  what  ye  do  against  the  lambs  of  Christ;  for  Christ 
'  is  come,  and  coming,  who  will  give  to  every  one  of  you  a  reward  ac- 
'  cording  to  your  works,  you  that  have  the  letter,  which  speaks  of  Christ ; 
'  who  are  persecuting  that  which  the  scripture  speaks  of:  so  your  fruits 

*  make  you  manifest.     Therefore  every  one,  sheriffs,  justices,  constables, 

*  &LC.  consider  what  ye  possess,  and  what  a  profession  ye  are  now  in, 
'  that  all  these  carnal  weapons  are  set  up  against  the  innocent,  yea, 
'  against  the  truth ;  which  shews,  that  ye  have  not  the  spiritual  weapons : 
'  and  that  ye  want  the  counsel  of  Gamaliel,  yea,  ye  want  the  counsel  of 

*  such  a  man  among  you,  who  said,  "  Let  the  apostles  alone :  if  it  be  of 
"  God,  it  will  stand ;  if  it  be  not,  it  will  come  to  nought."     But  ye  may 

*  see  yourselves,  on  the  contrary,  in  the  spirit  of  them  that  came  with 
'  Judas,  with  swords  and  staves  from  the  chief  priests  against  Christ : 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  227 

'  still  it  is  against  Christ,  where  he  is  made  manifest.  Paul  (while  Saul) 
'  went  against  him,  though  he  and  the  Jews  professed  a  Christ  that  was 
'  to  come :  yet  Paul  persecuted  him,  where  he  was  manifested  in  his 

*  saints.  So  ye  profess  a  Christ  that  is  come,  but  persecute  him  where 
'  he  is  manifest.  You  that  have  the  letter,  the  high  places,  the  syna- 
'  gogues,  you  persecute  him  where  he  is  made  manifest  in  his  saints,  as 

*  the  Jews  did.  Those  who  were  in  the  letter,  out  of  the  life,  persecuted 
'  them  that  were  in  the  life  of  that  which  they  profess  in  the  letter :  so  do 
'  you  persecute  them  that  are  in  the  life,  and  are  yourselves  strangers  to 
'  it ;  as  your  fruits  make  appear.  You  have  numbered  the  people  of  God 
'  amongst  transgressors ;  but  have  you  prisoned  any  of  the  rogues  and 
'  transgressors  you  speak  of?  You  have  prisoned  the  innocent,  and  let 

*  the  others  go  free.  G.  F.' 

When  I  had  sent  abroad  the  foregoing,  so  great  a  sense  came  upon 
me  of  the  veil  of  darkness  that  was  over  the  priests  and  professors  of 
Christianity,  that  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following,  as  an  awaken- 
ing warning  to  them : 

'Blindness  hath  happened  to  the    professed  christians  of  the  letter 

*  now-a-days,  as  blindness  happened  to  the  Jews  ;  who  professed  the  let- 
'  ter,  but  owned  not  the  life,  which  the  letter  speaks  of:  as  the  christians 
'  now,  to  whom  this  blindness  hath  happened,  who  profess  the  scripture, 
'  but  own  not  the  life  which  the  scripture  speaks  of.  For  against  the  life 
'  the  Jews  stood,  who  professed  the  letter  of  the  scripture ;  but  they  were 
'  blind,  they  gathered  counsel  against  the  life :  they  were  in  an  uproar, 
'  when  the  babe  was  born  in  Bethlehem,  Herod  and  all  the  chief  priests. 
'  And  Herod  sought  to  destroy  all  the  young  children  in  Bethlehem,  yet 
'  missed  the  babe ;  Herod,  that  fox,  though  he  put  John  to  death.  You 
'  may  see  here,  how  the  literal  professors  stood  up,  not  for  the  truth,  but 
'  quite  against  it.  Furthermore,  the  chief  priests  consulted  together  how 
'  they  might  take  Jesus  by  subtilty,  and  put  him  to  death ;  mark,  by  their 
'  subtilty.  The  professors  of  a  Christ  that  was  to  come,  they  preached 
'  of  a  Messias,  of  a  Christ,  of  a  Saviour ;  but  denied  the  life.  When  he 
'  was  made  manifest,  the  chief  priests,  who  were  gathered  together  with 
'  the  council,  said,  His  disciples  had  stolen  him  away  by  night ;  and  gave 
'  large  sums  of  money  to  the  soldiers  to  declare  this.  Likewise  in  the 
'  day,  when  the  children  of  Israel  were  in  Egypt,  and  they  with  their 

*  children  began  to  spread  and  multiply,  "  Come,"  said  the  Egyptians, 
"  let  us  deal  wisely  with  them  to  afflict  them,  and  tax  them  :"  which  held 
'  till  the  Lord  overthrew  their  oppressors,  and  brought  his  seed  by  his 
'  mighty  power  from  under  the  oppressor,  and  exalted  his  son  above  all  ; 
'  though  the  heathen  raged,  and  the  people  imagined  vain  things.  He 
'  made  his  power  known,  that  all  might  see  that  there  was  no  God  upon 
'  the  earth  but  himself.     This  power  now  hath  brought  forth  the  work  of 

*  the  Lord  !  Many,  who  are  turned  to  the  light,  Christ,  have  received  the 
'  power  of  God,  and  are  thereby  become  the  sons  of  God.  Now  this 
'  birtii,  that  is  born  of  God,  are  the  powers  of  the  world  joined  together 
'  to  crucify ;  to  put  to  death  those  Jews  in  the  Spirit,  as  they  put  Christ 
'  to  death  in  the  flesh  formerly.  This  is  the  birth  that  all  the  wicked 
'world  is  enraged  against.  Against  this  they  set  their  watches,  this 
'  birth,  brought  forth  by  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob,  who  rides  upon  the 
'high  places  of  the  earth.  This  is  the  birth  that  the  professed  christians 
'  without  the  life  in  our  days  rage  against,  and  lay  out  all  their  wisdom 


228  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  about.  Are  not  the  chief  priests  and  wise  men  of  the  earth  consuhing 
'  together  how  they  may  destroy  this  birth  ?    Is  not  this  the  birth  that  is 

*  banished  out  of  your  liearts,  you  that  profess  the  scripture,  and  are 
'  talkers  of  it,  but  do  not  own  the  hght  and  hfe  which  the  scripture  speaks 
'  of,  as  the  Jews  would  not ;  and  so  will  not  have  Christ  to  reign  over 
'  you,  as  they  would  not  ?  Do  you  not  hale  out  of  your  synagogues,  and 
'before  magistrates?  Do  you  not  herein  fulfil  Christ's  words,  who  said 
'  to  his  disciples.  They  should  be  haled  out  of  the  synagogues,  and  before 

*  rulers?   Do  you  not  persecute  them  from  city  to  city?    Do  you  not  al- 

*  most  fill  your  prisons  with  them  ?  And  now  set  your  watches,  that  none 
'should  visit  them,  whom  you  have  put  into  prison?  Is  not  this  an  un- 
'  christian  spirit  ?  How  can  you  for  shame  say,  you  are  upholders  of  truth? 

*  Or  how  can  you  for  shame  say,  that  truth  hath  been  professed  among 
'  you  ?  We  grant  that  you  have  talked  of  it.    And  how  can  you  for  shaine 

*  say,  "  The  gospel  shines  amxOng  you,"  when  you  will  not  own  it,  the  life 

*  of  it ;  when  you  call  it  error,  and  the  evil  seed  ?  Yea,  the  very  truth,  the 

*  very  life  of  truth  ye  have  blasphemed  against  now,  as  the  Jews  did 

*  against  Christ,  calling  him  a  devil ;  you  now  call  it  error,  and  the  evil 

*  seed,  and  stand  up  against  it,  and  turn  the  sword  against  it.     It  was  the 

*  Jews  in  their  days  who  turned  the  sword  against  Christ ;  so  it  is  in  these 
'  days  the  christian  professors  of  the  scripture,  but  out  of  the  life  that 
'  gave  it  forth ;  as  those  were  the  Jews  outward  in  the  flesh,  not  the  Je-vvs 
'in  the  Spirit.  Is  it  not  a  shame  to  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  (as  they 
'  are  called)  that  they  can  find  no  better  way  to  maintain  that  which  they 

*  call  the  truth,  and  their  gospel,  than  by  carnal  weapons,  stocks,  prisons, 
'  whips,  watches,  and  wards,  and  powers  of  the  earth  ?  Were  these  the 
'  apostles'  weapons  ?  Carnal  watches,  stocks,  prisons,  and  hahngs  out  of 
'  the  synagogues,  when  they  came  to  speak  ?  Jud^e  yourselves,  what  an 

*  antichristian  spirit  you  have.  Never  talk  of  defending  truth  with  that 
'  which  is  against  truth.  For  are  you  not  setting  up  the  rabble  of  the 
'world  against  it?  Do  they  not  join  with  you,  whh  swords  and  staves 
'  against  it  ?  Is  this  the  life  of  christians  ?  Is  not  this  the  hfe  of  error,  and 
'of  the  evil  seedsman?  Surely  ye  would  find  work  enough,  if  ye  were  in 
'  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  to  turn  your  swords  against  the  profaneness,  the 
'  oaths  and  wickedness,  that  are  in  your  streets  and  highways.  How  do 
'  they  ring  like  Sodom,  and  give  a  sound  like  Gomorrah  !  But  these  are 
'  become  a  prey  in  this  age,  that  reprove  in  your  gate  sin,  wickedness, 
'  and  profaneness.  They  are  become  your  by-word.  Against  them  your 
'  councils  are  gathered,  them  you  cast  into  prison,  and  hale  them  out  of 
'  your  s3magogues :  and  cast  them  likewise  into  prison  that  write  and 
'  speak  against  it ;  and  set  your  guards  to  stop  and  hinder  any  from  vis- 
'  iting  them  whom  you  cast  into  prison,  and  give  them  the  names  of  vag- 
'  abonds  and  wanderers.  Was  ever  the  like  heard  in  the  days  of  the 
'  heathen  against  the  apostles,  who  witnessed  the  gospel  ?  Did  they  set 
'guards  and  watches  in  every  town,  in  every  city,  to  take  the  disciples, 

*  the  brethren,  the  believers,  that  heard  the  apostles  were  cast  into  prison, 
'  and  came  to  see  what  they  wanted  ?  Shew  ye  not  as  much  rage  and 
'  fury  now  in  your  age,  as  was  in  those  in  that  age?  How  can  you  talk 
'  of  the  gospel,  and  of  defending  the  gospel,  when  you  are  setting  guards 
'  and  watches  against  it,  are  defending  that  which  stands  against  it ;  and 
'the  lambs  of  Christ  are  almost  torn  to  pieces  amongst  you,  who  are  like 
'wolves?  for  the  Lord  hath  now  sent  his  lambs  among  wolves.  Have 
'  not  you  professed  the  words  of  Christ,  the  prophets  and  apostles,  as  the 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  229- 

*  Jews  had  long  professed  the  scriptures,  the  words  of  Moses,  and  the 
'  prophets,  that  prophesied  of  Christ  then  to  come ;  and  stood  against  him 
'  when  he  was  come  1  as  you  do  in  this  day  of  his  reign,  in  this  day  of 
'  his  glorious  gospel,  who  are  persecuting  the  messengers  of  it,  imprison- 

*  ing  them,  persecuting  them  in  your  streets  and  highways,  and  setting 

*  up  your  watches  against  them  who  bring  the  glad  tidings  of  peace  to 
'your  souls;  whose  feet  are  beautiful  atop  of  the  mountains;  mark,  atop 

*  of  the  mountains ;  that  against  whicfi  the  mountains  rage  and  swell ; 
'  but  God  will  make  them  to  melt ;  the  Sun  is  risen,  which  will  make  them 

*  to  melt.  God  will  cleave  the  rocks  and  mountains  asunder,  and  make 
'  the  hills  to  bow  perpetually ;  for  his  Son  he  will  exalt,  and  his  glory  he 

*  will  give  to  him,  and  not  to  another.     Therefore  be  awakened,  ye  ru- 

*  lers  of  the  earth,  and  take  counsel  of  the  Lord.  Take  not  counsel  to- 
'  gether  against  him.  Make  not  your  bonds  strong.  Set  not  yourselves 
'  in  battle  against  him :  for  ye  will  be  found  but  as  briers  and  thorns  be- 

*  fore  him,  which  the  fire  shall  consume.  Therefore  be  awakened,  all 
*ye  talkers  of  the  scripture,  that  gather  yourselves  together  by  your 

*  multitudes  and  meetings,  and  have  had  your  teachers ;  but  not  having 
'  the  Spirit  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  the  Lord  God  of  glory,  the 
'  Father  of  spirits,  will  scatter  you.     All  your  bonds  will  not  hold  you 

*  together,  who  are  out  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  peace.  The 
'  threshing  instrument  is  gone  forth,  which  will  beat  the  hills  to  pieces. 

*  Sion  is  risen  to  thresh.     Out  of  the  holy  mountain  is  the  trumpet  sound- 

*  ed.     Stand  not  up  against  the  Lord :  for  all  nations  are  to  him  as  the 

*  drop  of  a  bucket.     He  that  measures  the  waters  in  the  hollow  of  his 

*  hand,  and  weighs  the  earth  in  scales,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  his  name, 
'  who  is  now  risen  and  rising,  to  plead  the  cause  of  the  innocent,  and  is 

*  exalting  his  Son,  and  bringing  his  sheep  to  him.     Now  are  they  seen 

*  and  known,  that  feed  upon  wind,  that  are  lifted  up,  given  up  to  believe 

*  lies ;  who  report,  and  say,  "  Report,  and  we  will  report  it."     Now  are 

*  they  seen,  who  have  a  form  of  godhness,  but  deny  the  power :  so  Christ 

*  is  denied ;  for  Christ  is  the  power  of  God.  And  the  power  being  deni- 
'  ed  by  you,  that  have  a  form  of  godliness,  and  the  words  of  the  scrip- 
'tures;  the  gospel  is  denied:  for  the  gospel  is  the  power  of  God.     Thus 

<  it  is  among  you  that  have  the  knowledge  and  wisdom  that  is  sensual, 
'  earthly,  and  devilish.  Doth  it  not  appear  so  ?  Let  your  gaols  and  watches 

*  witness  your  fruits  in  every  town.     Your  wisdom  is  earthly,  sensual, 

*  and  devilish.     You  have  a  knowledge  and  wisdom,  but  not  that  which 

*  is  from  above ;  for  that  is  pure  and  gentle,  so  is  not  your  knowledge. 
'  But  to  know  Chi'ist,  is  life  eternal.     Your  fruits  have  manifested,  that 

<  you  are  not  of  this ;  and  so  out  of  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the  cross 
'  of  Christ ;  for  you  are  found  in  the  world,  out  of  the  power  of  God,  out 

*  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  persecuting.  So  that  which  doth  persecute,  and 
'  send  forth  writings  and  decrees  to  stop  and  take  up  all,  and  set  watches, 
'  and  prepare  bonds  to  limit  the  Lord ;  to  imprison  and  persecute,  and 

*  suffer  none  to  go  and  visit  them :  this  shews  you  are  not  christians,  but 
'  stand  against  the  christian  life,  which  brings  to  love  enemies.  Where 
'  is  your  love  to  your  enemies  who  are  thus  persecuting  your  friends  ? 
"  He  came  to  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him  not."  Here  is  a  turn- 
'ing  the  sword  against  the  just.     Do  you  shew  her&  a  christian's  life,  or 

*  5'-ourselves  christians,  who  are  filling  your  gaols  with  the  christians  in 

*  the  Spirit,  you  that  are  in  the  letter  (in  shadows)  as  the  Jews  in  the  let- 

*  ter  did,  put  the  Jews  in  the  Spirit  into  prison?  Is  not  this  the  fruit  in  our 


230  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [166? 

*  days  of  christians  in  the  letter,  to  put  christians  in  the  Spirit  into  prison  1 

*  Doth  not  this  shew  that  your  decrees,  which  you  have  sent  forth,  pro- 

*  ceed  from  death,  who  thus  act  against  the  Hfe,  and  them  that  are  in  it ; 
'which  the  scriptures  were  given  forth  from?  Is  it  not  here,  as  it  was 
'  with  Saul,  when  he  went  to  persecute,  to  hale  to  prison,  and  bind  all  that 

*  he  could  find  calling  upon  that  name,  who  were  christians  in  the  life, 

*  the  Spirit,  such  as  you  are  persecuting,  because  they  are  in  the  life, 

*  though  you  profess  their  words  1  Are  not  your  decrees  gone  forth  from 
'  the  same  spirit  of  envy,  against  the  same  Spirit  of  Christ  they  were  in  I 
'  Is  it  not  manifest  to  all  that  fear  God,  and  to  the  sober-minded  and  hon- 

*  est-hearted  people,  that  see  your  practices,  your  decrees,  your  letters, 
'  to  stop,  to  molest,  to  hinder,  to  imprison  them  that  are  moved  of  the 

*  Lord  to  do  his  will,  or  to  go  to  visit  prisoners  whom  you  have  impris- 
'  oned  ?  Doth  this  shew  you  to  have  a  spirit  like  Paul,  yea,  or  nay?  Are 

*  you  not  quite  contrary,  like  them  that  persecuted  Paul  1    The  day  hath 

*  declared  it.  To  that  of  God  in  you  all  I  speak,  which  shall  witness  it 
'  at  the  last  day,  the  day  of  judgment.    Persecution  was  blind  in  all  ages ; 

*  and  madness  and  folly  led  it :  yet  persecution  got  always  a  form  or  pre- 

*  tence  of  godliness,  a  talk  of  religion,  as  in  the  days  of  Moses,  of  Jeremy, 

*  of  Christ,  and  of  the  apostles.  "  Come,"  saith  the  council,  "  let  us  crush 
"  them  while  they  are  young,  they  have  almost  overspread  the  nation  in 
''  every  corner."  This  is  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Let  us  put  this  birth  to 
"  death,  as  Pharaoh  and  Herod  did  the  children."  But  the  Lord  caused 
'his  truth  the  more  to  spread.  For  you  may  read  what  numbers  came 
'  out  of  Egypt !  and  what  multitudes  followed  Christ !  Therefore  with 
'  consideration  read  these  lines,  and  not  with  fury.  Let  not  foolishness 
'  appear ;  but  consider  in  humility  the  paths  you  go  in,  what  spirit  you 

*  are  of,  and  what  the  end  of  your  conversation  is ;  for  in  love  to  your 

*  souls  I  write,  that  in  the  day  of  your  visitation  you  may  consider  it. 

'  From  him  who  loveth  righteousness,  and  the  establishing  of  it, 
'  and  truth,  peace,  and  faith,  which  is  by  Christ  Jesus  (Mercy  and 

*  peace  be  multiplied  among  such !)  But  a  witness  against  all 
'  hypocrites,  and  all  who  have  a  profession,  but  live  out  of  the 
'  possession  ;  in  an  hypocritical  religion,  in  the  lusts  and  fashions 
'  of  the  world,  having  a  form  of  godliness,  but  standing  against 
'  the  power  with  might  and  main,  sword  and  staff.    Which  things 

*  declare  your  conversation  and  practices  to  be  out  of  Christ's  life 
'  against  the  gospel  practice,  and  contrary  to  the  manner  and 
'  order  of  the  saints.  G.  F.' 

We  were  continued  in  prison  till  the  next  assize ;  before  winch  divers 
friends,  both  men  and  women,  were  sent  to  prison,  who  had  been  taken 
by  the  v^atches.  When  the  assize  was  come,  several  of  these  were  called 
before  the  judge,  and  indicted :  and  though  the  gaoler  brought  them  into 
court,  yet  they  indicted  them,  that  they  came  in  '  by  force  of  arms,  and 

*  in  an  hostile  manner ;'  and  the  judge  fined  them,  because  they  would 
not  put  oft'  their  hats.  But  we  were  not  called  before  the  judges  any 
more. 

Great  work  we  had,  and  service  for  the  Lord,  both  between  the  assizes, 
and  after,  amongst  pVofessors  and  people  of  all  sorts  :  for  many  came  to 
see  us,  and  to  reason  with  us.  Elizabeth  Trelawny  of  Plymouth  (daugh- 
ter of  one  called  a  baronet)  being  convinced,  the  priests,  professors,  and 
some  great  persons  of  her  kindred,  were  exasperated,  and  wrote  letters 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  231 

to  her.  She  being  a  wise  and  tender  woman,  and  fearing  to  give  them 
any  advantage,  sent  their  letters  to  me ;  which  I  answered,  and  returned 
them  to  her  again,  for  her  to  send  the  answers  to  them.  Which  she  did : 
till  growing  in  the  power.  Spirit,  and  wisdom  of  God,  she  became  able 
to  answer  the  wisest  priest  and  professor  of  them  all :  and  had  dominion 
over  them  in  the  truth,  through  the  power  pf  the  Lord,  by  which  she  was 
kept  faithful  to  her  death. 

While  I  was  in  prison  here,  the  Baptists  and  Fifth-monarchy-men 
prophesied.  That  this  year  Christ  should  come,  and  reign  upon  earth  a 
thousand  years.  And  they  looked  upon  this  reign  to  be  outward  :  when 
he  was  come  inwardly  in  the  hearts  of  his  people,  to  reign  and  rule ; 
where  these  professors  would  not  receive  him.  So  they  failed  in  their 
prophecy  and  expectation,  and  had  not  the  possession  of  him.  But  Christ 
is  come,  and  doth  dwell  and  reign  in  the  hearts  of  his  people.  Thou- 
sands, at  the  door  of  whose  hearts  he  hath  been  knocking,  have  opened 
to  him ;  and  he  is  come  in,  and  doth  sup  with  them,  and  they  with  him ; 
the  heavenly  supper  with  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  man.  So  many  of 
these  Baptists  and  Monarchy-people  turned  the  greatest  enemies  to  the 
followers  of  Christ :  but  he  reigns  in  the  hearts  of  his  saints  over  all  their 
envy. 

At  the  assize  divers  justices  came  to  us,  and  were  pretty  civil,  and 
reasoned  of  the  things  of  God  soberly ;  expressing  a  pity  to  us.  Captain 
Fox,  governor  of  Pendennis  Castle,  came  and  looked  me  in  the  face,  and 
said  never  a  word;  but  went  to  his  company,  and  told  them,  '  He  never 
'  saw  a  simpler  man  in  his  life.'  I  called  after  him,  and  said,  '  Stay,  man, 
'  we  will  see  who  is  the  simpler  man.'  But  he  went  his  way.  A  light 
chaffy  person. 

Thomas  Lower  also  came  to  visit  us,  and  offered  us  money,  which 
we  refused ;  accepting  nevertheless  of  his  love.  He  asked  us  many 
questions  concerning  our  denying  the  scriptures  to  be  the  word  of  God ; 
concerning  the  sacraments,  and  such  like :  to  all  which  he  received  sat- 
isfaction. I  spoke  particularly  to  him  ;  and  he  afterwards  said.  My 
words  were  as  a  flash  of  lightning,  they  ran  so  through  him.  He  said, 
He  never  met  with  such  men  in  his  life,  for  they  knew  the  thoughts  of 
his  heart ;  and  were  as  the  wise  master-builders  of  the  assemblies,  that 
fastened  their  words  like  nails.  He  came  to  be  convinced  of  the  truth, 
and  remains  a  friend  to  this  day.  When  he  came  home  to  his  aunt 
Hambley's,  where  he  then  lived,  and  made  report  to  her  concerning  us ; 
she,  with  her  sister  Grace  Billing,  hearing  the  report  of  truth,  came  to"" 
visit  us  in  prison,  and  was  convinced  also.  Great  sufferings  and  spoiling 
of  goods  both  he  and  his  aunt  have  undergone  for  the  truth's  sake. 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  exhortation 
to  friends  in  the  ministry : 

'  Friends, 

'  In  the  power  of  life  and  wisdom,  and  dread  of  the  Lord  God  of  life, 

*  and  heaven  and  earth,  dwell ;  that  in  the  wisdom  of  God  over  all  ye 

*  may  be  preserved,  and  be  a  terror  to  all  the  adversaries  of  God,  and 
'  a  dread,  answering  that  of  God  in  them  all,  spreading  the  truth  abroad, 
'  awakening  the  witness,  confounding  the  deceit,  gathering  up  out  of 

*  transgression  into  the  life,  the  covenant  of  light  and  peace  with  God. 

*  Let  all  nations  hear  the  sound  by  word  or  writing.  Spare  no  place, 
'  spare  no  tongue,  nor  pen ;  but  be  obedient  to  the  Lord  God :  go  through 


232  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  the  work ;  be  valiant  for  the  truth  upon  earth ;  tread  and  trample  upon 

*  all  that  is  contrary.    Ye   have  the  power,  do  not  abuse  it ;  and  strength 

*  and  presence  of  the  Lord ;  eye  it,  and  the  wisdom ;  that  with  it  you 
'  may  all  be  ordered  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord  God.  Keep  in  the  domi- 
'  nion ;  keep  in  the  power  over  all  deceit ;  tread  over  them  in  that,  which 
'  lets  you  see  to  the  world's  end,  and  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth. 
'  Reign  and  rule  with  Christ,  whose  sceptre  and  throne  are  now  set  up, 
'  whose  dominion  is  over  all  to  the  ends  of  the  earth ;  whose  dominion  is 
'  an  everlasting  dominion,  his  throne  an  everlasting  throne,  his  kingdom 

*  an  everlasting  kingdom,  his  power  above  all  powers.  Therefore  this  is 
'  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  you  all :  "  Keep  in  the  wisdom  of  God,"  that 
'  spreads  over  all  the  earth ;  the  wisdom  of  the  creation,  that  is  pure 

*  from  above,  not  destructive.     For  now  shall  salvation  go  out  of  Zion, 

*  to  judge  the  mount  of  Esau ;  now  shall  the  law  go  forth  from  Jerusa- 
'  lem,  to  answer  the  principle  of  God  in  all ;  to  hew  down  all  inventors 
'  and  inventions.  For  all  the  princes  of  the  earth  are  but  as  air  to  the 
'  power  of  God,  which  you  are  in,  and  have  tasted  of:  therefore  live  in 

*  it,  that  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  you  all ;  do  not  abuse  it ;  keep  down 
'  and  low ;  and  take  heed  of  false  joys,  that  will  change. 

'  Bring  all   into  the  worship  of  God.     Plow  up  the   fallow  ground. 

*  Thresh  and  get  out  the  corn ;  that  the  seed,  the  wheat,  may  be  gather- 

*  ed  into  the  barn :  that  to  the  beginning  all  people  may  come ;  to  Christ, 
'  who  was  before  the  world  was  made.  For  the  chaff  is  come  upon  the 
'  wheat  by  transgression.  He  that  treads  it  out  is  out  of  transgression, 
'  fathoms  transgression,  puts  a  difference  between  the  precious  and  the 
'  vile,  can  pick  out  the  wheat  from  the  tares,  and  gather  into  the  garner ; 
'  so  brings  to  the  lively  hope  the  immortal  soul  into  God,  out  of  which  it 
'  came.  None  worship  God  but  who  come  to  the  principle  of  God,  which 
'  they  have  transgressed.  None  are  plowed  up  but  he  who  comes  to 
'  the  principle  of  God  in  him,  that  he  hath  transgressed.  Then  he  doth 
'  service  as  to  God ;  then  is  the  planting,  watering,  and  increase  from 
'  God.     So  the  ministers  of  the  Spirit  must  minister  to  the  Spirit  that  is 

*  in  prison,  which  hath  been  in  captivity  in  every  one ;  that  with  the- 
'  Spirit  of  Christ  people  may  be  led  out  of  captivity  up  to  God,  the  Fa- 

*  ther  of  Spirits,  to  serve  him,  and  have  unity  with  him,  with  the  scrip- 

*  tures,  and  one  with  another.  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  you  all, 
'  a  charge  to  you  all  in  the  presence  of  the  living  God ;  Be  patterns,  be 

*  examples  in  all  countries,  places,  islands,  nations,  where-ever  you  come; 
'  that  your  life  and  conduct  may  preach  among  all  sorts  of  people,  and 

*  to  them.  Then  you  will  come  to  walk  cheerfully  over  the  world,  an- 
'  swering  that  of  God  in  every  one ;  whereby  in  them  ye  may  be  a  bless- 

*  ing,  and  make  the  witness  of  God  in  them  to  bless  you :  then  to  the 
'  Lord  God  you  shall  be  a  sweet  savour,  and  a  blessing. 

'  Spare  no  deceit.     Lay  the  Sword  upon  it ;  go  over  it.     Keep  your- 

*  selves  clear  of  the  blood  of  all  men,  either  by  word  or  writing,  and  keep 
'  yourselves  clean,  that  you  may  stand  in  your  throne,  and  every  one 
'  have  his  lot  and  stand  in  the  lot  in  the  Ancient  of  days.  The  blessing 
'  of  the  Lord  be  with  you,  and  keep  you  over  all  the  idolatrous  worships 
'  and  worshippers.  Let  them  know  the  living  God ;  for  teachings, 
'  churches,  worships  must  be  thrown  down  with  the  power  of  the  Lord 
'  God,  set  up  by  man's  earthly  understanding,  knowledge,  and  will.     All 

this  must  be  thrown  down  with  that  which  gave  forth  the  scripture ; 
and  who  are  in  that,  reign  over  it  all.     That  is  the  word  of  the  Lord 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  233 

« to  you  all.     In  that  is  God  worshipped,  that  brings  to  declare  his  will, 

*  and  brings  to  the  church  in  God,  the  ground  and  pillar  of  truth :  for 
'  now  is  the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  appeared,  and  the  arrows  of  the 
'  Almighty  gone  forth ;  which  shall  stick  in  the  hearts  of  the  wicked. 

*  Now  will  I  arise,  saith  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  to  trample  and  thunder 
'  down  deceit,  which  hath  long  reigned  and  stained  the  earth.   Now  will 

*  I  have  my  glory  out  of  eveiy  one.     The  Lord  God  Almighty  over  all 

*  in  his  strength  and  power  keep  you  to  his  glory,  that  you  may  come  to 
'  answer  that  of  God  in  every  one.     Proclaim  the  mighty  day  of  the 

*  Lord  of  fire  and  sword,  who  will  be  worshipped  in  spirit  and  in  truth ; 

*  and  keep  in  the  life  and  power  of  the  Lord  God,  that  the  inhabitants  of 

*  the  earth  may  tremble  before  you :  that  God's  power  and  majesty  may 
'  be  admired  among  hypocrites  and  heathens,  and  ye  in  the  wisdom, 
'  dread,  life,  terror,  and  dominion  preserved  to  his  glory ;  that  nothing 
'  may  rule  or  reign  but  power  and  life  itself,  and  in  the  wisdom  of  God 
'  ye  may  be  preserved  in  it.  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  you 
'  all.     The  call  is  now  out  of  transgression,  the  Spirit  bids,  come.     The 

*  call  is  now  from  all  false  worships  and  Gods,  from  all  inventions  and 

*  dead  works,  to  serve  the  Hving  God.     The  call  is  to  repentance,  to 

*  amendment  of  hfe,  whereby  righteousness  may  be  brought  forth,  which 
'  shall  go  throughout  the  earth.     Therefore  ye  that  be  chosen  and  faith- 

*  ful,  who  are  with  the  Lamb,  go  through  your  work  faithfully  in  the 

*  strength  and  power  of  the  Lord,  and  be  obedient  to  the  power ;  for  that 
'  will  save  you  out  of  the  hands  of  unreasonable  men,  and  preserve  you 
'  over  the  world  to  himself.  Hereby  you  may  live  in  the  kingdom  that 
'  stands  in  power,  which  hath  no  end ;  where  glory  and  life  is. 

'G.  F.' 

After  the  assizes,  the  sheriff,  with  some  soldiers,  came  to  guard  a 
woman  to  execution  that  was  sentenced  to  die  ;  and  we  had  a  great 
deal  of  discourse  with  them.  One  of  them  wickedly  said,  '  Christ  was 
'  as  passionate  a  man  as  any  that  lived  upon  the  earth.'  For  which 
wicked  saying  we  rebuked  him.  Another  time  we  asked  the  gaoler, 
what  doings  there  were  at  the  sessions  ?  He  said,  small  matters,  only 
about  thirty  for  bastardy.  We  thought  it  very  grange  that  they,  who 
professed  themselves  Christians,  should  make  small  matters  of  such 
things.  But  this  gaoler  was  very  bad  himself.  I  often  admonished  him 
to  sobriety  ;  but  he  would  abuse  people  that  came  to  visit  us.  Edward 
Pyot  had  a  cheese  sent  him  by  his  wife  from  Bristol ;  and  the  gaoler  took 
the  cheese  from  him,  and  carried  it  to  the  mayor,  to  search  it  for  treason- 
able letters,  as  he  said :  and  though  they  found  no  treason  in  the  cheese, 
they  kept  it  from  us.  This  gaoler  might  have  been  rich,  if  he  had  car- 
ried himself  civilly ;  but  he  sought  his  own  ruin,  which  soon  after  came 
upon  him :  for  the  next  year  he  was  turned  out  of  his  place,  and  for 
some  wickedness  was  cast  into  the  gaol  himself;  and  there  begged  of 
our  friends.  And  for  some  unruliness  in  his  carriage,  he  was  by  the 
succeeding  gaoler  put  into  Doomsdale,  locked  in  irons,  beaten,  and  bid 
to  '  remember  how  he  had  abused  those  good  men,  whom  he  had  wick- 
'  edly,  without  any  cause,  cast  into  that  nasty  prison :'  and  told,  '  That 

*  now  he  deservedly  should  suffer  for  his  wickedness,  and  the  same  mea- 
'  sure  he  had  meted  to  others,  he  should  have  meted  out  to  himself.'  He 
became  very  poor,  and  died  in  prison.  His  wife  and  family  came  to 
misery. 

2E 


234  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

While  I  was  in  prison  at  Lanceston,  a  friend  went  to  Oliver  Cromwell, 
and  offered  himself,  body  for  body,  to  lie  in  Doomsdale  in  my  stead ;  if 
he  would  take  him,  and  set  me  at  liberty.  Which  thing  so  struck  him, 
that  he  said,  to  his  great  men  and  council ;  '  Which  of  you  would  do  so 
'much  for  me,  if  I  were  in  the  same  condition?'  And  though  he  did 
not  accept  of  the  friend's  offer,  but  said,  '  He  could  not  do  it,  for  it  was 
'  contrary  to  law ;'  yet  the  truth  thereby  came  mightily  over  him*  A 
good  while  after  this  he  sent  down  major  general  Desborow  pretending 
to  set  us  at  liberty.  When  he  came,  he  ofiered,  if  we  would  say,  '  We 
would  go  home  and  preach  no  more,'  we  should  have  our  liberty ;  but 
we  could  not  promise  him.  Then  he  urged,  that  we  should  promise  '  to 
'  go  home  if  the  Lord  permitted :'  whereupon  Edward  Pyot  wrote  him 
this  following  letter : 

'  To  major  general  Desborow. 

*  Friend, 
'  Though  much  might  be  said  as  to  the  liberty  of  Englishmen  to  travci 
'  in  any  part  of  England,  it  being  as  the  Englishman's  house  by  the  law, 
'  and  he  to  be  protected  in  any  part  of  it ;  and  if*  he  transgress  the  law, 
'  the  penalty  upon  the  transgressor  is  to  be  inflicted.  And  as  to  the  lib- 
'  erty  of  conscience,  which  is  a  natural  right,  and  a  fundamental,  and 
'  the  exercise  of  it  by  those  who  profess  faith  in  God  by  Jesus  Christ,  it 
'  is  to  be  protected,  as  by  the  instrument  of  government  it  appears, 
'  though  they  differ  in  doctrine,  worship,  and  discipline  ;  provided  that 
'  liberty  extend  not  to  property,  or  prelacy,  nor  to  licentiousness.  Where 
'  these  rights  are  denied  .us,  our  liberties  are  infringed,  which  are  the 
'  price  of  much  blood  and  treasure  in  the  late  wars.  Yet  in  the  power 
'  of  God  over  all,  by  which  all  are  to  be  ruled,  are  we,  and  in  it  dwell, 
'  and  by  it  alone  are  guided  to  do  the  will  of  God ;  whose  will  is  free, 
'  and  we,  in  the  freedom  of  his  will,  walk  by  the  power,  cither  as  it  com- 
'  mands  or  permits,  without  any  condition  or  enforcement  thereunto  by 
'  men  ;  but  as  the  power  moves,  either  by  command  or  permission.  And 
'  although  we  cannot  covenant  or  condition  to  go  forth  of  these  parts,  or 
'  to  do  this  or  that  thing,  if  the  Lord  permit  (for  that  were  to  do  the  will 
'  of  man  by  God's  permission)  yet  it  is  like  we  may  pass  forth  of  these 
'  parts  in  the  liberty  ot*the  will  of  God,  as  we  may  be  severally  moved 

•  and  guided  by  the  pure  power,  and  not  of  necessity.  We  who  were 
'  first  committed  were  passing  homeward  when  we  were  apprehended ; 

•  and,  as  far  as  I  know,  we  might  pass,  if  the  prison  doors  were  com- 
'  manded  to  be  OjDened,  and  we  freed  of  our  bonds.  Should  we  stay,  if 
'  the  Lord  commands  us  to  go,  or  should  we  go  if  the  Lord  command 
'  us  to  stay ;  or  having  no  command  to  stay,  but  being  permitted  to  pass 
'  from  hence,  the  pure  power  moving  thereto,  and  we  yet  stay ;  or  go, 
■  when  as  before  commanded  to  stay ;  we  should  then  be  wanderers  in- 

•  deed :  for  such  are  M^anderers,  who  wander  out  from  the  will  and 
'  power  of  God,  abroad,  at  large,  in  their  own  wills  and  earthly  minds. 
'  And  so,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  God,  well  weigh  and  consider,  with  the 
'  just  weight  and  just  balance,  that  justice  thou  mayest  do  to  the  just  and 
'  innocent  in  prison.  Edward  Pyot.' 

Some  time  having  passed  after  the  foregoing  was  delivered  him,  and 
he  not  giving  any  order  for  our  discharge,  I  also  wrote  to  him  as  fol- 
loweth : 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  235 

'  To  major  general  Desborow. 
*  Friend, 
'  We  who  are  in  the  power  of  God,  the  ruler  of  all,  the  upholder  of  all 
things,  and  know  and  dwell  in  his  power,  to  it  we  must  be  obedient ; 
which  brings  us  to  stand  out  of  all  men's  wills,  unlimited.  To  say, 
'  We  will  if  the  Lord  permit,"  in  a  case  of  buying  and  selling  to  get 
gain,  if  the  intent  be  so  to  do,  may  be  done ;  but  we  standing  in  the 
power  of  God  to  do  his  will,  and  to  stand  out  of  man's  will,  if  man  pro- 
pose, "  We  shall  have  our  liberty  if  we  will  say,  we  will  go  to  our  out- 
'  ward  being,  if  the  Lord  permit,  or  if  it  be  the  will  of  God ;"  and  be- 
cause we  cannot  say  these  words  in  this  case,  shall  not  have  our  liberty, 
when  we  know  that  the  will  of  God  is,  we  shall,  "  go  to  speak  at  some 
•  other  place :"  here  we  cannot  say  these  words  truly.  For  to  say, 
'  We  will  go  to  our  outward  habitation,  if  it  be  according  to  the  will  of 
'  God,"  when  we  know  the  will  of  God  is  otherwise  ;  we  cannot  speak 
so,  truly  and  clearly.  Neither  can  any  man  say  so  to  him,  that  requires 
it  of  him ;  who  stands  in  the  power,  and  knows  the  power  of  God  to 
lead  him  according  to  God's  will,  and  it  leads  him  to  another  place  than 
his  outward  home.  But  the  Son  of  God,  who  came  to  do  and  did  the 
will  of  God,  had  no  place  whereon  to  lay  his  head :  and  the  apostles, 
and  many  of  the  followers  of  Christ,  had  no  certain  dwelling-place. 
Now  if  these  should  have  been  restrained,  because  they  could  not  say 
they  would  go  to  their  outward  homes,  if  it  were  the  will  of  God,  when 
they  knew  it  was  the  will  of  God  they  should  not,  and  they  could  not 
do  the  will  of  God  in  doing  so,  and  therefore  could  not  speak  those 
words  to  satisfy  man's  mind  and  will,  would  not  such  restraint  have 
been  evil  ?  Abraham  could  not  do  the  will  of  God,  but  in  going  from  his 
native  country  ;  and  who  are  of  faith  are  of  Abraham,  of  whom  Christ 
came  according  to  the  flesh.  Now,  if  you  allege,  "  This  is  to  let  all 
loose  and  at  liberty  to  idleness,"  I  say.  No :  such  as  are  in  the  power 
of  God,  who  do  the  will  of  God,  come  to  receive  his  wisdom,  by  which 
all  his  creatures  were  created,  and  by  which  they  are  used  to  his  glory. 
This  I  shall  say,  whoever  are  moved  by  the  Lord  God  of  glory  and 
power  to  go  to  their  outward  habitations,  such  of  us  may  go  to  our  out- 
ward homes ;  and  there  be  diligent  in  serving  the  Lord,  that  they  may 
be  a  blessing  from  God  in  their  generation ;  diligently  serving  him  in 
hfe  and  doctrine,  in  manners,  in  conversation,  in  all  things.  And  who 
are  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  any  other  place,  we  standing  in  his 
will,  and  being  moved  by  his  power,  which  comprehends  all  things, 
and  is  not  to  be  limited,  we  shall  do  his  will  which  we  are  commanded 
to  do.  So  the  Lord  God  open  your  understandings,  that  you  may  see 
this  great  power  of  the  Lord,  which  he  is  now  manifesting  among  his 
children  in  this  his  day ;  that  ye  may  not  withstand  it  in  our  friends,  that 
are  come  into  the  power  of  God,  and  to  God,  and  know  him  by  whom 
the  world  was  made,  by  whom  all  things  were  created  that  were  cre- 
ated, and  there  was  not  any  thing  made  but  what  was  made  for  him, 
and  to  him,  and  by  him ;  who  is  the  power  of  God,  and  doth  enlighten 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world.  Friends  being  come  to  this 
light  which  cometh  from  Christ,  and  having  received  power  from  him 
by  whom  all  things  were  created,  to  whom  all  power  in  heaven  and 
earth  is  given,  who  is  the  wisdom  of  God ;  we  have  received  wisdom 
and  power  from  him,  by  which  the  Lord  doth  give  us  to  know  how  to 


236  <!  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1656 

*  use  and  order  the  creatures  to  the  glory  of  him,  theCreator  of  all  things. 

*  Friends  here  are  taught  of  the  Lord  to  be  diligent,  serving  him ;  and 
'  who  come  into  the  life,  the  scriptures  were  given  forth  from,  are  given 

*  up  to  serve  the  Lord.     Of  this  I  have  in  all  your  consciences  a  witness. 

*  So,  if  thou  open  the  prison-door,  we  shall  not  stay  there.     If  thou  send 

*  a  liberate,  and  set  us  free,  we  shall  not  stay  in  prison ;  for  Israel  is  to 
'  go  out  free,  whose  freedom  is  purchased  by  the  power  of  God  and 

*  the  blood  of  Jesus.     But  who  goeth  out  of  the  power  of  God  loseth  his 

*  freedom. 

'  The  13th  of  the  6th  «  George  Fox,  and  the  rest 

'  month,  1656.'  *  '  who  are  sufferers  for 

'  the  truth  in  Lanceston- 
'  gaol.' 

After  this  major  Desborow  came  to  the  Castle-green,  and  played  at 
bowls  with  the  justices  and  others.  Several  friends  were  moved  to  go, 
and  admonish  them  against  '  spending  time  so  vainly ;'  desiring  them  to 
consider,  '  That  though  they  professed  themselves  to  be  Christians,  yet 
'  they  gave  themselves  up  to  their  pleasures,  and  kept  the  servants  of 

*  God  mean-while  in  prison ;'  and  also  told  them,  '  The  Lord  would  plead 

*  with  them,  and  visit  them  for  such  things.'  But  notwithstanding  what 
was  wrote  or  said  to  him,  he  went  away,  and  left  us  in  prison.  We  un- 
derstood afterwards  that  he  left  the  business  to  colonel  Bennet,  who  had 
the  command  of  the  gaol.  For  some  time  after  Bennet  would  have  set 
us  at  liberty,  if  we  would  have  paid  his  gaoler's  fees.  But  we  answered, 
'  We  could  give  the  gaoler  no  fees,  for  we  were  innocent  sufferers;  hov/ 

*  could  they  expect  fees  of  us,  who  had  suffered  so  long  wrongfully  V 
After  awhile  colonel  Bennet  coming  to  town  sent  for  us  to  an  inn,  and 
insisted  again  upon  fees,  which  we  refused.  At  last  the  power  of  the 
Lord  came  so  over  him,  that  the  thirteenth  of  the  seventh  month,  1656, 
we  were  set  at  liberty.  We  had  been  prisoners  nine  weeks  at  the  first 
assize,  called  the  Lent-assize,  in  the  spring  of  the  year. 

Observing  while  I  was  here  prisoner  how  much  the  people  (they  es- 
pecially who  were  called  gentry)  were  addicted  to  pleasures  and  vain 
recreations,  I  was  moved,  before  I  left  the  place,  to  give  forth  several 
papers  as  a  warning  to  them,  and  to  all  that  so  mispend  their  time.  One 
of  which  was  thus : 

*  This  to  go  abroad  among  those,  who  are  given  to  pleasures  and  wan- 

'  tonness. 

•  The  sins  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  were  pride,  fulness  of  bread,  and 
'  abundance  of  idleness.  Their  filthy  conversation  vexed  the  righteous 
'  soul  of  just  Lot  day  by  day,  and  they  would  not  take  warning ;  on 
'  whom  God  therefore  sent  fire,  and  turned  them  into  ashes.  And  in 
'  spiritual  Sodom  and  Egypt  was  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  crucified ;  and 
'  it  is  written,  "  The  people  sate  down  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  rose  up 
*'  to  play ;  with  whom  God  was  not  well  pleased,  and  there  fell  three  and 
"  twenty  thousand  in  one  day."  These  the  apostle  commanded  the  saints 

*  they  should  not  fpllow ;  for  these  things  happened  to  them  for  exam- 

*  pies,  and  are  written  for  our  admonition.  God  spared  not  the  old  world; 

*  but  reserving  Noah,  a  preacher  of  righteousness,  brought  the  flood  upon 

*  the  world  of  the  ungodly,  making  them  an  example  to  all  that  after 
'  should  live  ungodly.    Mark,  ye  ungodly  ones,  who  are  as  natural  brute 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  237 

*  beasts,  who  speak  great  swelling  words  of  vanity,  alluring  through  the 
'  lusts  of  the  flesh,  through  much  wantonness,  as  they  that  count  it  plea- 
'  sure  to  riot  in  the  day-time,  sporting  yourselves  with  your  own  deceiv- 

*  ings ;  ye  shall  receive  the  reward  of  unrighteousness.  Ye  are  as  dogs 
'  and  swine  turned  to  the  vomit,  and  wallowing  in  the  mire,  speaking 

*  evil  of  things  that  ye  know  not ;  and  unless  ye  repent,  ye  shall  ut- 

*  terly  perish  in  your  own  corruptions.    Ye  have  lived  in  pleasure  on  the 

*  earth,  and  been  wanton.     Ye  have  nourished  your  hearts,  as  in  a  day 

*  of  slaughter.     Ye  have  condemned  and  killed  the  just,  and  he  doth  not 

*  resist  you.  Go  to,  weep  and  howl  for  the  misery  that  is  coming  upon 
'  you.     She  that  liveth  in  pleasures,  is  dead  while  she  liveth.     God  con- 

*  demned  the  cities  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  making  them  an  example 
'  to  all  those  that  after  should  Uve  ungodly,  in  the  wicked,  filthy  conver- 
'  sation:  mark,  here  is  your  example.     Hear  this,  ye  that  are  given  to 

*  pleasures,  and  read  your  examples.  G.  F.' 

Another,  upon  my  taking  notice  of  the  bowlers  that  came  to  sport  in 
the  Castle-green,  was  as  followeth : 

'  The  word  of  the  Lord  to  all  you  vain  and  idle  minded  people,  who 
'  are  lovers  of  sports,  pleasures,  foolish  exercises,  and  recreations,  as  you 
'  call  them ;  consider  of  your  ways,  what  it  is  you  are  doing.  Was  this 
'  the  end  of  your  creation?  Did  God  make  all  things  for  you,  and  you  to 
'  serve  your  lusts  and  pleasures  1  Did  not  the  Lord  make  all  things  for 
'  you,  and  you  for  himself,  to  fear  and  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth, 

*  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness?  But  where  is  your  service  of  God, 
'  so  long  as  your  hearts  run  after  lusts  and  pleasures  ?  ye  cannot  serve 
'  God  and  the  foolish  pleasures  of  the  world,  as  bowhng,  drinking,  hunt- 
'  ing,  hawking,  and  the  like.  If  these  have  your  hearts,  God  will  not 
'  have  your  lips.  Consider,  for  it  is  true.  Therefore  from  the  Lord  must 
'  you  all  witness  wo  and  misery,  tribulation  and  wrath,  who  continue  in 
'  the  love  and  practice  of  your  vain  sports,  lusts,  and  pleasures.  Now  is 
'  the  day,  when  all  every  where  are  exhorted  to  repentance.  O  foolish 
'  people,  wicked  and  slow  of  heart  to  believe  the  threatenings  of  the  great 
'  Jehovah  against  the  wicked  !  What  will  you  do  in  the  day  of  the  Lord's 
'  fierce  wrath,  that  makes  haste  to  come  upon  the  world  of  ungodly  men  ! 
'  What  good  have  your  foolish  sports  and  delights  done  you,  now  they 
'  are  past  ?  Or  what  good  will  they  do  you,  when  the  Lord  calls  for  your 
'  souls?  Therefore  all  now  awake  from  sleep,  and  see  where  you  are; 
'  and  let  the  light  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  shines  in  every  one  of  your  con- 
'  sciences,  search  you  thoroughly,  and  it  will  let  you  clearly  see,  for  all 
'  your  profession  of  God,  Christ,  and  the  scriptures,  you  are  ignorant  of 
'  them,  and  enemies  to  them  all,  and  your  own  souls  also ;  and  being 
'  found  living  in  pleasures,  you  are  dead  while  you  live.  Therefore  doth 
'  the  Lord  by  many  messengers  forewarn  you ;  and  calls  you  to  repent- 
'  ance  and  deep  humiliation;  that  you  may  forsake  the  evil  of  your  do- 
'  ings,  own  this  day  of  your  visitation,  and  while  you  have  time  prize  it; 
'  lest  the  things  which  belong  to  your  peace  be  hid  from  your  eyes  for 

*  your  disobedience  and  rebellion  against  the  Holy  One.  And  then  it  had 
'  been  good  that  you  never  had  been  born :  repent,  for  the  kingdom  of 
'  heaven  is  at  hand.     Again  I  say,  Repent ! 

*  To  the  bowlers  •  Given  forth  in  Lanceston- 

^  in  the  green.'  *  gaol,  in  Cornwall,' 


238  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

Being  released,  we  got  horses,  rid  towards  Humphry  Lower's,  and 
met  him  upon  the  road.    He  told  us,  '  He  was  much  troubled  in  his  mind 

*  concerning  us,  and  could  not  rest  at  home ;  but  was  going  to  colonel 
'  Bennet  to  seek  our  liberty.'     When  we  told  him,  '  We  were  set  at  lib- 

*  erty,  and  were  going  to  his  house ;'  he  Vv-as  exceeding  glad.  To  his 
house  we  went,  and  had  a  fine,  precious  meeting ;  many  were  convinced, 
and  turned  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  to  tlie  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  teaching. 

From  his  house  we  went  to  Loveday  Hambley's ;  where  we  had  a 
fine  large  meeting.  The  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  many  were  con- 
vinced there  also,  and  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher. 

After  we  had  tarried  there  two  or  three  days,  we  came  to  Thomas 
Mounce's,  where  we  had  a  general  meeting  for  the  whole  county;  which, 
being  very  large,  was  held  in  his  orchard.  Friends  from  Plymouth  were 
there,  and  from  many  places.  The  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  a 
great  convincement  there  was  in  many  parts  of  the  county.  Their 
watches  were  down,  and  all  was  plain  and  open ;  for  the  Lord  had  let 
me  see,  before  I  was  at  liberty,  that  he  would  make  all  the  country  plain 
before  us.  Thomas  and  Ann  Curtis,  with  an  alderman  of  Reading  who 
was  convinced,  had  come  to  Lanceston  to  see  us  while  I  was  prisoner; 
and  when  Ann  and  the  other  man  returned,  Thomas  Curtis  staid  behind 
in  Cornwall,  and  had  good  service  for  the  Lord  at  that  time. 

From  Thomas  Mounce's  we  passed  to  Lanceston  again,  and  visited 
the  little  remnant  of  friends  that  had  been  raised  up  there  while  we  were 
in  prison ;  and  the  Lord's  plants  grew  finely,  and  were  established  on 
Christ,  their  rock  and  foundation.  As  we  were  going  out  of  town  again, 
the  constable  of  Lanceston  came  running  to  us  with  the  cheese  that  had 
been  taken  from  Edward  Pyot ;  which  they  had  kept  from  us  all  this 
while,  and  were  troubled  with  it.  But  we,  being  now  at  liberty,  would 
not  receive  it. 

From  Lanceston  we  came  to  Okington ;  and  lay  at  an  inn,  which  the 
mayor  of  the  town  kept.  He  had  stopped  and  taken  up  several  friends, 
but  was  very  civil  to  us ;  and  was  convinced  in  his  judgment. 

From  thence  we  came  to  Exeter,  where  many  friends  were  in  prison ; 
and  amongst  the  rest  James  Nayler.  For  a  little  before  we  were  set  at 
hberty,  James  had  run  out  into  imaginations,  and  a  company  with  him, 
who  raised  up  a  great  darkness  in  the  nation.*  He  came  to  Bristol,  and 
made  a  disturbance  there.  From  thence  he  was  coming  to  Lanceston, 
to  see  me ;  but  was  stopped  by  the  way,  and  imprisoned  at  Exeter ;  as 
were  several  others,  one  of  whom,  an  honest,  tender  man,  died  in  prison 
there  ;  whose  blood  lieth  on  the  heads  of  his  persecutors. 

The  night  that  we  came  to  Exeter,  I  spoke  with  James  Nayler :  for  I 
saw  he  was  out,  and  wrong,  and  so  was  his  company.  The  next  day, 
being  first-day,  we  went  to  visit  the  prisoners,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
them  in  the  prison ;  but  James  Nayler,  and  some  of  them  could  not  stay 
the  meeting.  There  came  a  corporal  of  horse  into  the  meeting,  who 
was  convinced,  and  remained  a  very  good  friend.  The  next  day  I  spoke 
to  James  Nayler  again ;  and  he  slighted  what  I  said,  was  dark,  and  much 
out ;  yet  he  would  have  come  and  kissed  me.     But  I  said,  '  Since  he  had 

*  James  Nayler  was  a  monument  of  human  frailty.  His  gift  in  the  ministry  was  eminent ; 
his  experience  in  divine  things  truly  great.  He  fell  through  unwatchfulness,  but  was  restored 
through  deep  sufferings  and  unfeigned  repentance.  His  own  writings  are  the  most  clear  and 
lively  description  of  the  various  dispensations  lie  underwent :  some  of  them  deserve  to  be 
transmitted  to  the  latest  posterity. 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  239 

*  turned  against  the  power  of  God,  I  could  not  receive  his  shew  of  kind- 
'  ness.'    The  Lord  moved  me  to  sUght  him,  and  to  '  set  the  power  of  God 

*  over  him.'  So  after  J.  had  been  warring  with  the  world,  there  was  now 
a  wicked  spirit  risen  amongst  friends  to  war  against.  I  admonished  him 
and  his  company.  When  he  was  come  to  London,  his  resisting  the 
power  of  God  in  me,  and  the  truth  that  was  declared  to  him  by  me,  be- 
came one  of  his  greatest  burdens.  But  he  came  to  see  his  out-going, 
and  to  condemn  it ;  and  after  some  time  he  returned  to  truth  again ;  as 
in  the  printed  relation  of  his  repentance,  condemnation,  and  recovery 
may  be  more  fully  seen. 

We  passed  from  Exeter  through  Cullumpton  and  Taunton,  visiting 
friends ;  and  had  meetings  amongst  them.  From  thence  we  came  to 
Puddimoor,  to  William  Beaton's ;  where  on  a  first-day  we  had  a  very 
large  meeting.  A  great  convincement  there  was  up  and  down  that 
country ;  many  meetings  we  had,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ; 
many  were  turned,  by  the  powder  and  Spirit  of  God,  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  died  for  them,  and  came  to  sit  under  his  free  teachins;. 

r  rom  thence  we  went  to  John  Dando's,  where  we  had  another  pre- 
cious meeting.  The  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  many  were  con- 
vinced of  God's  eternal  truth.  Some  contention  was  raised  by  profes- 
sors and  Baptists,  in  some  places ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them. 
From  thence  we  came  to  Edward  Pyot's  near  Bristol.  It  was  the  sev- 
enth-day at  night  that  we  came  thither.  It  was  quickly  noised  over  the 
town  that  I  was  come.     I  had  never  been  there  before. 

On  first-day  morning  I  went  to  the  meeting  in  Broadmead  at  Bristol ; 
which  was  large  and  quiet.  Notice  was  given  of  a  meeting  to  be  in  the 
afternoon  in  the  orchard.  There  was  at  Bristol  a  rude  Baptist,  named 
Paul  Gvv'in,  who  had  used  before  to  make  great  disturbance  in  our  meet- 
ings; being  encouraged  by  the  mayor,  who,  as  was  reported,  would 
sometimes  give  him  his  dinner  to  encourage  him.  Such  multitudes  of 
rude  people  would  he  gather  after  him,  that  it  was  thought  there  had 
been  sometimes  ten  thousand  people  at  our  meeting  in  the  orchard.  As 
I  was  going  into  the  orchard,  the  people  told  me,  That  Paul  Gwin,  the 
rude,  jangling  Baptist,  was  going  to  the  meeting.  I  bid  them,  '  Never 
'  heed ;  it  was  nothing  to  me,  who  went  to  it.'  When  I  was  come  into 
the  orchard,  I  stood  upon  the  stone  that  friends  used  to  stand  on  w-hen 
they  spoke :  and  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  put  off  my  hat,  and  to  stand 
a  pretty  while  ;  and  let  the  people  look  at  me;  for  some  thousands  of 
people  were  there.  While  I  thus  stood  silent,  this  rude  Baptist  began  to 
find  fault  with  my  hair;  but  I  said  nothing  to  him.  Then  he  ran  on  into 
words ;  and  at  last, '  Ye  wise  men  of  Bristol,'  said  he,  '  I  strange  at  you 
'  that  you  will  stand  here,  and  hear  a  man  speak  and  afiirm  that  which 
'he  cannot  make  good.'  Then  the  Lord  opened  my  mouth  (for  as  yet  I 
had  not  spoken  a  word)  and  I  asked  the  people,  '  Whether  they  ever 
'  heard  me  speak :  or  ever  saw  me  before  ? '  And  bid  them  '  take  notice 
'  what  kind  of  man  this  was  that  should  so  impudently  say  amongst  them, 
'  that  I  spoke  and  aflirmed  that  which  I  could  not  make  good ;  and  yet 
'  neither  he  nor  they  ever  heard  me  or  saw  me  before.     Therefore  that 

*  was  a  lying,  envious,  malicious  spirit  that  spoke  in  him ;  and  it  was  of 
'  the  devil,  and  not  of  God.  I  charged  him  in  the  dread  and  power  of 
'  the  Lord  to  be  silent ;  and  the  mighty  power  of  God  came  over  him, 
'  and  all  his  company.  A  gloi'ious,  peaceable  meeting  we  had  ;  the  word 
'  of  life  was  divided  amongst  them  ;  and  they  were  turned  from  darkness 


240  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  to  light,  and  to  Jesus  their  Saviour.  The  scriptures  were  largely  open- 
'  ed  to  them ;  and  the  traditions,  rudiments,  ways,  and  doctrines  of  men 

*  were  laid  open  before  the  people,  and  they  were  turned  to  the  light  of 

*  Christ,  that  with  it  they  might  see  them,  and  see  him  to  lead  them  out 

*  of  them.     I  opened  also  to  them  the  types,  figures,  and  shadows  of 

*  Christ  in  the  time  of  the  law ;  and  shewed  them,  That  Christ  was  come, 
'  and  had  ended  the  types,  shadows,  tythes,  and  oaths,  and  put  down 

*  swearing,  and  had  set  yea  and  nay  instead  of  it,  and  a  free  ministry : 

*  for  he  was  now  come  to  teach  people  himself,  and  his  heavenly  day 
'  was  springing  from  on  high.'  For  many  hours  did  I  declare  the  word 
of  life  amongst  them  in  the  eternal  power  of  God ;  that  by  him  they 
might  come  up  into  the  beginning  and  be  reconciled  to  him.  And  having 
turned  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  that  would  lead  into  all 
truth,  I  was  moved  to  pray  in  the  mighty  power  of  God ;  and  the  Lord's 
power  came  over  all.  When  I  had  done,  this  fellow  began  to  babble 
again ;  and  John  Audland  was  moved  to  bid  him  repent,  and  fear  God. 
So  his  own  people  and  followers  being  ashamed  of  him,  he  passed  away, 
and  never  came  again  to  disturb  the  meeting.  The  meeting  broke  up 
quietly,  and  the  Lord's  power  and  glory  shined  over  all:  a  blessed  day 
it  was,  and  the  Lord  had  the  praise.  After  awhile  this  Paul  Gwin  went 
beyond  sea ;  and  many  years  after,  I  met  with  him  again  at  Barbadoes : 
of  which  in  its  place. 

From  Bristol  we  returned  to  Edward  Pyot's,  where  we  had  a  great 
meeting.  The  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  truth  was  declared  and  spread 
abroad,  and  many  were  turned  to  Christ  Jesus,  their  life,  their  Prophet 
to  teach  them,  their  Shepherd  to  feed  them,  and  their  Bishop  to  oversee 
them.  After  the  meeting  I  had  reasoning  with  some  professors ;  and  the 
Lord's  truth  and  power  came  over  them. 

From  Edward  Pyot's  we  passed  to  Slattenford,  where  we  had  a  very 
large  meeting  (Edward  Pyot  and  another  friend  being  still  with  me :)  and 
a  great  turning  of  people  there  was  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  their  teachen 
People  were  glad  that  they  were  brought  to  know  their  way,  their  free 
teacher,  and  their  Saviour  Christ  Jesus. 

The  first-day  following  we  went  to  Nathaniel  Crips's  house,  who  had 
been  a  justice  of  peace  in  Wiltshire ;  where  it  was  supposed  between 
two  and  three  thousand  people  were  at  a  meeting,  and  all  was  quiet. 
'  The  mighty  power  of  God  was  manifest,  and  people  were  turned  to  the 
'  grace  and  truth  in  their  hearts,  that  came  by  Jesus  Christ,  which  would 

*  teach  them  to  deny  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  sober- 

*  ly  and  godly  in  this  present  world.  So  that  every  man  and  woman 
'  might  know  the  grace  of  God,  which  had  appeared  to  all  men,  which 
'  was  saving,  and  sufficient  to  bring  their  salvation.     This  teacher,  the 

*  grace  of  God,  would  teach  them  how  to  live,  what  to  do,  and  what  to 
'  deny :  it  would  season  their  words,  and  establish  their  hearts.     This 

*  was  a  free  teacher  to  every  one  of  them :  so  that  they  might  come  to 

*  be  heirs  of  this  grace,  and  of  Christ,  by  whom  it  came  ;  who  hath  end- 
'  ed  the  prophets,  and  the  priests  that  took  tythes,  and  the  Jewish  temple. 

*  And  as  for  these  hireling  priests  that  take  tythes  now,  and  their  temples 

*  (which  priests  were  made  at  schools  and  colleges  of  man's  setting  up, 

*  and  not  by  Christ)  they,  with  all  their  inventions,  were  to  be  denied. 

*  For  the  apostles  denied  the  true  priesthood  and  temple,  which  God  had 

*  commanded,  after  Christ  had  put  an  end  thereto.  The  scriptures,  and 
'  the  truths  therein  contained,  were  largely  opened,  and  the  people  turned 


[1656  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  241 

'  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  hearts :  that  by  it  they  might  be  led  into 
'  all  truth,  understand  the  scriptures,  know  God  and  Christ,  and  come  to 
'  have  unity  with  them,  and  one  with  another  in  the  same  Spirit.'  The 
people  went  away  generally  satisfied,  and  were  glad  that  they  were 
turned  to  Christ  Jesus,  their  Teacher  and  Saviour. 

The  next  day  we  went  to  Marlborough,  where  we  had  a  little  meeting. 
The  sessions  being  held  that  day,  they  were  granting  a  warrant  to  send 
lor  me ;  but  justice  Stooks,  being  at  the  sessions,  stopped  them,  telling 
them  there  was  a  meeting  at  his  house  yesterday,  at  which  were  several 
thousands.  So  the  warrant  was  stopped,  our  meeting  was  (juiet ;  and 
several  received  Christ  Jesus  their  teacher,  and  came  into  the  new  cov- 
enant, and  abode  in  it. 

From  hence  we  went  to  Newbury,  where  we  had  a  large  blessed 
meeting;  several  were  convinced.  Thence  we  passed  to  Reading,  where 
we  had  a  large,  precious  meeting  in  the  Lord's  power  amongst  the 
plants  of  God.  Many  of  other  professions  came  in,  were  reached,  and 
added  to  the  meeting.  All  was  quiet,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over 
all.  We  went  from  Reading  to  Kingston  upon  Thames,  where  a  few 
came  to  us  that  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ :  but  since  it  is  be- 
come a  large  meeting. 

Leaving  Kingston,  we  rode  to  London.  When  we  came  near  Hyde 
Park,  we  saw  a  great  concourse  of  people,  and  looking  towards  them, 
espied  the  protector  coming  in  his  coach.  Whereupon  I  rode  to  his 
coach  side.  Some  of  his  life-guard  would  have  put  me  away ;  but  he 
forbad  them.  So  I  rode  by  his  coach  side  with  him,  '  declaring  what 
'  the  Lord  gave  me  to  say  to  him,  of  his  condition,  and  of  the  sufferings 
'  of  friends  in  the  nation ;  shewing  him,  how  contrary  this  persecution 
'  was  to  Christ  and  his  apostles,  and  to  Christianity.'  When  we  were 
come  to  James's  Park  Gate,  I  left  him ;  and  at  parting  he  desired  me  to 
come  to  his  house.  The  next  day,  one  of  his  wife's  maids,  whose  name 
was  Mary  Sanders,  came  to  me  at  my  lodging,  and  told  me.  Her  master 
came  to  her,  and  said,  he  would  tell  her  some  good  news.  When  she 
asked  him,  What  it  was  ?  He  told  her,  George  Fox  was  come  to  town. 
She  replied,  That  was  good  news  indeed  (for  she  had  received  truth)  but 
she  said,  she  could  hardly  believe  him ;  till  he  told  her  how  I  met  him, 
and  rode  from  Hyde  Park  to  James's  Park  with  him. 

After  a  little  time  Edward  Pyot  and  I  went  to  Whitehall ;  and  when 
we  came  before  him.  Dr.  Owen,  vice-chancellor  of  Oxford,  was  with 
him.  We  were  moved  to  '  speak  to  Oliver  Cromwell  concerning  the 
'  sufferings  of  friends,  and  laid  them  before  him :  and  directed  him  to  the 
'  light  of  Christ,  who  had  enlightened  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
'  world.     He  said,  It  was  a  natural  light ;  but  we  shewed  him  the  con- 

*  trary ;  and  manifested  that  it  was  divine  and  spiritual,  proceeding  from 
'  ( 'hrist  the  spiritual  and  heavenly  man;  and  that  which  was  called  the 
'  life  in  Christ  the  Word,  was  called  the  light  in  us.  The  power  of  the 
'  Lord  God  arose  in  me,  and  I  was  moved  in  it  to  bid  him  lay  down  his 
'  crown  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.'  Several  times  I  spoke  to  him  to  the  same 
effect.  I  was  standing  by  the  table,  and  he  came  and  sat  upon  the  table's 
side  by  me,  saying,  he  would  be  as  high  as  I  was :  and  so  continued 
speaking  against  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus ;  and  went  his  way  in  a  light 
manner.  But  the  Lord's  power  came  over  him,  so  that  when  he  came 
to  his  wife  and  other  company,  he  said,  '  I  never  parted  so  from  them 

*  before  :'  for  he  was  judged  in  himself. 

2F 


242  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 " 

After  he  had  left  us,  as  we  were  going  out,  many  great  persons  came 
about  us ;  one  of  them  began  to  speak  against  the  hght,  and  against  the 
truth ;  and  I  was  made  to  shght  him,  for  speaking  so  lightly  of  the  things 
of  God.  Whereupon  one  of  them  told  me  he  was  the  major-general  of 
Northamptonshire.  '  What !' said  I,  'our  old  persecutor,  that  has  per- 
'  secutcd  and  sent  so  many  of  our  friends  to  prison,  and  is  a  shame  to 
'  Christianity  and  religion  !  I  am  glad  I  have  met  with  thee,'  said  I.  So 
I  was  moved  to  speak  sharply  to  him  of  his  unchristian  carriages ;  and 
he  slunk  away :  for  he  had  been  a  cruel  persecutor  in  Northamptonshire. 

After  I  had  visited  the  meetings  of  friends  in  and  about  London,  I 
went  into  Buckinghamshire,  and  Edward  Pyot  was  with  me;  and  in 
several  places  in  that  county  many  received  the  truth.  Great  meetings 
we  had,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  eminently  manifested.  1  passed 
through  Northamptonshire  and  Nottinghamshire  into  Lincolnshire.  After 
several  meetings  in  Lincolnshire,  I  had  at  last  a  meeting,  where  two 
knights,  one  called  Sir  Richard  Wrey,  the  other  Sir  John  Wrey,  with 
their  wives,  were  at  the  meeting.  One  of  their  wives  was  convinced, 
received  the  truth,  and  died  in  it.  When  the  meeting  was  done,  we 
passed  away;  and  it  being  in  the  evening,  and  dark,  a  company  of  wild 
serving  men  encompassed  me  about,  with  intent,  as  I  apprehended,  to 
have  done  me  some  mischief.  But  I  spoke  aloud  to  them,  and  asked, 
'  What  are  ye  1  highwaymen  V  Whereupon  some  friends  and  friendly 
people  behind  came  up  to  us,  and  knew  some  of  them.  So  I  reproved 
them  for  their  uncivil  and  rude  carriage,  exhorted  them  to  fear  God,  and 
the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  and  stopped  their  mischievous  design ; 
blessed  be  his  name  for  ever. 

Then  I  turned  into  Huntingdonshire.  The  mayor  of  Huntingdon  came 
to  visit  me,  and  was  very  loving,  and  his  wife  received  the  truth. 

Thence  I  passed  into  Cambridgeshire,  and  into  the  Fen  Country  ; 
where  I  had  many  meetings,  and  the  Lord's  truth  spread.  Robert  Craven 
(who  had  been  sheriff  of  Lincoln)  Amor  Stoddart,  and  Alexander  Parker 
were  with  me.  We  went  to  Crowland,  a  very  rude  place ;  for  the  town's 
people  were  got  together  at  the  inn  we  went  to,  and  were  half  drunk, 
both  priests  and  people.  '  I  reproved  them  for  their  drunkenness,  and 
'  warned  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon  all  the  wick- 
'  ed ;  exhorting  them  to  leave  their  drunkenness,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  in 
'  time.'  Whilst  I  was  thus  speaking  to  them,  and  shewing  the  priest  the 
fruits  of  his  ministry,  the  priest  and  the  clerk  broke  out  into  a  rage, 
and  got  up  the  tongs  and  fire-shovel  at  us ;  so  that  had  not  the  Lord's 
power  preserved  us,  we  might  have  been  murdered  amongst  them.  Yet, 
for  all  their  rudeness  and  violence,  some  received  the  truth  then  ;  and 
have  stood  in  it  ever  since. 

From  thence  we  passed  to  Boston,  where  most  of  the  chief  of  the 
town  came  to  our  inn,  and  the  people  seemed  to  be  much  satisfied.  But 
there  was  a  raging  man  in  the  yard ;  and  Robert  Craven  was  moved  to 
speak  to  him,  and  told  him,  he  shamed  Christianity ;  which,  with  some 
few  other  words,  so  stopped  the  man,  that  he  went  away  quiet.  Some 
were  convinced  there  also. 

Thus  we  had  large  meetings  up  and  down ;  for  I  travelled  into  York- 
shire, and  returned  out  of  Holderness,  over  Humber,  visiting  friends ; 
and  then  going  into  Leicestershire,  Staffordshire,  Worcestershire,  and 
Warwickshire,  among  friends.  I  had  a  meeting  at  Edge-hilL  There 
came  to  it  Ranters,  Baptists,  and  several  sorts  of  rude  people ;  for  I  had 


]656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  243 

sent  word  about  three  weeks  before,  to  have  a  meeting  there ;  so  that 
hundreds  of  people  were  gathered,  and  many  friends  came  from  afar  to 
it.  The  Lord's  everlasting  truth  and  word  of  life  reached  over  all ;  rude 
and  unruly  spirits  were  chained  down  ;  and  many  that  day  were  turned 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  his  power  and  Spirit,  who  came  to  sit  under 
his  blessed  free  teaching,  and  to  be  fed  with  his  eternal,  heavenly  food. 
All  was  peaceable ;  the  people  passed  quietly  away,  and  some  of  them 
said,  It  was  a  mighty,  powerful  meeting :  for  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
was  felt,  and  his  power  and  Spirit  amongst  them. 

From  hence  I  passed  to.  Warwick,  and  to  Bagley ;  having  precious 
meetings.  From  thence  into  Gloucestershire,  and  so  to  Oxford,  where 
the  scholars  were  very  rude ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  and 
great  meetings  we  had  up  and  down,  as  we  travelled.  Then  I  went  to 
colonel  Grimes's,  where  was  a  very  large  meeting ;  and  from  thence  to 
Nathaniel  Crips's,  where  came  another  justice  to  the  meeting,  who  was 
also  convinced.  At  Cirencester  also  we  had  a  meeting,  which  is  much 
increased ;  so  we  came  to  Evesham  again,  where  I  met  John  Camm. 

Thus  having  travelled  over  most  part  of  the  nation,  I  returned  to  Lon- 
don, having  cleared  myself  of  that  which  lay  upon  me  from  the  Lord. 
For  after  I  was  released  out  of  Lanceston  gaol,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord 
to  travel  over  most  parts  of  the  nation  (the  truth  being  now  spread,  and 
finely  planted  in  most  places)  that  I  might  answer,  and  remove  out  of  the 
minds  of  people  some  objections,  which  envious  priests  and  professors 
had  raised  and  spread  concerning  us.  For,  what  Christ  said  of  false 
jn'ophets  and  antichrists  coming  in  the  last  days,  that  they  applied  to  us ; 
and  said,   we  were  they. 

Therefore  was  I  moved  to  open  this  through  the  nation,  and  to  shew, 
'  That  they,  who  said  we  were  the  false  prophets,  antichrists,  and  de- 
'  ccivers,  that  should  come  in  the  last  days,  were  indeed  themselves  they. 
'  For  when  Christ  told  his  disciples  in  the  viith  and  xxivth  of  Matthew, 
'  that  false  prophets  and  antichrists  should  come  in  the  last  times,  and,  if 
'  it  were  possible,  should  deceive  the  very  elect,  he  said,  "  By  their  fruits 
"  ye  shall  know  them :  for  they  should  be  inwardly  ravening  wolves, 
"  having  the  sheep's  cloathing."  "  And,"  said  he,  "  do  men  gather  grapes 
"  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  1 "  as  much  as  to  say.  Their  nature  and 
'  spirit  should  be  like  a  thorn,  or  like  a  thistle ;  and  he  bids  his  disciples 
'  not  go  after  them.  But  before  the  disciples  were  deceased,  the  anti- 
'  christs,  false  prophets,  and  deceivers  were  come.  For  John  in  his  first 
'  epistle  said,  "  Little  children,  it  is  the  last  time ;  and  as  ye  have  heard 
"  that  antichrist  shall  come,  even  now  are  there  many  antichrists,  where- 
"  by  we  know  that  it  is  the  last  time."  So  here,  as  Christ  said  to  his  dis- 
'  ciples.  They  should  come ;  the  disciples  saw  they  were  come :  as  may 
'  be  seen  at  large  in  Peter,  Jude,  John,  and  other  places  of  scripture ; 
"  whereby,"  says  John,  we  know  it  is  the  last  time:"  and  this  last  time 
*  began  above  sixteen  hundred  years  since.  John  said  "  They  went  out 
"  from  us;"  the  false  prophets,  antichrists,  seducers,  and  deceivers,  went 
'  out  from  the  church ;  "  But  you,"  said  he  to  the  church,  "  have  an 
"  anointing  which  abideth  in  you :  and  you  need  not  that  any  man  teach 
"  you,  but  as  the  same  anointing  teacheth  you  of  all  things ;  and  as  it 
"  hath  taught  you,  ye  shall  abide  in  him."  Christ  said  to  his  disciples, 
"  Go  not  after  them,  for  they  are  inwardly  ravening  wolves ; "  and  John 
'  exhorts  the  saints  to  the  anointing  within  them ;  and  the  rest  of  the 
'  apostles  exhort  the  churches  to  the  grace,  the  light,  the  truth,  the  Spirit, 


244  .  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  p656 

the  word  of  faith,  and  to  Christ  in  their  hearts,  the  hope  of  glory.  Christ 
told  the  saints,  that  the  Spirit  of  truth,  the  Holy  Ghost,  should  he  their 
leader  into  all  truth ;  and  Jude  exhorts  the  church  to  "  pray  in  the  Holy 
'  Ghost,"  and  "  to  be  built  up  in  their  most  holy  faith,  which  Christ  was 
'  the  author  of."  Christ,  by  his  servant  John,  exhorted  the  seven 
churches  to  "hear  what  the  Spirit  said  to  the  churches;"  and  this  was 
an  inward  spiritual  hearing.  Christ  says,  the  inwardly  ravening  wolves 
should  have  the  sheep's  cloathing.  Paul  speaks  of  some  in  his  time  that 
had  a  form  of  godliness,  but  denied  the  power.  John  said,  "  They  went 
'  out  from  us."  Jude  said,  "  They  go  in  Cain's  way,  and  in  Balaam's 
'  and  Corah's  way."  By  all  which  it  may  be  clearly  seen,  that  the  false 
prophets  and  antichrists,  which  Christ  foretold  should  come,  the  apos- 
tles saw  were  come ;  and  in  their  day  the  last  time  was  begun.  These 
went  from  them  into  the  world,  and  the  world  went  after  them  !  These 
were  the  fore-men,  the  leaders  of  the  world,  that  brought  them  into  a 
form  of  godliness,  but  inwardly  ravened  from  the  power  and  Spirit ! 
These  have  the  sheep's  cloathing,  the  words  of  Christ,  of  the  prophets, 
and  of  the  apostles ;  but  are  inwardly  ravened  from  the  power  and 
Spirit  that  they  were  in  who  gave  forth  the  scriptures.  These  have 
made  up  the  beast,  and  the  whore !  These  have  gotten  the  dragon's 
power,  the  murdering,  destroying,  persecuting  power  !  And  these  are 
they  that  the  world  wonders  after !  These  have  drunk  the  blood  of  the 
martyrs,  prophets,  and  saints,  and  persecuted  the  true  church  into  the 
wilderness !  These  have  set  up  the  false,  compelling  worships,  and 
have  drunk  the  blood  of  the  saints,  that  will  not  drink  of  their  cup ! 
These  have  made  the  cage  for  the  unclean  birds,  that  have  their  seve- 
ral unclean  notes  in  their  cage ;  which  cage  is  made  up  by  the  power 
of  darkness,  and  unclean  ghost :  and  the  birds  of  the  cage  deny  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  the  power  of  God,  which  the  apostles  were  in,  to  be 
now  manifested  in  the  saints !  Thus  since  Christ  said,  the  false  proph- 
ets and  antichrists  should  come,  and  the  apostles  said,  they  were  come, 
the  beast's  and  the  dragon's  worship  hath  been  set  up ;  the  whore  is  got 
up  with  her  false  prophets,  her  cage  hath  been  made,  all  nations  hav^e 
drunk  of  her  cup  of  fornication,  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  and  saints 
they  have  drunk,  and  the  true  church  hath  fled  into  the  wilderness.  All 
this  since  the  apostles'  days.  Yet  the  blind  deceivers  of  all  sorts,  the 
antichrists  and  false  prophets  of  our  age,  would  make  us  and  people  be- 
lieve that  the  false  prophets,  antichrists,  and  deceivers  are  come  but 
now ;  though  John  and  other  of  the  apostles  tell  us,  they  began  to  come 
above  sixteen  hundred  years  ago.  And  ye  may  see  what  work  and 
confusion  they  have  made  in  the  world ;  how  much  blood  these  Cains 
have  drunk,  that  went  in  Cain's  way :  which  blood  cries  to  God  for 
vengeance  upon  Christendom !  And  how  these  Balaams,  who  have 
erred  from  the  power  of  the  Spirit  which  the  apostles  were  in, 
have  coveted  after  other  men's  estates,  the  many  gaols,  courts,  and 
spoiling  of  goods  will  bear  witness.  And  how  these  Corahs  have 
gainsayed  the  life,  power,  and  Spirit  which  the  apostles  and  true  church 
were  in,  and  the  free  teaching  of  Christ  and  of  his  apostles,  and  the 
work  of  their  ministry,  which  was  "  to  present  every  man  perfect  in 
'  Christ  Jesus,"  hath  been  evident. 

'  Therefore  in  the  name  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  was  I  sent  to 
preach  again  the  everlasting  gospel,  which  had  been  preached  before 
unto  Abraham,  and  in  the  apostles'  days ;  and  was  to  go  over  all  na- 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  245 

*  tions,  and  to  be  preached  to  every  creature.    For  as  the  apostacy  hath 

*  gone  over  all  nations  since  the  apostles'  days,  so  that  the  nations  are 
'  become  as  waters,  unstable,  being  gone  from  Christ  the  foundation;  so 
'  must  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  go  over  all  nations  again.     We  find 

*  the  false  prophets,  anti-christs,  deceivers,  whore,  false  church,  beast,  and 
'  his  worship  in  the  dragon's  power,  have  got  up  in  the  times  betwixt  the 
'  apostles  and  us.  For  Christ  said,  "  They  should  come :"  and  the  apos- 
'  ties  saw,  " They  were  come,"  and  coming  in  their  days;  and  that  they 
'  went  forth  from  them,  and  the  world  went  after  them.  And  now  hath  the 
'  Lord  raised  us  up  beyond  them,  and  set  us  over  them  in  the  everlasting 
'  gospel,  the  power  of  God :  that  as  all  have  been  darkened  by  the  beasts, 
'  whore,  false  prophets,  and  anti-christs,  so  the  everlasting  gospel  may 
'  be  preached  again  by  us  to  all  nations,  and  to  every  creature,  which 
'  will  bring  life  and  immoi'tality  to  light  in  them,  that  they  may  see  over 
'  the  devil  and  his  false  prophets,  anti-christs,  seducers  and  deceivers, 
'  and  over  the  whore  and  beast,  and  to  that  which  was  before  they 
'  were.  This  message  of  the  glorious,  everlasting  gospel  was  I  sent 
'  forth  to  declare  and  pubhsh,  and  thousands  by  it  are  turned  to  God, 
'  having  received  it ;  and  are  come  into  subjection  to  it,  and  into  the  holy 

*  order  of  it.  And  since  I  have  declared  this  message  in  this  part  of  the 
'  world  and  in  America,  and  have  written  books  of  the  same,  to  spread 
'  it  universally  abroad,  the  blind  prophets,  preachers,  and  deceivers  have 
'  given  over  telling  us,  the  false  prophets  should  "  come  in  the  last  times ;" 
'  for  a  great  light  is  sprung  up  and  shines  over  their  heads :  so  that  every 

*  child  in  truth  sees  the  folly  of  their  sayings. 

'  Then  they  got  other  objections  against  us,  and  invented  shifts  to 
'  save  themselves  from  truth's  stroke.  For  when  we  blamed  them  for 
'  taking  tythes,  which  came  from  the  tribe  of  Levi,  and  were  set  up  here 
'  by  the  Romish  church,  they  would  plead,  "  That  Christ  told  the  scribes 
'  and  pharisees,  they  ought  to  pay  tythes  of  mint,  anise,  and  cummin, 
"  though  they  neglected  the  weightier  matters :"  and  that  Christ  said, 
"  the  scribes  and  pharisees  sat  in  Moses's  seat,  therefore  all  that  they  bid 
"  you  do,  that  do  and  observe."  And  when  we  told  them  they  were 
'  envious  persecuting  priests,  they  would  reply,  "  That  some  preached 
*'  Christ  of  envy,  and  some  of  contention,  and  some  of  good-will." 
'  Now  these  scriptures  and  others  such-like  they  would  bring  to  darken 
'  the  minds  of  their  hearers,  and  to  persuade  them  and  us,  "  That  we 
"  ought  to  do  as  they  say,  though  they  themselves  were  like  the  phari- 
"  sees ;  and  that  we  should  rejoice  when  envious  men  and  men  of  strife 
"  preached  Christ ;  and  that  we  should  give  them  the  tythes  as  the  Jews 
"  did  to  the  tribe  of  Levi."  These  were  fair  glosses ;  here  was  a  great 
'  heap  of  husks,  but  no  kernel.     Now  this  was  their  blindness ;  for  the 

*  Levitical  priesthood  Christ  hath  ended,  and  disannulled  the  command- 
'  ment  that  gave  them  tythes,  and  the  law  by  which  those  priests  were 
'  made.  Christ  did  not  come  after  that  order,  neither  did  he  send  forth 
'  his  ministers  after  that  order ;  for  those  of  that  order  were  to  take 
'  tythes  for  their  maintenance,  but  his  ministers  he  sent  forth  freely.  And 
'  as  for  hearing  the  pharisees  and  the  Jews  paying  tythes  of  mint,  anise, 

*  and  cummin,  that  was  before  Christ  was  sacrificed  and  offered  up ;  the 
'  Jews  were  then  to  do  the  law,  and  perform  their  offerings  and  sacri- 
'  fices  which  the  Jewish  priests  did  teach  them.    But  after  Christ  was  of- 

*  fered  up,  he  bid  them  then,  "  Go  into  all  nations  and  preach  the  gos- 
"  pel ;  and  lo,"  said  he,  "  I  will  be  with  you  to  the  end  of  the  world ;" 


246  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  and  in  another  place  he  saith,  "  I  will  be  in  you."    He  did  not  bid  them 

*  go  to  hear  the  pharisees  then,  and  pay  tythe  of  mint,  anise,  and  cum- 
'  min  then ;  but  "  Go,  preach  the  gospel,  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
"  and  be  saved,  and  receive  the  gospel,"  which  would  bring  people  off 
'  from  the  Jews,  the  tythes,  the  Levitical  law,  and  the  offerings  thereof, 
'  to  Christ,  the  one  Offering,  made  once  for  all.  O  what  work  had  the 
'  apostle  both  with  the  Galatians  and  the  Romans  to  bring  them  off  the 
'  law  to  the  faith  in  Christ ! 

'  And  as  for  the  apostle's  saying,  "  Some  preached  Christ  of  envy  and 
"  strife,"  &c.  That  was  at  the  first  spreading  of  Christ's  name  abroad, 
'  when  they  were  in  danger  not  only  to  be  cast  out  of  the  synagogues, 
'  but  to  be  stoned  to  death,  that  confessed  to  the  name  of  Jesus ;  as  may 
'  be  seen  by  the  uproars  that  were  among  the  Jews  and  Diana's  wor- 
'  shippers  at  the  preaching  of  Christ.  So  the  apostle  might  well  rejoice 
'  if  the  envious,  and  men  of  strife  and  contention  did  preach  Christ  at 
'  that  time;  though  they  thought  thereby  to  add  affliction  to  his  bonds. 
'  But  afterward,  when  Christ's  name  was  spread  abroad,  and  many  had 
'  got  a  form  of  godliness,  but  denied  the  power  thereof,  "  Envious, 
"  proud,  contentious  men,  men  of  strife,  covetous  men,  teachers  for 
"  filthy  lucre,"  the  apostle  commanded  tiie  saints  to  turn  from,  and  not 

*  to  have  any  fellowship  with  them.  And  the  deacons  and  ministers 
'  were  first  to  be  proved,  to  see  if  they  were  in  the  power  of  godliness, 
'  and  the  Holy  Ghost  made  them  overseers  and  preachers.  So  it  may 
'  be  seen  how  the  priests  have  abused  these  scriptures  for  their  own 
'  ends,  and  have  wrested  them  to  their  own  destruction,  to  justify  envi- 

*  ous,  contentious  men,  and  men  of  strife.  Whereas  the  apostle  says, 
"  The  man  of  God  must  be  patient,  and  apt  to  teach ;"  and  they  were 
'  to  follow  Christ,  as  they  had  them  for  their  examples.  The  apostle  in- 
'  deed  was  very  tender  to  people,  while  he  saw  them  walk  in  simplicity, 

*  as  in  the  case  of  those  that  were  scrupulous  about  meats  and  days ; 
'  but  when  the  apostle  saw,  that  some  drew  them  into  the  observation  of 
'  days,  and  to  settle  in  such  things,  he  then  reproves  them  sharply,  and 

*  asks  them,  "  Who  had  bewitched  them  ?"     So  in  the  case  of  marrying 

*  he  was  tender,  lest  their  minds  should  be  drawn  from  the  Lord's  join- 

*  ing ;  but  when  they  came  to  forbid  marriage,  and  to  set  up  rules  for 
'  meats  and  drinks,  he  called  it  a  "  doctrine  of  devils,"  and  an  "  erring 

'  from  the  true  faith."  So  also  he  was  tender  concerning  circumcision, 
'  and  in  tenderness  suffered  some  to  be  circumcised  ;  but  when  he  saw 
'  they  went  to  make  a  sect  of  it,  and  to  set  up  circumcision  as  a  stand- 

*  ing  practice,  he  told  them  plainly,  "  If  they  were  circumcised,  Christ 
"  would  profit  them  nothing,"  In  like  manner  he  was  tender  concerning 
'  the  baptizing  with  water ;  but  when  he  saw  they  began  to  make  sects 

*  about  it,  some  crying  up  Paul,  others  Apollos,  he  judged  them,  and 
'  called  them  carnal,  and  thanks  God  he  had  baptized  no  more  but  such 
'  and  such ;  declaring  plainly,  that  he  was  sent  to  preach  the  gospel, 
'  and  not  to  baptize  ;  and  brought  them  to  the  one  baptism  by  the  one 

*  Spirit,  into  the  one  body  which  Christ,  the  spiritual  man,  is  the  head 

*  of;  and  exhorted  the  church,  "  all  to  drink  into  that  one  Spirit."     For 

*  he  asserted  in  the  church  the  one  faith,  which  Christ  was  the  author 

*  of;  and  one  baptism,  which  was  that  of  the  Spirit  into  the  one  body; 

*  and  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  the  spiritual  baptizer,  who  John 

*  said  should  come  after  him.     And  further  the  apostle  declared,  that 

*  they,  who  worshipped  and  served  God  in  the  Spirit,  were  of  the  cir- 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  24T 

'  cumcision  of  the  Spirit,  which  was  "  not  made  with  hands;"  by  which 
"  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh  was  put  off":"   which  circumcision 

*  Christ  is  the  minister  of. 

'  Another  great  objection  they  had,     "  That    the    Quaker's    denied 
"  the  sacrament,"  as  they  called  it,  "  of  bread  and  wine,  which,"  they 

*  said,  "  they  were  to  take,  and  do  in  remembrance  of  Christ  to  the  end 
"  of  the  world."  A  great  deal  of  work  we  had  with  the  priests  and  pro- 
'  fessors  about  this,  and  about  the  several  modes  of  receiving  it  in  Chris- 
'  tendom,  so  called :  for  some  of  them  take  it  kneeling,  some  sitting ;  but 
'  none  of  them  all,  that  ever  I  could  find,  take  it  as  the  disciples  took  it. 
'  For  they  took  it  in  a  chamber  after  supper ;  but  these  generally  take  it 
'  before  dinner ;  and  some  say,  after  the  priest  hath  blessed  it,  it  is  "  Christ's 
"  body."  But  as  to  the  matter,  Christ  said,  "  Do  this  in  remembrance 
"  of  me."  He  did  not  tell  them  how  oft  they  should  do  it,  or  how  long ; 
'  neither  did  he  enjoin  them  to  do  it  always  as  long  as  they  lived,  or  that 
'  all  believers  in  him  should  do  it  to  the  world's  end.     The  apostle  Paul, 

*  who  was  not  converted  till  after  Christ's  death,  tells  the  Corinthians, 
'  that  he  had  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  he  delivered  unto  them 
'  concerning  this  matter,  and  relates  Christ's  words  concerning  the  cup 

*  thus ;  "  This  do  ye,"  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  "  in  remembrance  of  me  :" 

*  and  himself  adds,  "  For  [as  often  as]  ye  do  eat  this  bread,  and  drink 
"  this  cup,  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come."  So  according  to 
'  what  the  apostle  here  delivers,  neither  Christ  nor  he  did  enjoin  people  to 
'  do  this  always,  but  leaves  it  to  their  liberty,  ["  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it," 
'  &c.]  The  Jews  did  use  to  take  a  cup,  and  to  break  bread  and  divide 
'  it  among  them  in  their  feasts ;  as  may  be  seen  in  the  Jewish  Antiqui- 

*  ties ;  so  the  breaking  of  bread  and  drinking  of  wine  were  Jewish  rites, 
'  which  were  not  to  last  always.  They  did  also  baptize  with  water,  which 
'  made  it  not  seem  a  strange  thing  to  them,  when  John  the  Baptist  came 
'  with  his  decreasing  ministration  of  water-baptism.  But  as  to  the  bread 
'  and  wine,  after  the  disciples  had  taken  it,  some  of  them  questioned 
'  whether  Jesus  was  the  Christ  ?  For  some  of  them  said,  after  he  was 
'  crucified,  "  We  trusted  that  it  had  been  he  which  should  have  redeemed 
"  Israel,"  &c.    And  though  the  Corinthians  had  the  bread  and  wine,  and 

*  were  baptized  in  water,  the  apostle  told  them  they  were  "  reprobates, 
"  if  Christ  was  not  in  them ;"  and  bid  them  "  examine  themselves."  And 
'  as  the  apostle  said,  "  As  oft  as  ye  do  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup, 
"  ye  do  shew  forth  the  Lord's  death  [till  he  come ;"]  so  Christ  had  said 
'  before  that  he  was  the  "  bread  of  life,"  which  "  came  down  from  hea- 
"  ven ;"  and  that  "  he  would  come,  and  dwell  in  them ;"  which  the  apos- 
'  ties  did  witness  fulfilled ;  and  exhorted  others  to  seek  for  that  which 
"  comes  down  from  above :"  but  the  outward  bread  and  wine,  and  wa- 
'  ter,  are  not  from  above,  but  from  below.  Now  ye  that  eat  and  drink 
'  this  outward  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance  of  Christ's  death,  and 
'  have  your  fellowsiiips  in  that,  will  ye  come  no  nearer  to  Christ's  death 
'  than  to  take  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance  of  it  ?  After  ye  have 
'  eaten  in  remembrance  of  his  death,  ye  must  come  into  his  death,  and 

*  die  with  him,  as  the  apostles  did,  if  ye  will  live  with  him.     This  is  a 

*  nearer  and  further  advanced  state,  to  be  with  him  in  the  fellowship  of 

*  his  death,  than  only  to  take  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance  of  it. 
'  You  must  have  fellowship  with  Christ  in  his  sufferings ;  if  ye  will  reign 
'  with  him,  ye  must  suffer  with  him ;  if  ye  will  live  with  him,  ye  must 

*  die  with  him ;  and  if  ye  die  with  him,  ye  must  be  buried  with  him ; 


248  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

and  being  buried  with  him  in  the  true  baptism,  ye  also  rise  with  him. 
Then  having  suffered  with  him,  died  with  him,  and  been  buried  with 
him,  if  ye  are  risen  with  Christ,  "  seek  those  things  which  are  above, 
where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God."     Eat  the  bread  which 
comes  down  from  above,  which  is  not  outward  bread ;  and  drink  the 
cup  of  salvation  which  he  gives  in  his  kingdom,  which  is  not  outward 
wine.     And  then  there  will  not  be  a  looking  at  the  things  that  are  seen 
(as  outward  bread  and  wine  and  water  are :)  for,  as  says  the  apostle, 
'  The  things  that  are  seen  are  temporal,  but  the  things  that  are  not  seen 
'  are  eternal."     So  here  are  many  states  and  conditions  to  be  gone 
through  before  people  come  to  see  that,  and  partake  of  that  which 
'  cometh  down  from  above."     For  first,    there  was  "  a  taking  of  the 
'  outward  bread  and  wine  in  remembrance  of  Christ's  death."     This 
was  temporary,  and  not  of  necessity ;  but  at  their  liberty,  "  As  oft  as 
'  ye  do  it,"  &c.     Secondly,    there  must  be  "  a  coming  into  his  death,  a 
*  suffering  with  Christ ;"  and  this  is  of  necessity  to  salvation ;  and  not 
temporary,  but  continual :  there  must  be  "  a  dying  daily."     Thirdly, 
'  a  being  buried  with  Christ."  Fourthly,  "  a  rising  with  Christ."  Fifthly, 
After  they  are  risen  with  Christ,  then  "  a  seeking  those  things  which 
'  are  above,  a  seeking  the  bread  that  comes  down  from  heaven,"  and  a 
'  feeding  on  that  and  having  fellowship  in  that."     For  outward  bread, 
wine,  and  water  are  from  below,  and  are  visible  and  temporal ;  but, 
saith   the  apostle,   "  We  look   not  at  things  that   are  seen,   for   the 
'  things  that  are  seen  are  temporal,  but  the  things  that  are  not  seen  are 
'  eternal."     So  the  fellowship  that  stands  in  the  use  of  bread,  wine,  wa- 
ter, circumcision,  outward  temple,  and  things  seen  will  have  an  end : 
but  the  fellowship  which  stands  in  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which 
was  before  the  devil  was,  and  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light, 
by  which  people  may  see  over  the  devil  that  has  darkened  them,  this 
fellowship  is  eternal,  and  will  stand.     And  all  that  are  in  it  seek  that 
which  is  heavenly  and  eternal,  which  comes  down  from  above,  atid  are 
settled  in  the  eternal  mystery  of  the  fellowship  of  the  gospel,  which  is 
hid  from  all  eyes  that  look  only  at  visible  things.     The  apostle  told  the 
Corinthians,  who  were  in  disorder  about  water,  bread  and  wine,  that 
he  "  desired  to  know  nothing  amongst  them,  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  him 
crucified." 

Thus  were  the  objections  which  the  priests  and  professors  had  raised 
against  friends  answered,  and  the  stumbling-blocks  they  had  laid  in  the 
way  of  the  weak  removed.  And  as  things  were  thus  opened,  people 
came  to  see  over  them  and  through  them,  and  to  have  their  minds  set- 
tled upon  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  free  teacher :  which  was  the  ser- 
vice for  which  I  was  moved  to  travel  over  the  nation  after  my  imprison- 
ment in  Lanceston  gaol.  In  this  year  the  Lord's  truth  was  finely  planted 
over  the  nation,  and  many  thousands  were  turned  to  the  Lord ;  insomuch 
that  there  were  seldom  fewer  than  one  thousand  in  prison  in  this  nation 
for  truth's  testimony ;  some  for  tythes,  some  for  going  to  the  steeple- 
houses,  some  for  contempts,  as  they  called  them,  some  for  not  swearing, 
and  others  for  not  putting  off  their  hats,  &c. 

After  I  had  visited  most  parts  of  the  nation,  and  was  come  to  London 
again,  finding  that  evil  spirit  at  work  which  had  drawn  J.  N.  and  his  fol- 
lowers out  of  the  truth,  to  run  friends  into  heats  about  him,  I  wrote  a  short 
epistle  to  friends,  as  followeth : 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  249 

'  To  all  the  elect  seed  of  God  called  Quakers,  where  the  death  is  brought 

*  into  death,  and  the  elder  is  servant  to  the  younger,  and  the  elect  is 

*  known,  which  cannot  be  deceived,  but  obtains  victory.  This  is  the  word 

*  of  the  Lord  God  to  you  all,  Go  not  forth  to  the  aggravating  part,  to 

*  strive  with  it  out  of  the  power  of  God,  lest  ye  hurt  yourselves,  and  run 
'  into  the  same  nature,  out  of  the  life.  For  patience  must  get  the  vic- 
'  tory,  and  to  answer  that  of  God  in  every  one,  which  must  bring  every 
'  one  to  it  to  bring  them  from  the  contrary.  Let  your  moderation,  tem- 
'  peraiice,  and  patience  be  known  unto  all  men  in  the  seed  of  God.     For 

*  that  which  reacheth  to  the  aggravating  part  without  Hfe,  sets  up  the  ag- 
'  gravating  part  and  breeds  confusion ;  and  hath  a  life  in  outward  strife, 
'  but  reacheth  not  to  the  witness  of  God  in  every  one,  through  which  they 

*  might  come  into  peace  and  covenant  with  God,  and  fellowship  one  with 

*  another.     Therefore  that  which  reacheth  this  witness  of  God  in  your- 

*  selves,  and  in  others,  is  the  hfe  and  light ;  which  will  out-last  all,  is  over 
'  all,  and  will  overcome  all.  Therefore  in  the  seed  of  life  hve,  which 
'  bruiseth  the  seed  of  death.  G.  F.' 

I  wrote  another  short  epistle  to  friends,  to  encourage  them  to  keep  up 
their  meetings  in  the  Lord's  power  ;  which  here  foUoweth : 

'  Dear  friends, 
Keep  your  meetings  in  the  power  of  the  Lord ;  which  power  is  over 

*  all  that  which  is  in  the  fall  and  must  have  an  end.  Therefore  be  wise 
'  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  from  above,  by  which  all  things  were 

*  made  and  created  ;  that  that  may  be  justified  among  you,  and  you  all 

*  kept  in  the  solid  hfe,  which  was  before  death  was ;  and  in  the  light 
'  which  was  before  darkness  was  with  all  its  works.     In  which  light 

*  and  life  ye  all  may  feel  and  have  heavenly  unity  and  peace,  possessing 

*  the  gospel-fellowship  that  is  everlasting ;  which  was  before  that  which 

*  doth  not  last  for  ever,  and  will  remain  when  that  is  gone.  For  the 
'  gospel  being  the  power  of  God,  is  pure  and  everlasting.  Know  it  to 
'  be  your  portion ;  in  which  is  stability,  life,  and  immortahty,  shining 
'  over  that  which  darkens  the  mortal.  So  be  faithful  every  one  to  God 
'  in  your  measures  of  his  power  and  life,  that  ye  may  answer  God's  love 

*  and  mercy  to  you,  as  obedient  children  of  the  Most  High ;  dwelling  in 

*  love,  unity,  peace,  and  innocency  of  heart  towards  one  another ;  that 
'  God  may  be  glorified  in  you,  and  you  kept  faithful  witnesses  for  him, 

*  and  valiant  for  the  truth  on  earth.     God  Almighty  preserve  you  all  to 

*  his  glory,  that  ye  may  feel  his  blessing  among  you,  and  that  ye  may  be 
'  possessors  thereof.  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  many  mouths  being  opened  in  our  meetings  to  de- 
clare the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  some  that  were  young  and  tender  in  the 
truth  would  sometimes  utter  a  few  words  in  thanksgiving  and  praises 
to  God ;  that  no  disorder  might  arise  from  thence  in  our  meetings,  I 
was  moved  to  write  an  epistle  to  friends  by  way  of  advice  in  that 
matter : 

•  All  my  dear  friends  in  the  noble  seed  of  God,  who  have  known  his 

*  power,  life,  and  presence  among  you,  let  it  be  your  joy  to  hear  or  see 
'  the  springs  of  life  break  forth  in  any ;  through  which  ye  have  all  unity 

*  in  the  same,  feehng  life  and  power.  And  above  all  things  take  heed  of 
'  judging  any  one  openly  in  your  meetings,  except  they  be  openly  pro- 

*  phane  or  rebellious,  such  as  are  out  of  the  truth ;  that  by  the  power, 

2G 


250  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [163« 

*  life,  and  wisdom  ye  may  stand  over  them,  and  by  it  answer  the  witness 
'  of  God  in  the  world,  that  such,  whom  ye  bear  your  testimony  against, 

*  are  none  of  you :  that  therein  the  truth  may  stand  clear  and  single, 
'  but  such  as  are  tender,  if  they  should  be  moved  to  bubble  forth  a  few 

*  words,  and  speak  in  the  seed  and  Lamb's  power,  suffer  and  bear  that : 
'  that  is,  the  tender.  And  if  they  should  go  beyond  their  measure,  bear 
'  it  in  the  meeting  for  peace  and  order's  sake,  and  that  the  spirits  of  the 

*  world  be  not  moved  against  you.  But  when  the  meeting  is  done,  if  any 
'  be  moved  to  speak  to  them,  between  you  and  them,  one  or  two  of  you 

*  that  feel  it  in  the  life,  do  it  in  the  love  and  wisdom  that  is  pure  and 

*  gentle  from  above,  for  love  is  that  which  edifies,  bears  all  things,  suffers 
'  long,  and  fulfils  the  law.     In  this  ye  have  order  and  edification,  ye 

*  have  wisdom  to  preserve  you  all  wise  and  in  patience ;  which  takes 
'  away  the  occasion  of  stumbling  the  weak,  and  the  occasion  of  the 
'  spirits  of  the  world  to  get  up  :  but  in  the  royal  seed,  the  heavy  stone, 
'  ye  keep  down  all  that  is  wrong,  and  by  it  answer  that  of  God  in  all. 
'  For  ye  will  hear,  see,  and  feel  the  power  of  God  preaching,  as  your 

*  faith  is  wholly  in  it  (when  ye  do  not  hear  words)  to  bind,  to  chain,  to 
'  limit,  to  frustrate,  that  nothing  shall  I'ise  nor  come  forth  but  what  is  in 
'  the  power ;  with  that  ye  will  hold  back,  with  that  ye  will  let  up  and 
'  open  every  spring,  plant,  and  spark  ;  in  which  will  be  your  joy  and  re- 
<  freshment  in  the  power  of  God.  Ye  that  know  the  power  of  God  and 
'  are  come  to  it,  which  is  the  cross  of  Christ,  that  crucifies  you  to  the 
'  state  that  Adam  and  Eve  were  in  in  the  fall,  and  so  to  the  world,  by 
'  this  power  of  God  ye  come  to  see  the  state  that  Adam  and  Eve  were 

*  in  before  they  fell :  which  power  of  God  is  the  cross,  in  which  stands 
'  the  everlasting  glory,  which  brings  up  into  righteousness  and  holiness, 

*  the  image  of  God,  and  crucifies  to  unrighteousness  and  unholiness,  the 
'  image  of  satan,  that  Adam  and  Eve  and  their  sons  and  daughters  are 
'  in  under  the  fall.     Through  this  power  of  God  ye  come  to  see  the  state 

*  they  were  in  before  they  fell ;  yea,  and  I  say,  to  an  higher  state,  to  the 
'  Seed  Christ,  the  Second  Adam,  by  whom  all  things  were  made.  For 
'  man  hath  been  driven  from  God.  All  Adam  and  Eve's  sons  and 
'  daughters,  being  in  the  state  of  the  fall  in  the  earth,  are  driven  from 
'  God.  But  it  is  s-aid,  "  The  church  is  in  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord 
'  Jesus  Christ :"  so  who  come  to  the  church,  which  is  in  God  the  Father 
'  of  Christ,  they  must  come  to  God  again,  out  of  the  state  that  Adam 
'  and  his  children  are  in  in  the  fall,  out  of  the  image  of  God,  out  of 
'  righteousness  and  holiness ;  and  they  must  come  into  the  righteousness, 

*  into  the  true  holiness,  the  image  of  God,  and  out  of  the  earth  whither 
'  man  hath  been  driven,  when  they  come  to  the  church  which  is  in  God. 
'  The  way  to  this  is  Christ,  the  Light,  the  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Saviour, 

*  the  Redeemer,  the  Sanctifier,  and  the  Justifier,  in  and  through  whose  pow- 

*  er,  light,  and  life,  conversion,  regeneration,  and  translation  is  known 
'  from  death  to  life,  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  satan 
'  to  God  again.  These  are  members  of  the  true  church,  who  know  the 
'  work  of   regeneration  in  the  operation  and  feeling  of  it ;  and  being 

*  come  to  be  members  of  the  church  of  God,  they  are  indeed  members 
'  one  of  anotiior  in  the  power  of  God,  which  was  before  the  power  of 
'  darkness  was.  So  they  that  come  to  the  church  that  is  in  God  and 
'  Christ,  must  come  out  of  the  state  that  Adam  was  in  in  the  fall,  driven 
'  from  God,  to  know  the  state  that  he  was  in  before  he  fell.  But  they 
'  that  live  in  the  state  that  Adam  was  in  in  the  fall,  and  cannot  believe  a 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  251 

*  possibility  of  coming  into  the  state  he  was  in  before  he  fell,  come  not 

*  to  the  church  which  is  in  God ;  but  are  far  from  that,  are  not  passed 
'  from  death  to  hfe,  but  are  enemies  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  which  is  the 

*  power  of  God.  For  they  mind  earthly  things,  and  serve  not  Christ ; 
'  nor  love  the  power  which  should  bring  them  up  to  the  state  that  Adam 

*  was  in  before  he  fell,  and  crucify  them  to  the  state  that  man  is  in  in  the 

*  fall ;  that  through  this  power  they  might  see  to  the  beginning,  the  pow- 

*  er  that  man  was  in  before  the  heavenly  image,  holiness  and  righteous- 

*  ness  was  lost ;  by  which  power  they  might  come  to  know  the  Seed, 
'  Christ,  which  brings  out  of  the  old  things,  and  makes  all  things  new ; 
'  in  which  life  eternal  is  felt.  For  all  the  poorness,  emptiness,  and  barren- 
'  ness  is  in  the  state  that  man  is  in  in  the  fall,  out  of  God's  power  ;  by 
'  which  power  he  is  made  rich  again,  and  in  which  power  he  hath 
'  strength  again :  which  power  is  the  cross,  in  which  the  mystery  of  the 
'  fellowship  stands ;  and  in  which  is  the  true  glorying,  which  crucifies  to 
'  all  other  gloryings.     And  friends,  though  ye  may  have  been  convinced, 

*  and  have  tasted  of  the  power,  and  felt  the  light,  yet  afterwards  ye  may 
'  feel  a  winter-storm,  tempest  and  hail,  frost  and  cold,  and  temptation  in 
'  the  wilderness.  Be  patient  and  still  in  the  power  and  in  the  light  that 
'  doth  convince  you,  to  keep  your  minds  to  God ;  in  that  be  quiet,  that  ye 
'  may  come  to  the  summer  ;  that  your  flight  be  not  in  the  winter.     For 

*  if  ye  sit  still  in  the  patience  which  overcomes  in  the  power  of  God, 

*  there  will  be  no  flying.  The  husbandman,  after  he  hath  sown  his  seed, 
'  is  patient.  And  ye  by  the  power  being  kept  in  the  patience,  will  come 
'  by  the  light  to  see  through  and  feel  over  winter- storms  and  tempests, 
'  and  all  the  coldness,  barrenness,  and  emptiness  :  and  the  same  light  and 

*  power  will  go  over  the  tempter's  head ;  which  power  and  light  was  be- 

*  fore  he  was.     So  in  the  light  standing  still,  ye  will  see  your  salvation, 

*  ye  will  see  the  Lord's  strength,  ye  will  feel  the  small  rain,  ye  will  feel 
'  the  fresh  springs,  your  minds  being  kept  low  in  the  power  and  light : 
'  for  that  which  is  out  of  the  power  lifts  up.  But  in  the  power  and  light 
'  ye  will  feel  God  revealing  his  secrets,  inspiring  your  minds,  and   his 

*  gifts  coming  in  unto  you  ;  through  which  your  hearts  will  be  filled  with 

*  God's  love,  and  praises  to  him  that  lives  for  evermore  ;  for  in  his  light 
'  and  power  his  blessing  is  received.  So  in  that,  the  eternal  power  of 
'  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  preserve  and  keep  you !  Live  every  one  in  the 

*  power  of  God,  that  ye  may  all  come  to  be  heirs  of  that,  and  know  that 

*  to  be  your  portion ;  even  the  kingdom  that  hath  no  end,  and  the  endless 

*  Hfe  which  the  Seed  is  heir  of.     Feel  that  set  over  all,  which  hath  the 

*  promise,  and  blessing  of  God  for  ever.  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  I  received  some  lines  from  a  high-flown  professor, 
concerning  the  way  of  Christ;  to  which  I  returned  the  following 
answer : 

'  Friend, 
*  It  is  not  circumstances  we  contend  about ;  but  the  way  of  Christ  and 
'  his  light,  which  are  but  one ;  though  the  world  hath  imagined  many 

*  ways,  and  all  out  of  the  light,  which  by  the  light  are  condemned.  He 
'  who  preached  this  light,  said,  "  He  that  knoweth  God,  hearelh  us ;  he 
"  that  is  not  of  God,  heareth  us  not :  hereby  know  we  the  Spirit  of  truth, 

*  and  the  spirit  of  error."  It  is  the  same  now  with  them  that  know  the 
'  truth ;  though  the  whole  world  lies  in  wickedness.     All  dispensations 

*  and  differences  that  are  not  one  in  the  light  we  deny ;  and  by  the  light, 


252  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1655 

that  was  before  separation,  do  we  see  them  to  be  self-separations  in  the 
sensual,  having  not  the  Spirit.  Their  fruits  and  end  are  weighed  in  the 
even  balance,  and  found  to  be  in  the  dark,  the  lo-here,  and  lo-there 
thou  tellest  of;  and  the  presence  of  Christ  is  not  with  them,  though  the 
blind  see  it  not;  who  see  not  with  the  pure  eye,  which  is  single;  but 
with  the  many  eyes,  which  lead  into  the  many  ways.  Nor  are  any  the 
people  of  God,  but  who  are  baptized  into  this  principle  of  Hght ;  which 
all  the  faithful  servants  of  the  Lord  were  ever  guided  by  in  all  ages, 
since  the  apostacy  and  before.  For  the  apostacy  was  and  is  from  the 
light ;  and  all  that  oppose  the  light  are  apostates.  Who  contest  against 
the  truth,  are  enemies  to  it,  and  are  not  actuated  by  the  Spirit ;  but  have 
another  way  than  the  light.  All  such  are  in  the  world,  its  words,  fash- 
ions, and  customs,  though  of  several  forms,  as  to  their  worship ;  yet  all 
under  the  god  of  this  world,  opposing  the  light  and  appearance  of  Christ, 
which  should  lead  out  from  under  his  power,  of  what  form  soever  they 
are ;  yet  are  they  all  joined  against  the  light.  All  these  are  of  the  world ; 
and  fighting  against  them  who  are  not  of  the  world ;  but  are  gathered 
and  gathering  out  of  the  world :  so  it  ever  was  against  the  people  of 
God,  under  what  name  soever.  They  only  are  saints  by  calling,  who 
are  called  into  the  light ;  and  sons  of  Sion,  which  vary  not  from  the 
light,  to  which  the  Spirit  is  promised,  which  is  not  tied  to  any  forms  out 
of  the  light ;  wherein  all  inherit,  who  are  co-heirs  with  Christ ;  which 
many  talk  of,  who  inherit  the  earthly,  instead  of  the  heavenly.  And 
whereas  thou  speakest  of  Christ  and  his  apostles  cloathing  themselves 
with  the  sayings  and  words  of  the  prophets ;  and  of  their  being  your 
example  in  so  doing ;  I  say,  wolves  v»^ill  take  the  sheep's  cloathing ;  but 
the  light  and  life  finds  them  out,  and  judges  not  by  their  stolen  words, 
but  by  their  works.  Nor  did  Christ  cover  himself  with  any  words,  but 
what  were  fulfilled  in  him :  neither  do  any  of  Christ's  boast  in  other 
men's  lines  made  ready  without  them ;  to  which  rule  if  ye  be  obedient, 
fewer  words  and  more  life  will  be  seen  among  you.  Then  ye  will  not 
count  it  straitness  to  silence  the  flesh ;  and  hear  what  he  saith,  who 
speaks  peace,  "  that  his  people  turn  no  more  to  folly."  If  ye  once  know, 
that  what  is  stolen  must  be  restored  fourfold ;  the  mouth  of  the  false 
prophet  will  be  stopped,  which  builds  up  in  deceit,  but  not  in  righteous- 
ness. And  whereas  thou  sayest,  "  The  Spirit  of  truth  affords  nothing 
but  endless  varieties  ;"  I  say,  the  Spirit  of  truth  thou  knowest  not :  for 
the  Spirit  of  truth  said,  "  There  is  but  one  thing  needful ;"  and  to  speak 
the  same  thing  again  is  safe  for  the  hearers ;  Isut  that  spirit  which  af- 
fords nothing  but  endless  varieties,  is  not  the  Spirit  of  truth,  but  is  gone 
out  into  curious  notions ;  and  the  number  of  his  names  and  colours  is 
read  no-where  but  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  of  truth.  All  others  call 
truth  deceit,  and  deceit  truth,  as  the  blind  that  opposed  the  hght  ever 
did,  who  are  ever  learning  endless  varieties,  but  never  able  to  come  to 
the  luiowledge  of  the  truth,  nor  to  an  end  of  their  labours :  but  when 
they  are  out  of  one  form  get  into  another,  so  long  as  they  can  find  a 
green  tree  whhout.  .  Thus  ye  are  kept  at  work  all  your  life,  and  to  the 
grave  in  sorrow,  as  the  dumb  priests,  thou  tellest  of,  have  been  before 
you ;  only  ye  have  got  a  finer  image,  but  less  hfe.  And  thou,  whose 
teaching  hath  no  end,  art  in  the  horse-mill  thou  speakest  of.  I  have 
read  the  ei)istles  to  Timothy,  and  to  the  Hebrews ;  and  there  I  find,  the 
duty  of  all  believers  is  to  see  the  law  of  the  new  covenant  written  in 
the  heart,  whereby  all  may  know  God,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest. 


1666]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  253 

I  know  the  holy  scriptures  are  profitable  for  the  man  of  God ;  but  what 
is  that  to  the  man  of  sin,  to  the  first-born,  who  is  out  of  the  light,  and 
being  unstable  and  unlearned,  wrest  them  to  their  own  destruction  ;  but 
to  the  life  cannot  come  1  And  for  your  two  ordinances  thou  speakest  of, 
I  say,  upon  the  same  account  ye  deny  the  priests  of  the  world  therein, 
we  deny  you ;  being  both  of  you  not  only  out  of  the  life,  but  out  of  the 
form  too.  That  command.  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  ye  never  had,  nor  its  power; 
which  was,  "  To  baptize  into  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
'  Ghost."  What  Paul  received  of  the  Lord,  that  body  and  that  bread, 
ye  know  as  little  of,  but  what  ye  have  found  in  the  chapter ;  nor  of  the 
coming  of  Christ  neither,  who  cannot  believe  his  light.  And  whereas 
thou  speakest  of  preaching  Christ  of  envy,  and  pleadest  for  it ;  I  say, 
such  preachers  we  have  enough  of  in  these  days.  What  else  art  thou 
doing,  who  sayest,  Paul  was  sent  to  baptize ;  though  Paul  says,  he  was 
not :  so  thou  wouldest  prove  him  a  liar,  if  any  would  believe  thee  be- 
fore him.  Thou  sayest  also,  "  For  aught  thou  knowest,  he  might. bap- 
'  tize  thousands."  Thou  mightest  as  easily  have  said  millions,  and  as 
soon  have  proved  it.  Thou  mayest  say  the  same  of  circumcision  also, 
and  on  the  same  ground.  As  for  the  signs  that  followed  those  that  be- 
lieved, which  thou  sayest  are  ceased ;  I  say,  they  who  cannot  receive 
the  light  cannot  see  the  signs,  nor  could  believe  them,  if  they  should  see 
them  to  carp  at ;  no  more  than  formerly  they  could  do,  who  opposed 
the  light  in  former  ages.  They  cannot  properly  be  said  to  cease  to 
such,  who  never  had  them ;  but  have  only  heard  or  read  that  others 
long  ago  had  them.  But  that  the  power,  and  signs,  and  presence  of 
God  is  not  the  same  that  ever  it  was,  in  the  measure  wherein  he  is  re- 
ceived in  the  light,  that  I  deny ;  and  declare  it  to  be  false,  and  from  a 
spirit  that  knows  not  God,  nor  his  power.  And  as  for  the  gospel-foun- 
dation thou  speakest  of,  I  say,  it  is  to  be  laid  again  in  all  the  world.  Ye 
never  were  on  it,  since  the  man  of  sin  set  up  his  forms  without  power. 
Till  ye  can  own  the  light  of  Christ,  which  the  saints  preached,  and  their 
life  and  practice ;  for  shame,  cease  to  talk  of  their  foundation,  or  glori- 
ous work,  or  quakings  and  tremblings,  the  saints'  experiences,  which  the 
world  knows  not,  nor  can  ow^n :  though  ye  cannot  read  that  ever  any 
came  aright  to  declare  how  they  knew  God,  or  received  his  word,  with- 
out them.  In  thy  exhortation  thou  biddest  me,  "  Love  Christ  whereso- 
'  ever  I  see  him."  But  hadst  thou  told  me  where  one  might  come  to  see 
him,  or  how  one  might  know  him,  thou  hadst  shewn  more  of  a  christian 
in  that  than  in  all  thou  hast  spoken.  But  it  seems,  ye  are  not  al!  of  one 
mind.  Some  of  you  say,  "  He  is  gone,  and  will  be  no  more  seen  till 
'  doomsday."  But  if  ever  ye  come  to  see  Christ  to  your  comfort,  while 
ye  oppose  his  light,  then  God  hath  not  spoken  by  me.  This  thou  shah 
remember,  when  thy  time  thou  hast  spent.  G.  F.' 

Great  opposition  did  the  priests  and  professors  make  about  this  time 
against  the  light  of  Christ  .Tesus,  denying  it  to  be  universally  given ;  and 
against  the  pouring  forth  of  the  Spirit,  and  sons  and  daughters  prophe- 
sying thereby.  Much  they  laboured  to  darken  the  minds  of  people, 
that  they  might  keep  them  still  in  a  dependence  on  their  teaching.  Where- 
fore I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  give  forth  the  following  lines,  for  the 
opening  of  the  minds  and  understandings  of  people,  and  to  manifest  the 
blindness  and  darkness  of  their  teachers. 

*  To  you  professors,  priests,  and  teachers,  who  are  in  darkness,  and 


S54  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  %  [1656 

know  not  the  Spirit  in  prison,  nor  the  hght  that  shines  in  darkness,  which 
the  darkness  doth  not  comprehend ;  but  are  as  infidels,  whom  the  god 
of  the  world  hath  blinded,  and  to  whom  the  gospel  is  hid.  For  though 
ye  have  the  four  books,  the  gospel  is  hid  to  you ;  who  are  now  stranging 
at  the  work  of  God,  and  do  not  believe  that  Christ  hath  enlightened 
every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world.  To  you  I  ofier  some  scriptures 
to  read,  which  will  prove  your  spirits,  and  try  them,  how  contrary  they 
are  to  the  apostles'  spirit,  the  Spirit  of  Christ  and  of  the  saints.  "  Christ 

'  went,  and  preached  to  the  spirits  in  prison,"  1  Pet.  iii.  19.  He  that 
readeth,  let  him  understand  whether  this  was  a  measure  of  the  Spirit, 
yea  or  nay,  or  the  Spirit  without  measure,  which  he  ministered  to? 

'  For  he  whom  God  hath  sent,  speaketh  the  words  of  God ;  for  God 

'  giveth  not  the  Spirit  by  measure  unto  him,"  Joh.  iii.  34.  Here  Christ 
had  not  the  Spirit  given  unto  him  by  measure.    The  apostle  said,  "  We 

'  will  not  boast  of  things  without  (or  beyond)  our  measure,"  2  Cor.  x. 

13.  So  here  was  measure,  and  not  by  measure.  Christ,  who  received 
not  the  Spirit  by  measure,  told  his  disciples  he  would  "  send  them  the 
'  Comforter,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  that  he  should  guide  them  into  all  truth: 
'  for  he  should  not  speak  of  himself,  but  whatsoever  he  shall  hear,  that 
'  shall  he  speak,  and  he  will  shew  you  things  to  come.  He  shall  glorify 
'  me:  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine,  and  shew  it  unto  you,"  Joh.  xvi.  13, 

14.  Mind,  read,  and  learn ;  the  Comforter  shall  receive  of  mine,  saith 
Christ,  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you :  who  hath  the  measure,  receives  of 
his  who  hath  not  by  measure.  The  Comforter,  when  he  comes,  is  to 
reprove  the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment,  ver.  8. 
Now  mind  the  great  work  of  God :  the  Spirit  of  truth,  which  leads  the 
saints  into  all  truth,  which  receives  of  Christ's,  and  shews  it  unto  the 
disciples,  who  are  in  the  measure,  he  shall  reprove  the  world  of  sin, 
because  they  do  not  believe,  &c.  The  Comforter,  whom  Christ  will 
send,  takes  of  his,  and  shews  it  to  the  disciples  ;  the  same  reproves  the 
world.  Mind  now,  whether  this  be  a  measure,  yea  or  nay,  which  comes 
from  him  who  received  not  the  Spirit  by  measure  ?  He  that  leads  the 
believer  into  all  truth,  reproves  the  unbeliever  in  the  world,  of  sin,  of 
righteousness,  and  of  judgment.  He  that  is  led  into  all  truth,  sees  that 
which  is  reproved,  by  the  Spirit  of  truth  that  leads  him.     Christ  saith, 

*  He  shall  take  of  mine,  and  shew  it  unto  you."  Is  this  a  measure,  yea 
or  nay,  from  him  whom  God  gave  the  Spirit  not  by  measure  unto  ? 

'  Again  the  Lord  said,  both  by  his  prophet,  Joel  ii.  28,  and  his  apos- 
tle. Acts  ii.  17,  18.  "It  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  I  will  pour 
'  out  of  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall 
'  prophesy,  your  young  men  shall  see  visions,  and  your  old  men  shall 
'  dream  dreams :  and  on  my  servants  and  on  my  hand-maidens  I  will 
'  pour  out  in  those  days  of  my  Spirit,  and  they  shall  prophesy."  Look, 
ye  deceivers ;  here  the  Lord  saith,  he  will  pour  of  his  Spirit :  mark  the 
word  of  the  Lord's  Spirit  upon  all  flesh.  What !  young  men,  old  men, 
sons  and  daughters,  and  maids,  all  these  to  have  the  Spirit  of  God  pour- 
ed upon  them?  Here,  say  they,  these  deny  the  means  then.  Nay, 
that's  the  means.  And  the  great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord  is  com- 
ing, wherein  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the 
name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved.  The  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh  is 
known :  and,  saith  the  apostle,  who  would  not  boast  of  things  beyond 
his  measure,  "  That  which  may  be  known  of  God,  is  manifest  in  them ; 
"  for  God  hath  shewed  it  unto  them,"  Rom.  i.  19.  By  this  which  was  of 


1656]^    *"  *  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  255 

*  God  manifest  in  them,  they  knew  covetousness,  malice,  murder,  deceit, 

*  and  ungodliness ;  knew  that  the  judgments  of  God  were  upon  such 

*  things ;  and  that  they  were  worthy  of  death ;  not  only  that  did  the 

*  same,  but  who  had  pleasure  in  them  that  did  them.  Therefore,  said  the 
'  apostle,  "  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against  all  ungod- 
"  liness  and  unrighteousness  of  men,"  &c.  Now  this  of  God  manifest  in 
'  them,  which  God  shewed  unto  them,  by  which  they  know  unrighteous- 
ness, and  God's  judgments  thereupon,  and  that  they  which  (jommit  such 

'  things  are  worthy  of  death ;  whether  this  be  a  measure,  yea  or  nay, 
'  which  is  of  God,  and  which  he  hath  shewed  to  them  ?     What  was  that 

*  in  them,  that  "  did  by  nature  the  things  contained  in  the  law,  which 
"  shewed  the  work  of  the  law  written  in  their  hearts,"  Rom.  ii.  14,  15. 
'  Mark,  "  written:"  shall  not  this  judge  them  that  have  the  outward  law, 
'  but  are  out  of  the  hfe  of  it  ?  The  apostle  saith,  "  The  manifestation  of  the 
"  Spirit  is  given  to  every  man  to  profit  withal,"  1  Cor,  xii.  7.  There  are 
'  diversities  of  gifts,  but  the  same  Spirit ;  the  manifestation  of  it  is  given 
'  to  "  every  man,"  to  profit  withal.  Mark,  "  To  one  is  given  by  the 
"  Spirit,  the  word  of  wisdom ;  to  another  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the 
"  same  Spirit ;  to  another  faith  by  the  same  Spirit ;  to  another  the  gifts 
"of  healing  by  the  same  Spirit:  to  another  the  working  of  miracles; 
"  to  another  prophecy ;  to  another  discerning  of  spirits ;  to  another 
"  divers"  kinds  of  tongues ;  to  another  the  interpretation  of  tongues :  but 
"  all  these  worketh  that  one  and  the  self-same  Spirit,  dividing  to  every 
*'  man  severally  as  he  will."  Mark  that,  To  every  man  severally  as  he 
'  will. 

'  Again  the  apostle  saith,  "  The  grace  of  God,  that  bringeth  salvation, 
"  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  teaching  us,  that  denying  ungodliness  and 
•'  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this 
"present  world,"  Tit.  ii.  11,  12.  Now  ye  that  turn  from  this  grace, 
'  which  brings  salvation,  into  lasciviousness,  ye  deny  it,  and  say,  that 

*  which  teacheth  the  saints,  who  by  grace  are  saved,  hath  not  appeared 

*  to  all  men.  Jude  saith,  "  Behold,  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten  thousands 
"  of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and  to  convince  all  that  are 
"  ungodly  among  them,  of  all  their  ungodly  deeds,  which  they  have  un- 
"  godly  committed,  and  of  all  their  hard  speeches,  which  ungodly  sin- 
"  ners  have  spoken  against  him,"  ver.  15.  Here  mark  again;  him  that 
'  cometh  with  ten  thousands  of  his  saints,  to  convince  all  of  their  ungodly 

*  deeds  and  hard  speeches :  here  it  is,  all  of  their  ungodly  deeds  ;  and 

*  ALL  of  their  hard  speeches ;  none  left  out,  but  all  to  be  convinced  and 
'judged,  the  world  reproved,  by  him  who  comes  with  ten  thousands  of 
'  his  saints,  and  will  reign,  and  be  king  and  judge.  And  have  not  ye  all 
'  something  in  you,  that  doth  reprove  you  for  your  hard  speeches,  and 

*  your  ungodly  deeds,  the  ungodliest  of  you  all,  who  live  in  your  hard 

*  speeches  against  him,  and  against  his  light  and  spiritual  appearance  in 
'  his  people? 

'  Again,  the  apostle,  writing  to  the  Gentiles,  saith,  "  But  unto  every 
"  one  of  us  is  given  grace,  according  to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of 
"  Christ,"  Ephes.  iv.  7.     Now  mark.  Here  is  the  measure  of  the  gift  of 

*  Christ,  "  who  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,"  Joh.  i.  9. 
"  that  all  men  through  him  might  believe.  He  that  believeth  on  him  is  not 
"  condemned :  but  he  that  believeth  not  is  condemned,  &c.  And  this  is 
"  the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come  into  the  world,"  &c.  Joh.  iii.  18, 

*  19.     Now  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world  being  enlightened, 


256  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  one  loveth  it,  and  brings  his  deeds  to  the  light,  that  with  the  Hght  he 

*  may  see  whether  they  be  wrought  in  God :  the  other  hates  the  light, 
"  because  his  deeds  are  evil ;"  he  will  not  bring  his  deeds  to  the  light,  be- 
*'  cause  he  knows  the  light  will  reprove  him.  So  he  that  hates  the  light, 
'  wherewith  Christ  hath  enlightened  him,  knows  the  light  will  reprove 

*  him  for  his  evil  deeds ;  and  therefore  he  will  not  come  to  the  light, 

*  Again,  the  Lord  by  his  prophet  saith  concerning  Christ,  "  I  will  give 
"  him  for  a  ^ght  to  the  Gentiles,  that  he  may  be  my  salvation  to  the  ends 
"  of  the  earth,"  Isa.  xlix.  6.     And  what  is  that  which  the  children,  that 

*  walk  according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  according  to  the  prince  of 
'  the  power  of  the  air,  the  "  spirit  that  now  worketh  in  the  children  of 
"  disobedience,"  Ephes.  ii.  2.  are  disobedient  to  1     Mark,  and  read  your- 

*  selves,  who,  being  disobedient,  walk  according  to  the  course  of  this 

*  world,  according  to  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air ;  Mark,  I  say, 

*  what  it  is  that  all  such  are  disobedient  to  ?  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let 
'  him  hear.  The  apostle  saith  to  the  Colossians,  "  The  wrath  of  God 
"  Cometh  upon  the  children  of  disobedience,"  Col.  iii.  6.  Come,  ye  pro- 
'  fessors,  let  us  see.  Is  not  this  something  of  God  that  is  disobeyed  1  Is  it 

*  not  that  which  is  of  God  manifest  in  them,  which  God  hath  shewed 

*  them,  which  lets  them  see  God's  judgments  are  upon  such,  when  they 

*  act  unrighteously  ?     Is  not  this  the  measure  of  God,  the  Spirit  that  is  in 

*  prison  1  and  the  Spirit  of  God  that  is  grieved  1 

'  And  ye  professors,  come,  let  us  read  the  parable  of  the  talents,  and 

*  reckon  with  you,  and  see  who  it  is  that  hath  hid  the  Lord's  money  in 

*  the  earth  1  Come,  ye  that  have  gained,  enter  ye  into  your  master's  joy. 

*  Go,  thou  that  hast  hid  the  Lord's  money  in  the  earth,  into  utter  dark- 
'  ness ;  take  it  from  him,  and  give  it  to  him  that  hath  :""  every  man  shall 
'  have  his  reward.  For  the  Lord  hath  given  to  "  every  man  according 
"  to  his  several  ability,"  Mat.  xxv.  15.  Mark  that,  "  To  every  man  ac- 
"  cording  to  his  several  ability:"  Read  this,  if  you  can.     Now  is  the 

*  Lord  coming  to  call  every  man  severally  to  account,  to  whom  he  hath 
'  given  severally,  according  to  their  ability.  Now  the  wicked  and  sloth- 
'  ful  servant,  who  hid  the  Lord's  money  in  the  earth,  will  be  found  out ; 
'  and  the  Lord's  money  will  be  taken  from  him,  although  he  hath  hidden 
'  it.  To  him  the  Lord's  commands  have  been  grievous ;  but  to  us  they 
'  are  not,  who  love  God  and  keep  his  commandments.  "  And,"  saith  the 
'  apostle  to  the  Romans,  "  I  say,  through  the  grace  given  unto  me,  to 
"  every  man  that  is  among  you,  not  to  think  of  himself  more  highly  than 
"  he  ought  to  think :  but  to  think  soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to 
"every  man  the  measure  of  faith,"  Rom.  xii.  3.     Read  and  mark,  here 

*  is  a  measure  of  faith. 

"  And,"  saith  another  apostle,  "  as  every  man  hath  received  the  gift, 
"  even  so  minister  the  same  one  to  another,  as  stewards  of  the  manifold 
"  grace  of  God,"  1  Pet.  iv.  10.  "  For  the  grace  of  God  hath  appeared 
"  to  all  men."     The  good  stewards  can  give  their  account  with  joy :  but 

*  ye  bad  stewards,  that  turn  from  the  grace  of  God  into  lasciviousness, 

*  ye  will  be  reckoned  withal ;  ye  shall  have  your  reward.     "  But,"  say 

*  the  world,  "  must  every  one  minister  as  he  hath  received  the  gift  ?" 

*  Yea,  say  I,  "  but  let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God ;  and  let  him  do 
"  it  as  of  the  ability  which  God  giveth,"  ver.  11.     John  in  the  Revela- 

*  tion  saith,  "  They  were  judged  every  man  according  to  their  works," 
Rev.  XX.  13.  Christ  saith,  "Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they 
« shall  give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment,"  Matt.  xii.  36. 


1C36]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  257~ 

"  Ye  that  name  the  name  of  Christ,  depart  from  iniquity,"  2  Tim.  ii.  19. 
"  The  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  the  gloiy  of  his  Father,  with  his  an- 
"  gels,  and  then  he  shall  reward  every  man  according  to  his  works," 
'  Matt.  xvi.     He  who  is  gone  into  a  far  country,  and  hath  given  talents 

*  to  every  one  of  you,  according  to  your  several  ability,  "  will  render  to 
"  every  man  according  to  his  deeds,"  Rom.  ii.  6.  "  And  further  I  say 
"  unto  you,  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 
'  And  if  Christ  be  in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of  sin ;  but  the  Spirit 
'  is  life,  because  of  righteousness,"  Rom.  viii.  9,  10.  So  let  the  light, 
'  which  Cometh  from  Christ,  examine  ;  for  the  Lord  is  appearing.  Ye 
'  that  have  received  according  to  your  ability,  smite  not  your  fellow- 
'  servant.  Think  not  that  the  Lord  delayeth  the  time  of  his  coming. 
'  Be  not  as  they  that  said,  "  Let  us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  shall 
"  die." 

'  The  apostle  tells  the  Ephesians,  that  unto  him  "  this  grace  was  given 
'  — to  make  all  men  see  what  is  the  fellowship  of  the  mystery  which  from 
"  the  beginning  of  the  world  hath  been  hid  in  God,  who  created  all 
"  things  by  Jesus  Christ,"  Eph.  iii.  9,  Read  and  understand  every  one 
'  with  the  light  which  comes  from  Christ,  the  mystery ;  which  will  be 
'  your  condemnation,  if  ye  believe  not  in  it.  This  is  to  all  who  stumble 
'  at  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  manifestation  of  it,  "  which  is 
"  given  to  every  man  to  profit  withal."  Come,  ye  professors,  who  stum- 
'  ble  at  it ;  let  us  read  the  parables.  "  A  soM'er  went  forth  to  sow ;  and 
"  some  seed  fell  on  the  highway  ground,  and  some  on  stony  ground,  and 
"  some  on  thorny  ground :  the  seed  is  the  Word,  the  Son  of  Man  is  the 
"  seedsman.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear,"  Mat.  xiii.  Now  look, 
'  all  ye  professors,  what  ground  ye  are  ?  And  what  ye  have  brought 
'  forth  1  And  whether  the  wicked  seedsman  hath  not  got  his  seed  into 
'  your  ground  ?  "  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  it."  And  come, 
'  read  another  parable  of  the  householder  hiring  labourers  to  go  into  the 
'  vineyard,  and  agreeing  with  every  man  for  a  penny.  Mat.  xx.  Every 
'  man  is  to  have  his  penny ;  the  last  that  went  in,  as  well  as  the  first : 
"  and  the  last  shall  be  first,  and  the  first  shall  be  last ;  for  many  are  call- 
"  ed,  but  few  are  chosen.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear."  There 
'  was  a  query  put  to  Cain.  "  If  thou  dost  well,  shalt  thou  not  be  accept- 
"ed?"  Gen.  iv.  7.  And  Esau  had  a  birthright,  but  despised  it.  Yet  it 
'  is  not  "  of  him  that  willeth,"  Rom.  ix.  16.  but  "by  grace  ye  are  saved," 
'Ephes.  ii.  8.     And  stand  still,   and  see  your  salvation.  Exod.  xiv.  13. 

*  And  ye  that  are  children  of  light,  put  on  the  armour  of  light,  that  ye 
'  may  come  into  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son 
'  of  God ;  unio  a  '•  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  ful- 
"  ness  of  Christ :  that  henceforth  ye  be  no  more  children  tossed  to  and 
"  fro,"  Eph.  iv.  1.3. 

'  The  Lord  said,  he  would  make  a  new  covenant,  by  "  writing  his  law 
"  in  people's  hearts,  and  putting  his  Spirit  in  their  inward  parts,"  where- 
'  by  they  should  all  come  to  know  the  Lord,  by  whom  the  world  was 
'  made.  Now  every  one  of  you  mind  the  law  written  in  your  hearts, 
'  and  this  Spirit  put  in  your  inward  parts,  that  it  need  not  be  said  to  you, 
"  Know  the  Lord :"  but  that  ye  may  witness  the  promise  of  God  fulfilled 
'  in  you.  But,  say  the  world  and  professors,  "  If  every  one  must  come 
'  to  witness  the  law  of  God  written  in  their  hearts,  and  the  Spirit  put  in 
'  the  inward  parts,  "  what  must  we  do  with  all  our  teachers'?"     As  we 

*  come  to  witness  that,  we  need  not  any  man  to  teach  us  to  know  the 

2H 


258  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1656 

*  Lord,  having  his  law  written  in  our  hearts,  and  his  Spirit  put  in  our 
'  inward  parts.  This  is  the  covenant  of  Hfe,  the  everlasting  covenant, 
'  which  decays  not,  nor  changes  not :  and  here  is  the  way  to  the  Father, 
'  without  which  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father.  Here  is  the  everlasting 
'  priesthood,  the  end  of  the  old  priesthood,  whose  lips  were  to  preserve 
'  knowledge ;  but  now,  saith  Christ,  "  Learn  of  me :"  who  is  the  high-priest 

'  of  the  new  priesthood.  And,  saith  the  apostle, "  That  ye  may  grow  up 

"  in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  are  hid  the  treasures  of 
"  wisdom  and  knowledge."  So  we  are  brought  off  from  the  old  priest- 
'  hood  that  did  change,  to  Christ,  to  the  new  priesthood  that  doth  not 
'  change ;  off  from  the  first  covenant  that  doth  decay,  to  the  everlasting 

*  covenant  that  doth  not  decay,  Christ  Jesus,  the  Covenant  of  Light, 

*  from  whom  every  one  of  you  have  a  light,  that  ye  might  believe  in  the 
'  Covenant  of  Light.  If  ye  do  not  believe,  ye  are  condemned ;  for  light 
',is  come  into  the  world,  and  men  love  darkness  rather  than  light,  be- 
'  cause  their  deeds  are  evil.  "  I  am  come  a  light  into  the  world,"  saith 
'  Christ,  "  that  whosoever  believeth  in  me  should  not  abide  in  darkness, 
"  but  have  the  light  of  life,"  John  xii.  46.  ''  Believe  in  the  light,  that  ye 
"  may  be  children  of  the  light."  Ye  who  do  not  believe  in  the  light,  but 
'  hate  it  because  it  manifests  your  deeds  to  be  evil,  ye  are  condemned  by 

*  the  light.     Therefore  while  ye  have  time,  prize  it.     Seek  the  Lord 

*  while  he  may  be  found,  and  call  upon  him  while  he  is  nigh ;  lest  ye 
'  say,  "  Time  is  past :"  for  the  rich  glutton's  time  was  past.  Therefore, 
'  while  time  is  not  quite  past,  consider,  search  yourselves,  and  see  if  you 
'  be  not  they  that  hate  the  light,  and  so  are  builders  that  stumble  at  the 
'  corner-stone ;  for  they  that  hated  the  light,  and  did  not  believe  in  the 
'  light,  did  so  in  ages  past.  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world,"  saith  Christ, 
"  who,"  the  apostle  saith,  "  doth  enlighten  every  man  that  cometh  into 
"  the  world."  Christ  also  saith,  "  Learn  of  me ;"  and  of  him  God  saith, 
•'  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him."     Here  is  your  Teacher.     But 

*  ye  that  hate  the  light  do  not  learn  of  Christ,  will  not  have  him  to  be 
'  your  king  to  reign  over  you ;  him  to  whom  all  power  in  heaven  and 
'  earth  is  given,  Vv^ho  bears  his  government  upon  his  shoulders,  who  is 
'  now  come  to  reign,  who  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world, 
'  who  will  give  to  every  man  a  reward  according  to  his  works,  whether 
'  they  be  good  or  evil.  So  every  man,  with  the  light  that  comes  from 
'  Christ,  will  see  his  deeds,  both  he  that  hates  it  and  he  that  loves  it.  And 
'  he  that  will  not  brino;  his  deeds  to  the  light,  because  the  lisfht  will  re- 
'  prove  him,  that  is  his  condemnation ;  and  he  shall  have  a  reward  ac- 
'  cording  to  his  deeds.  For  the  Lord  is  come  to  reckon  with  you.  He 
'  looks  for  fruits ;  the  axe  is  laid  to  your  root ;  and  every  tree  of  you, 
'  that  bears  not  good  fruit,  must  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire. 

'  G.  F.' 

Having  staid  some  time  in  London,  and  visited  the  meetings  of  friends 
in  and  about  the  city,  and  cleared  myself  of  what  services  the  Lord 
had  at  that  time  laid  upon  me  there,  I  left  the  town  and  travelled  into 
Kent,  Sussex,  and  Surry,  visiting  friends ;  amongst  whom  I  had  great 
meetings,  and  often  met  with  opposition  from  Baptists  and  other  jangling 
professors ;  but  the  Lord's  power  went  over  them. 

We  lay  one  night  at  Farnham,  where  we  had  a  little  meeting.  The 
people  were  exceeding  rude ;  but  at  last  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
them.     After  meeting  we  went  to  our  inn,  and  gave  notice, '  That  any 


1656]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  259 

« who  feared  God  might  come  to  our  inn  to  us.'  There  came  abundance 
of  rude  people,  the  magistrates  of  the  town,  and  some  professors.  I 
declared  tlie  truth  to  them ;  and  those  of  the  people  that  behaved  them- 
selves rudely,  the  magistrates  put  out  of  the  room.  When  they  were 
gone,  another  rude  company  of  professors  came  up,  and  some  of  the 
chief  of  the  town.  They  called  for  faggots  and  drink,  though  we  for- 
bad them,  and  were  as  rude  a  people  as  ever  I  met  withal.  The  Lord's 
power  chained  them,  that  they  had  not  power  to  do  us  any  mischief; 
but  when  they  went  away  they  left  all  the  faggots  and  beer,  which  they 
had  called  for  into  the  room,  for  us  to  pay  for  in  the  moiTiing.  We 
shewed  the  innkeeper  what  an  unworthy  thing  it  was ;  but  he  told  us, 
"  We  must  pay  it ;"  and  pay  it  we  did.  Before  we  left  the  town,  I 
wrote  to  the  magistrates  and  heads  of  the  town,  and  to  the  priest, 
shewing  them  how  he  had  taught  his  people,  and  laying  before  them 
their  rude  and  uncivil  carriage  to  strangers  that  sought  their  good. 

Leaving  that  place  we  came  to  Basingstoke,  a  very  rude  town ;  where 
they  had  formerly  very  much  abused  friends.  There  I  had  a  meeting 
in  the  evening,  which  was  quiet ;  for  the  Lord's  power  chained  the  un- 
ruly. -At  the  close  of  the  meeting  I  was  moved  to  put  off  my  hat,  and 
to  pray  to  the  Lord  to  open  their  understandings ;  upon  which  they  raised 
a  report,  '  That  I  put  off  my  hat  to  them,  and  bid  them  good  night,' 
which  was  never  in  my  heart.  After  the  meeting,  when  we  came  to  our 
inn,.  I  sent  for  the  innkeeper,  as  I  used  to  do;  and  he  came  into  the 
room  to  us,  and  shewed  himself  a  very  rude  man.  I  admonished  him 
to  be  sober,  and  fear  the  Lord  ;  but  he  called  for  faggots  and  a  pint  of 
wine,  and  drank  it  off  himself;  then  called  for  another,  and  called  up 
half  a  dozen  men  into  our  chamber.  Thereupon  I  bid  him  go  out  of 
the  chamber,  and  told  him  he  should  not  drink  there  ;  for  we  sent  for 
him  up  to  speak  to  him  concerning  his  eternal  good.  He  was  exceeding 
mad,  rude,  and  drunk.  When  he  continued  his  rudeness  and  would  not 
be  gone,  I  told  him,  '  The  chamber  was  mine  for  the  time  I  lodged  in  it ;' 
and  called  for  the  key.  Then  he  went  away  in  a  rage.  Li  the  morning 
he  would  not  be  seen ;  but  I  told  his  wife  of  his  unchristian  carriage  to- 
wards us. 

After  this  we  came  to  Bridport,  having  meetings  in  the  way.  We 
went  to  an  inn,  and  sent  into  the  town  for  such  as  feared  God ;  and 
there  came  a  shopkeeper,  a  professor,  and  put  off  his  hat  to  us :  and  see- 
ing we  did  not  the  like  to  him  again,  but  said  Thou  and  Thee  to  him,  he 
told  us,  '  He  was  not  of  our  religion ;'  and  after  some  discourse  he  went 
away.  After  awhile  he  sent  to  the  inn  to  us,  to  desire  us  '  to  come  to 
'  his  house,  for  some  would  speak  with  us.'  Thomas  Curtis  went  to  his 
house ;  where  when  he  came,  the  man  had  got  the  priest  and  magistrates 
thither,  and  they  boasted  much  that  they  had  catched  George  Fox, 
taking  him  for  me.  When  they  perceived  their  mistake  they  were  very 
angry ;  yet  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  so  that  they  let  him  go 
again.  Mean  while  I  had  an  opportunity  of  speaking  to  some  sober 
people  that  came  to  the  inn.  When  Thomas  was  returned,  and  we  were 
passing  out  of  the  town,  some  came  to  us  and  said, '  The  officers  were 
'  coming  to  fetch  me ;'  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them,  so  that  they 
had  not  power  to  touch  me.  There  were  some  convinced  in  the  town 
who  were  turned  to  the  Lord,  and  have  stood  faithful  in  their  testimony 
to  the  truth  ever  since,  and  a  fine  meeting  is  settled  there. 

Passing  from  hence  we  visited  Portsmouth  and  Pool,  where  we  had 


S60  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

glorious  meetings;  and  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord.  At  Ring- 
wood  we  had  a  large  general  meeting,  where  the  Lord's  power  was 
over  all.  At  Weymouth  we  had  a  meeting;  and  from  thence  came 
through  Dorchester  to  Lime,  where  the  inn  we  went  to  was  taken  up 
with  mountebanks,  so  that  there  was  hardly  any  room  for  us.  or  our 
horses.  In  the  evening  we  drew  up  some  queries  concerning  the  ground 
of  all  diseases,  and  the  nature  and  virtues  of  medicinable  creatures,  and 
sent  them  to  the  mountebanks ;  letting  them  know, '  If  they  would  not 
*  answer  them,  we  would  stick  them  on  the  cross  next  day.'  This 
brought  them  down  and  made  them  cool,  for  they  could  not  answer 
them ;  but  in  the  morning  they  reasoned  a  little  with  us.  We  left  the 
queries  with  some  friendly  people  that  were  convinced  in  the  town,  to 
stick  upon  the  market-cross.  The  Lord's  power  reached  some  of  the 
sober  people  in  that  place,  who  were  turned  by  the  Light  and  Spirit  of 
Christ  to  his  free  teaching. 

We  then  travelled  to  Exeter ;  and  at  the  Seven  Stars,  an  inn  at  the 
bridge  foot,  we  had  a  general  meeting  of  friends  out  of  Cornwall  and 
Devonshire ;  to  which  came  Humphry  Lower,  Thomas  Lower,  and  John 
Ellis  from  the  Land's-end,  Henry  PoUexfen,  with  friends  from  Plymouth, 
Elizabeth  Trelawny,  and  divers  other  friends.  A  blessed  heavenly  meet- 
ing w"e  had,  and  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  came  over  all ;  in  which 
I  saw,  and  said,  '  That  the  Lord's  power  had  surrounded  this  nation 
'  round  about  as  with  a  wall  and  bulwark,  and  his  seed  reached  from  sea 
'  to  sea.'  Friends  were  established  in  the  everlasting  seed  of  life,  Christ 
Jesus,  their  life,  rock,  teacher,  and  shepherd. 

The  next  morning,  major  Blackmore  sent  soldiers  to  apprehend  me ; 
but  I  was  gone  before  they  came.  As  I  was  riding  up  the  street,  I  saw 
the  officers  going  down.  So  the  Lord  crossed  their  design,  and  friends 
passed  away  peaceably  and  quietly.  The  soldiers  examined  some  friends 
after  I  was  gone,  'What  they  did  there?'  but  when  they  told  them, 
'  They  were  in  their  inn,  and  had  business  in  the  city,'  they  passed  away 
without  meddling  any  further  with  them. 

From  Exeter  I  took  meetings  as  I  went,  till  I  came  to  Bristol ;  and 
was  at  the  meeting  there.  After  it  was  done  I  did  not  stay  in  the  town, 
but  passed  into  Wales,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the  Slone.  Theace  going 
to  Cardiff,  a  justice  of  peace  sent  to  me,  desiring,  '  I  M^ould  come  with 
'  half  a  dozen  of  my  friends  to  his  house.'  So  I  took  a  friend  or  two  and 
w^ent  to  him,  and  he  and  his  wife  received  us  very  civilly.  The  next  day 
we  had  a  meeting  in  Cardiff  in  the  town-hall ;  to  which  that  justice  sent 
about  seventeen  of  his  family.  There  came  some  disturbers,  but  the 
Lord's  power  was  over  them;  and  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord.  To 
some  who  had  run  out  with  James  Nayler,  and  forsook  meetings,  I  had 
to  send  word,  '  That  the  day  of  their  visitation  was  over ;'  and  they 
never  prospered  after. 

We  travelled  from  Cardiff  to  Swansea,  where  we  had  a  blessed  meet- 
ing ;  and  a  meeting  was  settled  there  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  In  our  way 
thither  we  passed  over  in  a  passage-boat  with  the  high  sheriff  of  the 
county.     The  next  day  I  went  to  have  spoken  with  him,  but  he  refused. 

We  went  to  another  meeting  in  the  country ;  where  the  Lord's  pres- 
ence was  much  with  us.  From  thence  we  went  to  a  great  man's  house, 
who  received  us  very  lovingly;  but  the  next  morning  he  would  not  be  seen: 
one,  that  in  the  mean  time  came  to  him,  had  so  estranged  him,  that  we 
could  not  get  to  speak  with  him  again. 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  261 

We  passed  through  the  countries,  having  meetings,  and  gathering  peo- 
ple in  the  name  of  Christ,  their  heavenly  teacher,  till  we  came  to  Breck- 
nock ;  where  we  set  up  our  horses  at  an  inn.  There  went  with  me  Tho- 
mas Holmes,  and  John-ap-John,  who  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  '  speak 

*  in  the  streets.'  I  walked  out  but  a  little  into  the  fields ;  and  when  I  re- 
turned the  town  was  in  an  uproar.  When  I  came  into  the  chamber  in 
the  inn,  it  was  full  of  people,  and  they  were  speaking  in  Welch.  I  de- 
sired them  to  speak  in  English,  which  they  did  ;  and  much  discourse  we 
had.  After  awhile  they  went  away.  Towards  night  the  magistrates 
gathered  in  the  streets  with  a  multitude  of  people,  and  they  bid  them 
shout,  and  gathered  up  the  town ;  so  that,  for  about  two  hours  together, 
there  was  such  a  noise  as  the  like  we  had  not  heard ;  and  the  magistrates 
set  them  on  to  shout  again  when  they  had  given  over.  We  thought  it 
looked  hke  the  uproar,  which  we  read  was  amongst  Diana's  craftsmen. 
This  tumult  continued  till  it  was  within  night,  and  if  the  Lord's  power 
had  not  hmited  them,  they  seemed  likely  to  have  pulled  down  the  house, 
and  us  to  pieces. 

At  night  the  woman  of  the  house  would  have  had  us  go  to  supper  in 
another  room ;  but  we,  discerning  her  plot,  refused.  Then  she  would 
have  had  half  a  dozen  men  come  into  the  room  to  us,  under  pretence  of 
discoursing  with  us.     We  told  her,  '  No  person  should  come  into  our 

*  room  that  night,  neither  would  we  go  to  them.  Then  she  said,  we  should 
'  sup  in  another  room :'  but  we  told  her,  we  would  have  no  supper  if  we 
had  it  not  in  our  own  room.  At  length,  when  she  saw  she  could  not  get 
us  out,  she  brought  up  our  supper.  So  she  and  they  were  crossed  in 
their  design ;  for  they  had  an  intent  to  have  done  us  mischief,  but  the 
Lord  prevented  them.  Next  morning  I  wrote  a  paper  to  the  town  con- 
cerning their  unchristian  carriage,  shewing  the  fruits  of  their  priests  and 
magistrates ;  and  as  I  passed  out  of  town  I  spoke  to  the  people,  and  told 
them,    they  were  a  shame  to  Christianity  and  religion. 

From  this  place  we  went  to  a  great  meeting  in  a  steeple-house  yard  ; 
where  was  a  priest,  and  Walter  Jenkin,  who  had  been  a  justice,  and  an- 
other justice.  A  blessed  glorious  meeting  we  had.  There  being  many 
professors,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  open  the  '  scriptures  to  them, 

*  and  to  answer  the  objections  which  they  stuck  at  in  their  profession  (for 
'  I  knew  them  very  well ;)  and  to  turn  them  to  Christ,  who  had  enlight- 
'  ened  them ;  with  which  light  they  might  see  the  sins  and  trespasses  they 

*  had  been  dead  in,  and  their  Saviour  who  came  to  redeem  them  out  of 

*  them,  who  was  to  be  their  way  to  God,  the  truth  and  the  hfe  to  them, 

*  and  their  priest  made  higher  than  the  heavens ;  so  that  they  might  come 
'  to  sit  under  his  teaching.'  A  peaceable  meeting  we  had ;  many  were 
convinced,  and  settled  in  the  truth  that  day.  After  the  meeting,  I  went 
with  Walter  Jenldn  to  the  other  justices,  who  said  to  me,  '  You  have  this 

*  day  given  great  satisfaction  to  the  people,  and  answered  all  the  objec- 
'  tions  that  were  in  their  minds.'  For  the  people  had  the  scriptures,  but 
they  were  not  turned  to  the  Spirit,  which  should  let  them  see  that  which 
gave  them  forth,  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  is  the  key  to  open  them. 

From  hence  we  passed  to  Richard  Hamborow's  at  Pontemoil,  where 
was  a  great  meeting ;  to  which  there  came  another  justice,  and  several 
gz'eat  people ;  whose  understandings  were  opened  by  the  Lord's  Spirit 
and  power,  and  they  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  from  whence 
it  came.  A  great  convincement  there  was ;  a  large  meeting  is  gathered 
in  those  parts,  and  settled  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 


262  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

After  this  returning  to  England,  we  came  to  Shrewsbury,  whei'e  we 
had  a  great  meeting ;  and  visited  friends  up  and  down  the  country  in 
their  meetings,  till  we  came  to  William  Gaudy's,  in  Cheshire,  where  we 
had  a  meeting  of  between  two  and  three  thousand  people,  as  it  was 
thought ;  and  the  everlasting  word  of  life  was  held  forth,  and  received 
that  day.  A  blessed  meeting  it  was ;  for  friends  Vv'ere  settled  by  the  power 
of  God  upon  Jesus  Christ,  the  rock  and  foundation. 

At  this  time  there  was  a  great  drought ;  and  after  this  general  meet- 
ing was  ended  there  fell  so  great  a  rain,  that  friends  said,  they  thought 
we  could  not  travel,  the  waters  would  be  so  risen.  But  I  believed  the 
rain  had  not  gone  so  far  as  they  had  come  that  day  to  the  meeting.  The 
next  day  in  the  afternoon,  when  we  turned  back  into  some  parts  of  Wales 
again,  the  ways  were  dusty,  and  no  rain  had  fallen  thereabouts. 
'  When  Oliver  Cromwell  set  forth  a  proclamation  for  a  fast  throughout 
the  nation  for  rain,  in  a  very  great  drought,  it  was  observed,  that  as  far 
as  truth  had  spread  in  the  north,  there  were  pleasant  showers  and  rain 
enough ;  yet  the  south,  in  many  places,  was  almost  spoiled  for  want  of 
rain.  At  that  time  I  was  moved  to  write  an  answer  to  the  Protector's 
proclamation  ;  wherein  I  told  him :  '  If  he  had  come  to  own  God's  truth, 
'  he  should  have  had  rain ;  and  that  drought  was  to  them  a  sign  of  their 

*  barrenness,  and  want  of  the  water  of  life.' 

About  the  same  time  was  wrote  the  following  paper  to  '  distinguish 
'  betwixt  the  true  and  false  fasts.' 

Concerning  the  true  Fasts  and  the  false. 

'  To  all  you  that  are  keeping  fasts,  who  "  smite  with  the  fist  of  wick- 
"  edness,  and  fast  for  strife  and  debate ;''  against  you  hath  the  voice  cried 
'  aloud,  like  a  trumpet,  that  you  may  come  to  know  the  true  fast  which 
'  is  accepted,  and  the  fast  which  is  in  the  strife  and  the  debate,  and 
"  smiting  wnth  the  fist  of  wickedness :"  which  fast  is  not  required  of  the 
'  Lord.  "  Behold,  in  the  day  of  your  fast  you  find  pleasure,  and  exact 
*'  all  your  labour :  behold,  ye  fast  for  strife  and  debate,  and  to  smite  with 
"  the  fist  of  wickedness :  ye  shall  not  fast,  as  ye  do  this  day,  to  make 
"  your  voice  known  on  high.  Is  it  such  a  fast  that  I  have  chosen,"  saith 
'  the  Lord,  "  a  day  for  a  man  to  afflict  his  soul  1  Is  it  to  bow  down  his 
"  head  like  a  bulrush,  and  to  spread  sackcloth  under  him  1  W^ilt  thou  call 
"  this  a  fast  and  an  acceptable  day  to  the  Lord  ?" 

'  Consider  all  you  that  fast,  see  if  it  be  not  "  hanging  down  the  head 
"  for  a  day  like  a  bulrush,"  and  fasting  for  "  strife  and  debate,"  and  to 
"  smite  with  the  fists  of  wickedness,  to  make  your  voice  to  be  known  on 
"  high  V  But  this  fast  is  not  accepted  with  the  Lord ;  but  that  which 
'  leads  you  from  strife,  from  debate,  from  wickedness ;  which  is  not  the 
"  bowing  down  of  the  head  as  a  bulrush  for  a  day,"  and  yet  live  in  ex- 
'  acting  and  pleasure ;  this  is  not  accepted  with  the  Lord :  but  that  which 

*  separates  from  all  these  before-mentioned.  That  which  separates  from 
"  wickedness,  debate,  strife,  pleasures,  smiting  vtith  the  fist  of  wicked- 
"  ness,"  brings  to  know  the  true  fast,  which  "  breaks  the  bonds  of  iniquity, 
"  and  deals  bread  to  the  hungry ;  brings  the  poor  that  are  cast  out  to  his 
"  own  house ;  and  when  he  sees  any  naked  he  covers  them,  and  hides 
"  not  himself  from  his  own  flesh."    Here  is  the  true  fast  which  separates 

*  from  them,  where  the  bonds  of  iniquity  are  standing,  the  heavy  bur- 

*  thens  of  the  oppressed  remaining,  and  the  yoke  not  broken ;  who  deal 
'  not  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  bring  not  the  poor  to  their  own  house  ; 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  263 

*  and  see  the  naked  but  let  him  go  unclothed,  and  hide  themselves  from 
*■  their  own  flesh.     Yet  such  will  make  their  voice  to  be  heard  on  high, 

*  as  Christ  speaks  of  the  pharisees,  who  "  sounded  a  trumpet  before  them, 
'  and  disfigured  their  faces,"  to  appear  to  men  to  fast ;  but  the  bonds  of 

iniquity  were  standing,  strife  and  debate  was  standing,  striking  with  the 
'  fists  of  wickedness  standing ;  those  made  their  voice  heard  on  high, 
who  had  their  reward.' 

'  But  that  which  brings  to  the  true  fast,  which  appears  not  to  men  to 
fast,  but  unto  the  Father,  "  wdio  sees  in  secret ;  the  Father  that  seeth  in 
'"'  secret  shall  reward  this  openly."     This  fast  separates  from  the  phari- 
sees' fast,  and  them  that  "  bow  the  head  for  a  day  like  a  bulrush."  This 
is  it  which  brings  "  to  deal  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  to  clothe  thine 
"  own  flesh  when  thou  seest  them  naked,  to  bring  the  poor  to  thine 
*' house,  and  to  loose  the  bonds  of  wickedness:"  mark,  this  is  the  fast; 
and  "  to  undo  every  heavy  burden  (mark  again)  and  to  let  the  oppress- 
'  ed  go  free;"  this  is  the  fast:  and  "to  break  every  yoke."     When  thou 
observest  this  fast,  "  Then  shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morning, 
"  and  thine  health  shall  spring  forth  speedily,  and  thy  righteousness  shall 
•'  go  before  thee  ;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  rere-ward.     Then 
"  shalt  thou  call,  and  the  Lord  shall  answer;  thou  shalt  cry,  and  lie  shall 
"  say.  Here  I  am :  if  thou  take  aAvay  from  the  midst  of  thee  the  yoke, 
*'  the  putting  forth  of  the  finger,  and  speaking  vanity :  and  if  thou  draw 
"  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  and  satisfy  the  afflicted  soul,  then  shall  thy 
"  light  arise  in  obscurity,  and  thy  darkness  be  as  the  noon-day."     The 

*  light  brings  to  know  this  fast ;  and  walking  in  it,  this  fast  is  kept :  and 

*  he  that  believeth  in  the  light,  abides  not  in  darkness.  And  again ; 
*'  The  Lord  shall  guide  thee  continually,  and  satisfy  thy  soul  in  drought, 
''  and  make  fat  thy  bones ;  and  thou  shalt  be  hke  a  w^atered  garden,  and 
"  hke  a  spring  of  water,  whose  waters  fail  not,"  Isa.  Iviii.  11.  These  are 

*  they  that  are  guided  with  the  light,  which  comes  from  Christ  where 
'  the  springs  are. 

'And  again:  "They  that  shall  be  of  thee  (that  keep  this  fast)  shall 
"  build  the  old  waste  places,  and  thou  shalt  raise  up  the  foundation  of 
"  many  generations ;  and  thou  shalt  be  called  the  repairer  of  the  breach, 
"  the  restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in,"  Isa.  Iviii.  12.    Now  that  which  gives 

*  to  see  the  foundation  of  many  generations,  is  the  light  which  separates 
'  from  all  that  which  is  out  of  the  light ;  and  they  that  go  out  of  the  light, 

*  though  they  may  pretend  a  fast,  and  bowing  down  the  head  for  a  time: 

*  yet  they  are  far  from  this  fast,  that  doth  raise  up  the  foundation  of 
'  many  generations,  and  is  the  repairer  of  the  breach,  and  restorer  of 

*  the  paths  to  dwell  in.  That  which  doth  give  to  see  this  foundation  of 
'  many  generations,  and  these  breaches  that  are  to  be  repaired  and  re- 
'  stored,  and  paths  to  dwell  in,  is  the  light  which  brings  to  know  the  true 
'  fast ;  and  where  this  fast  is  known,  which  is  from  wickedness,  from 
'  debate,  from  strife,  from  pleasures,  from  exacting,  from  the  voice  that 

is  heard  on  high,  from  the  speaking  of  vanity,  from  the  bonds  of  ini- 
quity, which  breaks  every  yoke,  and  lets  the  oppressed  go  free ;  here 
the  health  grows,  here  the  morning  is  known,  righteousness  goes  forth ; 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  the  rere-ward,  the  light  riseth,  the  soul  is 
drawn  out  to  the  hungry,  and  satisfies  the  afflicted  soul ;  and  the  springs 
of  living  water  are  known  and  felt.     The  waters  fail  not  here ;  the 

*  Lord  guides   continually,  and   the   foundation  of  many  generations 


264  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

'  comes  to  be  seen  and  raised  up :  the  repairer  of  breaches  is  here  wit- 

*  nessed,  the  restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in. 

*  But  all  such  as  are  out  of  the  light  which  the  prophets  were  in,  with 

*  which  they  saw  Christ,  and  such  to  be  in  fasts  where  was  strife,  where 
'  was  wickedness,  where  was  debate,  wdiere  was  "  bowing  the  head  like 
"  a  bulrush  for  a  day,"  lifting  their  voice  on  high,  and  the  bonds  of  w4ck- 

*  edness  yet  standing,  the  burdens  unloosed,  the  oppressed  not  let  go  free, 
'  the  yoke  not  broken,  the  nakedness  not  clothed,  the  bread  not  dealt  to 

*  the  hungry,  and  this  foundation  of  many  generations  not  raised  up : 

*  until  these  things  before-mentioned  be  broken  down,  on  such  the  light 
'  breaks  not  forth  as  the  morning,  and  the  Lord  hears  them  not.     Such 

*  have  their  reward ;  their  iniquities  have  separated  them  from  their  God, 
'  their  sins  have  hid  his  face  from  them  that  he  will  not  hear,  their  hands 
'  are  defiled  with  blood,  and  their  fingers  with- iniquity ;  whose  lips  have 

*  spoken  lies,  and  tongues  have  muttered  perverseness.  "  None  calleth 
"  for  justice,  nor  any  plead  for  truth ;  they  trust  in  vanity  and  speak  lies, 
*'  they  conceive  mischief  and  bring  forth  iniquity.  They  hatch  cocka- 
*'  trice  eggs,  and  weave  the  spider's  web ;  he  that  eateth  of  their  eggs, 
"  dies,  and  that  which  is  crushed  breaks  out  into  a  viper ;  their  webs 
**  shall  not  become  garments,  neither  shall  they  cover  themselves  with 
"  their  works."  Mark  and  take  notice :  "  Their  works  are  works  of  in- 
♦'  iquity,  and  the  act  of  violence  is  in  their  hands :  their  feet  run  to  da 
"  evil,  and  they  make  haste  to  shed  innocent  blood.  Their  thoughts  are 
"  thoughts  of  iniquity,  wasting  and  destruction  are  in  their  paths ;  the 
"  way  of  peace  they  know  not,  and  there  is  no  judgment  in  their  goings. 
"  They  have  made  them  a  crooked  path ;  whosoever  goes  therein  shall 
"  not  know  peace :"  mark :  such  go  from  the  light,  therefore  is  judgment 
'  far  oif,  neither  doth  justice  overtake.     Here  is  obscurity,  here  is  the 

*  walking  in  darkness,  here  is  the  groping  like  blind  men,  as  though  they 
'  had  no  eyes,  and  their  stumbling  at  noon-day  in  desolate  places,  like 
'  blind  men.  Here  is  the  roaring  like  bears,  and  mourning  sorely  like 
'  doves ;  here  judgment  is  looked  for,  but  there  is  none,  and  salvation  is 
'  put  far  off':  for  the  light  is  denied,  which  gives  to  see  it.  But  here  is 
'  the  multiplying  of  transgression,  and  their  sins  testifying  against  them, 

*  and  the  transgression  that  was  within  them,  and  their  iniquities  w  Inch 
'  they  knew  in  transgressing  and  lying  against  the  Lord,  speaking  the 
'  things  they  should  not ;  when  they  knew  by  that  of  God  in  them,  they 
'  should  not  speak  it.  So  departing  from  the  way  of  God,  speaking  op- 
'  pression,  revolting,  conceiving  and  uttering  forth  from  the  heart  words 
'  of  falsehood ;  here  judgment  is  turned  away  backward,  and  justice 
'  stands  afar  off':  truth  is  fallen  in  the  streets,  and  equity  cannot  enter. 
'  Yea,  truth  faileth ;  and  he  that  departeth  from  evil,  makes  himself  a 
'  prey !  The  Lord  saw  it,  and  it  displeased  him.  These  are  such  as  are 
'  in  tlie  fast  which  God  doth  not  accept ;  and  are  not  in  the  true  fast, 
'  whose  "  light  breaks  forth  as  the  morning:"  but  these  are  such  as  are 

*  in  the  false  fast,  who  grope  like  blind  men. 

'  That  which  gives  to  know  the  true  and  false  fast,  is  the  light,  which 

*  gives  the  eye  to  see  each  fast;  where  the  true  judgment  is,  and  the  in- 
'  iquity  standeth  not,  nor  the  transgressor,  nor  the  speaker  of  lies  :  but 
'  that  is  judged  and  condemned  with  the  light,  which  makes  it  mani- 
'  fest.  And  those  who  are  in  this  fast,  when  they  call  upon  the  Lord,  the 
'  Lord  will  answer  them,  "  Here  am  I."  Here  truth  is  pleaded  for  and 
'  falsehood  flies  away.  But  they  who  are  out  of  this  fast  in  the  perverse- 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  265 

'  ness,  their  tongues  uttering  perverse  things,  are  stumbHng  and  groping 
'  hke  bHnd  men,  out  of  the  light,  in  the  iniquity  which  separates  from 
'  God,  who  hides  his  face  from  them  that  he  will  not  hear :  going  from 
'  the  light,  they  go  from  the  Lord  and  his  face.     So  this  is  it  which  must 

*  be  fasted  from,  for  this  it  is  which  separates  from  God :  and  here  comes 

*  the  reward  openly,  which  condemns  all  that  which  is  contrary  to  the 

*  light ;  injustice,  iniquity,  transgression,  vanity,  that  which  brings  forth 
'  mischief;  which  hatcheth  the  cockatrice-eggs,  and  weaves  the  spider's 
'  web :  he  that  eateth  of  these  eggs,  dies.  Mark,  that  "  which  is  crush- 
"  ed  breaks  out  into  a  viper."  Mark  again,  "  Their  webs  shall  not  be- 
"  come  garments,  neither  shall  they  cover  themselves  with  their  works 
"  of  vanity :  acts  of  violence  are  in  their  hands."  This  is  all  from  the 
'  light,  in  the  wickedness.  "  Their  feet  run  to  do  evil,  and  they  make 
"  haste  to  shed  innocent  blood :  their  thoughts  are  thoughts  of  vanity  ; 
"  wasting  and  destruction  is  in  their  path."  This  is  all  far  from  the  light. 

*  Again :  "  The  way  of  peace  they  know  not,  there  is  no  judgment  in 
"  their  goings :  they  have  made  them  crooked  paths,  whosoever  goes 
"  therein  shall  not  know  peace."  Mark ;  who  goes  in  their  way,  that 
'  know  not  the  way  of  peace,  shall  they  know  peace  ?  "  Whose  path  is 
"  crooked,  where  there  is  no  judgment  in  their  goings:"  take  notice, 
♦'  No  judgment  in  their  goings:"  This  is  all  from  the  light,  which  mani- 

*  festeth  that  which  is  to  be  judged ;  where  the  covenant  of  peace  is 
'  known,  where  all  that  which  is  contrary  to  it  is  kept  out.  All  who  live 
'  in  those  things  contrary  to  the  iight,  in  the  false  fast,  may  mark  their 
'  path,  and  behold  their  reward,-  wAo  are  out  of  the  light,  stumbling  and 
'  groping  like  blind  men.  They  ^'ftat  be  in  the  true  fast  are  separated 
'  from  all  these ;  their  words,  thar  actions  and  fruits,  and  their  fast ;  but 

*  to  those  whose  fast  breaks  the  bonds  of  iniquity,  whom  the  Lord  hears, 

*  and  to  whom  righteousness  springs  forth,  and  goes  before  them,  the 

*  glory  of  the  Lord  is  their  'Cre-ward.  G.  F.' 

We  passed  into  Wxles  through  Montgomeryshire,  and  so  into  Rad- 
norshire, where  thei«  v^s  a  meeting  like  a  leaguer,  for  multitudes.  I 
walked  a  little  aside,  vhilst  the  people  were  gathering :  and  there  came 
to  me  John-ap-JoAn,  -\  Welshman,  whom  I  desired  to  go  to  the  people  ; 
and  if  he  had  any  thing  upon  him  from  the  Lord  to  them,  he  might 
speak  in  Wekh,  a-id  thereby  gather  more  together.  Then  came  Mor- 
gan Watkin^  to  ^ne,  who  was  become  loving  to  friends,  and  said,  '  The 
'  people  1)5  lik-i  a  leaguer,  and  the  gentry  of  the  country  are  come  in.' 
I  bade  him  go  up  also,  and  leave  me ;  for  I  had  a  great  travail  upon  me 
for  the  sab-ation  of  the  people.  When  they  were  well  gathered,  I  went 
into  i:he  meeting,  and  stood  upon  a  chair  about  three  hours.  I  stood  a 
pretty  jvhile,  before  I  began  to  speak :  after  some  time  I  felt  the  power 
o{  the  Lord  over  the  whole  assembly:  and  his  everlasting  hfe  and  truth 
shined  over  all.     '  The  scriptures  were  opened  to  them,  and  the  objec- 

*  tions  they  had  in  their  minds  answered.     They  were  directed  to  the 

*  light  of  Christ,  the  heavenly  man ;  that  by  it  they  might  see  their  sins, 

*  and  Christ  Jesus  to  be  their  Saviour,  their  Redeemer,  their  Mediator, 
'  and  come  to  feed  upon  him,  the  bread  of  life  from  heaven.   Many  were 

*  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  his  free  teaching  that  day ;  and 
'  all  were  bowed  down  under  the  power  of  God ;  so  that  though  the 

*  multitude  was  so  great  that  many  sat  on  horseback  to  hear,  there  was 

*  no  opposition.     A  priest  sat  with  his  wife  on  horseback,  heard  atten- 

21 


266  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [I65T 

'  lively,  and  made  no  objection.  The  people  parted  peaceably,  with 
♦great  satisfaction;  many  of  them  saying,  they  never  heard  such  a 
'  sermon  before,  nor  the  sciiptures  so  opened.     For  the  new  covenant 

*  was  opened,  and  the  old,  the  nature  and  terms  of  each,  and  the  para- 

*  bles  were  explained.  The  state  of  the  church  in  the  apostles'  days  was 
'  set  forth,  the  apostacy  since  laid  open ;  and  the  free  teaching  of  Christ 

*  and  the  apostles  was  set  atop  of  all  the  hireling  teachers ;  and  the  Lord 
'  had  the  praise  of  all,  for  many  were  turned  to  him  that  day.' 

I  went  from  thence  to  Leominster,  where  was  a  great  meeting  in  a 
close ;  many  hundreds  of  people  being  gathered  together.     There  were 
about  six  congregational  pi'eachers  and  priests  amongst  the  people ;  and 
Thomas  Taylor,  who  had  been  a  priest,  but  was  now  become  a  minister 
of  Christ  Jesus,  was  with  me.     I  stood  up,  and  declared  about  three 
hours ;  and  none  of  the  priests  were  able  to  open  their  mouths  in  oppo- 
sition ;  the  Lord's  power  and  tmth  so  reached  and  bound  them.     At 
length  one  priest  went  off  about  a  bow-shot  from  me :  drew  several  of 
the  people  after  him,  and  began  to  preach  to  them.    So  I  kept  our  meet- 
ing, and  he  kept  his.     After  awhile  Thomas  Taylor  was  moved  to  go 
and  speak  to  him ;  upon  which  he  gave  over :  and  he,  with  the  people 
he  had  drawn  off,  came  to  us  again ;  and  the  Lord's  power  v/ent  over 
all.  At  last  a  Baptist,  that  was  convinced,  said, '  Where 's  priest  Tombs? 
«  how  chance  he  doth  not  come  outl'     This  Tombs  was  priest  of  Leo- 
minster.    Hereupon  some  went  and  tdd  the  priest ;  who  came  with  the 
bailiffs  and  other  officers  of  the  town.    When  he  was  come,  they  set 
him  upon  a  stool  over  against  me.    I  vas  speaking  of  the  heavenlyr 
divine  light  of  Christ,  which  he  '  enlighttns  every  one  withal  that  cometh 
'  into  the  world ;  to  give  them  the  knowj^dge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
«  face  of  Christ  Jesus  their  Saviour.'     Whtn  priest  Tombs  heard  this,  he 
cried  out,  '  That  is  a  natural  light,  and  a  nada  light.'     Then  I  desired 
the  people  to  take  out  their  bibles,  and  asktd  ♦.he  priest, '  Whether  he 

♦  did  affirm  that  was  a  created,  natural,  made  Ug^t,  which  John,  a  man 
'  sent  from  God,  bore  witness  to,  when  he  saia  «Tn  him  (to  wit,  in  the 
''  Word)  was  life,  and  that  life  was  the  light  of  n^en,"  John  i,  4.  Dost 
'  thou  affirm  and  mean,  said  I,  that  this  light  here  spckei;  of  was  a  created, 

♦  natural,  made  light '?  He  said.  Yes.  Then  I  shev^^&l  by  the  scriptures, 
'  that  the  natural,  created,  made  light  is  the  outwara  light  in  the  out- 
'  ward  firmament  proceeding  from  the  sun,  moon,  ani  siars.  "  And 
"  dost  thou  affirm,"  said  I,  "  that  God  sent  John  to  beai  wr.ness  to  the 
"light  of  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars'?"  Then  said  he,  "L;d  1  say  so?" 
'  I  replied,  "  Didst  thou  not  say  it  was  a  natural,  created,  made  light, 
"  that  John  bore  witness  unto  ?  If  thou  dost  not  like  thy  wo^-ds,  take 
"  them  again,  and  mend  them."  Then  he  said  "  That  light,  which  I  spoke 
"  of,  was  a  natural,  created  light."  I  told  him,  He  had  not  at  all  mend- 
'  ed  his  cause ;  for  that  light,  which  I  spoke  of,  was  the  very  same  thai 

♦  John  was  sent  of  God  to  bear  witness  to ;  which  was  the  life  in  the 

♦  Word,  by  which  all  the  natural  lights,  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  were  made. 
"  In  him  (to  wit,  the  Word)  was  life,  and  that  life  was  the  light  of 
"  men."  I  directed  the  people  to  turn  to  the  place  in  their  bibles,  and 
recited  to  them  the  words  of  John,  "  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word, 
"  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  The  same 
"  was  in  the  beginning  with  God :  All  things  were  made  by  him,  and 
<'  without  him  was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made."  (So  all  natural, 
created  lights  were  made  by  Christ  the  Word.)     '  In  him  was  life,  and 


1^7]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  267 

*  the  life  was  the  light  of  men :  and  that  was  the  true  light  which  light- 

*  eth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world.'  And  Christ  saith  of  him- 
self, John  viii.  12.     'I  am  the  light  of  the  world:'  and  bids  them  '  be- 

*  lieve  in  the  light,'  John  xii.  36.  And  God  said  of  him  by  the  prophet 
Isaiah,  ch.  xlix.  6.     *  I  will  also  give  thee  for  a  light  to  the  Gentiles,  that 

*  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.'  So  Christ  in  his 
light  is  saving.     And  the  apostle  said,  '  The  light,  which  shined  in  their 

*  hearts,  was  to  give  them  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 

*  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ :'  which  was  their  treasure  in  their 
earthen  vessels,  2  Cor.  iv.  6,  7. 

When  I  had  thus  opened  the  matter  to  the  people,  the  priest  cried  to 
the  magistrates,  '  Take  this  man  away,  or  else  I  shall  not  speak  any 
'more.'  'But,'  said  I,  'priest  Tombs,  deceive  not  thyself,  thou  art  not 
'  in  thy  pulpit  now,  nor  in  thy  old  mass-house  ;  but  we  are  in  the  fields.' 
So  he  was  shuffling  to  be  gone :  and  Thomas  Taylor  stood  up,  and  un- 
dertook to  pi^ove  our  principle  by  Christ's  parable  concerning  the  sow- 
er. Mat  13.     Then  said  the  priest,  '  Let  that  man  speak,  and  not  the 

*  other.'  So  he  got  up  into  jangling  for  awhile ;  till  the  I^ord's  power 
catched  him  again,  stopped  and  confounded  him.  Afterwards  a  friend 
stood  up  and  told  him,  he  had  sued  him  for  tythe  eggs,  and  other  friends 
for  other  tythes :  for  he  was  an  Anabaptist  preacher,  yet  had  a  parsonage 
at  Leominster,  and  had  several  journeymen  under  him.  He  said,  '  He 
'  had  a  wife,  and  he  had  a  concubine ;  his  wife  vi'as  the  baptized  people, 

*  and  his  concubine  was  the  world.'  But  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
all,  the  everlasting  truth  was  declared  that  day,  and  many  were  turned 
by  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher  and  way  to  God.  Of 
great  service  that  meeting  was  in  those  parts.  The  next  day  Thomas 
Taylor  went  to  this  priest,  reasoned  with  him,  and  overcame  him  by  the 
power  of  the  Word. 

From  this  place  I  travelled  in  Wales,  having  several  meetings,  till  I 
came  to  Tenby ;  where  as  I  rode  up  the  street,  a  justice  of  peace  came 
out  of  his  house,  desired  me  to  alight,  and  stay  at  his  house ;  which  I 
did.  On  first-day  the  mayor  with  his  wife  and  several  others  of  the 
chief  of  the  town,  came  in  about  the  tenth  hour,  and  staid  all  the  time 
of  the  meeting.  A  glorious  meeting  it  was.  John-ap-John  being  then 
with  me,  left  the  meeting,  and  went  to  the  steeple-house ;  and  the  gov- 
ernor cast  him  into  prison.  On  second-day  morning  the  governor  sent 
one  of  his  otficers  to  the  justice's  to  fetch  me  ;  which  grieved  the  may- 
or and  the  justice ;  for  they  were  both  with  me  in  the  justice's  house, 
when  the  officer  came.  The  mayor  and  the  justice  went  to  the  govern- 
or before  me ;  and  awhile  after  I  went  with  the  officer.  When  I  came  in  I 
said, '  Peace  be  unto  this  house.'  And  before  the  governor  could  exam- 
ine me,  I  asked  him,  '  Why  he  cast  my  friend  into  prison  'i '  He  said, 
'  For  standing  with  his  hat  on  in  the  church.'     I  said,  '  Had  not  the 

*  priest  two  caps  on  his  head,  a  black  one  and  a  white  one  1  Cut  off  the 
'  brims  of  the  hat,  and  then  my  friend  would  have  but  one :  and  the 
'  brims  of  the  hat  were  but  to  defend  him  from  weather.'     '  These  are 

*  frivolous  things,'  said  the  governor.     '  Why  then,'  said  I,  '  dost  thou 

*  cast  my  friend  into  prison  for  such  frivolous  things?'     He  asked  me, 

*  Whether  I  owned  election  and  reprobation?'     '  Yes,'  said  I,  '  and  thou 

*  art  in  the  reprobation.'  At  that  he  was  in  a  rage,  and  said, '  He  would 
'  send  me  to  prison  till  I  proved  it.'  I  told  him,  '  I  would  prove  that 
'  quickly,  if  he  would  confess  truth.'     I  asked  him,  '  Whether  wrath 


268  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [16$J 

*  fury,  rage,  and  persecution,  were  not  marks  of  reprobation  ?  for  he 

*  that  was  born  of  the  flesh,  persecuted  him  that  was  born  of  the  Spirit ; 

*  but  Christ  and  his  disciples  never  persecuted  nor  imprisoned  any.'  He 
fairly  confessed,  that  he  had  too  much  wrath,  haste,  and  passion  in  him. 
I  told  him,  '  Esau  was  up  in  him,  the  first  birth  ;  not  Jacob,  the  second 

*  birth.'  The  Lord's  power  so  reached  the  man,  and  came  over  him, 
that  he  confessed  to  truth ;  and  the  other  justice  came,  and  shook  me 
kindly  by  the  hand. 

As  I  was  passing  away,  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  the  governor  again; 
and  he  invited  me  to  dinner  with  him ;  and  set  my  friend  at  hberty.  I 
went  back  to  the  other  justice's  house :  and  after  some  time  the  mayor 
and  his  wife,  and  the  justice  and  his  wife,  and  divers  other  friends  of  the 
town,  went  about  half  a  mile  out  of  town  with  us,  to  the  water-side, 
when  we  went  away ;  and  there,  when  we  parted  from  them,  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  '  kneel  down  with  them,  and  pray  to  the  Lord  to 
'  preserve  them.'  So  after  I  had  recommended  them  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  their  Saviour  and  free  teacher,  we  passed  away  in  the  Lord's 
power ;  and  he  had  the  glory.  A  meeting  continues  in  that  town  to  this 
day. 

We  travelled  to  Pembrokeshire ;  and  in  Pembroke  town  had  some  ser- 
vice for  the  Lord.  From  thence  we  passed  to  Haverford-west,  where 
we  had  a  great  meeting.  All  was  quiet;  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
all,  many  were  settled  in  the  new  covenant,  Christ  Jesus,  and  built  upon 
him,  their  rock  and  foundation :  and  they  stand  a  precious  meeting  to 
this  day.  The  next  day,  being  their  fair-day,  we  passed  through  the  fair, 
and  '  sounded  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and  his  everlasting  truth  amongst 

*  them.' 

After  this  we  came  into  another  county,  and  at  noon  into  a  great  mar- 
ket town ;  and  went  to  several  inns,  before  we  could  get  any  meat  for 
our  horses.  At  last  we  came  to  one,  where  we  got  some.  Then  John- 
ap-Jolin  being  with  me,  went,  and  spoke  through  the  town,  declaring  the 
truth  to  the  people ;  and  when  he  came  to  me  again,  he  said  he  thought 
all  the  town  were  as  people  asleep.  After  awhile  he  was  moved  to  go 
and  declare  truth  in  the  streets  again ;  then  the  town  was  all  in  an  up- 
roar, and  cast  him  into  prison.  Presently  after,  several  of  the  chief  of 
the  town  came  down,  with  others,  to  the  inn  where  I  was,  and  said, 

*  They  have  cast  your  man  into  prison.'  '  For  M-hat?'  said  I.  '  He  preached 
'  in  our  streets,'  said  they.     I  asked  them,  'What  did  he  say?  Had  he 

*  reproved  some  of  the  drunkards  and  swearers,  and  warned  them  to  re- 
'  pent,  and  leave  off  their  evil  doings,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  V  I  asked 
them,  '  Who  cast  him  into  prison  V  They  said,  '  The  high-sheriff,  the 

*  justices,  and  the  mayor.'  I  asked  their  names,  and  whether  they  un- 
derstood themselves  ?  and  whether  that  was  their  carriage  to  travellers 
who  passed  through  their  town;  and  to  strangers  that  admonished  them, 
and  exhorted  them  to  fear  the  Lord,  and  reproved  sin  in  their  gates  ? 
These 'went  and  told  the  officers  what  I  said;  and  after  awhile  they 
brought  John-ap-John  guarded  with  halberds,  in  order  to  put  him  out  of 
the  town.  I  being  at  the  inn-door,  bid  the  officers  take  their  hands  off 
of  him.  They  said,  '  The  mayor  and  justices  had  commanded  them  to 
'  put  him  out  of  town.  I  told  them,  '  I  would  talk  with  their  mayor  and 
'  justices  anon  concerning  their  uncivil  and  unchristian  carriage  towards 
'  him.'  I  spoke  to  John  to  go  look  after  the  horses,  and  get  them  ready ; 
and  charged  the  officers  not  to  touch  him ;  and  after  I  had  declared  the 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  269 

truth  to  them,  and  shewed  the  fruits  of  their  priests,  and  their  inciviHty 
and  unchristian-Uke  carriage,  they  went  away  and  left  us.  They  were 
a  kind  of  Independents ;  a  very  wicked  town,  and  false.  We  bid  the  inn- 
keeper give  our  horses  a  peck  of  oats ;  and  no  sooner  had  we  turned 
our  backs,  but  the  oats  were  stolen  from  our  horses.  After  we  had  re- 
freshed ourselves  a  little,  and  were  ready,  we  took  horse,  and  rode  up  to 
the  inn,  where  the  mayor,  sheriff,  and  justices  were.  I  called  to  speak 
with  them,  and  asked  them  the  reason,  '  Whei^fore  they  had  imprisoned 

*  John-ap-John,  and  kept  him  in  prison  two  or  three  hours  V  But  they 
would  not  answer  me  a  word ;  only  looked  out  at  the  windows  upon  me. 
I  shewed  them  '  how  unchristian  their  carriage  was  to  strangers  and 
'  travellers,  and  manifested  the  fruits  of  their  teachers;  and  declared  the 

*  truth  to  them,  and  warned  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  com- 

*  ing  upon  all  the  evil-doers :  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  that 
'  they  looked  ashamed ;'  but  not  a  word  could  I  get  from  them  in  an- 
swer. So  when  I  had  warned  them  to  repent,  and  turn  to  the  Lord,  we 
passed  away ;  and  at  night  came  to  a  little  inn,  very  poor,  but  very 
cheap ;  for  our  own  provision,  and  our  two  horses'  cost  but  eight  pence : 
but  the  horses  would  not  eat  their  oats.  We  declared  the  truth  to  the 
people  of  the  place,  and  sounded  the  day  of  the  Lord  through  the 
countries. 

From  thence  we  came  to  a  great  town,  and  went  to  an  inn.  Edward 
Edwards  went  into  the  market,  and  declared  the  truth  amongst  the  peo- 
ple ;  who  followed  him  to  the  inn,  mled  the  inn-yard,  and  were  exceed- 
ing rude.  Yet  a  good  service  we  had  for  the  Lord  amongst  them.  For 
the  life  of  Christianity  and  the  power  of  it  tormented  their  chaffy  spirits, 
and  came  over  them,  so  that  some  were  reached  and  convinced ;  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  all ;  and  the  magistrates  were  bound,  they  had 
no  power  to  meddle  with  us. 

After  this  we  came  to  another  great  town  on  a  market-day;  where 
John-ap-John  declared  the  everlasting  truth  through  the  streets,  and  pro- 
claimed the  day  of  the  Lord.  In  the  evening  many  gathered  about  the 
inn ;  and  some  of  them,  being  drunk,  would  fain  have  had  us  into  the 
street  again ;  but  seeing  their  design,  I  told  them,  *  If  there  were  any 
'  that  feared  God,  and  desired  to  hear  truth,  they  might  come  into  our 
'  inn  ;  or  else  we  might  have  a  meeting  with  them  next  morning.'  Some 
service  for  the  Lord  we  had  amongst  them,  both  over  night  and  in  the 
morning  :  and  though  they  were  hard  to  receive  the  truth,  yet  the  seed 
was  sown ;  and  thereabouts  the  Lord  hath  a  people  gathered  to  himself. 
In  that  inn  also  I  turned  my  back  to  the  man  that  was  giving  oats  to  my 
horse ;  and  looking  back,  he  was  filling  his  pockets  with  the  provender. 
A  wicked,  thievish  people,  to  rob  the  poor  dumb  creature  of  his  food ! 
I  had  rather  they  had  robbed  me. 

Leaving  this  town,  and  travelling  on,  a  great  man  overtook  us  on  the 
way.  He  purposed  (as  he  told  us  afterwards)  to  have  taken  us  up  at 
the  next  town  for  highwaymen.  But  before  we  came  to  the  town,  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  to  him.  What  I  spoke,  reached  to  the  wit- 
ness of  God  in  the  man ;  who  was  so  affected  therewith,  that  he  had  us 
to  his  house,  and  entertained  us  very  civilly.  He  and  his  wife  desired 
us  to  give  them  some  scriptures,  both  for  proof  of  our  principles,  and 
against  the  priests.  We  were  glad  of  the  service,  and  furnished  him 
with  scriptures  enough  ;  and  he  wrote  them  down,  and  was  convinced 
of  the  truth,  both  by  the  Spirit  of  God  in  his  own  heart,  and  by  the 


S70  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

scriptures,  which  were  a  confirmation  to  him.  Afterwards  he  set  us  on 
in  our  journey ;  and  as  we  travelled,  we  came  to  an  hill,  which  the  peo- 
ple of  the  country  say  is  two  or  three  miles  high ;  from  the  side  of  this 
hill  I  could  see  a  great  way.  And  I  was  moved  to  set  my  face  several 
ways,  and  to  sound  the  day  of  the  Lord  there :  and  I  told  John-ap-John 
(a  faithful  Welsh  minister)  in  what  places  God  would  raise  up  a  people 
to  himself,  to  sit  under  his  own  teaching.  Those  places  he  took  notice 
of;  and  since  there  hath  been  a  great  people  arisen  there.  The  like  I 
have  been  moved  to  do  in  many  other  parts  inhabited  by  rude  people  : 
yet  I  have  been  moved  to  declare  the  Lord  had  a  seed  in  those  places  ; 
and  afterwards  there  hath  been  a  brave  people  raised  up  in  the  covenant 
of  God,  and  gathered  in  the  name  of  Jesus ;  where  they  have  salvation 
and  free  teaching. 

From  this  hill  we  came  to  Dolegelle  :  and  went  to  an  inn.  John-ap- 
John  declared  through  the  streets ;  and  the  town's  people  rose  and  gath- 
ered about  him.  There  being  two  Independent  priests  in  the  town,  they 
came  out,  and  discoursed  with  him  both  together.  I  went  to  them :  and 
finding  them  speaking  in  Welsh,  I  asked  them,  '  What  was  the  subject 

*  they  spoke  upon,  and  why  they  were  not  more  moderate,  and  spoke 

*  one  by  one  1  For  the  things  of  God,'  I  told  them,  '  were  weighty,  and 

*  they  should  speak  of  them  with  fear  and  reverence.'  Then  I  desired 
them  to  speak  in  English,  that  I  might  discourse  with  them ;  and  they 
did  so.     They  affirmed,  '  That  th^  Light,  which  John  came  to  bear  wit- 

*  ness  of,  was  a  created,  natural,  made  light.'  I  took  the  bible,  and  shewed 
them,  as  I  had  done  to  others  before,  '  That  the  natural  fights,  which 
^  were  made  and  created,  were  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars :  but  this  light, 

*  which  John  bare  witness  to,  and  which  he  called  the  true  light,  that 
■'  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  is  the  life  in  Christ  the 

*  Word,  by  which  all  things  were  made  and  created.     The  same  that  is 

*  called  the  life  in  Christ,  is  called  the  light  in  man.    This  is  an  heavenly, 

*  divine  light,  which  lets  men  see  their  evil  words  and  deeds,  and  shews 

*  them  all  their  sins ;  and,  if  they  would  attend  to  it,  would  bring  them 

*  to  Christ,  from  whom  it  comes,  that  they  might  know  him  to  save  them 
"'  from  their  sin,  and  to  blot  it  out.     This  light,  I  told  them,  shined  in  the 

*  darkness  in  their  hearts,  and  the  darkness  in  them  could  not  compre- 

*  hend  it ;  but  in  those  hearts,  where  God  had  commanded  it  to  shine  out 

*  of  darkness,  it  gave  unto  such  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in 

*  the  face  of  Christ  Jesus  their  Saviour.     I  opened  the  scriptures  largely 

*  to  tliem,  and  turned  them  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  their  hearts ;  which 

*  would  reveal  the  mysteries  in  the  scriptures  to  them,  and  would  lead 

*  them  into  all  truth,  as  they  became  subject  thereunto.     I  directed  them 

*  to  that  which  would  give  every  one  of  them  the  knowledge  of  Christ, 

*  who  died  for  them  ;  that  he  might  be  their  way  to  God,  and  might  make 

*  peace  betwixt  God  and  them.'  The  people  were  attentive,  and  I  de- 
sired John-ap-John  to  stand  up,  and  speak  it  in  Welsh  to  them ;  which 
he  did :  and  they  generally  received  it,  and  with  hands  lifted  up,  blessed 
and  praised  God.  The  priests'  mouths  were  stopped,  so  that  they  were 
quiet  all  the  while ;  for  I  had  brought  them  to  be  sober  at  the  first,  by 
telling  them,  *  when  they  spoke  of  the  things  of  God  and  of  Christ,  they 

*  should  speak  with  fear  and  reverence.'  Thus  the  meeting  broke  up  in 
peace  in  the  street.  Many  of  the  people  accompanied  us  to  oiu'  inn,  re- 
joiced in  the  truth  that  had  been  declared  to  them ;  and  that  they  were 
turned  to  the  light  and  Spirit  in  themselves,  by  which  they  might  see  their 


leWfl  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  271 

sin,  and  know  salvation  from  it.  When  we  went  out  of  the  town,  the 
people  were  so  affected,  that  they  lifted  up  their  hands,  and  blessed  the 
Lord  for  our  coming.  A  precious  seed  the  Lord  hath  there-away ;  and 
a  great  people  in  those  parts  is  since  gathered  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
to  sit  under  his  free  teaching ;  and  they  have  suifered  much  for  him. 

From  this  place  we  passed  to  Caernarvon,  a  town  like  a  castle.  When 
we  had  set  up  our  horses  at  an  inn,  and  refreshed  ourselves,  John-ap- 
John  went  and  spoke  through  the  streets ;  which  were  so  straight  and 
short,  that  one  might  stand  in  the  midst  of  the  town,  and  see  both  the 
gates.  I  followed  John-ap-John,  and  a  multitude  were  soon  gathered 
about  him ;  amongst  whom  a  very  dark  priest  began  to  babble ;  but  his 
mouth  was  soon  stopped.  When  John  had  cleared  himself,  I  declared 
the  word  of  life  amongst  the  people;  'directing  them  to  the  light  of 
'  Christ  in  their  hearts,  that  by  it  they  might  see  all  their  own  ways,  re- 
'  ligions,  and  teachers,  and  might  come  off  from  them  all  to  Christ,  the 
'  true  and  living  way,  and  the  free  teacher.'  Some  of  the  people  were 
rude,  but  the  greater  part  were  civil ;  and  told  us,  '  They  had  heard  how 
'  we  had  been  persecuted  and  abused  in  many  places,  but  they  would 
'  not  do  so  to  us  there.'     I  commended  their  moderation  and  sobriety, 

*  and  warned  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon  all  sin 

*  and  wickedness ;  testifying  unto  them,  that  Christ  was  now  come  to 

*  teach  his  people  himself,  by  his  Spirit  and  power.' 

From  hence  we  went  to  Beaumaris,  a  town  wherein  John-ap-John 
had  formerly  been  a  preacher.  After  we  had  put  up  our  horses  at  an  inn, 
John  went  and  spoke  through  the  street ;  and  there  being  a  garrison  in 
the  town,  they  took  him,  and  put  him  into  prison.  The  inn-keeper's  wife 
came,  and  told  me,  '  That  the  governor  and  magistrates  were  sending 
'  for  me,  to  commit  me  to  prison  also.'  I  told  her,  '  They  had  done  more 
'  than  they  could  answer  already ;  and  had  acted  contrary  to  christiani- 
'  ty  in  imprisoning  him  for  reproving  sin  in  their  streets  and  gates,  and 
'  for  declaring  the  truth.'  Soon  after  came  other  friendly  people,  and 
told  me,  '  If  I  went  into  the  street,  they  would  imprison  me  also ;  there- 

*  fore  they  desired  me  to  keep  within  the  inn.'  Upon  this  I  was  moved 
to  go  and  walk  up  and  down  in  the  streets ;  and  told  the  people,  '  What 
'  an  uncivil,  unchristian  thing  they  had  done,  in  casting  my  friend  into 

*  prison.  And  they  being  high  professors,  I  asked  them, '  If  this  was  the 
'  entertainment  they  had  for  strangers  ?    And  if  they  would  willingly  be 

*  so  served  themselves  ?  And  whether  they,  who  looked  upon  the  scrip- 
'  tures  to  be  their  rule,  had  any  example  in  the  scriptures,  from  Christ  or 
'  his  apostles,  for  what  they  had  done  ? '  So  after  awhile  they  set  John- 
ap-John  at  liberty. 

Next  day,  being  mai'ket-day,  we  were  to  cross  a  great  water ;  and 
not  far  from  the  place  where  we  were  to  take  boat,  many  of  the  market- 
people  drew  to  us ;  amongst  whom  we  had  good  service  for  the  Lord, 

*  declaring  the  word  of  life  and  everlasting  truth  unto  them,  and  pro- 

*  claiming  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst  them,  which  was  coming  upon 

*  all  wickedness ;  and  directing  them  to  the  light  of  Christ,  which  he,  the 

*  heavenly  man,  had  enlightened  them  withal ;  by  which  they  might  see 
'  all  their  sins,  and  all  their  false  ways,  religions,  worships  and  teachers : 

*  and  by  the  same  light  might  see  Christ  Jesus,  who  was  come  to  save 
'  them,  and  lead  them  to  God.'  After  the  truth  had  been  declared  to 
them  in  the  power  of  God,  and  Christ  the  free  teacher  set  over  all  the 
hireling  teachers ;  I  bid  John-ap-John  get  his  horse  into  the  boat,  which 


272  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

was  then  ready.  But  there  being  a  company  of  wild  gentlemen,  as  they 
called  them,  got  into  it,  whom  we  found  very  rude,  and  far  from  gentle- 
ness ;  they,  with  others,  kept  his  horse  out  of  the  boat.  I  rode  to  the 
boat's  side,  and  spoke  to  them,  shewing  them,  '  What  an  unmanly  and 
'  unchristian  carriage  it  was ;  and  told  them,  they  shewed  an  unworthy 

*  spirit,  below  Christianity  or  humanity.'  As  I  spoke,  I  leaped  my  horse 
into  the  boat  amongst  them ;  thinking  John's  horse  would  have  followed, 
when  he  had  seen  mine  go  in  before  him :  but  the  water  being  pretty 
deep,  John  could  not  get  his  horse  into  the  boat.  Wherefore  I  leaped 
out  again  on  horseback  into  the  water,  and  staid  with  John  on  that  side, 
till  the  boat  returned.  There  we  tarried  from  the  eleventh  hour  of  the 
forenoon  to  the  second  in  the  afternoon,  before  the  boat  came  to  fetch 
us ;  and  then  had  forty-two  miles  to  ride  that  evening ;  and  by  that  time 
we  had  paid  for  our  passage,  we  had  but  one  groat  left  between  us  in 
money.  We  rode  about  sixteen  miles,  and  then  got  a  little  hay  for  our 
horses.  Setting  forward  again,  we  came  in  the  night  to  a  little  ale-house, 
where  we  thought  to  have  staid  and  baited.  But  finding  we  could  have 
neither  oats  nor  hay  there,  we  travelled  all  night ;  and  about  the  fifth 
hour  in  the  morning  got  to  a  place  within  six  miles  of  Wrexham  ;  where 
that  day  we  met  with  many  friends,  and  had  a  glorious  meeting ;  the 
Lord's  everlasting  power  and  truth  was  over  all :  and  a  meeting  is  con- 
tinued there  to  this  day.  Very  weary  we  were  with  travelling  so  hard 
up  and  down  in  Wales ;  and  in  many  places  we  found  it  difficult  to  get 
meat  either  for  our  horses  or  ourselves. 

The  next  day  we  passed  from  thence  into  Flintshire,  sounding  the  day 
of  the  Lord  through  the  towns :  and  came  into  Wrexham  at  night.  Here 
many  of  Floyd's  people  came  to  us ;  but  very  rude,  wild,  and  airy  they 
were,  and  little  sense  of  truth  they  had :  yet  some  were  convinced  in 
that  town.  Next  morning  one  called  a  lady  sent  for  me,  who  kept  a 
preacher  in  her  house.  I  w^ent  to  her  house,  but  found  both  her  and  her 
preacher  very  light  and  airy;  too  light  to  receive  the  weighty  things  of 
God.  In  her  lightness  she  came  and  asked  me,  '  If  she  should  cut  my 
hair?'  I  was  moved  to  reprove  her,  and  bid  her  cut  down  the  corrup- 
tions in  herself  with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  of  God ;  so  after  I  had  ad- 
monished her  to  be  more  grave  and  sober,  we  passed  away.  Afterwards 
in  her  frothy  mind  she  made  her  boast,  that  she,  '  came  behind  me,  and 
cut  off"  the  curl  of  my  hair;'  but  she  spoke  falsely. 

From  Wrexham  we  came  to  West-chester ;  and  it  being  the  fair-time, 
we  staid  there  awhile,  and  visited  friends.  For  I  had  travelled  through 
every  county  in  Wales,  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel  of  Christ :  and 
a  brave  people  there  is  now,  who  have  received  it,  and  sit  under  Christ's 
teaching.  But  before  I  left  Wales,  I  wrote  to  the  magistrates  of  Beau- 
maris concerning  their  imprisoning  John-ap-John ;  letting  them  see  their 
condition,  the  fruits  of  their  Christianity,  and  of  their  teachers.  After- 
wards I  met  with  some  of  them  near  London;  but  oh!  how  ashamed 
they  were  of  their  action  ! 

From  West-chester  we  came  to  Liverpool,  where  was  at  that  time  a 
fair ;  and  as  I  rode  through  the  fair,  there  stood  a  friend  upon  the  cross, 
declaring  the  truth  to  the  people ;  who  seeing  me  ride  by,  and  knowing 
I  had  appointed  a  meeting  to  be  the  next  day  upon  an  hill  not  far  off, 
gave  notice  to  the  people,  '  That  George  Fox,  the  servant  of  the  Lord, 
'  would  have  a  meeting  next  day  upon  such  an  hill ;  and  if  any  feared 

*  the  Lord,  they  might  come  and  hear  him  declare  the  word  of  life  to 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  2'3 

*  them.'    We  went  that  night  to  Richard  Cubban's,  who  himself  vas 
convinced,  though  not  his  wife ;  but  at  that  time  she  was  convinced  aso. 

Next  day  we  went  to  the  meeting  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  which  ws.s 
very  large.  Some  rude  people  with  a  priest's  wife  caixe,  and  made  a 
noise  for  awhile ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  the  meeting 
became  quiet,  and  the  truth  of  God  was  declared  amongst  them.  Many 
were  that  day  settled  upon  the  rock  and  foundation  Christ  Jefus,  and 
under  his  teaching ;  who  made  peace  betwixt  God  and  them. 

We  had  a  small  meeting  with  a  few  friends  and  people  at  Malpoth. 
From  thence  we  came  to  another  place,  where  we  had  r  meeting. 
There  came  a  bailifi^with  a  sword,  and  was  rude;  but  the  Lc'd's  power 
came  over  him,  and  friends  were  established  in  the  truth. 

From  thence  we  came  to  Manchester:  and  the  sessionsoeing  there 
that  day,  many  rude  people  were  come  out  of  the  country.  In  the  meet- 
ing they  threw  at  me  coals,  clods,  stones,  and  water:  yt  the  Lord's 
power  bore  me  up  over  them,  that  they  could  not  strike  le  down.  At 
last,  when  they  saw  they  could  not  prevail  by  throwing  water,  stones, 
and  dirt  at  me,  they  went  and  informed  the  justices  in  tb  sessions ;  who 
thereupon  sent  officers  to  fetch  me  before  them.  The  fficers  came  in 
while  I  was  declaring  the  word  of  life  to  the  people,  picked  me  down, 
and  haled  me  into  their  court.  When  I  came  there  a^he  court  was  in 
a  disorder  and  a  noise.  Wherefore  I  asked,  *  Wher  were  the  magis- 
'  trates,  that  they  did  not  keep  the  people  civil?'  Sme  of  the  justices 
said,  they  were  magistrates.  I  asked  them,  '  Wh  then  they  did  not 
'  appease  the  people,  and  keep  them  sober?'  For  ae  cried,  I'll  swear, 
and  another  cried,  I'll  swear.  I  declared  to  the  jusces,  '  How  we  were 
'  abused  in  our  meeting  by  the  rude  people,  wh  threw  stones,  clods, 
'  dirt,  and  water:  and  how  I  was  haled  out  of  th  meeting  and  brought 
'  thither,  contrary  to  the  instrument  of  governmfit,  which  said,  "  None 
"  should  be  molested  in  their  meetings  that  prt'essed  God,  and  owned 
"  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;"  which  I  did.'  The  tJth  so  came  over  them, 
that  when  one  of  the  rude  followers  cried,  'B  would  swear;'  one  of 
the  justices  checked  him,  saying,  'What,  wi-  you  swear?  hold  your 
'  tongue.'  At  last  they  bid  the  constable,  '  H^^e  me  to  my  lodging,  and 
'  there  I  should  be  secured  till  to-morrow  moving  that  they  sent  for  me 
'  again.'  So  the  constable  had  me  to  my  lod^'ing.  As  we  went  the  peo- 
ple were  exceeding  rude ;  but  I  let  them  see  i;he  '  fruits  of  their  teachers, 
'  hov/  they  shamed  Christianity,  and  dishonoired  the  name  of  Jesus  which 
'  they  professed.'  At  night  we  went  to  a  justice's  in  the  town,  who  was 
pretty  moderate,  and  I  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse  with  him.  Next 
moniing  we  sent  to  the  constable  to  know  if  he  had  any  thing  more  to 
say  to  us  ?  He  sent  us  word,  '  He  had  nothing  to  say  to  us,  we  might 
'  go  whither  we  would.'  The  Lord  hath  since  raised  up  a  people  to 
stand  for  his  name  and  truth  in  that  town  over  those  chaffy  professors. 

We  passed  from  Manchester,  having  many  precious  meetings  in  seve- 
ral places,  till  we  came  to  Preston  ;  between  which  and  Lancaster  I  had 
a  general  meeting :  from  which  I  went  to  Lancaster.  There  at  our  inn 
I  m.et  with  colonel  West,  who  was  very  glad  to  see  me ;  who  meeting 
with  judge  Fell,  told  him,  'I  was  mightily  grown  in  the  truth;  when 
indeed  he  was  come  nearer  to  the  truth,  and  so  could  better  discern  it. 

We  came  from  Lancaster  to  Robert  Widders's.  On  the  first-day  af- 
ter I  had  a  general  meeting  near  the  Sands-side,  of  friends  of  Westmore- 
land and  Lancashire,  when  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  was  over  all ; 

2K 


271  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  ^  [1667 

ill  Which  the  word  of  eternal  life  was  declared,  and  friends  were  settled 
upoi  the  foundation,  Christ  Jesus,  under  his  free  teaching ;  and  many- 
were  convinced,  and  turned  to  the  Lord. 

Next  day  I  came  over  the  Sands  to  Swarthmore,  where  friends  were 
glad  to  see  me.  I  staid  there  two  first-days,  visiting  friends  in  their 
meetings  there-away.  They  rejoiced  with  me  in  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord,  vho  by  his  eternal  power  had  carried  me  through  and  over 
many  di'Jiculties  and  dangers  in  his  service ;  to  him  be  the  praise  for 
ever! 

Having \Tot  a  little  respite  from  travel,  I  was  moved  to  write  an  epis- 
tle to  frien<s,  as  foUoweth : 

*  All  fricids  of  the  Lord  every  where,  whose  minds  are  turned  in 
'  towards  thtLord,  take  heed  to  the  light  within  you,  which  is  the  light 

*  of  Christ ;  \1iich,  as  you  love  it,  will  call  your  minds  inward,  that  are 

*  abroad  in  th  creatures :  so  your  minds  may  be  renewed  by  it,  and 

*  turned  to  Go*  in  this  which  is  pure,  to  worship  the  living  God,  the 

*  Lord  of  hosts  yer  all  the  creatures.  That  which  calls  your  minds  out 
'  of  the  lusts  of  ^e  world,  will  call  them  out  of  the  affections  and  de- 
'  sires,  and  turn  yu  to  set  your  affections  above.  The  same  that  calls  the 
'  mind  out  of  the  \orld,  will  give  judgment  upon  the  world's  affections 
'  and  lusts,  that  wjch  calls  out  your  minds  from  the  world's  teachers 
*■  and  the  creatures,©  have  your  minds  renewed.     There  is  your  obedi- 

*  ence  known  and  fond ;  there  the  image  of  God  is  renewed  in  you,  and 

*  ye  come  to  grow  V)  in  it.     That  which  calls  your  minds  out  of  the 

*  earth,  turns  them  tov^ards  God,  where  the  pure   babe  is  born  of  the 

*  virgin;   and  the   baVs  food   is  known,  the  children's  bread,  which 

*  comes  from  the  livin  God,  and  nourishes  up  to  eternal  life :  which 

*  babes  and  children  receive  their  wisdom  from  above,  from  the  pure 

*  living  God,  and  not  ftm  the  earthly  one ;  for  that  is  trodden  under 

*  foot  by  such.  All  whohate  this  light,  whose  minds  are  abroad  in  the 
'  creatures,  in  the  earth,  ^id  in  the  image  of  the  devil,  get  the  words  of 

*  the  saints  (that  received  ,heir  wisdom  from  above)  into  the  old  nature 
'  and  their  corrupted  minci!.  Such  are  murderers  of  the  just,  enemies 
'  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  in  vhom  the  prince  of  the  air  lodgeth,  sons  of 
'  perdition,  betrayers  of  th?  just.  Therefore  take  heed  to  that  light, 
'  which  is  oppressed  witk  thit  nature ;  which  light,  as  it  arises,  shall  con- 
'  demn  all  that  cursed  natuie,  shall  turn  it  out,  and  shut  it  out  of  the 
'  house.  So  ye  will  come  to  S5e  the  candle  lighted,  and  the  house  sw^eep- 
'  mg  and  swept.  Then  the  pure  pearl  ariseth,  then  the  eternal  God  is 
'  exalted.  The  same  light  that  calls  in  your  minds  out  of  the  world 
'  that  are  abroad)  the  same  turns  them  to  God  the  father  of  lights. 
'  Here  in  the  pure  mind  is  the  pure  God  waited  upon  for  wisdom  from 
'  above ;  the  pure  God  is  seen  raght  and  day,  and  the  eternal  peace,  of 
'  which  there  is  no  end,  enjoyed.  People  may  have  openings,  and  yet 
I  their  minds  go  into  the  lusts  of  the  flesh ;  but  there  the  affections  are 
'  not  mortified.  .  Therefore  hearken  to  that,  take  heed  to  that,  which 
^  calls  your  minds  out  of  the  affections  and  lusts  of  the  world  to  have 
'  them  renewed.  The  same  will  turn  your  minds  to  God ;  the  same  light 
'  will  set  your  affections  above,  and  bring  you  to  wait  for  the  pure  wis- 
'  dom  of  God  from  on  high,  that  it  may  be  justified  in  vou.  Wait  all  in 
<■  that  which  calls  in  your  minds  and  turns  them  to  God";  here  is  the  true 
'  cross.     That  mind  shall  feed  upon  nothing  that  is  earthly,  but  be  kept 


leW]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  275 

*  in  the  pure  light  up  to  God,  to  feed  upon  the  living  food  which  comes 

*  from  the  living  God.     The  Lord  God  Almighty  be  with  you  all,  dear 

*  babes,  and  keep  you  all  in  his  strength  and  power  to  his  glor;-,  over 

*  all  the  world,  ye  whose  minds  are  called  out  of  it,  and  turned  to  God, 

*  to  worship  the  Creator  and  serve  him,  and  not  the  creature.  The  light 
'  of  God  which  calls  the  mind  out  of  the  creatures,  and  turns  it  to  tiim- 

*  self,  brings  into  a  being  of  endless  joy  and  peace.     Here  is  always  a 

*  seeing  God  present,  which  is  not  known  to  the  world,  whose  hearts  are 

*  in  the  creatures,  whose  knowledge  is  in  the  flesh,  whose  minds  are  not 

*  renewed.     Therefore  all  friends,  the  seed  of  God  mind  and  dwell  in, 

*  to  reign  over  the  unjust ;  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  dwell  m,  to  keep 

*  you  clear  in  your  understandings,  that  the  seed  of  God  may  reign  in 
'  you  all ;  the  Seed  of  God,  which  is  but  one  in  all,  is  Christ  in  the  male 

*  and  in  the  female,  which  the  promise  is  to.  Wait  upon  the  Lord  for 
'  the  just  to  reign  over  the  unjust,  for  the  seed  of  God  to  reign  over  the 

*  seed  of  the  serpent,  and  be  tlie  head ;  and  that  all  that  is  mortal  may 

*  die :  for  out  of  that  will  rise  presumption.  So  fare  ye  well,  and  God 
'  Almighty  bless,  guide,  and  keep  you  in  his  wisdom.  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  friends  that  were  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  the 
steeple-houses  and  markets,  to  '  reprove  sin,  and  warn  people  of  the  day 
'  of  the  Lord,'  suffered  much  hardship  from  rude  people,  and  also  from 
the  magistrates ;  being  commonly  pulled  down,  bufteted,  beaten,  and  fre- 
quently sent  to  prison.  Wherefore  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  fol- 
lowing expostulation  to  be  spread  amongst  people,  to  shew  them  how 
contrary  they  acted  therein  to  the  apostles'  doctrine  and  practice,  and 
to  bring  them  to  more  moderation. 

'  Is  it  not  better  for  you  that  have  cast  into  prison  the  servants  and 
'  children  of  the  Lord  God  for  speaking,  as  they  were  moved,  in  steeple- 
'  houses  or  markets,  is  it  not  better,  I  say,  for  you  to  "  try  all  things,  and 
"  hold  fast  that  which  is  good  1 "  Is  it  not  of  more  honour  and  credit,  to 
"  prove  all  things,  and  try  all  things,  than  to  pluck  down  in  the  steeple-house?, 
"  pull  off  the  hair  of  their  heads,  and  cast  them  into  prison  ?"  Is  this  an  hon- 
'  our  ft)  your  truth  and  gospel  you  profess  ?  Doth  it  not  shew  that  ye  are 
'  out  of  the  truth,  and  are  not  ready  to  instruct  the  gainsayers  ?  Hath  not 
'  the  Lord  said,  "  He  will  pour  out  of  his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  and  his 
"  sons  and  daughters  shall  prophesy,  and  old  men  shall  dream  dreams, 
"  and  young  men  see  visions,  and  on  his  handmaids  he  will  pour  forth  of 
*'  his  Spirit  ? "  Was  not  this  prophecy  in  ages  past  stood  against  by 
'  the  wise,  learned  men  in  their  own  wisdom,  and  by  the  synagogue- 
'  teachers  ?  Were  not  such  haled  out  of  the  synagogues  and  temple, 
'  who  witnessed  the  Spirit  poured  forth  upon  them  ?  Doth  not  this  shew, 
'  that  ye  have  not  received  the  pourings  forth  of  this  Spirit  upon  you, 
'  who  fill  the  gaols  with  so  many  sons  and  daughters,  and  hold  up  such 

*  teachers  as  are  bred  up  in  learning  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  and  are 
'  made  by  the  will  of  man  1     Doth  not  this  shew,  that  ye  who  are  bred 

*  up  there,  who  are  made  teachers  by  the  will  of  man,  and  who  perse- 

*  cute  for  prophesying,  are  strangers  to  the  Spirit  that  is  "  poured  forth 
"  upon  sons  and  daughters ;"  by  which  Spirit  they  come  to  "  minister  to 
"  the  spirits  that  are  in  prison  1 "     The  Lord  hath  a  controversy  with 

*  you  who  are  found  prisoning  and  persecuting  such  as  the  Lord  hath 
'  poured  his  Spirit  upon.     Do  not  your  fruits  shew,  in  all  the  nation 

*  where  ye  come,  in  towns,  cities,  villages,  and  countries,  that  ye  are  the 


276  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

*  seedsmen  made  by  the  will  of  man,  who  sow  to  the  flesh,  of  which  no- 

*  thing  bit  corruption  is  reaped  in  nations,  countries,  cities,  and  villages  ? 
'  Ye  arc  looked  upon  and  your  fruits,  and  that  which  may  be  gathered  is 
'  seen  by  all  that  are  in  the  light,  as  they  pass  through  your  countries, 
'  towns,  cities,  and  villages,  that  ye  are  all  the  seedsmen  that  have  sown 
'  to  the  flesh.  Of  this  take  ye  notice,  who  are  of  that  birth  that  is  born 
'  of  the  flesh ;  ye  sow  to  your  own,  persecuting  him  that  is  born  of  the 

*  Spirit,  who  sows  to  the  Spirit,  and  of  the  Spirit  reaps  life  eternal.  Such 

*  ye,  who  sow  to  the  flesh,  cast  into  prison.  Do  ye  not  hale  out  of  the 
'  synagogues  1  persecute  and  beat  in  the  synagogues,  and  knock  down  ? 

*  Are  not  fliese  the  works  of  the  flesh?  Have  not  many  been  almost  mur- 

*  dered  and  smothered  in  your  synagogues  1  Have  not  some  been  haled 

*  out  of  your  synagogues,  for  but  looking  at  a  priest,  and  after  cast  into 
'  prison  f  Doth  not  all  this  make  manifest  what  spirit  ye  are  of,  and  your 
'  fruits  to  be  of  the  flesh  1  What  pleasures  and  sports  in  every  town  are 

*  to  be  seen  among  your  flocks,  that  sow  fo  the  flesh  and  are  born  of  it ! 
'  Whereas  the  ministers  of  the  Spirit  cried  against  such  as  "  sported  in 
"  the  day-time,"  such  as  "  ate  and  drank,  and  rose  up  to  play,"  such  as 
"  lived  wantonly  upon  earth  in  pleasures,"  such  as  lived  in  "  fulness  of 
"  bread  and  idleness,"  such  as  "  defile  the  flesh ;"  such  did  God  over- 

*  throw,  destroy,  and  set  forth  as  examples  to  all  them  that  after  should 

*  live  ungodly.   But  are  not  the  fruits  of  this  reaped  in  every  town  1  Can- 

*  not  ye  from  hence  see,  that  here  is  sowing  to  the  flesh  1  Again,  what 
'  scorning,  scoffing,  mocking,  derision,  and  strife  !  What  oaths,  drunk- 
'  enness,  uncleanness,  and  cursed  speaking !  What  lust  and  pride  is  seen 

*  in  the  streets  !  These  fruits  we  see  are  reaped  of  the  flesh.    So  here  we 

*  see  the  seedsman,  him  that  sows  to  this  flesh,  of  which  nothing  but  cor- 
'  ruption  is  reaped,  as  the  countries,  towns,  cities,  and  villages  make  mani- 

*  fest.  But  the  ministers  of  the  Spirit,  who  sow  to  the  Spirit,  come  to 
'  reap  life  eternal.  These  discern  the  other  seedsman,  who  sows  to  the 
'  flesh,  and  of  the  flesh  reaps  corruption.  For  the  day  hath  manifested 
'  each  seedsman,  and  what  is  reaped  from  each  is  seen ;  glory  be  to  the 
'  Lord  God  for  ever !  The  ministers  of  the  Spirit,  born  of  the  Spirit,  sons 

*  and  daughters  which  have  the  Spirit  poured  upon  them,  and  witness  the 

*  promise  of  God  fulfilled  in  them,  by  the  Spirit  of  God  preach  and  min- 

*  ister  to  the  spirit  in  prison  in  every  one,  in  the  sight  of  God,  the  Father 
'  of  spirits.     God's  hand  is  turned  against  you  all  that  have  destroyed 

*  God's  creatures  upon  your  lust.     God's  hand  is  turned  against  you  that 

*  have  wronged  by  unjust  dealing,  defrauded,  and  oppressed  the  poor,  and 

*  have  respected  the  persons  of  the  proud,  and  lend  not  your  ear  to  the 

*  cry  of  the  poor.     The  Lord's  hand  and  arm  against  you  all  is  turned, 

*  and  his  righteous  judgment  and  justice  upon  you  all  will  be  accomplished 
'  and  repaid,  who  shall  have  a  reward,  every  one  according  to  his  works. 

*  Oh  !  the  abomination  and  hypocritical  profession  that  is  upon  the  earth, 

*  where  God  and  Christ,  faith,  hope,  the  holy  Spirit,  and  truth  is  pro- 

*  fessed,  but  the  fear  of  God,  and  the  faith  that  purifies  and  gives  victory 

*  over  the  world,  not  lived  in !  Doth  it  not  appear  that  the  wisdom  which 

*  rules  in  all  those,  whom  the  seedsman  that  sows  to  the  flesh  sows  for, 

*  and  who  are  born  of  the  flesh,  are  from  below,  earthly,  sensual,  and 
'  devilish,  their  understanding  brutish,  and  their  knowledge  natural  as  the 

*  brute  beasts  1  For  men  and  women  in  that  state  have  not  patience  to 
'  speak  one  to  the  other  of  the  scriptures,  without  much  corruption  and 

*  flesh  appearing,  yet  tliey  have  a  feigned  humihty,  a  will-worship,  and 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  277 

*  righteousness  of  self;  but  they  own  not  the  light,  which  "  lighteth  every 
"  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  Christ  Jesus,  the  righteousness  of 
"  God :"  which  light  being  owned,  self,  and  the  righteousness  of  self, 

*  comes  to  be  denied.  Here  is  the  humility  that  is  contrary  to  the  light, 
'  and  that  is  below  and  feigned.    Here  is  the  wisdom  that  is  from  below, 

*  earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish :  for  people  can  scarce  difter  from  one  an- 
'  other  without  destroying  one  another,  prisoning  and  persecuting  one  an- 
'  other,  when  they  speak  of  the  scriptures.     This  is  the  devilish  wisdom 

*  murdering  and  destroying.  This  is  not  the  wisdom  that  is  from  above, 
'  which  is  pure  and  peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of 

*  mercy  and  good  fruits.    Here  all  may  read  each  seedsman,  which  hath 

*  each  wisdom.     He  that  sows  to  the  flesh,  and  is  born  of  that,  hath  the 

*  wisdom  that  is  earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish ;  he  that  sows  to  the  Spirit, 

*  a  minister  of  the  Spirit,  hath  the  wisdom  from  above,  which  is  pure, 

*  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated ;  the  wisdom  by  which  all 
'  things  were  made  and  created.     Now  is  each  wisdom  discovered,  and 

*  each  seedsman :  the  day,  which  is  the  light,  hath  discovered  them. 

'  G.  F.' 

I  was  moved  also  to  give  forth  the  following  epistle  to  friends,  to  stir 
them  up  to  be  bold  and  valiant  for  the  truth,  and  to  encourage  them  in 
their  sulferings  for  it. 

'  All  friends  and  brethren  every  where,  now  is  the  day  of  your  trial, 
now  is  the  time  for  you  to  be  valiant,  and  to  see  that  the  testimony  of 
the  Lord  doth  not  fall.  Now  is  the  day  for  the  exercise  of  your  gifts, 
of  your  patience,  and  of  your  faith.  Now  is  the  time  to  be  armed  with 
patience,  with  the  light,  with  righteousness,  and  with  the  helmet  of  sal- 
vation. Now  is  the  trial  of  the  slothful  servant,  who  hides  his  talent, 
and  will  judge  Christ  hard.     Now,  happy  are  they  that  can  say,  "  The 

earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness  thereof,  and  he  gives  the  increase ;" 
therefore  who  takes  it  from  you  1  Is  it  not  the  Lord  still  that  suffers  it  1 
For  the  Lord  can  try  you  as  he  did  Job,  whom  he  made  rich,  whom  he 
made  poor,  and  whom  he  made  rich  again ;  who  still  kept  his  integrity 
in  all  conditions.  Learn  Paul's  lesson,  in  all  states  to  be  content ;  and 
have  his  faith,  "  That  nothing  is  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God,  which  we  have  in  Christ  Jesus."  Therefore  be  rich  in  life,  and  in 
grace,  which  will  endure,  ye  M'ho  are  heirs  of  life,  and  born  of  the  womb 
of  eternity,  that  noble  birth  that  cannot  stoop  to  that  which  is  born  in 
sin,  and  conceived  in  iniquity ;  who  are  better  bred  and  born,  whose 
religion  is  from  God,  above  all  the  religions  that  are  from  below ;  and 
who  walk  by  faith,  by  that  which  God  hath  given  you,  and  not  by  that 
which  men  make,  who  walk  by  sight,  from  the  Mass-book  to  the  Direc- 
tory. Such  are  subject  to  stumble  and  fall,  who  walk  by  sight  and  not 
by  faith.  Therefore  mind  him  that  destroys  the  original  of  sin,  the 
devil  and  his  works,  and  cuts  off  the  entail  of  Satan,  viz.  sin ;  who  would 
have  by  entail  an  inheritance  of  sin  in  men  and  women  from  generation 
to  generation,  and  pleads  for  it  by  all  his  lawyers  and  counsellors.  For 
though  the  law,  which  made  nothing  perfect,  did  not  cut  it  off;  yet  Christ 
being  come  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  cuts  off  the  entail  of 
sin.  This  angers  all  the  devil's  lawyers  and  counsellors,  that  Satan  shall 
not  hold  sin  by  entail  in  thy  garden,  in  thy  field,  in  thy  temple,  thy  tab- 
ernacle. So  keep  your  tabernacles,  that  there  ye  may  see  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  appear  at  the  doors  thereof.     Be  faithful ;  for  ye  see  what  the 


278  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

worthies  and  valiants  of  the  Lord  did  attain  unto  by  faith,  Enoch  by 
faith  was  translated.  Noah  by  faith  was  preserved  over  the  waters  in 
his  ark.  Abraham  by  faith  forsook  his  father's  house  and  religion,  and 
all  the  religions  of  the  world.  Isaac  and  Jacob  by  faith  followed  his 
steps.  See  how  Samuel  and  other  of  the  Lord's  prophets,  with  David, 
by  faith  were  preserved  to  God  over  his  enemies !  Daniel  and  the  three 
children  by  faith  escaped  the  lions  and  the  fire,  and  preserved  their  wor- 
ship clean,  and  by  it  were  kept  over  the  worships  of  the  world.  The 
apostles  by  faith  travelled  up  and  down  the  world,  were  preserved  from 
all  the  religions  of  the  world,  and  held  forth  the  pure  religion  to  the 
dark  world,  which  they  had  received  from  God ;  and  likewise  their  fel- 
lowship was  received  from  above,  which  is  in  the  gospel  that  is  ever- 
lasting. In  this,  neither  powers,  principalities  nor  thrones,  dominions 
nor  angels,  things  present  nor  things  to  come,  heights  nor  depths,  nor 
death,  mockings,  nor  spoihng  of  goods,  prisons  nor  fetters  were  able  to 
separate  them  from  the  love  of  God,  which  they  had  in  Christ  Jesus. 
And  friends,  "  Quench  not  the  Spirit,  nor  despise  prophesying,"  where 
it  moves ;  neither  hinder  babes  and  sucklings  from  crying  Hosannah ; 
for  out  of  their  mouths  will  God  ordain  strength.  There  were  some  in 
Christ's  day  that  were  against  such,  whom  he  reproved ;  and  there  were 
some  in  Moses's  day,  who  would  have  stopped  the  prophets  in  the  camp; 
whom  Moses  reproved,  and  said  by  way  of  encouragement  to  them, 
'  Would  God,  that  all  the  Lord's  people  were  prophets  !"  So  I  say  now 
to  you.  Therefore  ye  that  stop  it  in  yourselves  do  not  quench  it  in 
others,  neither  in  babe  nor  suckling ;  for  the  Lord  hears  the  cries  of  the 
needy,  and  the  sighs  and  groans  of  the  poor.  Judge  not  that,  nor  the 
sighs  and  groans  of  the  Spirit,  which  cannot  be  uttered,  lest  ye  judge 
prayer ;  for  prayer  as  well  lies  in  sighs  and  groans  to  the  Lord  as  other- 
wise. Let  not  the  sons  and  daughters,  nor  the  handmaids  be  stopped  in 
their  prophesyings,  nor  the  young  men  in  their  visions,  nor  the  old  men 
in  their  dreams  ;  but  let  the  Lord  be  glorified  in  and  through  all,  who  is 
over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever !  So  every  one  may  improve  their  talents, 
every  one  exercise  their  gifts,  and  every  one  speak  as  the  Spirit  gives 
them  utterance.  Thus  every  one  may  minister,  as  he  hath  received  the 
grace,  as  a  good  steward  to  him  that  hath  given  it  him ;  so  all  plants 
may  bud,  and  "  bring  forth  fruit"  to  the  glory  of  God :  "  for  the  mani- 
'  festation  of  the  Spirit  is  given  to  every  one  to  profit  withal."  See  that 
every  one  hath  profited  in  heavenly  things ;  male  and  female,  look  into 
your  own  vineyards,  see  what  fruit  ye  bear  to  God ;  look  into  your 
own  houses,  see  how  they  are  decked  and  trimmed ;  see  what  odors, 
myrrh,  and  frankincense  ye  have  therein,  and  what  a  smell  and  savour 
ye  have  to  ascend  to  God  that  he  may  be  glorified.  Bring  your  deeds 
all  to  the  light,  which  ye  are  taught  to  believe  in  by  Christ,  your  head, 
the  heavenly  man :  and  see  how  they  are  wrought  in  God.  Every  male 
and  female,  let  Christ  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith  (Christ  in  the  male 
and  in  the  female;)  and  let  your  mouths  be  opened  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father,  that  he  may  rule  and  reign  in  you.  We  must  not  have 
Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord  of  Life,  put  any  more  in  a  stable  amongst  the 
horses  and  asses ;  he  must  now  have  the  best  chamber,  the  heart ;  and 
the  rude,  debauched  spirit  must  be  turned  out.  Therefore  let  him  reign 
whose  right  it  is,  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  by  which 
Holy  Ghost  ye  call  him  Lord,  in  which  Holy  Ghost  ye  pray,  and  have 
comfort  and  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  with  the  Son.     Therefore 


166T1  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  279 

*  know  the  triumph  in  it,  and  in  God  and  his  p'ower  (which  the  devil  is 

*  out  of)  and  in  the  seed  which  is  First  and  Last,  the  Beginning  and  End- 

♦  ing,  the  Top  and  Corner-stone :  in  which  is  my  love  to  you,  and  in 

♦  which  I  rest 

'Your  friend,  G.  F.' 

POSTSCRIPT. 

•  Friends,  be  careful  how  ye  set  your  feet  among  the  tender  plants  that 

•  are  springing  up  out  of  God's  earth,  lest  ye  tread  upon  them,  hurt  them, 
'  bruise  them,  or  crush  them  in  God's  vineyard.' 

After  I  had  tarried  two  first-days  at  Swarthmore,  and  visited  meet- 
ings thereabouts,  I  passed  into  Westmoreland  in  the  same  work,  till  I 
came  to  John  Audland's,  whei'e  was  a  general  meeting.  The  night  be- 
fore I  had  a  vision  of  a  '  desperate  creature  that  was  coming  to  destroy 

*  me,  but  I  got  victory  over  it.'  The  next  day  in  the  meeting-time  came 
one  Otway,  with  some  rude  fellows.  He  rode  round  about  the  meeting 
with  his  sword  or  rapier,  and  would  fain  have  got  in  through  the  friends 
to  me ;  but  the  meeting  being  great,  the  friends  stood  thick,  so  that  he 
could  not  easily  come  at  me.  When  he  had  rid  about  several  times  raging, 
and  found  he  could  not  get  in,  being  also  limited  by  the  Lord's  power, 
he  at  length  went  away.  It  was  a  glorious  meeting,  ended  peaceably, 
and  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  came  over  all.  This  wild  man  went 
home,  became  distracted,  and  not  long  after  died.  I  sent  a  paper  to  John 
Blaykling  to  read  to  him  while  he  lay  ill,  shewing  him  his  wickedness ; 
and  he  did  acknowledge  something  of  it. 

From  hence  I  went  through  Kendal,  where  a  warrant  had  long  lain 
to  apprehend  me ;  and  the  constables  seeing  me  ran  to  fetch  their  war- 
rant as  I  was  riding  through  the  town ;  but  before  they  could  come  up 
with  it  I  was  past,  and  so  escaped  their  hands. 

I  travelled  northwards,  visiting  meetings,  till  I  came  to  Strickland- 
head,  where  I  had  a  great  meeting.  Most  of  the  gentry  of  that  country 
being  gathered  to  an  horse-race,  not  far  from  the  meeting,  I  was  moved 
to  go  and  declare  the  truth  to  them :  and  a  chief-constable  did  also  ad- 
monish them.  Our  meeting  was  quiet,  the  Lord  was  with  us ;  and  by 
his  word  and  power  friends  were  settled  in  the  eternal  truth. 

From  hence  we  passed  into  Cumberland,  where  we  had  many  precious, 
living  meetings.  After  we  had  travelled  to  Gilsland,  and  had  a  meeting 
there,  we  came  to  Carlisle,  where  they  used  to  put  friends  out  of  the 
town  ;  but  there  came  a  great  flood  while  we  were  there,  that  they  could 
not  put  us  out  of  the  town;  so  we  had  a  meeting  there  on  the  first-day. 
After  which  we  passed  to  Abbey-holm,  and  had  a  little  meeting  there. 
This  is  a  place  where  I  told  friends  long  before  there  would  be  a  great 
people  come  forth  to  the  Lord;  which  hath  since  come  to  pass,  and  a 
large  meeting  there  is  gathered  to  the  Lord  in  those  parts. 

I  passed  from  hence  to  a  general  meeting  at  Langlands  in  Cumberland, 
which  was  very  large ;  for  most  of  the  people  had  so  forsaken  the  priests, 
that  the  steeple-houses  in  some  places  stood  empty.  And  John  Wilkin- 
son, a  preacher,  that  I  have  often  named  before,  who  had  three  steeple- 
houses,  had  so  few  hearers  left,  that,  giving  over  preaching  in  the  steeple- 
houses,  he  first  set  up  a  meeting  in  his  house,  and  preached  there  to  them 
that  were  left.  Afterwards  he  set  up  a  silent  meeting  (like  friends)  to 
which  came  a  few :  for  most  of  his  hearers  were  come  to  friends.  Thus 


fi&Q>  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [166? 

he  held  on,  till  he  had  no^  past  half  a  dozen  left ;  the  rest  still  forsaking 
him,  and  coming  away  to  friends.  At  last,  when  he  had  so  very  few 
left,  he  would  come  to  Pardsey-Crag  (where  friends  had  a  meeting  of 
several  hundreds  of  people,  who  were  all  come  to  sit  under  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ's  teaching)  and  he  would  walk  about  the  meeting  on  the 
first-days,  like  a  man  that  went  about  the  commons  to  look  for  sheep. 
During  this  time,  I  came  to  Pardsey-Crag  meeting,  and  he  with  three  or 
four  of  his  followers,  yet  left  him,  came  to  the  meeting  that  day ;  and 
were  all  thoroughly  convinced.  After  the  meeting,  Wilkinson  asked  me 
two  or  three  questions,  which  I  answered  to  his  satisfaction ;  from  that 
time  he  came  amongst  friends,  became  an  able  minister,  preached  the 
gospel  freely,  and  turned  many  to  Christ's  free  teaching.  And  after  he 
had  continued  many  years  in  the  free  ministry  of  Christ  Jesus,  he  died 
in  the  year  1675. 

I  had  for  some  time  felt  drawings  on  my  spirit  to  go  into  Scotland : 
and  had  sent  to  colonel  William  Osborn  of  Scotland,  desiring  him  to 
meet  me;  and  he,  with  some  others,  were  come  out  of  Scotland  to  this 
meeting.  After  it  was  over,  (which,  he  said,  was  the  most  glorious 
meeting  that  ever  he  saw  in  his  life)  I  passed  with  him  and  his  company 
into  Scotland;  having  Robert  Widders  with  me;  a  thundering  man 
against  hypocrisy,  deceit,  and  the  rottenness  of  the  priests. 

The  first  night  we  came  into  Scotland,  we  lodged  at  an  inn.  The  inn- 
keeper told  us,  an  earl  lived  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  off",  who  had  a  de- 
sire to  see  me ;  and  had  left  word  at  his  house,  that  if  ever  I  came  into 
Scotland,  he  should  send  him  word.  He  told  us,  there  were  three  draw- 
bridges to  his  house  ;  and  that  it  would  be  nine  o'clock  before  the  third 
bridge  was  drawn.  Finding  we  had  time  in  the  evening,  we  walked  to 
his  house.  He  received  us  very  lovingly ;  and  said,  he  would  have  gone 
with  us  on  our  journey,  but  that  he  was  before  engaged  to  go  to  a  fune- 
ral. After  we  had  spent  some  time  with  him,  we  parted  very  friendly, 
and  returned  to  our  inn.  Next  morning  we  travelled  on,  and  passing 
through  Dumfries,  came  to  Douglas,  where  we  met  with  some  friends  ; 
from  thence  we  passed  to  the  Heads,  where  we  had  a  blessed  meeting 
in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  felt  him  in  the  midst. 

Leaving  Heads,  we  went  to  Badcow,  and  had  a  meeting  there :  to 
which  abundance  of  people  came,  and  many  were  convinced :  amongst 
whom  was  one  called  a  lady.  From  thence  we  passed  towards  the 
Highlands  to  William  Osborn's,  where  we  gathered  up  the  sufferings  of 
friends,  and  the  principles  of  the  Scotch  priests,  which  may  be  seen  in  a 
book  called,  "  The  Scotch  Priests'  Principles." 

Afterwards  we  returned  to  Heads,  Badcow,  and  Garshore,  where  the 
said  lady  Margaret  Hambleton  was  convinced ;  who  afterwards  went  to 
warn  O.  Cromwell  and  Charles  Fleetwood  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that 
was  coming  upon  them. 

On  first-day  we  had  a  great  meeting,  and  several  professors  came  to 
it.  Now  the  priests  had  frightened  the  people  with  the  doctrine  of  elec- 
tion and  reprobation :  telling  them,  '  That  God  had  ordained  the  greatest 

*  part  of  men  and  women  for  hell ;  that,  let  them  pray,  or  preach,  or 
'  sing,  and  do  what  they  could,  it  was  all  to  no  purpose,  if  they  were 

*  ordained  for  hell ;  that  God  had  a  certain  number,  which  were  elected 

*  for  heaven ;  and  let  them  do  what  they  would,  as  David  an  adulterer, 

*  and  Paul  a  persecutor,  yet  elected  vessels  for  heaven.  So  the  fault  was 
'  not  at  all  in  the  creature,  less  or  more ;  but  God  had  ordained  it  so.     I 


16571  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  281 

*  was  led  to  open  to  the  people  the  falseness  and  folly  of  their  priests' 

*  doctrines,  and  shewed  them,  the  priests  had  abused  those  scriptures 

*  which  they  had  brought  and  quoted  to  them,  as  in  Jude,  and  other 
'  places.  For  whereas  they  said,  "  There  was  no  fault  at  all  in  the  crea- 
*'  ture ;"  I  shewed  them,  that  they,  whom  Jude  speaks  of,  to  wit,  Cain, 

*  Core,  and  Balaam,  who,  he  says,  were  ordained  of  old  to  condemna- 

*  tion,  the  fault  was  in  them.  For  did  not  God  warn  Cain  and  Balaam, 
'  and  put  the  question  to  Cain,  "  If  thou  dost  well,  shalt  thou  not  be  ac- 
"  cepted  1 "  And  did  not  the  Lord  bring  Core  out  of  Egypt,  and  his 
'  company?  yet  did  not  he  gainsay  both  God  and  his  law,  and  his  prophet 
'  Moses  ?  Here  people  might  see  that  there  was  a  fault  in  Cain,  Corah, 
'  and  Balaam ;  and  so  there  is  in  all  that  go  in  their  ways.  For  if  they, 
'  who  are  called  christians,  resist  the  gospel  as  Core  did  the  law,  err 
'  from  the  Spirit  of  God  as  Balaam  did,  and  do  evil  as  Cain  did,  is  not 
'  here  a  fault  ?  which  fault  is  in  themselves,  and  is  the  cause  of  their  rep- 

*  robation,  and  not  God.  Doth  not  Christ  say,  "  Go,  preach  the  gospel 
"  to  all  nations?"  Which  is  the  gospel  of  salvation.  He  would  not  have 
'  sent  them  into  all  nations,  to  preach  the  doctrine  of  salvation,  if  the 

*  greatest  part  of  men  had  been  ordained  for  hell.  Was  not  Christ  a  pro- 

*  pitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  for  those  that  became  repro- 

*  bates,  as  well  as  for  the  saints  ?  He  died  for  all  men,  the  ungodly  as 
'  well  as  the  godly,  as  the  apostle  bears  witness,  2  Cor.  v.  15.  Rom.  v.  vi. 

*  And  "  he  enlightens   every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,"  that 

*  through  him  they  might  all  believe.     And  Christ  bids  them  believe  in 

*  the  light :  but  all  they  that  hate  the  light,  which  Christ  bids  all  be- 

*  lieve  in,  are  reprobated.  Again,  "  The  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  of 
"  God  is  given  to  every  man  to  profit   withal ;"   but   they   that   vex, 

*  quench,  and  grieve  it,  are  in  the  reprobation ;  and  the  fault  is  in  them, 

*  as  it  is  also  in  them  that  hate  his  light.  The  apostle  saith,  "  The  grace 
*'  of  God,  which  brings  salvation,  hath  appeared  unto  all  men,  teaching 
*'  us,  that  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly, 
**  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world,"  Tit.  ii.  11,  12.     Now  all 

*  those  that  live  ungodly,  and  in  the  lusts  of  the  world,  that  turn  from 

*  this  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  and  walk  despitefully  against  it,  and 

*  so  deny  God,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  bought  them,  the  fault  is 

*  in  all  such  that  turn  from  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  and  walk 

*  despitefully  against  that  which  would  bring  their  salvation,  and  save 

*  them  out  of  the  reprobation.  But  the  priests,  it  seems,  can  see  no  fault  in 

*  such  as  deny  God,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  bought  them,  such  as 
'  deny  his  light,  which  they  should  believe  in,  and  his  grace,  which  should 

*  teach  them  to  live  godly,  and  which  should  bring  them  their  salvation. 

*  Now  all  that  believe  in  the  light  of  Christ,  as  he  commands,  are  in  the 

*  election ;  and  sit  under  the  teaching  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  brings 

*  their  salvation.     But  such  as  turn  from  this  grace  into  wantonness  are 

*  in  the  reprobation :  and  such  as  hate  the  light  are  in  the  condemnation. 

*  Therefore  I  exhorted  all  to  believe  in  the  light,  as  Christ  commands, 
'  and  own  the  grace  of  God  their  free  teacher ;  and  it  would  assuredly 

*  bring  them  their  salvation  :  for  it  is  sufficient.'  Many  other  scriptures 
were  opened  concerning  reprobation,  and  the  eyes  of  the  people  were 
opened ;  and  a  spring  of  life  rose  up  among  them. 

These  things  soon  came  to  the  priests'  ear ;  for  the  people,  that  sat 
under  their  dark  teachings,  began  to  see  light,  and  to  come  into  the  cov- 
enant of  light.     The  noise  was  spread  over  Scotland,  among  the  priests, 

2L 


282  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

that  I  was  come  thither ;  and  a  great  cry  was  amongst  them,  that  all 
would  be  spoiled ;  for  they  said,  '  I  had  spoiled  all  the  honest  men  and 

*  women  in  England  already'  (so  according  to  their  own  account,  the 
worst  were  left  to  them.)  Upon  this  they  gathered  great  assemblies  of 
priests  together,  and  drew  up  a  number  of  curses  to  be  read  in  their  sev- 
eral steeple-houses,  that  all  the  people  should  say  Amen  to.  Some  few 
I  will  here  set  down ;  the  rest  may  be  read  in  the  book  before-mentioned 
of  "  The  Scotch  Priests'  Principles." 

The  first  was,  '  Cursed  is  he  that  saith.  Every  man  hath  a  light  with- 

*  in  him  sufficient  to  lead  him  to  salvation :  and  let  all  the  people  say, 
'  Amen. 

The  second,  '  Cursed  is  he  that  saith.  Faith  is  without  sin :  and  let  all 

*  the  people  say.  Amen.' 

The  third,  '  Cursed  is  he  that  denieth  the  sabbath-day :  and  let  all  the 

*  people  say,  Amen.' 

In  this  last  they  make  the  people  curse  themselves ;  for  on  the  sabbath- 
day  (which  is  the  seventh  day  of  the  week,  which  the  Jews  kept  by  the 
command  of  God  to  them)  they  kept  markets  and  fairs,  and  so  brought 
the  curse  upon  their  own  heads. 

As  to  the  first,  concerning  the  light,  Christ  saith,  '  Believe  in  the  light, 

*  that  ye  may  become  children  of  the  light :'  and,  '  he  that  believeth  shall 

*  be  saved :  he  that  believeth  shall  have  everlasting  life :  he  that  beheveth 
'  passes  from  death  to  life,  and  is  grafted  into  Christ.'  '  And  ye  do  well,' 
saith  the  apostle,  '  that  ye  take  heed  unto  the  light  that  shines  in  the  dark 

*  place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise  in  your  hearts.'  So 
the  light  is  sufficient  to  lead  unto  the  day-star. 

As  concerning  faith,  it  is  the  gift  of  God :  and  every  gift  of  God  is 
pure.  The  faith,  which  Christ  is  the  author  of,  is  precious,  divine,  and 
without  sin.  This  is  the  faith  which  gives  victory  over  sin,  and  access 
to  God ;  in  which  faith  they  please  God.  But  those  are  reprobates  them- 
selves concerning  this  faith,  and  are  in  their  dead  faith,  who  charge  sin 
upon  this  faith  under  pain  of  a  curse :  which  faith  gives  victory  over 
their  curse,  and  returns  it  into  their  own  bowels. 

There  were  a  company  of  Scots  near  Badcow,  who  challenged  a  dis- 
pute with  some  of  our  Scotch  friends  (for  with  me  they  would  not  dis- 
pute :)  so  some  of  the  Scotch  friends  met  them  at  the  market-place.  The 
dispute  was  to  be  concerning  the  sabbath-day,  and  some  other  of  their 
principles  before-mentioned ;  and  I  having  got  their  principles  and  asser- 
tions, shewed  the  friends  where  they  might  easily  be  overthrown ;  and  a 
Scotch  friend,  a  smith,  overthrew  them  clearly. 

There  were  two  Independent  churches  in  Scotland,  in  one  of  which 
many  were  convinced ;  but  the  pastor  of  the  other  was  in  a  great  rage 
against  truth  and  friends.  They  had  their  elders,  who  sometimes  would 
exercise  their  gifts  amongst  the  church  members,  and  were  sometimes 
pretty  tender :  but  their  pastor  speaking  so  much  against  the  light,  and 
us,  the  friends  of  Christ,  he  darkened  his  hearers ;  so  that  they  grew 
blind  and  dry,  and  lost  their  tenderness.  He  continued  preaching 
against  friends,  and  against  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  calling  it  natural ; 
at  last  one  day  in  his  preaching  he  cursed  the  light,  and  fell  down  as 
dead  in  his  pulpit.  The  people  carried  him  out,  laid  him  upon  a  grave- 
stone, and  poured  strong  waters  into  him,  which  fetched  him  to  life 
again ;  and  they  carried  him  home,  but  he  was  mopish.  After  awhile  he 
stripped  off  his  cloaths,  put  on  a  Scotch  plaid,  and  went  into  the  coun- 


16571  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  283 

try  amongst  the  dairy-women.  When  he  had  staid  there  about  two 
weeks  he  came  home,  and  went  into  the  pulpit  again.  Whereupon  the 
people  expected  some  great  manifestation  or  revelation  from  him ;  but, 
instead  thereof,  he  began  to  tell  them  what  entertainment  he  had  met 
with ;  how  one  woman  gave  him  skimmed  milk,  another  buttermilk,  and 
another  good  milk:  so  the  people  were  obliged  to  take  him  out  of  the 
pulpit  again,  and  carry  him  home.  He  that  gave  me  this  account,  was 
Andrew  Robinson,  one  of  his  chief  hearers,  who  came  afterwards  to  be 
convinced,  and  received  the  truth.  He  said,  he  never  heard  that  he  re- 
covered his  senses  again.  By  this  people  may  see  what  came  upon  him 
that  cursed  the  light,  which  light  is  the  life  in  Christ,  the  Word  ;  and  it 
may  be  a  warning  to  all  others  that  speak  evil  against  the  light  of  Christ. 
Now  were  the  priests  in  such  a  rage,  that  they  posted  to  Edinburgh, 
to  O.  Cromwell's  council  there,  with  petitions  against  me.  The  noise 
was,  'That  all  was  gone;'  for  several  friends  were  come  out  of  Eng- 
land, and  spread  over  Scotland,  sounding  the  day  of  the  Lord,  preach- 
ing the  everlasting  gospel  of  salvation,  and  turning  people  to  Christ  Jesus, 
who  died  for  them,  that  they  might  receive  his  free  teaching.  After  I 
had  gathered  the  principles  of  the  Scotch  priests,  and  the  sufferings  of 
friends,  and  had  seen  friends  in  that  part  of  Scodand  settled,  by  the  Lord's 
power,  upon  Christ  their  foundation,  I  went  to  Edinburgh,  and  in  the 
way  came  to  Linlithgow ;  where  lodging  at  an  inn,  the  inn-keeper's 
wife,  who  was  blind,  received  the  word  of  life,  and  came  under  the 
teaching  of  Christ  Jesus  her  Saviour.  At  night  came  in  abundance  of 
soldiers,  and  some  officers,  with  whom  we  had  much  discourse ;  some 
were  rude.     One  of  the  officers  said,  *  He  would  obey  the  Turk's  or 

*  Pilate's  command,  if  they  should  command  him  to  guard  Christ  to  cru- 
'  cify  him.'  So  far  he  was  from  all  tenderness,  or  sense  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  that  he  would  rather  crucify  the  Just,  than  suffer  for  or  with  the 
Just;  whereas  many  officers  and  magistrates  have  lost  their  places,  be- 
fore they  M'ould  turn  against  the  Lord  and  his  Just  One. 

When  I  had  staid  awhile  at  Edinburgh,  I  went  to  Leith,  where  many 
officers  of  the  army  came  in  with  their  wives ;  and  many  were  con- 
vinced. Edward  Billing's  wife  was  one.  She  brought  a  great  deal  of 
coral  in  her  hand,  and  threw  it  on  the  table  before  me,  to  see  whether  I 
would  speak  against  it,  or  no.  I  took  no  notice  of  it,  but  declared  the 
truth  to  her,  and  she  was  reached.  Many  Baptists  were  very  rude ;  but 
the  Lord's  power  came  over  them,  so  that  they  went  away  confounded. 
Then  there  came  in  another  sort ;  one  of  whom  said,  '  He  would  dis- 
^  pute  with  me ;  and,  for  argument's  sake,  would  deny  there  was  a  God.' 
I  told  him,  '  He  might  be  one  of  those  fools  that  said  in  his  heart.  There 

*  is  no  God;  but  he  should  know  him  in  the  day  of  his  judgment.'  So 
he  went  his  way,  and  a  fine  precious  time  we  had  afterwards  with  sev- 
eral people  of  account ;  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all.  William 
Osborn  was  with  me.  Colonel  Lidcot's  wife,  William  Welsh's  wife,  and 
several  of  the  officers  themselves  were  convinced.  Edward  Billing  and 
his  wife  at  that  time  lived  apart ;  and  she  being  reached  by  truth,  and 
become  loving  to  friends,  we  sent  for  her  husband,  who  came,  and  the 
Lord's  power  reached  to  them  both;  they  joined  together  in  it,  and 
agreed  to  live  together  in  love  and  unity,  as  man  and  wife. 

After  this  we  returned  to  Edinburgh,  where  many  thousands  were 
gathered  together,  with  abundance  of  priests  among  them,  about  burn- 
ing a  witch ;  and  I  was  moved  to  declare  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst 


284  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [16ST 

them;  which  when  I  had  done,  I  went  from  thence  to  our  meetings 
whither  many  rude  people  and  Baptists  came.  The  Baptists  began  to 
vaunt  with  their  logick  and  syllogisms ;  but,  '  I  was  moved  in  the  Lord's 
'  power,  to  thresh  their  chafty  light  minds ;  and  shewed  the  people,  that, 
'  after  that  fallacious  way  of  discoursing,  they  might  make  white  seem 

*  black,  and  black  seem  white :  as,  that  because  a  cock  had  two  legs, 

*  and  each  of  them  had  two  legs  ;  therefore  they  were  all  cocks.  Thus 
'  they  might  turn  any  thing  into  lightness  and  vanity ;  but  it  was  not  the 
'  way  of  Christ,  or  his  apostles,  to  teach,  speak,  or  reason  after  that 
'  manner.'  Hereupon  those  Baptists  went  their  way ;  and  after  they 
were  gone,  we  had  a  blessed  meeting  in  the  Lord's  power,  which  was 
over  all. 

I  mentioned  before,  that  many  of  the  Scotch  priests  being  greatly  dis- 
tui'bed  at  the  spreading  of  truth,  and  the  loss  of  their  hearers  thereby, 
were  gone  to  Edinburgh  to  petition  the  council  against  me.  When  I 
came  from  the  meeting  to  the  inn  where  I  lodged,  an  officer  belonging 
to  the  council  brought  me  the  following  order : 

*  Thursday,  the  8th  of  October,  1657,  at  his  Highness 's  Council  in 

'  Scotland : 
'  Ordered, 
'  That  George  Fox  do  appear  before  the  Council  on  Tuesday  the 
'  13th  of  October  next,  in  the  Forenoon. 

'  E.  Downing,  Clerk  of  the  Council' 

When  he  had  delivered  me  the  order,  he  asked  me,  '  Whether  I 

*  would  appear  or  no  ? '  I  did  not  tell  him  whether  I  would  or  no ;  but 
asked  him,  '  If  he  had  not  forged  the  order  ? '     He  said,  '  No ;  it  was  a 

*  real  order  from  the  council,  and  he  was  sent  as  their  messenger  with 
'  it.'  When  the  time  came  I  appeared,  and  was  had  into  a  great  room, 
where  many  persons  came  and  looked  at  me.  After  awhile  the  door- 
keeper had  me  into  the  council-chamber :  and  as  I  was  going,  he  took 
off  my  hat.  I  asked  him,  '  Why  he  did  so  1  and  who  was  there,  that  I 
'  might  not  go  in  with  my  hat  on  1  I  told  him,  I  had  been  before  the 
'  Protector  with  my  hat  on.'  But  he  hung  up  my  hat  and  had  me  in  before 
them.  When  I  had  stood  awhile,  and  they  said  nothing  to  me,  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  say,  '  Peace  be  amongst  you.  Wait  in  the  fear 
'  of  God,  that  ye  may  receive  his  wisdom  from  above,  by  which  all 
'  things  w^ere  made  and  created ;  that  by  it  ye  may  all  be  ordered,  and 
'  may  order  all  things  under  your  hands  to  God's  glory.'  They  asked 
me,  'What  was  the  occasion  of  my  coming  into  that  nation?'  I  told 
them  I  came  to  visit  the  '  seed  of  God,  which  had  long  lain  in  bondage 

*  under  corruption;  that  all  in  the  nation,  who  professed  the  scriptures, 
'  the  words  of  Christ,  of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  might  come  to  the 
'  light.  Spirit,  and  power,  which  they  were  in  who  gave  them  forth;  that 
'  in  and  by  the  Spirit  they  might  understand  the  scriptures,  and  know 
'  Christ   and   God   aright,   have   fellowship   with   them,  and  one   with 

*  another.'  They  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  had  any  outward  business 
'there?'  I  said,  'Nay.'  Then  they  asked  me,  'How  long  I  intended 
'  to  stay  in  that  country  ? '     I  told  them,  '  I  should  say  little  to  that ;  my 

*  time  was  not  to  be  long ;  yet  in  my  freedom  in  the  Lord  I  stood,  in  the 
'  will  of  him  that  sent  me.'  Then  they  bid  me  withdraw ;  and  the  door- 
keeper took  me  by  the  hand,  and  led  me  forth.     In  a  httle  time  they 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  285 

sent  for  me  again,  and  told  me, '  I  must  depart  the  nation  of  Scotland 

*  by  that  day  sevennight.'     I  asked  them,  'Why?    What  had  I  done? 

*  What  was  my  transgression,  that  they  passed  such  a  sentence  upon 

*  me  to  depart  out  of  the  nation  ? '     They  told  me,  '  They  would  not  dis- 

*  pute  with  me.'  '  I  desired  them  to  hear  what  I  had  to  say  to  them.' 
They  said,  '  They  would  not  hear  me.'     I  told  them,  '  Pharaoh  heard 

*  Moses  and  Aaron,  yet  he  was  an  heathen ;  and  Herod  heard  John  Bap- 
'  tist ;  and  they  should  not  be  worse  than  these.'  But  they  cried,  '  With- 
'  draw,  withdraw.'  Whereupon  the  door-keeper  took  me  again  by  the 
hand  and  led  me  out.  I  returned  to  my  inn,  and  continued  still  in  Edin- 
burgh; visiting  friends  there  and  thereabouts,  and  strengthening  them 
in  the  Lord.  After  a  little  time  I  wrote  a  letter  to  the  council,  to  lay 
before  them  their  unchristian  dealings,  in  banishing  me,  an  innocent  man 
that  sought  their  salvation  and  eternal  good. 

'  To  the  council  of  Edinburgh : 

'  You  that  sit  in  council,  and  bring  before  your  judgment-seat  the  in- 
'  nocent,  the  just,  without  shewing  what  evil  I  have  done,  or  convicting 
'  me  of  any  breach  of  law  ;  and  afterwards  ye  banish  me  out  of  your 

*  nation,  without  telling  me  for  what ;  though  I  told  you,  when  ye  asked 
'  n'le  '  How  long  I  would  stay  in  the  nation  ?'  that  my  time  was  not  long 

*  (I  spoke  it  innocently ;)  yet  ye  banish  me.  Will  not  all,  think  ye,  that 
'  fear  God,  judge  this  to  be  wickedness  ?  Consider,  did  not  they  sit  in 
'  council  about  Stephen,  when  they  stoned  him  to  death?  Did  they  not 
'  sit  in  council  about  Peter  and  John,  when  they  haled  them  out  of  the 

*  temple,  put  them  out  of  their  council  for  a  little  season,  and  took  coun- 
'  sel  together ;  and  then  brought  them  in  again,  threatened,  and  charged 
'  them  to  speak  no  more  in  that  name  ?  Was  not  this  to  stop  the  truth 
'from  spreading  in  that  time?  Had  not  the  priests  an  hand  in  these 
'  things,  with  the  magistrates  ?  and  in  examining  Stephen,  when  he  was 
'  stoned  to  death  ?  Was  not  the  council  gathered  together  against  Jesus 
'  Christ  to  put  him  to  death  ?  and  had  not  the  chief  priests  an  hand  in  it  ? 

*  When  they  persecute  the  just,  and  crucify  the  just,  do  they  not  then 
'  neglect  judgment,  mercy,  and  justice,  and  the  weighty  matters  of  the 
'law,  which  are  just?     Was  not  the  apostle  Paul  tossed  up  and  down 

*  and  imprisoned  by  the  priests  and  the  rulers  ?     Was  not  John  Baptist 

*  cast  into  prison  ?  Are  not  ye  doing  the  same  work,  shewing  what  spi- 
'  rit  ye  are  of?     Now,  do  not  ye  shew  the  end  of  your  profession,  the 

*  end  of  your  prayers,  the  end  of  your  religion,  and  the  end  of  your 
'  teaching,  who  are  now  come  to  banish  the  truth,  and  him  that  came  to 
'  declare  it  unto  you  ?     Doth  not  this  shew  that  ye  are  but  in  the  words-, 

*  out  of  the  life  of  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  his  apostles  ?  for  they  did 
'  not  use  such  practice,  as  to  banish  any.     How  do  ye  receive  strangers, 

*  which  is  the  command  of  God  among  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the 
'  apostles  ?  Some  by  that  means  have  entertained  angels  at  unawares ; 
'  but  ye  banish  one  that  comes  to  visit  the  seed  of  God,  and  is  not 
'  chargeable  to  any  of  you.     Will  not  all  that  fear  God  look  upon  this  to 

*  be  spite  and  wickedness  against  the  truth  ?     How  are  ye  like  to  love 

*  enemies,  that  banish  your  friend  ?  How  are  ye  like  to  do  good  to 
'  them  that  hate  you,  when  ye  do  evil  to  them  that  love  you  ?  How  are 
'  ye  like  to  heap  coals  of  fire  on  their  heads  that  hate  you,  and  to  over- 
'  come  evil  with  good,  when  ye  banish  thus  ?     Do  ye  not  manifest  to  all 

*  that  are  in  the  truth  that  ye  have  not  the  christian  spirit  ?     How  did 


286  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

*  ye  do  justice  to  me,  when  ye  could  not  convict  me  of  any  evil,  yet 
'  banish  me  1  This  shews  that  truth  is  banished  out  of  your  hearts,  and 
'  ye  have  taken  part  against  the  truth  with  evil-doers,  with  the  wicked 

*  envious  priests,  stoners,  strikers,  and  mockers  in  the  streets ;  with  these, 
'  ye  that  banish  have  taken  part ;  whereas  ye  should  have  been  a  terror 
'  to  these,  and  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well,  and  succourers  of  them  that 

*  are  in  the  truth ;  then  might  ye  have  been  a  blessing  to  the  nation,  and 
'  not  have  banished  him  that  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  visit  the  seed 

*  of  God,  and  thereb}'  have  brought  your  names  upon  record,  and  made 

*  them  stink  in  ages  to  come,  among  them  that  fear  God.  Were  not 
'  the  magistrates  stirred  up  in  former  ages  to  persecute  or  banish,  by  the 
'  corrupt  priests  ?  and  did  not  the  corrupt  priests  stir  up  the  rude  multi- 

*  tude  against  the  just  in  other  ages  1     Therefore  are  your  streets  like 

*  Sodom  and  Gomorrah.     Did  not  the  Jews  and  the  priests  make  the 

*  Gentiles'  minds  envious  against  the  apostles  1     Who  were  they  that 

*  would  not  have  the  prophet  Amos  to  prophesy  at  the  king's  chapel ;  but 

*  bad  him  fly  his  way  1     When  Jeremiah  was  put  in  the  prison,  in  the 

*  dungeon,  and  in  the  stocks,  had  not  the  priests  an  hand  with  the  princes 

*  in  doing  it  1     Now  see  all,  that  were  in  this  work  of  banishing,  prison- 

*  ing,  persecuting,  whether  they  were  not  all  out  of  the  life  of  Christ, 

*  the  prophets,  and  apostles  1     To  the  witness  of  God  in  you  all  I  speak. 

*  Consider,  Whether  or  no  they  were  not  always  the  blind  magistrates, 

*  which  turned  their  sword  always  backward,  that  knew  not  their  friends 

*  from  their  foes,  and  so  hit  their  friends  1     Such  magistrates  were  de- 

*  ceived  by  flattery.  G.  F.' 

When  this  was  delivered,  and  read  amongst  them,  some  of  them,  I 
heard,  were  troubled  at  what  they  had  done ;  being  made  sensible  that 
they  would  not  be  so  served  themselves.  But  it  was  not  long  before 
they  that  banished  me  were  banished  themselves,  or  glad  to  get  away ; 
who  would  not  do  good  in  the  day  when  they  had  power,  nor  suffer 
others  that  would. 

After  I  had  spent  some  time  among  friends  at  Edinburgh,  and  there- 
abouts, I  passed  from  thence  to  Heads  again,  where  friends  had  been 
in  great  sufferings;  for  the  Presbyterian  priests  had  excommunicated 
them,  and  given  charge,  that  none  should  buy  or  sell  with  them,  nor  eat 
nor  drink  with  them.  So  they  could  neither  sell  their  commodities,  nor 
buy  what  they  wanted ;  which  made  it  go  very  hard  with  some  of  them  ; 
for  if  they  had  bought  bread  or  other  victuals  of  any  of  their  neigh- 
bours, the  priests  threatened  them  so  with  curses,  that  they  would  run 
and  fetch  it  from  them  again.  But  colonel  Ashfield,  being  a  justice  of 
peace  in  that  country,  put  a  stop  to  the  priests'  proceedings.  This  colo- 
nel Ashfield  was  afterwards  convinced  himself,  had  a  meeting  settled  at 
his  house,  and  declared  the  truth,  and  lived  and  died  in  it. 

After  I  had  visited  friends  at  and  about  Heads,  and  encouraged  them 
in  the  Lord,  I  went  to  Glasgow,  where  a  meeting  was  appointed  ;  but 
not  one  of  the  town  came  to  it.  As  I  went  into  the  city,  the  guard  at 
the  gates  took  me  before  the  governor,  who  was  a  moderate  man.  A 
great  deal  of  discourse  I  had  with  him ;  but  he  was  too  light  to  receive 
the  truth ;  yet  he  set  me  at  liberty :  so  I  passed  to  the  meeting.  But 
seeing  none  of  the  town's  people  came  to  the  meeting,  we  declared 
truth  through  the  town ;  then  passed  away,  visited  friends'  meetings 
thereabouts,  and  returned  towards  Badcow.     Several  friends  declared 


1657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  287 

truth  in  their  steeple-houses,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  with  them.  One 
time,  as  I  was  going  with  William  Osborn  to  his  house,  there  lay  a  com- 
pany of  rude  fellows  by  the  way-side,  who  had  hid  themselves  under  the 
hedges  and  in  bushes.  I  espying  them,  asked  him,  '  What  they  were  V 
*  Oh !'  said  he,  '  they  are  thieves.'  Robert  Widders,  being  moved  to  go 
to  speak  to  a  priest,  was  left  behind,  intending  to  come  after ;  so  I  said 
to  William  Osborn,  '  I  will  stay  here  in  this  valley,  and  do  thou  go  look 
'  after  Robert  Widders.'  But  he  was  unwilling  to  go,  being  afraid  to 
leave  me  there  alone  because  of  those  fellows ;  till  I  told  him,  *  I  feared 
'  them  not.'  Then  I  called  to  them,  asking  them,  what  they  lay  lurking 
there  for  ?  I  bid  them  come  up  to  me ;  but  they  were  loth  to  come.  I 
charged  them  to  come  up  to  me,  or  else  it  might  be  worse  with  them. 
Then  they  came  trembling  to  me ;  for  the  dread  of  the  Lord  had  struck 
them.  I  admonished  them  to  be  honest,  and  directed  them  to  the  light 
of  Christ  in  their  hearts,  that  by  it  they  might  see  what  an  evil  it  was  to 
follow  after  theft  and  robbery ;  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  over 
them.  I  staid  there  till  William  Osborn  and  Robert  Widders  came,  and 
then  we  passed  on  together.  But  it  is  likely,  if  we  two  had  gone  before, 
they  would  have  robbed  Widders  when  he  had  come  after  alone,  there 
being  three  or  four  of  them. 

We  went  to  William  Osborn's,  where  we  had  a  good  opportunity  to 
declare  the  truth  to  several  people  that  came  in.  Then  we  went  among 
the  Highlanders,  who  were  so  devilish  they  had  like  to  have  spoiled  us 
and  our  horses ;  for  they  ran  at  us  with  pitchforks ;  but  through  the  Lord's 
goodness  we  escaped  them,  being  preserved  by  his  power. 

From  thence  we  passed  to  Stirling,  where  the  soldiers  took  us  up,  and 
had  us  to  the  main-guard.  After  a  few  words  with  their  officers,  the 
Lord's  power  coming  over  them,  we  were  set  at  liberty ;  but  no  meeting 
could  we  get  amongst  them  in  the  town,  they  were  so  closed  up  in  dark- 
ness. Next  morning  there  came  a  man  with  an  horse  that  was  to  run  a 
race,  and  most  of  the  town's  people  and  the  officers  went  to  see  it.  As 
they  returned  from  the  race,  I  had  a  brave  opportunity  to  declare  the 
day  of  the  Lord  and  his  word  of  life  amongst  them.  Some  confessed 
to  it,  and  some  opposed ;  but  the  Lord's  truth  and  power  came  over 
them  all. 

Leaving  Stirling  we  came  to  Burnt-Island,  where  I  had  two  meetings 
at  Captain  Pool's ;  one  in  the  morning,  the  other  in  the  afternoon.  Whilst 
they  went  to  dinner  I  walked  to  the  sea-side,  not  having  freedom  to  eat 
with  them.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  convinced,  and  became  good 
friends  afterward ;  and  several  officers  of  the  army  came  in  and  received 
the  truth. 

We  passed  from  thence  through  several  other  places  in  that  country, 
till  we  came  to  Johnstons ;  where  were  several  Baptists,  that  were  very 
bitter,  and  came  in  a  rage  to  dispute  with  us.  Vain  janglers  and  dis- 
puters  indeed  they  were.  When  they  could  not  prevail  by  disputing, 
they  went  and  informed  the  governor  against  us,  and  next  morning  they 
raised  a  whole  company  of  foot,  and  banished  me,  Alexander  Parker, 
James  Lancaster,  and  Robert  Widders  out  of  the  town.  As  they  guard- 
ed us  through  the  town,  James  Lancaster  was  moved  to  sing  with  a  me- 
lodious sound  in  the  power  of  God,  and  I  was  moved  to  proclaim  the 
day  of  the  Lord,  and  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  to  the  people.  For 
the  people  generally  came  forth,  so  that  the  streets  were  filled  with  them  ; 
and  the  soldiers  were  so  ashamed,  that  they  said, '  They  had  rather  have 


288  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

'  gone  to  Jamaica  than  have  guarded  us  so.'  But  we  were  put  into  a 
boat  with  our  horses,  carried  over  the  water,  and  there  left.  The  Bap- 
tists, who  were  the  cause  of  our  being  thus  put  out  of  this  town,  were 
themselves,  not  long  after,  turned  out  of  the  army ;  and  he  that  was  then 
governor  was  discarded  also  when  the  king  came  in. 

Being  thus  thrust  out  of  Johnstons,  we  went  to  another  market-town, 
where  Edward  Billing  and  many  soldiers  quartered.  We  went  to  an 
inn,  and  desired  to  have  a  meeting  in  the  town,  that  we  might  preach  the 
everlasting  gospel  amongst  them.  The  officers  and  soldiers  said,  '  We 
'  should  have  it  in  the  town-hall ;'  but  the  Scotch  magistrates  in  spite  ap- 
pointed a  meeting  there  that  day  for  the  business  of  the  town.  Which 
when  the  officers  of  the  soldiery  understood,  and  perceived  that  it  was 
done  in  malice,  they  would  have  had  us  to  have  gone  into  the  town-hall 
nevertheless.  But  we  told  them, '  No,  by  no  means ;'  for  then  the  magis- 
trates might  inform  the  governor  against  them,  and  say,  '  They  took  the 

*  town-hall  from  them  by  force,  when  they  were  to  do  their  town-business 

*  therein.'  We  told  them,  '  We  would  go  to  the  market-place.'  They 
said, '  It  was  market-day.'     We  replied,  '  It  was  so  much  the  better ;  for 

*  we  would  have  all  people  to  hear  the  truth  and  know  our  principles.' 
Alexander  Parker  went  and  stood  upon  the  market-cross,  with  a  bible  in 
his  hand,  and  declared  the  truth  amongst  the  soldiers  and  market-people : 
but  the  Scots,  being  a  dark,  carnal  people,  gave  little  heed,  nor  hardly 
took  notice  what  was  said.  After  awhile  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to 
stand  up  at  the  cross,  and  to  declare  with  a  loud  voice  the  everlasting 
truth,  and  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon  all  sin  and  wick- 
edness. Whereupon  the  people  came  running  out  of  the  town-hall,  and 
gathered  so  together  that  at  last  we  had  a  large  meeting ;  for  they  only 
sate  in  the  court  for  a  colour  to  hinder  us  from  having  the  hall  to  meet 
in.  When  the  people  were  come  away,  the  magistrates  followed  them. 
Some  walked  by,  but  some  staid  and  heard ;  and  the  Lord's  power  came 
over  all  and  kept  all  quiet.  '  The  people  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
'  Christ,  who  died  for  them,  and  had  enlightened  them,  that  with  his  light 
'  they  might  see  their  evil  deeds,  be  saved  from  their  sins  by  him,  and 
'  might  come  to  know  him  to  be  their  teacher.     But  if  they  would  not 

*  receive  Christ,  and  own  him,  it  was  told  them,  that  this  light  which 
'  came  from  him  would  be  their  condemnation.' 

Several  of  them  were  made  loving  to  us,  especially  the  English,  and 
some  came  afterwards  to  be  convinced.  But  there  was  a  soldier  that 
was  very  envious  against  us ;  he  hated  both  us  and  the  truth,  spoke  evil 
of  the  truth,  and  very  despitefully  against  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  which 
we  bore  testimony  to.  Mighty  zealous  he  was  for  the  priests  and  their 
hearers.  As  this  man  was  holding  his  hat  before  his  face,  while  the 
priest  prayed ;  one  of  the  priest's  hearers  stabbed  him  to  death.  So  he, 
who  had  rejected  the  teachings  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  cried  down 
the  servants  of  the  Lord,  was  murdered  amongst  them  whom  he  had  so 
cried  up,  and  by  one  of  them. 

We  travelled  from  this  town  to  Leith,  warning  and  exhorting  people 
as  we  went,  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  At  Leith  the  innkeeper  told  me,  the 
council  had  granted  warrants  to  apprehend  me, '  because  I  was  not  gone 

*  out  of  the  nation  after  the  seven  days  were  expired  that  they  had  or- 
'  dered  me  to  depart  the  nation  in.'  Several  friendly  people  also  came 
and  told  me  the  same.     To  whom  I  said ;  '  What  do  ye  tell  me  of  their 


657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  289 

'  warrants  against  me  1  If  *here  Vvcre  a  cart-load  of  them,  I  do  not  re- 
'  gard  them ;  for  the  Lord's  power  is  over  them  all' 

I  went  from  Leith  to  Edinburgh  again,  where  they  said  the  warrants 
from  the  council  were  out  against  me.  I  went  to  the  inn  where  I  had 
lodged  before,  and  no  man  oHered  to  meddle  with  me.  After  I  had  vis- 
ited friends  in  the  city,  I  desired  those  that  travelled  with  me  to  get  ready 
tlieir  horses  in  the  morning ;  and  we  rode  out  of  town  together.  There 
were  with  me  Thomas  Rawlinson,  Alexander  Parker,  and  Robert  Wid- 
ders.  When  we  were  come  out  of  the  town,  they  asked  me,  '  Whither 
'  I  would  go  ?'  I  told  them,  '  It  was  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  go  back 
'  again  to  Johnstons  (the  town  out  of  which  we  had  been  lately  thrust) 
'  and  to  set  the  power  of  God  and  his  truth  over  them  also.'  Alexander 
Parker  said,  *  He  would  go  along  with  me  ;'  and  I  wished  the  other  two 
to  stay  at  a  town  about  three  miles  from  Edinburgh  till  we  returned. 
Then  Alexander  Parker  and  I  got  over  the  water,  which  was  about  three 
miles  over,  and  rode  through  the  country ;  but  in  the  afternoon,  his  horse 
being  weak  and  not  able  to  hold  up  with  mine,  I  put  on  and  got  into 
Johnstons  just  as  they  were  drawing  up  the  bridges,  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers never  questioning  me.  I  rode  up  the  street  to  captain  Davenport's, 
from  whence  we  had  been  banished.  There  were  many  officers  with 
him :  and  when  I  came  amongst  them  they  lifted  up  their  hands,  admir- 
ing that  I  should  come  again ;  but  I  told  them, '  The  Lord  God  had  sent 
'  me  amongst  them  again.'  They  went  their  way ;  and  the  Baptists  sent 
me  a  letter,  by  way  of  challenge,  '  That  they  would  discourse  with  me 
'  the  next  day.'  I  sent  them  word,  '  I  would  meet  them  at  such  a  house, 
'  about  half  a  mile  out  of  the  town,  at  such  an  hour.'  For  I  considered, 
if  I  should  stay  in  town  to  discourse  with  them,  they  might,  under  pre- 
tence of  discoursing  with  me,  have  raised  men  to  put  me  out  of  town 
again,  as  they  had  done  before.  At  the  time  appointed  I  went  to  the 
place,  captain  Davenport  and  his  son  accompanying  me;  where  I  staid 
some  hours,  but  not  one  of  them  came.  While  I  staid  waiting  for  them, 
I  espied  Alexander  Parker  coming ;  who  not  being  able  to  reach  the  town, 
had  lain  out  the  night  before ;  and  I  was  exceeding  glad  that  we  were 
met  again. 

Captain  Davenport  was  then  loving  to  friends ;  but  afterwards  coming 
more  into  obedience  to  truth,  he  was  turned  out  of  his  place,  for  not  put- 
ting off  his  hat,  and  for  saying  Thou  and  Thee  to  them. 

When  we  had  waited  beyond  reasonable  ground  to  expect  any  of  their 
coming,  we  departed;  and  Alexander  Parker  being  moved  to  go  again  to 
the  town  where  we  had  the  meeting  at  the  market-cross,  I  passed  alone 
to  lieutenant  Foster's  quarters,  where  I  found  several  officers  that  were 
convinced.  From  thence  I  went  to  the  town  where  I  had  left  the  other 
two  friends,  and  they  and  I  went  back  to  Edinburgh  together. 

When  we  were  come  to  the  city,  I  bid  Robert  Widders  follow  me ; 
and  in  the  dread  and  power  of  the  Lord  we  came  up  to  the  two  first 
sentries,  and  the  Lord's  power  came  so  over  them,  that  we  passed  by 
them  without  any  examination.  Then  we  rode  up  the  street  to  the  mar- 
ket-place, and  by  the  main-guard  out  at  the  gate  by  the  third  sentry,  and 
so  clear  out  at  the  suburbs,  and  there  came  to  an  inn  and  set  up  our 
horses,  it  being  seventh-day.  Now  I  saw  and  felt  that  we  had  rode,  as 
it  were,  against  the  cannon's  mouth  or  the  sword's  point ;  but  the  Lord's 
power  and  immediate  hand  carried  us  over  the  heads  of  them  all.  Next 
day  I  went  to  the  meeting  in  the  city,  friends  having  notice  I  would  at- 

2  M 


290  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1657 

tend  it.  There  came  many  officers  and  soidiers  to  it,  and  a  glorious 
meeting  it  was ;  the  everlasting  power  of  God  was  set  over  the  nation, 
and  his  Son  reigned  in  his  glorious  power.  All  was  quiet,  and  no  man 
oflered  to  meddle  with  me.  When  the  meeting  was  ended,  and  I  had 
visited  friends,  I  came  out  of  the  city  to  my  inn  again.  The  next  day, 
being  second-day,  we  set  forward  towards  the  borders  of  England. 

As  we  travelled  along  the  country  I  espied  a  steeple-house,  and  it  struck 
at  my  life.  I  asked,  what  steeple-house  it  was  1  and  was  answered,  it 
was  Dunbar.  When  I  came  thither,  and  had  set  up  at  an  inn,  I  walked 
to  the  steeple-house,  having  a  friend  or  two  with  me.  When  we  came 
to  the  steeple-house  yard,  one  of  the  chief  men  of  the  town  was  walking 
there.  I  spoke  to  one  of  the  friends  that  was  with  me,  '  To  go  to  him, 
'  and  tell  him,  that  about  the  ninth  hour  next  morning  there  would  be  a 
'  meeting  there  of  the  people  of  God  called  Quakers ;  of  which  we  de- 
'  sired  he  would  give  notice  to  the  people  of  the  town.'  He  sent  me  word, 
'  That  they  were  to  have  a  lecture  there  by  the  ninth  hour ;  but  that  we 
'  might  have  our  meeting  there  by  the  eighth  hour  if  we  would.'  We 
concluded  so,  and  desired  him  to  give  notice  of  it.  Accordingly  in  the 
morning  both  poor  and  rich  came ;  and  there  being  a  captain  of  horse 
quartered  in  the  town,  he  and  his  troopers  came  also,  so  that  we  had  a 
large  concourse :  and  a  glorious  meeting  it  was,  the  Lord's  power  being 
over  all.  After  some  time  the  priest  came,  and  went  into  the  steeple- 
house  ;  but  we  being  in  the  yard,  most  of  the  people  staid  with  us.  Friends 
were  so  full,  and  their  voices  so  high  in  the  power  of  God,  that  the  priest 
could  do  little  in  the  house,  but  came  quickly  out  again,  stood  awhile,  and 
then  went  his  way.  I  opened  to  the  people,  '  Where  they  might  find 
'  Christ  Jesus,  turned  them  to  the  light,  which  he  had  enlightened  them 
'  withal,  that  in  the  light  they  might  see  Christ  who  died  for  them,  turn 

*  to  him,  and  know  him  to  be  their  Saviour  and  teacher ;  let  them  see, 
'  that  the  teachers  they  had  hitherto  followed  were  hirelings,  who  made 
'  the  gospel  chargeable ;  shewed  them  the  wrong  ways  they  had  walked 
'  in,  in  the  night  of  apostacy,  directed  them  to  Christ,  the  new  and  living 
'  way  to  God ;  manifested  unto  them,  how  they  had  lost  the  religion  and 
'  worship  which  Christ  set  up  in  spirit  and  truth,  and  had  hitherto  been 

*  in  the  religions  and  worships  of  men's  making  and  setting  up ;  and  after 

*  I  had  turned  the  people  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  led  the  holy  men 

*  of  God  to  give  forth  the  scriptures,  and  shewed  them  that  they  must 

*  also  come  to  receive  and  be  led  by  the  same  Spirit  in  themselves  (a 
'  measure  of  which  was  given  unto  every  one  of  them)  if  ever  they  came 

*  to  know  God  and  Christ  and  the  scriptures  aright,  perceiving  the  other 

*  friends  to  be  full  of  power  and  the  word  of  the  Lord,  I  stepped  down, 

*  giving  way  for  them  to  declare  what  they  had  from  the  Lord  to  the 

*  people.'  Towards  the  latter  end  of  the  meeting  some  professors  began 
to  jangle ;  whereupon  I  stood  up  again  and  answered  their  questions,  so 
that  they  seemed  to  be  satisfied,  and  our  meeting  ended  in  the  Lord's 
power,  quiet  and  peaceable.  This  was  the  last  meeting  I  had  in  Scot- 
land. The  truth  and  the  power  of  God  was  set  over  that  nation,  and 
many,  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  their  Saviour  and  Teacher,  whose  blood  was  shed  for  them ;  and 
there  is  since  a  great  increase,  and  great  there  will  be  in  Scotland,  tho' 
the  time  may  be  far  distant  at  present.  For  when  first  I  set  my  horse's 
feet  upon  Scottish  ground,  I  felt  the  seed  of  God  to  sparkle  about  me, 
like  innumerable  sparks  of  fire.     Not  but  that  there  is  abundance  of 


j657]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  291 

thick,  cloddy  earth  of  hypocrisy  and  falseness  atop,  and  a  briery,  brambly 
nature,  which  is  to  be  burned  up  with  God's  word,  and  ploughed  up  with 
his  spiritual  plough,  before  God's  seed  brings  forth  heavenly  and  spiritual 
fruit  to  his  glory.     But  the  husbandman  is  to  wait  in  patience. 

From  Dunbar  we  came  to  Berwick,  where  we  were  questioned  a  little 
by  the  officers ;  but  the  governor  was  loving  towards  us,  and  in  the  even- 
ing we  had  a  little  meeting,  in  which  the  powder  of  the  Lord  was  mani- 
fested over  all. 

Leaving  Berwick  we  came  to  Morpeth,  and  through  the  country,  vis- 
iting friends,  to  Newcastle,  where  I  had  been  once  before.  The  New- 
castle priests  wrote  many  books  against  us,  and  one  Ledger,  an  alderman 
of  the  town,  was  very  envious  against  truth  and  friends.  He  and  the 
priests  had  said,  '  The  Quakers  would  not  come  into  any  great  towns, 

*  but  lived  in  the  fells  like  butterflies.'  I  took  Anthony  Pearson  with  me, 
and  went  to  this  Ledger  and  several  others  of  the  aldermen ;  '  desiring 
'  to  have  a  meeting  amongst  them,  seeing  they  had  written  so  many  books 

*  against  us :  for  we  were  now  come,  I  told  them,  into  their  great  town.' 
But  they  would  not  yield  we  should  have  a  meeting,  neither  would  they 
'  be  spoke  with,  save  only  this  Ledger  and  one  other.  I  queried,  '  Had 
'  they  not  called  friends  butterflies,  and  said,   we  would  not  come  into 

*  any  great  towns  1  And  now  we  were  in  their  town,  they  would  not 
'  come  at  us,  tho'  they  had  printed  books  against  us :  who  are  the  butter- 
'  flies  now  V  Then  Ledger  began  to  plead  '  for  the  sabbath-day.  I  told 
'  him,    they  kept  markets  and  fairs  on  that  which  was  the  sabbath-day, 

*  for  that  was  the  seventh  day  of  the  week ;  whereas  that  day  which  the 
'  professed  christians  now  meet  on,  and  call  their  sabbath,  is  the  first  day 

*  of  the  week.'  As  we  could  not  have  a  public  meeting  among  them, 
w^e  got  a  little  meeting  among  friends  and  friendly  people  at  the  Gate- 
side  ;  where  a  meeting  is  continued  to  this  day  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
As  I  was  passing  by  the  market-place  the  power  of  the  Lord  rose  in  me 
'  to  warn  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord  that  was  coming  upon  them.'  And 
not  long  after,  all  those  priests  of  Newcastle  and  their  profession  were 
turned  out  when  the  king  came  in. 

From  Newcastle  we  travelled,  having  meetings  and  visiting  friends, 
in  Norihumberland  and  Bishoprick.  A  very  good  meeting  we  had  at 
lieutenant  Dove's,  where  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord  and  his  teaching. 
After  wdiich  I  went  to  visit  a  justice  of  peace,  a  very  sober,  loving  man, 
who  confessed  to  the  truth. 

From  thence  we  came  to  Durham,  where  was  a  man  come  from  Lon- 
don to  set  up  a  college  to  make  ministers  of  Christ,  as  they  said.  I  went 
with  some  others  to  reason  with  the  man,  and  to  let  him  see,  '  That  to 
'  teach  men  Hebrew,  Greek,  Latin,  and  the  seven  arts,  which  were  all 
'  but  the  teachings  of  the  natural  man,  was  not  the  way  to  make  them 
'  ministers  of  Christ.  For  the  languages  began  at  Babel ;  and  to  the 
'  Greeks,  that  spoke  Greek  as  their  mother-tongue,  the  preaching  of  the 
'  cross  of  Christ  was  foolishness ;  and  to  the  Jews,  that  spoke  Hebrew 

*  as  their  mother-tongue,  Christ  was  a  stumbling-block.  The  Romans, 
'  who  had  the  Latin,  persecuted  the  Christians ;  and  Pilate,  one  of  the 

*  Roman  governors,  set  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  Latin  atop  of  Christ  when 
'  he  crucified  him.  So  he  might  see  the  many  languages  began  at  Babel, 
'  and  they  set  them  atop  of  Christ,  the  Word,  when  they  crucified  him. 
'  John  the  divine,  who  preached  the  Word  which  was  in  the  beginning, 

*  said,  "  That  the  beast  and  the  whore  have  power  over  tongues  and 


292  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  "  [1657 

"  languages,  and  they  are  as  waters."     Thus,  I  told  him,  he  might  see 

*  the  whore  and  the  beast  have  power  over  the  tongues  and  the  many 
'  languages,  which  are  in  mystery  Babylon ;  for  they  began  at  Babel, 
'  and  the  persecutors  of  Christ  Jesus  set  them  over  him,  when  he  was 
'  crucified  by  them ;  but  he  is  risen  over  them  all,  who  was  before  them 
'  all.  Now  (said  I  to  this  man)  dost  thou  think  to  make  ministers  of 
'  Christ  by  these  natural,  confused  languages  which  sprung  from  Babel, 
'  are  admired  in  Babylon,  and  set  atop  of  Christ,  the  Life,  by  a  persecu- 
'tor?  Oh,  no!'  The  man  confessed  to  many  of  these  things.  Then 
we  shewed  him  further,  '  That  Christ  made  his  ministers  himself,  gave 

*  gifts  unto  them,  and  bid  them  "  Pray  to  the  Lord  of  the  Harvest  to  send 
*■'  forth  laborers."     And  Peter  and  John,  though  unlearned  and  ignorant 

*  as  to  school-learning,  preached  Christ  Jesus  the  Word,  which  was  in 
'  the  beginning,  before  Babel  was.  Paul  also  was  made  an  apostle,  not 
'  of  man,  nor  by  man,  neither  received  he  the  gospel  from  man,  but  from 
'  Jesus  Christ ;  who  is  the  same  now,  and  so  is  the  gospel,  as  it  was  at 
'  that  day.'  When  we  had  thus  discoursed  with  him,  he  became  very 
loving  and  tender :  and  after  he  had  considered  further  of  it,  declined  to 
set  up  his  college. 

From  Durham  we  went  to  Anthony  Pearson's,  from  thence  into 
Cleveland,  and  passed  through  Yorkshire  to  the  further  end  of  Holder- 
ness,  and  had  mighty  meetings,  the  Lord's  power  accompanying  us. 

After  we  passed  from  Anthony  Pearson's,  we  went  by  Hull  and 
Pomfret  to  George  Watkinson's,  and  visited  most  of  the  meetings  in 
these  parts,  till  we  came  to  Scalehouse,  and  so  to  Swarthmore;  the 
everlasting  power  and  arm  of  God  carrying  us  through  and  preserving 
us.  After  I  had  visited  friends  there-away,  I  passed  into  Yorkshire  and 
Cheshire,  and  so  through  other  counties  into  Derbyshire  and  Notting- 
hamshire ;  and  glorious  meetings  we  had,  the  Lord's  presence  being 
with  us. 

At  Nottingham  I  sent  to  Rice  Jones,  desiring  him '  to  acquaint  his 
'  people  that  I  had  something  to  say  to  them  from  the  Lord.'  He  came 
and  told  me,  '  Many  of  them  lived  in  the  country,  and  he  could  not 
'  tell  how  to  send  to  them.'  I  told  him,  '  He  might  acquaint  them  about 
'  the  town  of  it,  and  send  to  as  many  in  the  country  as  he  could.'  The 
next  day  we  met  at  the  castle,  there  being  about  fourscore  people,  to 
whom  I  declared  the  truth  for  about  the  space  of  two  hours ;  and  the 
Lord's  power  was  over  them  all,  so  that  they  had  not  power  to  open 
their  mouths  in  opposition.  When  I  had  done,  one  of  them  asked  me  a 
question,  which  I  was  loth  to  have  answered ;  for  I  saw  it  might  lead 
into  jangling,  and  was  unwilhng  to  go  into  jangling,  for  some  of  the 
people  were  tender;  yet  I  could  not  well  tell  how  to  escape  it. 
Wherefore  I  answered  the  question,  and  was  moved  forthwith  to 
'  speak  to  Rice  Jones,  and  lay  before  him,  '  That  he  had  been  the  man 

*  who  had  scattered  such  as  had  been  tender,  and  some  that  had  been 
'  convinced  and  had  been  led  out  of  the  vanities  of  the  world,  which  he 
'  had  formerly  judged ;  but  now  he  judged  the  power  of  God  in  them, 
'  and  they  being  simple  turned  to  him ;  so  he  and  they  were  turned  to  be 
'  vainer  than  the  world :  for  many  of  his  followers  were  become  the 
'  greatest  foot-ball  players  and  wrestlers  in  the  whole  country.  I  told 
'  them  it  was  the  serpent  in  him  that  had  scattered  and  done  hurt  to  such 
'  as  were  tender  towards  the  Lord.  Nevertheless,  if  he  waited  in  the 
'  fear  of  God  for  the  seed  of  the  woman,  Christ  Jesus,  to  bruise  the  ser- 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  293 

*  pent's  head  in  him,  that  had  scattered  and  done  the  hurt ;  he  might 
'  come  to  gather  them  again  by  this  heavenly  seed ;  though  it  would  be 

*  an  hard  work  for  him,  to  gather  them  agahi  out  of  those  vanities  he  had 
'  led  them  into.'  At  this  Rice  Jones  said,  "  Thou  liest,  it  is  not  the  seed 
"  of  the  woman  that  bruises  the  serpent's  head."  '  No  !  said  I,  what  is 
'  it  then  ?  "I  say,  it  is  the  law,"  said  he.  '  But  said  I,  the  scripture, 
'  speaking  of  the  seed  of  the  woman,  saith,  "  It  shall  bruise  thy  head, 
'  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel :"  now,  hath  the  law  an  heel,  said  I,  to 
'  be  bruised  ?'*  Then  Rice  Jones  and  all  his  company  were  at  a  stand, 
and  I  was  moved  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  say,  '  This  seed,  Christ 
'  Jesus,  the  seed  of  the  woman,  which  should  bruise  the  serpent's  head, 
'  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and  break  you  all  in  pieces.'  Thus  I  left  on  the 
heads  of  them  the  seed,  Christ ;  and  not  long  after  he  and  his  company 
scattered  to  pieces ;  several  of  whom  came  to  be  friends,  and  stand  to 
this  day.  Many  of  them  had  been  convinced  about  eight  years  before, 
but  had  been  led  aside  by  this  Rice  Jones ;  for  they  denied  the  inward 
cross,  the  power  of  God,  and  so  went  into  vanity.  It  was  about  eight 
years,  since  I  had  been  formerly  amongst  them ;  in  which  time  I  was 
to  pass  over  them,  and  by  them,  seeing  they  had  slighted  the  Lord's 
truth  and  power,  and  the  visitation  of  his  love  unto  them.  But  now  was 
the  time  that  I  was  moved  to  go  to  them  again,  and  it  was  of  great  ser- 
vice ;  for  many  of  them  were  brought  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
were  settled  upon  him,  silting  down  under  his  teaching  and  feeding, 
where  they  were  kept  fresh  and  green ;  and  the  others  that  would  not 
be  gathered  to  him  soon  after  withered.  This  was  that  Rice  Jones,  who 
had  some  years  before  said,  '  I  was  then  at  the  highest,  and  should  fall ;' 
but,  poor  man !  he  little  thought  how  near  his  own  fall  was. 

We  left  Nottingham,  and  went  into  Warwickshire,  Northampton- 
shire, and  Leicestershire,  visiting  friends,  and  having  meetings  as  we 
travelled.  We  came  into  Bedfordshire,  where  we  had  large  gatherings 
in  the  name  of  Jesus.  After  some  time  we  came  to  John  Crook's, 
where  a  general  yearly  meeting  for  the  whole  nation  was  appointed  to 
be  held.  This  meeting  lasted  three  days,  and  many  friends  from  most 
parts  of  the  nation  came  to  it ;  so  that  the  inns  and  towns  round  therea- 
bouts were  filled,  for  many  thousands  of  people  were  at  it.  And  although 
there  was  some  disturbance  by  some  rude  people  that  had  run  out  from 
truth ;  yet  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  a  glorious  meeting  it 
was.  The  everlasting  gospel  was  preached,  and  many  received  it, 
which  gospel  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  in  them,  and  shined 
over  all. 

I  was  moved  by  the  Power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord  to  open  unto  them 
the  '  promise  of  God,  that  it  was  made  to  the  seed,  not  to  seeds,  as  many, 

*  but  to  one ;  which  seed  was  Christ :  and  that  all  people,  both  male  and 
'  female,  should  feel  this  seed  in  them,  which  was  heir  of  the  promise ; 
'  that  so  they  might  all  witness  Christ  in  them,  the  hope  of  glory,  the 

*  mystery  which  had  been  hid  from  ages  and  generations,  which  was  re- 
'  vealed  to  the  apostles,  and  is  revealed  again  now,  after  the  long  night 

*  of  apostacy.  So  that  all  might  come  up  into  this  seed,  Christ  Jesus, 
'  walk  in  it,  and  sit  down  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus, 
'  who  was  the  foundation  of  the  pi'ophets  and  apostles,  the  rock  of  ages, 
'  and  is  our  foundation  now.  All  sitting  down  in  him,  sit  down  in  the 
'  substance,  the  first  and  the  last,  that  changes  not,  the  seed  that  bruises 
'  the  serpent's  head,  which  was  before  he  was,  who  ends  all  the  types, 


294  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1659 

*  figures,  and  shadows,  and  is  the  substance  of  them  all ;  in  whom  there 

*  is  no  shadow.'  Now,  these  things  were  upon  me  to  open  unto  all,  that 
they  might  mind  and  see  what  it  is  they  sit  down  in. 

*  First,  They  that  sit  down  in  Adam  in  the  fall,  sit  down  in  misery,  in 

*  death,  in  darkness  and  corruption. 

'  Secondly,  They  that  sit  down  in  the  types,  figures,  and  shadows, 

*  and  under  the  first  priesthood,  law,  and  covenant,  sit  down  in  that 

*  which  must  have  an  end,  and  which  made  nothing  perfect. 

'  Thirdly,  They  that  sit  down  in  the  apostacy,  that  hatlf  got  up  since 

*  the  apostles'  days,  sit  down  in  spiritual  Sodom  and  Egypt ;  and  are 
'  drinking  of  the  whore's  cup,  under  the  beast's  and  dragon's  power. 

'  Fourthly,  They  that  sit  down  in  the  state  in  which  Adam  was  be- 
'  fore  he  fell,  sit  down  in  that  which  may  be  fallen  from ;  for  he  fell  from 

*  that  state,  though  it  was  perfect. 

'  Fifthly,  They  that  sit  down  in  the  prophets,  sit  down  in  that  which 
'  must  be  fulfilled :  and  they  that  sit  down  in  the  fellowship  of  wateiv 
'  bread,  and  wine,  these  being  temporal  things,  they  sit  down  in  that 

*  which  is  short  of  Christ,  and  of  his  baptism. 

'  Sixthly,  To  sit  down  in  a  profession  of  all  the  scriptures,  from  Gene- 

*  sis  to  the  Revelations,  and  not  be  in  the  power  and  Spirit  which  those 
'  were  in  that  gave  them  forth ;  that  was  to  be  turned  away  from,  by 
'  them  that  came  into  the  power  and  Spirit  which  those  were  in  that 
'  gave  forth  the  scriptures. 

'  Seventhly,  They  that  sit   down   in   the   heavenly  places  in  Christ 

*  Jesus,  sit  down  in  him  that  never  fell,  nor  ever  changed.     Here  is  the 

*  safe  sitting  for  all  his  elect,  his  church,  his  spiritual  members,  of  which 

*  he  is  the  living  head,  his  living  stones,  the  household  of  faith ;  of  which 
'  house  he  is  the  corner-stone,  that  stands  and  abides  all  weathers. 
"  For,"  as  the  apostle  said,  "  he  hath  quickened  us,  who  were  dead  in 
"  sins  and  trespasses,  &c.  and  made  us  sit  together  in  the  heavenly 
"  places  in  Christ  Jesus ;  that  in  the  ages  to  come  he  might  shew  the  ex- 
"  ceeding  riches  of  his  grace,  in  his  kindness  towards  us,  through  Jesus 
"  Christ."     Now  the  ages  are  come,  that  his  kindness  and  exceeding 

*  riches  towards  us  through  Jesus  Christ  is  truly  manifested  in  us,  as  it 
'  was  in  the  apostles'  days ;  even  in  us,  who  have  been  dead  in  sins  and 
'  trespasses,  as  they  were ;  but  now  are  quickened,  and  made  to  sit  to- 
'  gether  in  the  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  first  and  the  last,  by 
'  whom  all  things  were  created ;  who  is  ascended  above  all,  and  is  over 
'  all,  and  whose  glorious  presence  is  now  known.     All  that  sit  down 

*  here,  in  Christ  Jesus,  see  where  all  other  people  sit,  and  in  what.  The 
'  promise  of  God  being  to  the  seed,  which  is  one,  Christ  Jesus,  every 
'  man  and  woman  must  come  to  witness  this  seed,  Christ  in  them,  that 
'  they  may  be  heirs  of  the  promise ;  and  inheriting  that,  they  will  inherit 
'  substance.  These  things  were  largely  declared  of;  the  state  of  the 
'  church,  and  the  state  of  the  false  church  since  the  apostles'  days,  open- 
'  ed ;  and  how  the  true  church  fled  into  the  wilderness :  and  the  state  of 
'  the  false  prophets,  which  Christ  said  should  come,  and  John  saw  were 
'  come,  and  how  all  the  world  wondered  after  them ;  and  how  they  had 

*  filled  the  world  with  false  doctrines,  ways,  worships,  and  religions :  and 
'  how  the  everlasting  gospel  is  now  preached  again  to  all  nations,  kin- 
'  dreds,  tongues  and  people ;  for  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  peo- 

*  pie  had  drunk  the  whore's  cup,  and  she  was  over  them,  and  sat  upon 
them.     In  this  night  of  apostacy  the  pure  religion  and  worship  in  spirit, 


iC58]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  295 

*  which  was  in  the  apostles'  days,  the  way  of  Ufe  and  living  faith,  and  the 

*  power  and  Holy  Ghost  were  lost ;  but  now  they  came  to  be  set  up 

*  again  by  Christ  Jesus,  his  messengers  and  ministers  of  the  gospel,  as  in 

*  the  apostles'  days.  For  as  Christ  sent  his  disciples  to  go  and  preach  the 

*  gospel  into  all  the  world,  and  after  that,  the  false  prophets  and  anti- 

*  christs  went  over  the  world,  and  preached  their  false  doctrines  and 

*  traditions,  and  heathenish  and  Jewish  rudiments,  so  now  again  the 

*  everlasting  gospel  must  be  preached  to  all  nations,  and  to  every  crea- 

*  ture,  that  they  may  come  into  the  pure  religion,  to  worship  God  in  the 

*  Spirit  and  truth,  and  may  know  Christ  Jesus,  their  way  to  God,  to  be 

*  the  author  of  their  faith,  and  may  receive  the  gospel  from  heaven,  and 

*  not  from  men ;  in  which  gospel,  received  from  heaven,  is  the  heavenly 

*  fellowship,  which  is  a  mystery  to  all  the  fellowships  in  the  world.'  Af- 
ter these  things  had  been  largely  opened,  with  many  others  concerning 
Christ  Jesus  and  his  kingdom,  and  the  people  were  turned  to  the  divine 
light  of  Christ  and  his  Spirit,  by  which  they  might  come  to  know  God 
and  Christ,  and  the  scriptures,  and  to  have  fellowship  with  them,  and 
one  with  another  in  the  same  Spirit,  I  was  moved  to  declare  and  open 
divers  other  things  to  those  friends  who  had  received  a  part  of  the  min- 
istry, concerning  the  exercise  of  their  spiritual  gifts  in  the  church :  which, 
being  taken  in  writing  by  one  present,  was  after  this  manner ; 

*  Friends, 
'  Take  heed  of  destroying  that  which  ye  have  begotten ;  for  that 

*  which  destroys,  goes  out,  and  is  the  cast-away.     And  though  that  be 

*  true,  yea,  and  may  be  the  pure  truth  which  such  an  one  speaks,  yet  if 
'  he  doth  not  remain  in  that,  and  live  in  that  in  his  particular,  but  goes 
'  out,  the  same  which  he  is  gone  out  from  cometh  over  him.  So  that 
'  which  calms  and  cools  the  spirits,  goes  over  the  world,  and  brings  to 
'  the  Father,  to  inherit  the  life  eternal ;  and  reaches  to  the  spirits  in 

*  prison  in  all.  Therefore  in  the  living,  immovable  Word  of  the  Lord 
'  God  dwell,  in  the  renown  thereof:  and  remain  on  the  foundation  that 
'  is  pure,  and  that  is  sure :  for  whosoever  goes  out  from  the  pure,  and 

*  ministers  not  in  and  from  that,  he  comes  to  an  end,  and  doth  not  re- 

*  main ;  although  he  may  have  had  a  time,  and  may  have  been  servicea- 
'  ble  for  a  time,  while  he  lived  in  the  thing. 

'  Take  heed  of  many  words  ;  what  reacheth  to  the  life,  settles  in  the 
'  life.  That  which  cometh  from  the  life,  and  is  received  from  God,  reach- 
'  eth  to  the  life,  and  settles  others  in  the  life :  the  work  is  not  now  as  it 

*  was  at  first ;  the  work  now  is,  to  settle  and  stay  in  the  life.     For  as 

*  friends  have  been  led  to  minister  in  the  power,  and  the  power  hath 
'  gone  through,  so  that  there  hath  grown  an  understanding  among  both 
'  people  of  the  world  and  friends,  so  friends  must  be  kept  in  the  life 
'  which  is  pure,  that  with  that  they  may  answer  the  pure  life  of  God  in 

*  others.     If  friends  do  not  live  in  the  pure  life  which  they  speak  of,  to 

*  answer  the  life  in  those  they  speak  to,  the  other  part  steps  in :  and  so 

*  there  comes  up  an  outward  acquaintance,  and  he  lets  that  come  over 

*  him.     But  as  every  one  is  kept  living  in  the  life  of  God,  over  all  that 

*  which  is  contrary,  they  are  in  their  places ;  then  they  do  not  lay  hands  on 

*  any  suddenly,  which  is  the  danger  now:  for  if  any  one  do,  he  may  lose 
"•  his  discerning,  may  lay  hands  on  the  wrong  part,  so  let  the  deceit  come 

*  too  near  him ;  and  the  deceit  will  steal  over,  so  that  it  will  be  an 

*  hard  thing  for  him  to  get  it  down.     There  is  no  one  strikes  his  fellow- 

*  servants,  but  first  he  is  gone  from  the  pure  in  his  own  particular ;  for 


396  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

when  he  goeth  from  the  hght  he  is  enhghtened  withal,  then  he  strikes ; 
and  then  he  hath  his  reward :  the  hght,  which  he  is  gone  from,  Christ, 
comes  and  gives  him  his  reward.  This  is  the  state  of  the  evil  servants. 
The  boisterous,  the  hasty  and  rash,  beget  nothing  to  God ;  but  the  hfe, 
which  doth  reach  the  hfe,  is  that  which  begets  to  God.  When  all  are 
settled  in  the  life,  they  are  in  that  which  remains  for  ever ;  and  what  is 
received  there,  is  received  from  the  Lord;  and  what  one  receiveth 
from  the  Lord,  he  keepeth ;  so  he  sitteth  still,  cool,  and  quiet  in  his  own 
spirit,  and  gives  it  forth  as  he  is  moved ;  but  to  the  harlots,  judgment, 

'  Friends,  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  you  all,  be  watchful  and 
careful  in  all  meetings  ye  come  into ;  for  Avhere  friends  are  sitting  to- 
gether in  silence,  they  are  many  times  gathered  into  their  own  mea- 
sures. When  a  man  is  come  newly  out  of  the  world,  from  ministering 
to  the  world's  people,  he  cometh  out  of  the  dirt ;  and  then  he  had  need 
take  heed  that  he  be  not  rash.  For  when  he  comes  into  a  silent  meet- 
ing, that  is  another  state ;  then  he  must  come,  and  feel  his  own  spirit, 
how  it  is  when  he  comes  to  them  that  sit  silent.  If  he  be  rash,  they  will 
judge  him ;  that  having  been  in  the  world,  and  amongst  the  world,  the 
heat  is  not  yet  oft'  him.  For  he  may  come  in  the  heat  of  his  spirit  out 
of  the  world ;  whereas  the  others  are  still  and  cool ;  and  his  condition 
in  that,  not  being  agreeable  to  theirs,  he  may  rather  do  them  hurt,  by 
begetting  them  out  of  the  cool  state  into  the  heating  state;  if  he  be  not 
in  that  which  commands  his  own  spirit,  and  gives  him  to  know  it. 

'  There  is  great  danger  too  in  travelling  abroad  in  the  world.  The 
same  power,  that  moves  any  to  go  forth,  is  that  which  must  keep  them. 
For  it  is  the  greatest  danger  to  go  abroad,  except  a  man  be  moved  of 
the  Lord,  and  go  in  the  power  of  the  Lord ;  for  then,  he  keeping  in  the 
power,  is  kept  by  it  in  his  journey,  and  in  his  work ;  it  will  enable  him 
to  answer  the  transgressed,  and  keep  above  the  transgressor.  Every 
one  feeling  the  danger  to  his  own  particular  in  travelling  abroad,  there 
the  pure  fear  of  the  Lord  will  be  placed  and  kept  in.  Though  they  that 
travel  may  have  openings  when  they  are  abroad,  to  minister  to  others ; 
yet,  for  their  own  particular  growth,  they  must  dwell  in  the  life  which 
doth  open ;  and  that  will  keep  down  that  which  would  boast.  For  the 
minister  comes  into  the  death,  to  that  which  is  in  the  death  and  in 
prison :  and  so  returns  up  again  into  the  life,  into  the  power,  and  into 
the  wisdom,  to  preserve  him  clean. 

'  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  you  all ;  feel,  that  ye  stand  in 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  ;  for  every  man's  word  shall  be  his  burden  ; 
but  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  and  answers  the  pure  in  every  one. 
The  Word  of  the  Lord  is  that  which  was  in  the  beginning,  and  brings 
to  the  beginning.  It  is  an  hammer  to  beat  down  the  transgressor  (not 
the  transgressed)  and  as  a  fire  to  burn  up  that  which  is  contrary  to  it. 
Friends,  come  into  that  which  is  over  all  the  spirits  of  the  world,  fath- 
oms all  the  spirits  of  the  world,  and  stands  in  the  patience ;  with  that 
ye  may  see  where  others  stand,  and  reach  that  which  is  of  God  in 
every  one.  Here  is  no  strife,  no  contention,  out  of  transgression :  for 
he  that  goeth  into  strife,  and  into  contention,  he  is  from  the  pure  Spirit. 
For  where  any  goeth  into  contention,  if  any  thing  hath  been  begotten 
by  him  before,  that  contentious  nature  doth  get  atop,  spoileth  that  which 
was  begotten,  and  quencheth  his  own  prophesying.  So  if  that  be  not 
subjected  by  the  power  in  the  particular,  which  would  arise  into  strife, 
that  is  danorerous. 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  297 

*  If  any  one  have  a  moving  to  any  place,  and  have  spoken  what  they 
were  moved  of  the  Lord,  let  them  return  to  their  habitation  again,  and 
live  in  the  pure  life  of  God,  and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  so  will  ye  be 
kept  in  the  life,  in  the  solid  and  seasoned  spirit,  and  preach  as  well  in 
life  as  with  words  (none  must  be  light  or  wild.)  For  the  seed  of  God 
is  weighty,  brings  to  be  solid,  and  leads  into  the  wisdom  of  God,  by 
which  the  wisdom  of  the  creation  is  known.  But  if  that  part  be  up 
which  runs  into  the  imaginations,  and  that  part  be  standing  in  which 
the  imaginations  come  up,  and  the  pure  spirit  be  not  thoroughly  come 
up  to  rule  and  reign,  then  that  will  run  out  that  will  glory,  boast,  and 
vapour ;  and  so  will  such  an  one  spoil  that  which  opened  to  him  ;  this 
is  for  condemnation.  Let  every  one  mind  that  which  feels  through  and 
commands  his  spirit,  whereby  every  one  may  know  what  spirit  he  is 
of;  for  he  should  first  try  his  own  spirit,  and  then  l^e  may  try  others  ; 
he  should  first  know  his  own  spirit,  and  then  he  may  know  others. 
Therefore  that  which  doth  command  all  these  spirits,  where  the  heats 
and  burnings  come  in  and  get  up,  in  that  wait  which  chains  them  down 
and  cools :  that  is  the  elect,  the  heir  of  the  promise  of  God.  For  no 
hasty,  rash,  brittle  spirits  (though  they  have  prophecies)  have  held  out, 
and  gone  through,  they  not  being  subjected  in  the  prophecy.  The 
earthly  will  not  abide,  for  it  is  brittle ;  in  that  state  the  ministry  was 
another's,  not  the  Son's ;  for  the  Son  hath  life  in  himself,  and  the  Son 
hath  the  power,  which  man  being  obedient  to,  he  may  be  serviceable : 
but  if  he  go  from  the  pure  power,  he  falls  and  abuseth  it.  Therefore 
let  your  faith  stand  in  the  pure  power  of  the  Lord  God,  and  do  not 
abuse  it ;  but  let  that  search  through,  and  work  through ;  and  let  every 
one  stand  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  which  reacheth  the  seed  of  God ; 
which  is  the  heir  of  the  promise  of  life  without  end.  Let  none  be  hasty 
to  speak ;  for  ye  have  time  enough,  and  with  an  eye  ye  may  reach  the 
witness ;  neither  let  any  be  backward  when  ye  are  moved ;  for  that 
brings  destruction.  Truth  hath  an  honour  in  the  hearts  of  those  who 
are  not  friends ;  so  that  all  friends  being  kept  in  the  truth,  they  are  kept 
in  the  honour,  they  are  honourable,  for  that  will  honour  them  ;  but  if 
any  lose  the  power,  lose  the  life,  they  lose  their  crown,  they  lose  their 
honour,  they  lose  the  cross  which  should  crucify  them,  and  they  crucify 
the  just;  and  by  losing  the  power,  the  Lamb  comes  to  be  slain.  And 
as  it  is  here,  so  will  it  be  in  other  nations ;  for  all  friends,  here  and 
there,  are  as  one  family :  the  seed,  the  plants,  they  are  as  a  family.  All 
being  kept  in  that  which  subjects  all,  and  keeps  all  under,  to  wit,  the 
seed  itself,  the  life  itself,  that  is  the  heir  of  the  promise ;  and  that  is  the 
bond  of  peace :  for  there  is  the  unity  in  the  Spirit  with  God  and  with 
one  another.  He  that  is  kept  in  the  life  hears  God,  and  sees  man's  con- 
dition ;  and  with  that  he  answers  the  life  in  others  that  hear  God  also : 
thus  one  friend,  that  is  come  into  that,  comprehends  the  world.  But 
that  which  friends  speak,  they  must  hve  in ;  so  may  they  expect  that 
others  may  come  into  that  which  they  speak,  to  live  in  the  same.  For 
the  power  of  the  Lord  God  hath  been  abused  by  some,  and  the  worth 
of  truth  hath  not  been  minded.  There  hath  been  a  trampling  on,  and 
marring  with  the  feet,  and  that  abuseth  the  power.  But  now  every 
friend  is  to  keep  in  the  power,  and  to  take  heed  to  it ;  for  that  must  be 
kept  down  which  would  trample  and  mar  with  the  feet,  and  the  pure 
life  and  power  of  God  is  to  be  lived  in  over  that ;  that  none  with  the 
feet  might  foul  or  mar,  but  every  one  may  be  kept  in  the  pure  power 

2N 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

'  and  life  of  the  Lord.    Then  the  water  of  hfe  cometh  in ;  then  he  that 

*  ministereth  drinketh  himself,  and  giveth  others  to  drink. 

'  When  any  shall  be  moved  to  go  to  speak  in  a  steeple-house  or  mar- 

*  ket,  turn  in  to  that  which  moves,  and  be  obedient  to  it ;  that  that  which 

*  would  not  go  may  be  kept  down :  for  that  which  would  not  go  will  be 

*  apt  to  get  up.     And  take  heed  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  lavishing 

*  part  do  not  get  up,  for  it  is  a  bad  savour ;  therefore  that  must  be  kept 
'  down  and  kept  subject.     Wait  in  the  light  of  the  Lord  that  ye  may  be 

*  all  kept  in  the  wisdom  of  God.     For  when  the  seed  is  up  in  every  par- 

*  ticular,  there  is  no  danger ;  but  when  there  is  an  opening  and  prophecy, 

*  and  the  power  stirs  before  the  seed  comes  up,  there  is  something  that 

*  will  be  apt  to  run  out  rashly;  there's  the  danger,  and  there  must  be  the 
'  patience  in  the  fear.  For  it  is  a  weighty  thing  to  be  in  the  work  of  the 
'  ministry  of  the  Lord  God,  and  to  go  forth  in  that.  It  is  not  as  a  custom- 

*  ary  preaching  ;  it  is  to  bring  people  to  the  end  of  all  outward  preaching. 

*  For  when  ye  have  declared  the  truth  to  the  people,  and  they  have  re- 

*  ceived  it,  and  are  come  into  that  which  ye  spake  of ;  the  uttering  of 
'  many  words,  and  long  declarations  out  of  the  life,  may  beget  them  into 

*  a  form.     And  if  any  should  run  on  rashly  into  words  again,  without 

*  the  savour  of  life,  those  that  are  come  into  the  thing  he  spake  of  will 

*  judge  him ;  whereby  he  may  hurt  again  that  which  he  had  raised  up 

*  before.     So  friends,  ye  must  all  come  into  the  thing  that  is  spoken  in  the 

*  openings  of  the  heavenly  life  among  you,  and  walk  in  the  love  of  God, 

*  that  ye  may  answer  the  thing  spoken  to. 

'  And  take  heed  all  of  running  into  inordinate  affections ;  for  when 
'  people  come  to  own  you,  there  is  danger  of  the  wrong  part  getting  up. 

*  There  was  a  strife  among  the  disciples  of  Christ,  who  should  be  the 

*  greatest  ?  Christ  told  them,  "  The  heathen  exercise  lordship,  and  have 
"  dominion  over  one  another ;  but  it  shall  not  be  so  among  you."     For 

*  Christ  the  Seed  was  to  come  up  in  every  one  of  them ;  so  then  where  is 
'  the  greatest  1    That  part  in  the  disciples,  which  looked  to  be  the  great- 

*  est,  was  the  same  that  was  in  the  Gentiles.  But  who  comes  here  to 
'  live  in  the  Word  that  sanctified  him,  having  the  heart  sanctified,  the 

*  tongue  and  lips  sanctified,  living  in  the  Word  of  wisdom,  that  makes 

*  clean  the  heart,  and  reconciles  to  God,  all  things  being  upheld  by  the 
'  Word  and  power ;  as  there  is  an  abiding  in  the  Word  of  God,  that 
'  upholds  times  and  seasons,  and  gives  all  things  increase,  here  dwelling 
'  in  the  Word  of  wisdom,  if  there  be  but  two  or  three  agreed  in  this 
'  on  earth,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  in  heaven.  So  in  this  must  all  things 
'  be  ordered  by  the  Word  of  wisdom  and  power,  that  upholds  all  things, 
'  the  times  and  the  seasons,  that  are  in  the  Father's  hands  ;  to  the  glory 
'  of  God,  whereby  his  blessing  may  be  felt  among  you  ;  and  this  brings 
'  to  the  beginning.  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  you  all,  Keep 
'  down,  keep  low,  that  nothing  may  rule  nor  reign  in  you,  but  life  itself. 

'  The  power  being  lived  in,  the  cross  is  lived  in ;  and  where-ever 
'  friends  come  in  this,  they  draw  the  power  and  the  Ufe  over ;  they  leave 

*  a  witness  behind  them,  answering  the  witness  of  God  in  others. 
'  Where  this  is  lived  in,  there  is  no  want  of  wisdom,  no  want  of  power, 
'  no  want  of  knowledge;  he  that  ministereth  in  this,  seeth  with  the  eye 

*  which  the  Lord  openeth  in  him,  what  is  for  the  fire,  and  what  is  for  the 

*  sword,  what  must  be  fed  with  judgment,  and  what  must  be  nourished. 
'  This  brings  all  down,  and  to  be  low,  every  one  keeping  to  the  power ; 
'  for  let  a  man  get  up  ever  so  high,  he  must  come  down  again  to  the 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  299' 

*  power  where  he  left ;  what  he  went  from,  he  must  come  down  again 

*  to  that.     Before  all  these  wicked  spirits  be  got  down,  which  are  ram- 

*  bling  abroad,  friends  must  have  patience,  must  wait  in  the  patience,  in 

*  the  cool  life ;  and  who  is  in  this  doing  the  work  of  the  Lord,  he  hath 

*  the  tasting  and  the  feeling  of  the  Lamb's  power  and  authority.    There- 

*  fore  all  friends,  keep  cool  and  quiet  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  God  ;  and 

*  all  that  is  contrary  will  be  subjected ;  the  Lamb  hath  the  victory,  in  the 

*  seed,  through  the  patience. 

'  If  any  have  been  moved  to  speak,  and  have  quenched  that  which 

*  moved  them,  let  none  such  go  forth  afterwards  into  words,  until  they 

*  feel  the  power  to  arise  and  move  them  thereto  again ;  for  after  the  first 

*  motion  is  quenched,  the  other  part  will  be  apt  to  get  up ;  and  if  any 
'  go  forth  in  that,  he  goeth  forth  in  his  own,  and  the  betrayer  will  come 

*  into  that And  all  friends,  be  careful  not  to  meddle  with  the  pow- 

*  ers  of  the  earth ;  but  keep  out  of  all  such  things ;  as  ye  keep  in  the 

*  Lamb's  authority,  ye  will  answer  that  of  God  in  them,  and  bring  them 
'  to  do  justice,  which  is  the  end  of  the  law.     Keep  out  of  all  jangling ; 

*  for  all  that  are  in  the  transgression  are  out  from  the  law  of  love ;'  but  all 

*  that  are  in  the  law  of  love  come  to  the  Lamb's  power,  in  the  Lamb's 
'  authority,  who  is  the  end  of  the  law  outward.  For  the  law  being 
'  added  because  of  transgression,  Christ,  who  was  glorified  with  the 
'  Father  before  the  world  began,  is  the  end  of  the  law ;  bringing  them 
'  that  live  in  the  law  of  life,  to  five  over  all  transgression ;  which  every 
'  particular  must  feel  in  himself.' 

More  was  then  spoken  to  many  of  these  particulars ;  which  was  not 
taken  at  large  as  delivered. 

After  this  meeting  was  over,  and  most  of  the  friends  gone  aw^ay,  as  I 
was  walking  in  John  Crook's  garden,  there  came  a  party  of  horse,  with 
a  constable,  to  seize  me.  I  heard  them  ask,  '  Who  was  in  the  house  V 
Somebody  made  answer,  '  I  was  there.'  They  said,  '  I  was  the  man 
'  they  looked  for ;'  and  went  forthwith  into  the  house,  where  they  had 
many  words  with  John  Crook,  and  some  few  friends  that  were  with 
him.  But  the  Lord's  power  so  confounded  them,  that  they  came  not 
into  the  garden  to  look  for  me ;  but  went  their  way  in  a  rage.  When 
I  came  into  the  house,  friends  were  very  glad  to  see  them  so  disappoint- 
ed, and  that  I  had  escaped  them.  Next  day  I  passed  from  thence :  and 
after  I  had  visited  friends  in  several  places,  came  to  London,  the  Lord's 
power  accompanying  me,  and  bearing  me  up  in  his  service. 

I  had  not  been  long  in  London,  before  I  heard  that  a  Jesuit,  who 
came  over  with  an  ambassador  from  Spain,  had  challenged  all  the 
Quakers  to  dispute  with  them  at  the  earl  of  Newport's  house ;  where- 
upon some  friends  let  him  know  some  would  meet  him.  Then  he  sent 
us  word,  '  He  would  meet  with  twelve  of  the  wisest  learned  men  we 
'  had.'  Awhile  after  he  sent  us  word,  '  He  would  meet  with  but  six ;' 
after  that,  he  sent  us  word  again,  '  He  would  have  but  three  to  come.' 
We  hastened  what  we  could,  lest,  for  all  his  great  boast,  he  should  put 
it  quite  off"  at  last.  When  we  were  come  to  the  house,  I  bid  Nicholas 
Bond  and  Edward  Burrough  go  up,  and  enter  the  discourse  with  him ; 
and  I  would  walk  awhile  in  the  yard,  and  then  come  up  after  them.  I 
advised  them  to  state  this  question  to  him,  '  Whether  or  no  the  chui'ch  of 

*  Rome,  as  it  now  stood,  was  not  degenerated  from  the  true  church 

*  which  was  in  the  primitive  times,  from  the  life  and  doctrine,  and  from 


300  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

'  the  power  and  spirit  that  they  were  in  V  They  stated  the  question  ac- 
cordingly :  and  the  Jesuit  affirmed,  '  That  the  church  of  Rome  now  was 

*  in  the  virginity  and  purity  of  the  primitive  church.'  By  this  time  I 
was  come  to  them.     Then  we  asked  him, '  Whether  they  had  the  Holy 

*  Ghost  poured  out  upon  them,  as  the  apostles  had  V  He  said,  *  No.* 
'  Then,'  said  I,  '  If  ye  have  not  the  same  Holy  Ghost  poured  forth  upon 

*  you,  and  the  same  power  and  Spirit  that  the  apostles  had,  ye  are  de- 

*  generated  from  the  power  and  Spirit  which  the  primitive  church  was 

*  in.'  There  needed  little  more  to  be  said  to  that.  Then  I  asked  him, 
'  What  scripture  they  had  for  setting  up  cloysters  for  nuns,  abbeys  and 

*  monasteries  for  men ;  for  all  their  several  orders ;  for  their  praying  by 

*  beads,  and  to  images ;  for  making  crosses ;  for  forbidding  of  meats 

*  and  marriages ;  and  for  putting  people  to  death  for  religion  1     If,   said 

*  I,  ye  are  in  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church,  in  its  purity  and 
'  virginity,  then  let  us  see  by  scriptures  where-ever  they  practised  any 
'  such  things  V  (For  it  was  agreed  on  both  hands,  that  we  should  make 
good  by  scriptures  what  we  said.)  Then  he  told  us  of  a  written  word, 
and  an  unwritten  word?  I  asked  him  what  he  called  his  unwritten 
word  ?     He  said, '  The  written  word  is  the  scriptures,  and  the  unwrit- 

*  ten  word  is  that  which  the  apostles  spoke  by  word  of  mouth;  which^ 

*  said  lie,  are  all  those  traditions  that  we  practise.'  I  bid  him  prove 
that  by  scripture.  Then  he  brought  that  scripture  where  the  apostle 
says,  2  Thess.  ii.  5.  '  When  I  was  with  you,  I  told  you  these  things. 
'  That  is,'  said  he,  '  I  told  you  of  nunneries  and  monasteries,  and  of 

*  putting  to  death  for  religion,  and  of  praying  by  beads,  and  to  images, 

*  and  all  the  rest  of  the  practices  of  the  church  of  Rome ;  which,'  he 
said,  '  was  the  unwritten  word  of  the  apostles,  which  they  told  then,  and 

*  have  since  been  continued  down  by  tradition  unto  these  times.'     Then 

*  I  desired  him  to  read  that  scripture  again,  that  he  might  see  how 
'  he  had  perverted  the  apostle's  words ;  for  that  which  the  apostle  there 
'  tells  the  Thessalonians,  "  he  had  told  them  before,"  is  not  an  unwritten 

*  word,  but  is  there  written  down ;  namely,  That  the  man  of  sin,  the  son 
'  of  perdition,  shall  be  revealed  before  the  great  and  terrible  day  of 

*  Christ,  which  he  was  writing  of,  should  come  :  so  this  was  not  telling 

*  them  any  of  those  things  that  the  church  of  Rome  practises.  In  like 
'  manner  the  apostle,  in-  the  third  chapter  of  that  epistle,  tells  the  church 
'  of  some  disorderly  persons,  "  he  heard  were  amongst  them,  busy- 
"  bodies,  who  did  not  work  at  all ;  concerning  whom  he  had  command- 
"  ed  them  by  his  unwritten  word,  when  he  was  among  them,  that  if 
"  any  would  not  woi'k,  neither  should  he  eat :  which  now  he  commands 
*'  them  again  in  his  written  word  in  this  epistle,"  2  Thess.  iii.  So  this 
scripture  afforded  no  proof  for  their  invented  traditions,  and  he  had  no 
other  scripture  proof  to  offer.     Therefore  I  told  him,  '  This  was  another 

*  degeneration  of  their  church  into  such  inventions  and  traditions  as  the 

*  apostles  and  primitive  saints  never  practised.' 

After  this  he  came  to  his  sacrament  of  the  altar,  beginning  at  the  pas- 
chal lamb,  and  the  shew-bread,  and  came  to  the  words  of  Christ,  '  This 

*  is  my  body,'  and  to  what  the  apostle  wrote  of  it  to  the  Corinthians ;  con- 
cluding, '  That  after  the  priest  had  consecrated  the  bread  and  wine,  it 

*  was  immortal  and  divine,  and  he  that  received  it,  received  the  whole 

*  Christ.'  I  followed  him  through  the  scriptures  he  brought,  till  I  came 
to  Christ's  words  and  the  apostle's.  I  shewed  him,  '  That  the  same  apos- 
'  tie  told  the  Corinthians,  after  they  had  taken  bread  and  wine  in  remem- 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  301 

brance  of  Christ's  death,  that  they  were  reprobates,  "  if  Christ  was  not 
'  in  them ;"  but  if  the  bread  they  ate  was  Christ,  he  must  of  necessity 
be  in  them  after  they  had  eaten  it.     Besides,  if  this  bread  and  this  wine, 
which  the  Corinthians  ate  and  drank,  was  Christ's  body,  then  how  hath 
Christ  a  body  in  heaven?'    I  observed  to  him  also,  '  That  both  the  dis- 
ciples at  the  supper,  and  the  Corinthians  afterwards,  were  to  eat  the 
bread  and  drink  the  wine  in  "  remembrance  of  Christ,"  and  to  "  shew 
'  forth  his  death  till  he  come ;"  which  plainly  proves  the  bread  and  wine, 
which  they  took,  was  not  his  body.     For  if  it  had  been  his  real  body 
that  they  ate,  then  he  had  been  come,  and  was  then  there  present,  and 
it  had  been  improper  to  have  done  such  a  thing  in  remembrance  of  him, 
if  he  had  been  -then  present  with  them,  as  he  must  have  been,  if  that 
bread  and  wine  which  they  ate  and  drank  had  been  his  real  body.'   As 
to  those  words  of  Christ,  '  This  is  my  body,'  I  told  him,  '  Christ  calls  him- 
self a  vine,  and  a  door,  and  is  called  in  scripture  a  rock.     Is  Christ 
therefore  an  outward  rock,  door,  or  vine  1 '  O,  said  the  Jesuit,  '  Those 
words  are  to  be  interpreted ;'  '  so,  said  I,  are  those  words  of  Christ, 
This  is  my  body."     Having  stopped  his  mouth  as  to  argument,  I  made 
the  Jesuit  a  proposal  thus ;  '  That  seeing  he  said,  "  The  bread  and  wine 
'  was  immortal  and  divine,  and  the  very  Christ ;  and  that  whosoever  re- 
'  ceived  it,  received  the  whole  Christ ;"  let  a  meeting  be  appointed  be- 
tween some  whom  the  pope  and  his  cardinals  should  appoint,  and  some 
of  us ;  let  a  bottle  of  wine  and  loaf  of  bread  be  brought,  and  divided 
each  into  two  parts,  and  let  them  consecrate  which  of  those  parts  they 
would.     Then  set  the  consecrated  and  the  unconsecrated  bread  and 
wine  in   a   safe  place,  with   a  sure  watch  upon  it;    and  let  trial  be 
thus  made,  whether  the  consecrated  bread  and  wine  would  not  lose  its 
goodness,  and  the  bread  grow  dry  and  mouldy,  and  the  wine  turn  dead 
and  sour,  as  well  and  as  soon  as  that  which  was  unconsecrated.    By 
this  means,  said  I,  the  truth  of  this  matter  may  be  made  manifest.    And 
if  the  consecrated  bread  and  wine  change  not,  but  retain  their  savour 
and  goodness,  this  may  be  a  means  to  draw  many  to  your  church:  if 
they  change,  decay,  and  lose  their  goodness,  then  ought  you  to  confess 
and  forsake  your  error,  and  shed  no  more  blood  about  it :  for  much 
blood  hath  been  shed  about  these  things ;  as  in  queen  Mary's  days.* 
To  this  the  Jesuit  made  this  reply ;  "  Take,"  said  he,  "  a  piece  of  new 
'  cloth,  and  cut  it  into  two  pieces,  and  make  two  garments  of  it,  and  put 
'  one  of  them  upon  king  David's  back,  and  the  other  upon  a  beggar's, 
'  and  the  one  garment  shall  wear  away  as  well  as  the  other."     '  Is  this 
thy  answer,  said  1 1  Yes,  said  he.     Then,  said  I,  by  this  the  company 
may  all  be  satisfied  that  your  consecrated  bread  and  wine  is  not  Christ. 
Have  ye  told  people  so  long,  that  the  consecrated  bread  and  wine  was 
immortal  and  divine,  and  that  it  was  the  very  and  real  body  and  blood 
of  Christ,  and  dost  thou  now  say  it  will  wear  away  or  decay  as  well 
as  the  other  1  I  must  tell  thee,  "  Christ  remains  the  same  to-day  as  yes- 
terday," and  never  decays ;  but  is  the  saints'  heavenly  food  in  all  gen- 
erations, through  which  they  have  hfe.'     He  replied  no  more  to  this, 
being  willing  to  let  it  fall ;  for  the  people  that  were  present  saw  his  error, 
and  that  he  could  not  defend  it.     Then  I  asked  him,  '  Why  their  church 
'  did  persecute,  and  put  people  to  death  for  religion?'  He  rephed,  '  It  was 
*  not  the  church  that  did  it,  but  the  magistrates.'    I  asked  him,  '  Whether 
'  those  magistrates  were  not  counted  and  called  believers  and  christians  ?* 
He  said,  Yes :  '  Why  then,  said  I,  are  they  not  members  of  your  church?  * 


302  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

*  Yes,'  said  he.  Then  I  left  it  to  the  people  to  judge  from  his  own  con- 
cessions, whether  the  church  of  Rome  doth  not  persecute,  and  put  peo- 
ple to  death  for  religion.  Thus  we  parted,  and  his  subtilty  was  con- 
futed by  simplicity. 

During  the  time  I  was  at  London,  I  had  many  services  lay  upon  me ; 
for  it  was  a  time  of  much  suffering.  I  was  moved  to  write  to  O.  Crom- 
well, and  lay  before  him  the  sufferings  of  friends  both  in  this  nation  and 
in  Ireland.  There  was  also  a  talk  about  this  time  of  making  Cromwell 
king ;  whereupon  I  was  moved  to  go  to  him,  and  warned  him  against 
accepting  it,  and  of  divers  dangers ;  which  if  he  did  not  avoid,  I  told 
him,  '  He  would  bring  shame  and  ruin  upon  himself  and  his  posterity.' 
He  seemed  to  take  well  what  I  said  to  him,  and  thanked  me ;  yet  after- 
wards I  was  moved  to  write  to  him  more  fully  concerning  that  matter. 

About  this  time  the  lady  Claypool  (so  called)  was  sick  and  much 
troubled  in  mind,  and  could  receive  no  comfort  from  any  that  came  to 
her ;  which  when  I  heard  of,  1  was  moved  to  write  her  the  following 
letter : 

*  Friend, 

*  Be  still  and  cool  in  thy  own  mind  and  spirit  from  thy  own  thoughts, 
'  and  then  thou  wilt  feel  the  principle  of  God  to  turn  thy  mind  to  the 
'  Lord,  from  whom  hfe  comes ;  whereby  thou  mayest  receive  his  strength 

*  and  power  to  allay  all  blusterings,  storms  and  tempests.     That  is  it 

*  which  works  up  into  patience,  into  innocency,  into  soberness,  into  still- 

*  ness,  into  stayedness,  into  quietness  up  to  God,  with  his  power.    There- 

*  fore  mind,  that  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  unto  thee,  that  the  authority  of 
'  God  thou  mayst  feel,   and  thy  faith  in  it,  to  work  down  that  which 

*  troubles  thee ;  for  that  is  it  which  keeps  peace  and  brings  up  the  witness 

*  in  thee,  which  hath  been  transgressed,  to  feel  after  God  with  his  power 
'  and  life,  who  is  a  God  of  order  and  peace.     When  thou  art  in  the 

*  transgression  of  the  life  of  God  in  thy  own  particular,  the  mind  flies  up 

*  in  the  air,  the  creature  is  led  into  the  night,  nature  goes  out  of  its  course, 
'  an  old  garment  goes  on,  and  an  uppermost  clothing :  and  thy  nature 

*  being  led  out  of  its  course,  it  comes  to  be  all  on  fire  in  the  transgres- 

*  sion,  and  that  defaceth  the  glory  of  the  first  body.  Therefore  be  still 
'  awhile  from  thy  own  thoughts,  searching,  seeking,  desires,  and  imagi- 
'  nations,  and  be  stayed  in  the  principle  of  God  in  thee,  that  it  may  raise 
'  thy  mind  up  to  God,  and  stay  it  upon  God,  and  thou  wilt  find  strength 
'  from  him,  and  find  him  to  be  a  God  at  hand,  a  present  help  in  the  time 

*  of  trouble  and  of  need.  And  thou  being  come  to  the  principle  of  God, 
'  which  hath  been  transgressed,  it  will  keep  thee  humble ;  and  the  hum- 

*  ble  God  will  teach  his  way,  which  is  peace,  and  such  he  doth  exalt. 
'  Now  as  the  principle  of  God  in  thee  hath  been  transgressed,  come  to  it, 
'  that  it. may  keep  thy  mind  down  low  to  the  Lord  God;  to  deny  thyself, 
'  and  from  thy  own  will,  that  is  the  earthly,  thou  must  be  kept.     Then 

*  thou  wilt  feel  the  power  of  God,  which  will  bring  nature  into  its  course, 

*  and  give  thee  to  see  the  glory  of  the  first  body.  There  the  wisdom  of 
'  God  will  be  received  (which  is  Christ,  by  which  all  things  were  made 

*  and  created)  and  thou  be  thereby  preserved  and  ordered  to  God's  glory. 
'  There  thou  wilt  come  to  receive  and  feel  the  physician  of  value,  who 

*  clothes  people  in  their  right  mind,  whereby  they  may  serve  God  and  do 

*  his  will.    For  all  distractions,  unruliness,  and  confusion  are  in  the  trans- 

*  gression ;  which  transgression  must  be  brought  down,  before  the  prin- 

*  ciple  of  God,  which  hath  been  transgressed  against,  be  Ufted  up ;  where- 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  S0$ 

<  by  the  mind  may  be  seasoned  and  stilled,  and  a  right  understanding  of 

*  the  Lord  maybe  received;  whereby  his  blessings  enter,  and  are  felt 
'  over  all  that  is  contrary  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  which  raises  up  the 

*  principle  of  God  within,  gives  a  feeling  after  God,  and  in  time  gives  do- 

*  minion.     Keep  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  God ;  that  is  the  word  of  the 

*  Lord  unto  thee.     For  all  these  things  happen  to  thee  for  thy  good,  and 

*  for  the  good  of  those  concerned  for  thee,  to  make  you  know  yourselves 

*  and  your  own  weakness,  that  ye  may  know  the  Lord's  strength  and 

*  power,  and  may  trust  in  him.     Let  the  time  past  be  sufficient  to  every 

*  one,  who  in  any  thing  hath  been  lifted  up  in  transgression  out  of  the 

*  power  of  the  Lord ;  for  he  can  bring  down  and  abase  the  mighty,  and 

*  lay  them  in  the  dust  of  the  earth.     Therefore,  all  keep  low  in  his  fear, 

*  that  thereby  ye  may  receive  the  secrets  of  God  and  bis  wisdom,  may 

*  know  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty,  and  sit  under  it  in  all  tempests, 

*  storms,  and  heats.  For  God  is  a  God  at  hand,  and  the  Most  High  rules 
'  in  the  children  of  men.     This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  unto  you 

*  all ;  what  the  light  doth  make  manifest  and  discover,  as  temptations, 

*  distractions,  confusions ;  do  not  look  at  these  temptations,  confusions, 

*  corruptions,  but  at  the  light  which  discovers  them  and  makes  them  man- 

*  ifest ;  and  with  the  same  light  you  may  feel  over  them,  to  receive  pow- 

*  er  to  stand  against  them.     The  same  light  which  lets  you  see  sin  and 

*  transgression,  will  let  you  see  the  covenant  of  God,  which  blots  out 

*  your  sin  and  transgression,  which  gives  victory  and  dominion  over  it, 

*  and  brings  into  covenant  with  God.     For  looking  down  at  sin,  corrup- 

*  tion,  and  distraction,  ye  are  swallowed  up  in  it ;  but  looking  at  the  hght, 
'  which  discovers  them,  ye  will  see  over  them.     That  will  give  victory, 

*  and  ye  will  find  grace  and  strength ;  there  is  the  first  step  to  peace. 
'  That  will  bring  salvation ;  by  it  ye  may  see  to  the  beginning,  and  the 
"  Glory  that  was  with  the  Father  before  the  world  began ;"  and  come  to 
'  know  the  seed  of  God,  which  is  the  heir  of  the  promise  of  God,  and  of 
'  the  world  which  hath  no  end ;  and  which  bruises  the  head  of  the  ser- 
'  pent,  who  stops  people  from  coming  to  God.     That  ye  may  feel  the 

*  power  of  an  endless  life,  the  power  of  God  which  is  immortal,  which 

*  brings  the  immortal  soul  up  to  the  immortal  God,  in  whom  it  doth  re- 

*  joice.     So  in  the  name  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  God  Al- 

*  mighty  strengthen  thee.  G.  F.' 

When  the  foregoing  paper  was  read  to  her,  she  said,  '  It  stayed  her 
'  mind  for  the  present.'  Afterwards  many  friends  got  copies  of  it,  both 
in  England  and  Ireland,  and  read  it  to  people  that  were  troubled  in  mind ; 
and  it  was  made  useful  for  the  settling  of  the  minds  of  several. 

About  this  time  came  forth  a  declaration  from  O.  Cromwell,  the  Pro- 
tector, for  a  '  collection  towards  the  relief  of  divers  protestant  churches,' 
driven  out  of  Poland,  and  of  '  twenty  protestant  families,  driven  out  of 
'  the  confines  of  Bohemia.'  And  there  having  been  a  hke  declaration 
published  some  time  before  to  invite  the  nation  to  a  day  of  solemn  fast- 
ing and  humiliation,  in  order  to  a  contribution  to  be  made  for  the 
suffering  protestants  of  the  vallies  of  Lucern,  Angrona,  &c.  who  were 
persecuted  by  the  duke  of  Savoy ;  I  was  moved  to  write  to  the  Pro- 
tector and  chief  magistrates  on  this  occasion,  both  to  shew  them  the  na- 
ture of  a  true  fast,  such  as  God  requires  and  accepts,  and  to  make  them 
sensible  of  their  injustice  and  self-condemnation  in  blaming  the  papists 
for  persecuting  the  protestants  abroad,  while  they,  calling  themselves 


304  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

protestants,  were  at  the  same  time  persecuting  their  protestant  neighbors 
and  friends  at  home.  That  which  I  wrote  to  iJiem  was  after  this  manner: 

*  To  the  heads  and  governors  of  this  nation,  who  have  put  forth  a 
'  declaration  for  the  keeping  a  day  of  solemn  fasting  and  humilia- 
'  tion,  for  the  persecution,  as  you  say,  of  divers  people  beyond 
'  the  seas  professing  the  reformed  religion,  which,  ye  say,  hath 
*  been  transmitted  unto  them  from  their  ancestors. 

'  A  PROFESSION  of  the  reformed  religion  may  be  transmitted  to  genera- 

*  tions,  and  so  holden  by  tradition ;  and  in  that  wherein  the  profession 

*  and  tradition  is  holden,  is  the  day  of  humiliation  kept,  which  stands  in 

*  the  will  of  man.  This  is  not  the  fast  that  the  Lord  requires,  "  To  bow 
"  down  the  head  like  a  bulrush  for  a  day,"  and  the  day  following  be  in 

*  the  same  condition  as  they  were  the  day  before.  To  the  light  of  Christ 

*  Jesus  in  your  consciences  do  I  speak,  which  testifieth  for  God  every 

*  day,  and  witnesseth  against  all  sin  and  persecution ;  which  measure  of 

*  God,  if  ye  be  guided  by  it,  doth  not  limit  God  to  a  day,  but  leads  Jo  the 
'  fast  the  Lord  requires,  which  is  "  to  loose  the  bonds  of  wickedness,  to 
♦'  undo  the  heavy  burdens,  to  break  every  yoke,  and  to  let  the  oppressed 
"  go  free,"  Isa.  Iviii.  6,  7.     This  is  the  fast  that  the  Lord  requires,  and 

*  this  stands  not  in  the  transmission  of  times,  nor  in  the  traditions  of  men. 

*  But  this  stands  in  that  which  was  before  times  were,  and  which  leads 

*  out  of  time,  and  shall  be  when  time  shall  be  no  more.  These  that  teach 

*  for  doctrine  the  commandments  of  men,  are  they  that  ever  persecuted 

*  the  life  and  power,  when  it  came.     And  whereas  ye  mention  a  decree 

*  or  edict  that  was  made  against  the  said  persecuted  protestants,  all  such 

*  decrees  or  edicts  proceeded  from  the  ground  of  the  pope's  religion  and 

*  supremacy,  and  therein  stands  his  tyranny  and  his  cruelty,  acted  in  that 

*  will  which  is  in  that  nature  which  exerciseth  lordship  over  one  another, 

*  as  ye  may  read,  Mark  x.  42.  Luke  xxii.  25.  as  all  the  heathen  do,  and 

*  ever  did ;  and  in  the  heathenish  nature  is  all  the  tyranny  and  persecu- 

*  tion  exercised  by  them  that  are  out  of  the  obedience  to  the  light  of 
'  Christ  Jesus  in  the  conscience,  which  is  the  guide  and  leader  of  all,  who 
'  are  tender  of  that  of  God  in  the  conscience.  But  who  are  not  led  by 
'  this,  know  not  what  it  is  to  suffer  for  conscience  sake.  Now,  whereas 
'  ye  take  into  your  consideration  the  sad  persecution,  tyranny,  and  cru- 
'  elty  exercised  upon  them  whom  ye  call  your  protestant  brethren,  and 
'  contribute  and  administer  to  their  wants  outwardly ;  this  is  good  in  its 

*  place,  and  we  own  it ;  and  see  it  good  to  administer  to  the  necessities 
'  of  others,  and  to  do  good  to  all ;  and  we,  who  are  sufferers  by  a  law 
'  derived  from  the  pope,  are  willing  to  join  and  to  contribute  with  you  to 
'  their  outward  necessities.  For  "  the  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  ful- 
"ness  thereof;"  who  is  good  to  all,  gracious  to  all,  and  willing  that  all 

*  should  be  saved  and  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  But  in  the 
'  mean  time,  while  ye  are  doing  this,  and  taking  notice  of  others'  cruelty, 
•tyranny,  and  persecution,  turn  your  eye  upon  yourselves,  and  see  what 
'  ye  are  doing  at  home.  To  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus  in  all  your  con- 
'  sciences  I  speak,  which  cannot  lie,  nor  err,  nor  bear  false  witness ;  but 

*  doth  bear  witness  for  God,  and  cries  for  equity,  justice,  and  righteous- 

*  ness  to  be  executed.  See  what  ye  are  doing  who  profess  the  scriptures, 

*  which  were  given  forth  by  the  saints  in  light,  who  dwelt  in  the  light  and 

*  in  the  life  of  them.  For  these  who  now  witness  the  same  light,  the  same 

*  life,  and  the  same  power  which  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  which  ye  in 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  305 

'  words  profess,  them  ye  persecute,  them  ye  hale  out  of  your  synagogues 
'  and  markets ;  them  ye  beat,  stock  and  imprison.  Let  that  of  God  in 
'  vour  consciences,  which  is  just,  righteous,  and  equal,  examine  and  try 
'  whether  ye  have  any  example  or  precedent  to  exercise  this  persecution, 

*  which  many  now  in  this  nation  suffer  under,  who  are  a  people  harm- 
'  less  and  innocent,  waiting  in  obedience  towards  God  and  man.  And 
'  thouo-h  ye  account  the  way  of  truth  they  walk  in  heresy,  yet  therein  do 
'  they  exercise  themselves,  to  have  always  a  "  conscience  void  of  offence 
"  towards  God  and  man ;"  as  ye  may  read  the  saints  of  old  did,  Acts 
'xxiv.  14,  15,  16.  not  wronging  any  man,  neither  giving  any  just  cause 

*  of  offence,  only  being  obedient  to  the  commands  of  the  Lord,  to  de- 
« clare  as  they  are  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost:  and  standing  for  the  testi- 

*  mony  of  a  good  conscience,  speaking  the  truth  in  Christ,  their  con- 
'  sciences  bearing  them  witness  that  they  lie  not :  for  this  do  they  suffer 

*  under  you,  who  in  words  profess  the  same  thing  for  which  they  suffer. 

*  Now  see  if  any  age  or  generation  did  ever  persecute  as  ye  do  1  For  ye 
'  profess  Christ  Jesus  who  reveals  the  Father,  and  persecute  those  who 
'  witness  the  revelation  of  the  Father  by  Christ  Jesus  unto  them.     Ye 

*  profess  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  the  light  of  the  world,  "  that  enlightens 
*'  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world ;"  yet  persecute  them  that  bear 
'  witness  and  give  testimony  to  this  light.     Ye  profess  that  the  word  is 

*  become  flesh,  yet  persecute  them  that  witness  it  so.  Ye  profess  that 
*■  whosoever  confesseth  not  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh  is  an 
'  antichrist,  yet  persecute  them  that  do  confess  him  come  in  the  flesh,  and 
'  call  them  antichrists  and  deceivers.  Ye  profess  that  the  kingdom  of 
'  Christ  is  come,  yet  persecute  them  that  witness  it  come.     Ye  profess 

*  Christ  Jesus  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  yet  persecute  them  that  wit- 
» ness  him  to  be  so.  If  ye  say,  "  How  shall  we  know  that  these  people, 
"  who  say  they  witness  these  things,  do  so  or  no  ?'  I  answer.  Turn  your 

*  minds  to  the  light  which  Christ  Jesus  hath  enlightened  you  withal,  which 
'  is  one  in  all ;  and  if  ye  walk  in  the  light,  ye  shall  have  the  light  of  life ; 
'  then  ye  will  know  and  see  what  ye  have  done,  who  have  persecuted 

*  the  Lord  of  Glory  (in  his  people)  in  whom  is  life,  and  the  Ufe  is  the  light 

*  of  men.  To  no  other  touchstone  shall  we  turn  you,  but  into  your  own 
'  consciences :  there  may  ye  find  the  truth  of  what  we  have  declared 
'  unto  you,  according  to  the  holy  scriptures.  When  the  books  of  con- 
'  sciences  are  opened,  and  all  judged  out  of  them,  then  shall  ye  witness 
'  us  to  be  of  God,  and  our  testimony  to  be  true.  Though  now  ye  may 
'  stop  your  ears,  and  harden  your  hearts,  while  it  is  called  to-day,  then 
'  ye  shall  know  what  ye  have  done,  and  whom  ye  have  transgressed 
'  against ;  then  ye  will  see  that  no  persecutors,  in  any  age  or  generation 
'  before  you,  did  ever  transgress  against  that  light  and  measure  of  God 
'  made  manifest  in  such  manner  as  ye  have  done.  For  though  Christ 
'  and  the  apostles  were  persecuted  in  their  time,  the  Jews  for  the  most 
'  part  did  not  know  that  he  was  the  Christ  when  he  came,  notwithstand- 
'  ing  they  had  the  scriptures  which  prophesied  of  him ;  neither  did  they 

*  believe  that  he  was  risen  again  when  the  apostles  preached  his  resur- 
'  rection.  But  ye  say,  "  Ye  believe  he  is  come,  ye  beheve  his  resurrec- 
"  tion ;"  yet  ye  persecute  those  that  witness  him  come  in  the  flesh,  those 
'  that  are  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  those  that  are  conformable  to  his 
'death,  and  know  the  power  of  his  resurrection:   those  ye  persecute, 

*  hale  before  magistrates,  and  suffer  to  be  beaten  in  your  synagogues ; 
'  those  ye  cause  to  be  whipped  and  stocked,  shamefully  entreated,  cast 

20 


306  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

*  into  prison,  and  kept,  as  many  gaols  in  this  nation  at  this  day  testify  to 
'  your  faces.  Therefore  honestly  consider  what  ye  are  doing  while  ye 
'  are  taking  notice  of  others'  cruelties,  lest  ye  overlook  your  own.  There 

*  is  some  diflerence  in  many  things  between  the  popish  religion  and  that 
'  which  ye  call  the  protestant,  but  in  this  persecution  of  yours  there  is 
'  no  difference ;  for  ye  will  confess  that  the  foundation  of  your  rehgion 
'  is  grounded  upon  the  scriptures,  yet  ye  persecute  them  that  are  in  the 
'  same  life  which  they  were  in  who  gave  forth  the  scriptures,  yourselves 
'  being  the  meanwhile  under  a  profession  of  the  words  they  spoke :  this 
'  ye  shall  one  day  witness.  So  ye  have  a  profession  and  form,  and  per- 
'  secute  them  that  are  in  the  possession,  life,  and  power.  Know  assuredly 
'  that  ye  must  come  to  judgment ;  for  he  is  made  manifest  to  whom  all 
•judgment  is  committed.  To  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus  in  your  consciences, 
'  which  searcheth  and  trieth  you,  turn  your  minds ;  stand  still,  and  wait 
'  there  to  receive  the  righteous  law,  which  is  according  to  that  of  God 
'  in  the  conscience,  which  is  now  rising  and  bearing  witness  against  all 
'  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of  men ;  and  they  whom  ye  persecute 

*  are  manifest  to  God,  and  that  of  God  in  all  consciences  shall  bear  wit- 
'  ness  for  us  that  we  are  of  God ;  this  ye  shall  one  day  witness,  whether  ye 
'  will  hear  or  forbear.  Our  rejoicing  is  in  the  testimony  of  our  con- 
'  sciences,  that  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  (not  with  fleshly  wisdom, 
'  but  by  the  grace  of  God)  we  have  had  our  conversation  in  the  world, 
'  not  handUng  the  word  of  God  deceitfully,  but  in  the  manifestation  of 
'  the  truth,  commending  ourselves  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight 
'  of  God ;  and  if  our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost.    For 

*  witnessing  the  holding  the  mystery  of  faith  in  a  pure  conscience  do  we 
'  suffer,  and  are  subject  for  conscience  sake.  This  is  thankworthy,  if  a 
'  man,  for  conscience  sake,  endure  griefs  and  sufferings  wrongfully.     In 

*  this  is  our  joy  and  rejoicing,  having  a  good  conscience,  that  whereas 
'  we  are  evil  spoken  of  as  evil-doers,  they  may  be  ashamed  that  falsely 
'  accuse  our  good  conversation  in  Christ ;  which  is  not  only  the  putting 
'  away  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  to- 
'  wards  God,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ.  This  we  witness  made 
'  manifest  (eternal  praises  to  the  living  God !)  and  bear  testimony  to  that 
'  which  spoke  it  in  the  apostle  in  hfe  and  power.  Therefore  do  we  bear 
'  witness  and  testify  against  those,  who,  being  got  into  a  form  and  pro- 
'  fession  of  it,  do  persecute  the  life  and  power.  To  the  eternal  light  of 
'  Christ  Jesus,  the  searcher  and  trier  of  all  hearts,  turn  your  minds,  and 
'  see  what  ye  are  doing ;  lest  ye  overturn  your  foundation,  whereon  ye 
'  pretend  to  stand,  while  ye  are  professing  the  scriptures,  and  persecuting 

*  the  life,  light,  and  power,  which  those  were  in  who  gave  them  forth. 
'  For  the  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands,  is  now  striking  at 
'  the  feet  of  the  image,  the  profession  which  is  set  up,  and  stands  in  the 

*  will  of  man.  Now  is  that  made  manifest,  unto  which  all  must  answer, 
'  and  appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ ;  that  every  one  may  re- 

*  ceive  the  things  done  in  his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath  done, 

*  whether  it  be  good  or  bad.     Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of  the  Lord, 

*  we  persuade  men ;  but  we  are  made  manifest  unto  God,  and  shall  be 
'  made  manifest  in  all  vour  consciences,  which  ye  shall  witness. 

^  *G.F.' 

Divers  times,  both  in  the  time  of  the  long  parliament,  and  of  the  pro- 
tector (so  called)  and  of  the  committee  of  safety,  when  they  proclaimed 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  307 

fasts,  I  was  moved  to  write  to  them,  and  tell  them,  their  fasts  were  like 
unto  Jezebel's :  for  commonly,  when  they  proclaimed  fasts,  there  was 
some  mischief  contrived  against  us.  I  knew  their  fasts  were  for  strife 
and  debate,  to  smite  with  the  fist  of  wickedness ;  as  the  New-England 
professors  soon  after  did;  who,  before  they  put  our  friends  to  death, 
proclaimed  a  fast  also. 

Now  it  was  a  time  of  great  suffering;  and  many  friends  being  in 
prisons,  many  other  friends  were  moved  to  go  to  the  parliament,  to  offer 
themselves  up  to  lie  in  the  same  prisons  where  their  friends  lay,  that 
those  in  prison  might  go  forth,  and  not  perish  in  the  stinking  gaols.  This 
we  did  in  love  to  God  and  our  brethren,  that  they  might  not  die  in  prison ; 
and  in  love  to  those  that  cast  them  in,  that  they  might  not  bring  innocent 
blood  upon  their  own  heads ;  which  we  knew  would  cry  to  the  Lord, 
and  bring  his  wrath,  vengeance,  and  plagues  upon  them.  But  little  fa- 
vour could  we  find  from  those  professing  parliaments ;  instead  thereof, 
they  would  rage,  and  sometimes  threaten  friends  that  attended  them,  to 
whip,  and  send  them  home.  Then  commonly  soon  after  the  Lord  would 
turn  them  out,  and  send  them  home ;  who  had  not  an  heart  to  do  good 
in  the  day  of  their  power.  But  they  went  not  off  without  being  fore- 
warned ;  for  I  was  moved  to  write  to  them,  in  their  several  turns,  as  I 
did  to  the  long-parliament,  unto  whom  I  declared,  before  they  were 
broken  up,  '  that  thick  darkness  was  coming  over  them  all,  even  a  day 
'  of  darkness  that  should  be  felt.' 

And  because  the  parliament  that  now  sat  was  made  up  mostly  of  high 
professors,  who,  pretending  to  be  more  religious  than  others,  were  in- 
deed greater  persecutors  of  those  that  were  truly  religious,  I  was  moved 
to  send  them  the  following  lines,  as  a  reproof  of  their  hypocrisy  : 

'  0  FRIENDS,  do  not  cloak  and  cover  yourselves :  there  is  a  Grod  that 

*  knoweth  your  Hearts,  and  that  will  uncover  you.  He  seeth  your  way. 
"  Wo  be  to  him  that  covereth,  but  not  with  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord." 
'  Do  ye  act  contrary  to  the  law,  and  then  put  it  from  you !  Mercy  and 
'  true  judgment  ye  neglect.  Look,  what  was  spoken  against  such.  My 
'Saviour  spoke  against  such;  "I  was  sick,  and  ye  visited  me  not:  I 
"  was  hungry,  and  ye  fed  me  not ;  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  not 
"  in :  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  me  not."  But  they  said,  "  When  saw 
"  we  thee  in  prison,  and  did  not  come  to  thee  1  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it 
"  not  unto  one  of  these  little  ones,  ye  did  it  not  unto  me."  Friends,  ye 
'  imprison  them  that  are  in  the  life  and  power  of  truth,  and  yet  profess 
'  to  be  the  ministers  of  Christ ;  but  if  Christ  had  sent  you,  ye  would 

*  bring  out  of  prison,  out  of  bondage,  and  receive  strangers.  Ye  have 
'  lived  in  pleasure  on  the  earth,  and  been  wanton ;  ye  have  nourished 
'  your  hearts,  as  in  a  day  of  slaughter ;  ye  have  condemned  and  killed 
'  the  just,  and  he  doth  not  resist  you.  G.  F.' 

After  this,  as  I  was  going  out  of  town,  having  two  friends  with  me, 
when  we  were  little  more  than  a  mile  out  of  the  City,  there  met  us  two 
troopers  belonging  to  colonel  Hacker's  regiment,  who  took  me,  and  the 
friends  with  me,  and  brought  us  back  to  the  Mews,  and  there  kept  us 
prisoners  a  little  while ;  but  the  Lord's  power  was  so  over  them,  that 
they  did  not  bring  us  before  any  officer ;  but  after  awhile  set  us  at  lib- 
erty. The  same  day,  taking  boat,  I  went  to  Kingston,  and  from  thence 
to  Hampton  Court,  to  speak  with  the  Protector  about  the  sufferings  of 
friends.  I  met  him  riding  into  Hampton  Court  Park ;  and  before  I  came 


308  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

to  him,  as  he  rode  at  the  head  of  his  hfe-guard,  I  saw  and  felt  a  waft 
(or  apparition)  of  death  go  forth  against  him ;  and  when  I  came  to  him, 
he  looked  like  a  dead  man.  After  I  had  laid  the  sufferings  of  friends  be- 
fore him,  and  had  warned  him,  as  I  was  moved  to  speak  to  him,  he  bid 
me  come  to  his  house.  So  I  returned  to  Kingston,  and  the  next  day 
went  to  Hampton  Court,  to  have  spoken  further  with  him.     But  when  I 

came,  he  was  sick,  and Harvy,  who  waited  on  him,  told  me,    the 

doctors  were  not  willing  I  should  speak  with  him.  So  I  passed  away, 
and  never  saw  him  more. 

From  Kingston  I  went  to  Isaac  Penington's,  in  Buckinghamshire, 
whei-e  I  had  appointed  a  meeting ;  and  the  Lord's  truth  and  power  were 
preciously  manifested  amongst  us.  After  I  had  visited  friends  in  those 
parts,  I  returned  to  London ;  and  soon  after  went  into  Essex ;  where  I 
had  not  been  long,  before  I  heard  the  Protector  was  dead,  and  his  son 
Richard  made  Protector  in  his  room.  Whereupon  I  came  to  London 
again. 

Before  this  time  the  church  faith  (so  called)  was  given  forth,  which 
was  said  to  be  made  at  the  Savoy  in  eleven  days.  I  got  a  copy  of  it 
before  it  was  published,  and  wrote  an  answer  to  it :  and  when  their  book 
of  church  faith  was  sold  up  and  down  the  streets,  my  answer  to  it  was 
sold  also.  This  displeased  some  of  the  parliament-men ;  so  that  one  of 
them  told  me,  '  They  must  have  me  to  Smithfield.'  I  told  him,  I  was 
over  their  fires,  and  feared  them  not.  Reasoning  with  him,  I  wished  him 
to  consider,  had  all  people  been  without  a  faith  these  sixteen  hundred 
years,  that  now  the  priests  must  make  them  one  ?  Did  not  the  apostle 
say  that  Jesus  was  the  author  and  finisher  of  their  faith  ?  And  since 
Christ  Jesus  was  the  author  of  the  apostles'  faith,  of  the  church's  faith  in 
the  primitive  times,  and  of  the  martyrs'  faith,  should  not  all  people  look 
unto  him  to  be  the  author  and  finisher  of  their  faith,  and  not  to  the 
priests  1  A  great  deal  of  work  we  had  about  the  priests  made-faith ;  for 
they  called  us  house-creepers,  leading  silly  women  captive,  because  we 
met  in  houses,  and  would  not  hold  up  their  priests  and  temples  which 
they  had  made  and  set  up.  I  told  them,  it  was  they  that  led  silly  women 
captive,  and  crept  into  houses,  who  kept  people  always  learning  under 
them,  who  were  covetous,  and  had  got  a  form  of  godhness,  but  denied 
the  power  and  Spirit,  which  the  apostles  were  in.  Such  began  to  creep 
in  the  apostles'  days ;  but  now  they  had  got  the  magistrates  on  their  side, 
who  upheld  those  houses  for  them,  which  they  had  crept  into,  their  tem- 
ples, with  their  tythes:  whereas  the  apostles  brought  people  off  from 
even  that  temple,  and  those  tythes  and  offerings,  which  God  had  for  a 
time  commanded.  And  the  apostles  met  in  several  private  houses,  being 
to  preach  the  gospel  in  all  nations ;  which  they  did  freely,  as  Christ  com- 
manded them.  Thus  do  we,  who  bring  people  off  from  these  priests, 
temples,  and  tythes,  which  God  never  commanded,  to  meet  in  houses,  or 
on  mountains,  as  the  saints  of  old  did,  who  were  gathered  in  the  name 
of  Jesus ;  and  Christ  was  their  Prophet,  Priest  and  Shepherd. 

Major  Wiggan,  a  very  envious  man,  was  present,  yet  he  bridled  him- 
self before  the  parliament-men,  and  some  others  that  were  there  in 
company.  He  took  upon  him  to  assert,  '  Christ  had  taken  away  the 
*  guilt  of  sin,  but  had  left  the  power  of  sin  remaining  in  us.'  I  told  him, 
that  was  strange  doctrine ;  for  Christ  came  to  destroy  the  devil's  works, 
and  the  power  of  sin,  and  so  to  cleanse  men  from  sin.  So  major  Wig- 
gan's  mouth  was  stopped  at  that  time.     But  next  day  desiring  to  speak 


1658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  309 

with  me  again,  I  took  a  friend  or  two  with  me,  and  went  to  him.  Then 
he  vented  a  great  deal  of  passion  and  rage,  beyond  the  bounds  of  a 
christian,  or  moral  man ;  whereupon  I  was  made  to  reprove  him ;  and 
having  brought  the  Lord's  power  over  him,  and  let  him  see  what  condi- 
tion he  was  in,  left  him. 

After  some  time  I  passed  out  of  London,  and  had  a  meeting  at  ser- 
geant Birkhead's  at  Twickenham,  to  which  many  people  came ;  some  of 
considerable  quality.  A  glorious  meeting  it  was,  wherein  the  scriptures 
were  largely  and  clearly  opened,  and  Christ  exalted  above  all,  to  the 
great  satisfaction  of  the  hearers. 

But  there  was  great  persecution  in  many  places,  both  by  imprisoning 
and  breaking  up  of  meetings.  At  a  meeting  about  seven  miles  from 
London,  the  rude  people  usually  came  out  of  several  parishes  round 
about,  to  abuse  friends,  and  often  beat  and  bruised  them  exceedingly. 
One  day  they  abused  about  eighty  friends,  that  went  to  that  meeting  out 
of  London,  tearing  their  coats  and  cloaks  from  off  their  backs,  throwing 
them  into  ditches  and  ponds ;  and,  when  they  had  besmeared  them  with 
dirt,  they  said  they  looked  like  witches.  The  next  first-day  I  was  moved 
of  the  Lord  to  go  to  that  meeting,  though  I  was  then  very  weak.  When 
I  came  there,  I  bid  friends  bring  a  table,  and  set  it  in  the  close,  where 
they  used  to  meet,  to  stand  upon.  According  to  their  wonted  course,  the 
rude  people  came ;  and  I  having  a  bible  in  my  hand,  shewed  them  theirs 
and  their  teachers'  fruits;  and  the  people  became  ashamed,  and  were 
quiet.  I  opened  the  scriptures  to  them,  and  our  principles  agreeing  there- 
with; and  turned  them  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ  and  his 
Spirit,  by  which  they  might  understand  the  scriptures,  see  themselves 
and  their  sins,  and  know  Christ  Jesus  to  be  their  Saviour.  So  the  meet- 
ing ended  quietly,  and  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  to  his  glory. 
But  it  was  a  time  of  great  sufferings;  for  besides  imprisonments,  through 
which  many  died,  our  meetings  were  greatly  disturbed.  They  have 
thrown  rotten  eggs  and  wild-fire  into  our  meetings,  and  brought  in  drums 
beating,  and  kettles,  to  make  noises  with,  that  the  truth  might  not  be 
heard  ;  and,  among  these,  the  priests  were  as  rude  as  any ;  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  book  of  the  fighting  priests,  wherein  a  list  is  given  of  some 
priests  that  had  actually  beaten  and  abused  friends. 

Many  friends  were  brought  prisoners  to  London,  to  be  tried  before 
the  Committee ;  where  Henry  Vane,  being  chairman,  would  not  suffer 
friends  to  come  in,  except  they  would  put  oflf  their  hats ;  but  at  last  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  him,  so  that  through  the  mediation  of  others, 
they  were  admitted.  Many  of  us  having  been  imprisoned  upon  con- 
tempts (as  they  called  them)  for  not  putting  off  our  hats,  it  was  not  a 
hkely  thing  that  friends,  who  had  suffered  so  long  for  it  from  others, 
should  put  off  their  hats  to  him.  But  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all, 
and  wrought  so,  that  several  were  set  at  liberty  by  them.  Inasmuch  as 
sufferings  grew  very  sharp,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  write  a  few 
lines,  and  send  among  friends,  to  encourage  them  to  go  on  faithfully  and 
boldly  through  the  exercises  of  the  day  ;  of  which  a  copy  here  follow^s  : 

'  My  dear  friends  every  where,  in  prison  or  out  of  prison ;  Fear  not, 
'  because  of  the  reports  of  sufferings ;  let  not  the  evil  spies  of  the  good 

*  land  make  you  afraid,  if  they  tell  you  the  walls  are  high,  and  Anakims 
'  are  in  the  land ;  for  at  the  blowing  of  the  rams'  horns  did  the  walls  of 

*  Jericho  fall,  and  they  that  brought  the  evil  report  perished  in  the  wilder- 


310  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1658 

*  ness.  Dwell  in  faith,  patience,  and  hope,  having  the  word  of  life  to 
'  keep  you,  which  is  beyond  the  law ;  and  having  the  oath  of  God,  his 

*  covenant,  Christ  Jesus,  which  divides  the  waters  asunder,  and  makes 

*  them  to  run  all  on  heaps ;  in  that  stand,  and  ye  will  see  all  things  work 

*  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God.     In  that  triumph,  when  suf- 

*  ferings  come,  whatever  they  be.  Your  faith,  your  shield,  your  helmet, 
'  your  armour  you  have  on.     You  are  ready  to  skip  over  a  mountain,  a 

*  wall,  or  an  hill,  and  to  walk  through  the  deep  waters,  though  they  be 

*  as  heaps  upon  heaps.  The  evil  spies  of  the  good  land  may  preach  up 
'hardness;  but  Caleb,  which  signifies  an  heart,  and  Joshua,  a  Saviour, 
'  triumph  over  all.  G.  F.' 

After  awhile  I  went  to  Reading,  where  I  remained  under  great  suffer- 
ings and  exercises,  and  in  great  travail  of  spirit  for  about  ten  weeks. 
For  I  saw  there  was  great  confusion  and  distraction  amongst  the  peo- 
ple, and  that  the  powers  were  plucking  each  other  to  pieces.  And  I 
saw  how  many  were  destroying  the  simplicity,  and  betraying  the  truth. 
A  great  deal  of  hypocrisy,  deceit,  and  strife,  was  got  uppermost  in  the 
people,  so  that  they  were  ready  to  sheath  their  swords  in  one  another's 
bowels.  There  had  been  tenderness  in  many  of  them  formerly,  when 
they  were  low ;  but  when  they  were  got  up,  had  killed,  and  taken  pos- 
session, they  came  to  be  as  bad  as  others :  so  that  we  had  much  to  do 
wdth  them  about  our  hats,  and  saying  Thou  and  Thee  to  them.  They 
turned  their  profession  of  patience  and  moderation  into  rage  and  mad- 
ness ;  many  of  them  were  like  distracted  men  for  this  hat-honour.  For 
they  had  hardened  themselves  by  persecuting  the  innocent,  and  were  at 
this  time  crucifying  the  Seed,  Christ,  both  in  themselves  and  others ;  till 
at  last  they  fell  a  biting  and  devouring  one  another,  until  they  were  con- 
sumed one  of  another;  who  had  turned  against  and  judged  that  which 
God  had  wrought  in  them,  and  shewed  unto  them.  So  shortly  after 
God  overthrew  them,  turned  them  upside  down,  and  brought  the  king 
over  them,  who  were  often  surmising  that  the  Quakers  met  together  to 
bring  in  king  Charles,  whereas  friends  did  not  concern  themselves  with 
the  outward  powers  or  government.  But  at  last  the  Lord  brought  him 
in,  and  many  of  them,  when  they  saw  he  would  be  brought  in,  voted  for 
the  bringing  him  in.  So  with  heart  and  voice  praise  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  to  whom  it  doth  belong ;  who  over  all  hath  the  supremacy,  and 
who  will  rock  the  nations,  for  he  is  over  them.  I  had  a  sight  and  sense 
of  the  king's  return  a  good  while  before,  and  so  had  some  others.  I 
wrote  to  Oliver  several  times,  and  let  him  know,  that  while  he  was  per- 
secuting God's  people,  they  whom  he  accounted  his  enemies  were  pre- 
paring to  come  upon  him.  When  some  forward  spirits,  that  came 
amongst  us,  would  have  bought  Somerset-house,  that  we  might  have 
meetings  in  it,  I  forbad  them  to  do  so :  for  I  then  foresaw  the  king's 
coming  in  again.  Besides,  there  came  a  woman  to  me  in  the  Strand, 
who  had  a  prophecy  concerning  king  Charles's  coming  in,  three  years 
before  he  came ;  and  she  told  me,  she  must  go  to  him  to  declare  it.  I 
advised  her  to  wait  upon  the  Lord,  and  keep  it  to  herself;  for  if  it  should 
be  known  that  she  went  on  such  a  message,  they  would  look  upon  it  to 
be  treason ;  but  she  said,  she  must  go  and  fell  him,  that  he  should  be 
brought  into  England  again.  I  saw  her  prophecy  was  true,  and  that  a 
great  stroke  must  come  upon  those  in  power :  for  they  that  had  then  got 
possession  were  so  exceeding  high,  and  such  great  persecution  was  acted 


5658]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  311 

by  them  who  called  themselves  saints,  that  they  would  take  from  friends 
their  copyhold  lands,  because  they  could  not  swear  in  their  courts. 
Sometimes,  when  we  laid  these  sufferings  before  Oliver  Cromwell,  he 
would  not  believe  it.  Wherefore  Thomas  Aldam  and  Anthony  Pearson 
were  moved  to  go  through  all  the  gaols  in  England,  and  to  get  copies  of 
friends'  commitments  under  the  gaolers'  hands,  that  they  might  lay  the 
weight  of  their  sufferings  upon  Oliver  Cromwell.  And  when  he  refused 
to  give  order  for  the  releasing  of  them,  Thomas  Aldam  was  '  moved  to 
'  take  his  cap  off  his  head,  and  rend  it  in  pieces  before  him,  and  to  say 

*  unto  him,  "  So  shall  thy  government  be  rent  from  thee  and  thy  house." 
'  Another  friend  also,  a  woman,  was  moved  to  go  to  the  parliament,  that 

*  was  envious  against  friends,  with  a  pitcher  in  her  hand,  which  she 

*  broke  into  pieces  before  them,  and  told  them,  "  So  should  they  be 
"  broken  to  pieces :"  which  came  to  pass  shortly  after.  And  in  my  great 
suffering,  and  travail  of  spirit  for  the  nation,  being  grievously  burdened 
with  their  hypocrisy,  treachery,  and  falsehood,  I  saw  God  would  bring 
that  atop  of  them  which  they  had  been  atop  of;  and  that  all  must  be 
brought  down  to  that  which  convinced  them,  before  they  could  get  over 
that  bad  spirit  within  and  without :  for  it  is  the  pure,  invisible  Spirit,  that 
doth  and  only  can  work  down  all  deceit  in  people. 

While  I  was  under  that  sore  travail  at  Reading,  by  reason  of  grief 
and  sorrow  of  mind,  and  the  great  exercise  that  was  upon  my  spirit,  my 
countenance  being  altered,  and  my  body  become  poor  and  thin ;  there 
came  a  company  of  unclean  spirits  to  me,  and  told  me,  '  The  plagues  of 
'  God  were  upon  me.'  I  told  them,  it  was  the  same  spirit  spoke  in  them 
that  said  so  of  Christ,  when  he  was  stricken  and  smitten ;  they  hid  their 
face  from  him.  But  when  I  had  travailed  with  the  witness  of  God, 
which  they  had  quenched,  and  had  got  through  with  it,  over  all  that  hy- 
pocrisy which  the  outside  professors  were  run  into,  and  saw  how  that 
would  be  brought  down,  and  turned  under,  and  that  life  would  rise  over 
it,  I  came  to  have  ease ;  and  the  light,  power,  and  spirit,  shined  over  all. 
And  then,  having  recovered,  my  body  and  face  swelled,  when  I  came 
abroad  into  the  air ;  then  the  bad  spirits  said,  '  I  was  grown  fat ;'  and 
they  envied  at  that  also.  So  I  saw  that  no  condition  nor  state  would 
please  that  spirit  of  theirs :  but  the  Lord  preserved  me  by  his  power  and 
Spirit  through  and  over  all ;  and  in  the  Lord's  power  I  came  to  London 
again. 

Now  was  there  a  great  bustle  about  the  effigy  of  Oliver  Cromwell 
lying  in  state ;  men  standing  and  sounding  with  trumpets  over  his  image, 
after  lie  was  dead.  At  this  my  spirit  was  greatly  grieved,  and  the  Lord, 
I  found,  was  highly  offended.  Then  did  I  write  the  following  lines,  and 
sent  among  them,  to  reprove  their  wickedness,  and  warn  them  to  repent. 

'  O  Friends,  what  are  ye  doing !  What  mean  ye  to  sound  before  an 
image !  Will  not  all  sober  people  think  ye  are  like  mad  people  ?  "  Oh, 
"  how  am  I  grieved  with  your  abominations !  Oh,  how  am  I  wearied ! 
"  My  soul  is  wearied  with  you,  saith  the  Lord ;  will  I  not  be  avenged  of 
"  you,  think  ye,  for  your  abominations  1"  O  how  have  ye  plucked  down 
'  and  set  up !     O  how  are  your  hearts  made  whole,  and  not  rent  I    How 

*  are  ye  turned  to  fooleries,  which  in  times  past  ye  stood  over.     How 

*  have  ye  lost  ray  dread,  saith  the  Lord !     O  therefore  fear  and  repent, 

*  lest  the  snare  and  the  pit  take  you  all !     The  great  day  of  the  Lord  is 

*  come  upon  your  abominations :  the  swift  hand  of  the  Lord  is  turned 


312  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  tI65» 

*  against  them  all.     The  sober  people  in  these  nations  stand  amazed  at 

*  your  doings,  and  are  ashamed,  as  if  ye  would  bring  in  popery. 

'  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  great  stirs  were  in  the  nation,  the  minds  of  people 
being  unsettled.  Much  plotting  and  contriving  there  was  by  the  several 
factions,  to  carry  on  their  several  interests.  And  a  great  care  being  upon 
me,  lest  any  young  or  raw  people,  that  might  sometimes  come  amongst 
us,  should  be  drawn  into  that  snare,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  fol- 
lowing epistle,  as  a  warning  to  such : 

'  All  friends  every  where,  keep  out  of  plots  and  bustling,  and  the  arm 
of  flesh ;  for  all  these  are  amongst  Adam's  sons  in  the  fall,  where  they 
are  destroying  men's  lives  Hke  dogs,  beasts,  and  swine,  goring,  rending^ 
and  biting  one  another,  destroying  one  another,  and  wrestling  with  flesh 
and  blood.  From  whence  arise  wars  and  killing,  but  from  the  lusts  ? 
Now  all  this  is  in  Adam  in  the  fall,  out  of  Adam  that  never  fell,  in  whom 
there  is  peace  and  life.  Ye  are  called  to  peace,  therefore  follow  it ;  that 
peace  is  in  Christ,  not  in  Adam  in  the  fall.  All  that  pretend  to  fight  for 
Christ,  are  deceived ;  for  liis  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,  therefore  his 
servants  do  not  fight.  Fighters  are  not  of  Christ's  kingdom,  but  are 
without  Christ's  kingdom :  for  his  kingdom  stands  in  peace  and  right- 
eousness, but  fighters  are  in  the  lust :  and  all  that  would  destroy  men's 
lives  are  not  of  Christ's  mind,  who  came  to  save  men's  lives.  Christ's 
kingdom  is  not  of  this  world ;  it  is  peaceable :  and  all  that  are  in  strife, 
are  not  of  his  kingdom.  All  that  pretend  to  fight  for  the  gospel,  are 
deceived :  for  the  gospel  is  the  power  of  God,  which  was  before  the 
devil,  or  fall  of  man  was :  and  the  gospel  of  peace  was  before  fighting 
was.  Therefore  they  that  pretend  fighting,  and  talk  of  fighting  so,  are 
ignorant  of  the  gospel.  All  that  talk  of  fighting  for  Sion,  are  in  dark- 
ness :  Sion  needs  no  such  helpers.  All  such  as  profess  themselves  min- 
isters of  Christ,  or  christians,  and  go  about  to  beat  down  the  whore 
with  outward,  carnal  weapons,  the  flesh  and  the  whore  are  got  up  in 
themselves,  and  they  are  in  a  blind  zeal :  for  the  whore  got  up  by  the 
inward  ravening  from  the  Spirit  of  God ;  and  the  beating  down  of  the 
whore  must  be  by  the  inward  stroke  of  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  within. 
All  such  as  pretend  Christ  Jesus,  and  confess  him,  yet  run  into  the  use 
of  carnal  weapons,  wrestling  with  flesh  and  blood,  throw  away  the 
spiritual  weapons.  They  that  would  be  wrestlers  with  flesh  and  blood, 
throw  away  Christ's  doctrine ;  the  flesh  is  got  upon  them,  and  they  are 
weary  of  their  sufferings.  Such  as  would  revenge  themselves,  are  out 
of  Christ's  doctrine.  Such  as  being  stricken  on  one  cheek,  would  not 
turn  the  other,  are  out  of  Christ's  doctrine.  Such  as  do  not  love  one 
another,  nor  love  enemies,  are  out  of  Christ's  doctrine.  Therefore  ye, 
that  are  heirs  of  the  blessings  of  God,  which  were  before  the  curse  and 
the  fall  was,  come  to  inherit  your  portions :  and  ye  that  are  heirs  of  the 
gospel  of  peace,  which  was  before  the  devil  was,  live  in  the  gospel  of 
peace,  seeking  the  peace  and  good  of  all  men :  and  live  in  Christ,  who 
came  to  save  men's  lives,  out  of  Adam  in  the  fall,  where  they  destroy 
men's  lives,  and  live  not  in  Christ.  The  Jews'  sword  outwardly, 
by  which  they  cut  down  the  heathen,  was  a  type  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
within,  which  cuts  down  the  heathenish  nature  within.  So  live  in 
the  peaceable  kingdom  of  Christ  Jesus.  Live  in  the  peace  of  God, 
and  not  in  the  lusts,  from  whence  wars  arise.  Live  in  Christ,  the  prince 


1659]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  313 

*  of  peace,  the  way  of  God,  the  second  Adam  that  never  fell.     Live  not 

*  in  Adam  in  the  fall,  in  the  destruction,  where  they  destroy  one  another. 

*  Come  out  of  Adam  in  the  fall,  into  the  second  Adam  that  never  fell. 

*  Live  in  love  and  peace  with  all  men ;  keep  out  of  all  the  bustlings  in  the 

*  world ;  meddle  not  with  the  powers  of  the  earth ;  but  mind  the  king- 
'  dom,  the  way  of  peace.     Ye  that  are  heirs  of  grace,  heirs  of  the  king- 

*  dom,  heirs  of  the  gospel,  heirs  of  salvation,  saints  of  the  Most  High,  and 

*  children  of  God,  whose  conversation  is  in  heaven,  that  is  above  the 

*  combustions  of  the  earth ;  let  your  conversation  preach  to  all  men,  and 
'  your  innocent  lives,  that  those  who  speak  evil  of  you,  beholding  your 
'  godly  conversation,  may  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 
'  Friends  every  where,  this  1  charge  you,  which  is  the  word  of  the  Lord 
'  God  unto  you  all,  "  Live  in  peace,  in  Christ  the  way  of  peace ;"  there- 
'  in  seek  the  peace  of  all  men,  and  no  man's  hurt.  In  Adam  in  the  fall 
'  is  no  peace ;  but  in  Adam  out  of  the  fall  is  the  peace.  So  ye  being  in 
'  Adam  which  never  fell,  it  is  love  that  overcomes,  not  hatred  with  ha- 

*  tred,  nor  strife  with  strife.  Therefore  live  all  in  the  peaceable  hfe, 
'  doing  good  to  all  men,  and  seeking  the  good  and  welfare  of  all  men. 

'  G.  F.' 

Not  long  after  this,  George  Booth  rose  in  arms  in  Cheshire,  and  Lam- 
bert went  against  him.  At  which  time  some  foolish  rash  spirits,  that 
came  sometimes  amongst  us,  were  ready  to  have  taken  up  arms ;  but  I 
was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  warn  and  forbid  them,  and  they  were  quiet. 
Li  the  time  of  the  committee  of  safety  (so  called)  we  were  invited  by 
them  to  take  up  arms,  and  great  places  and  commands  were  offered 
some  of  us;  but  we  denied  them  all,  and  declared  against  it  both  by 
word  and  writing ;  testifying,  that  our  weapons  and  armour  were  not 
carnal,  but  spiritual.  And  lest  any  that  came  amongst  us,  should  be 
drawn  into  that  snare,  it  came  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  write  a  few 
lines  on  that  occasion,  and  send  them  forth,  as  a  caution  to  all  amongst 
us.     Of  which  this  is  a  copy : 

'  All  friends  every  where,  take  heed  to  keep  out  of  the  powers  of  the 
'  earth,  that  run  into  wars  and  fightings,  which  make  not  for  peace,  but 

*  go  from  that ;  such  will  not  have  the  kingdom.  And  friends,  take  heed 
'  of  joining  with  this  or  the  other,  or  meddling  with  any,  or  being  busy 
'  with  other  men's  matters ;  but  mind  the  Lord,  his  power,  ;^d  his  ser- 
'  vice.  Let  friends  keep  out  of  other  men's  matters,  and  keep  in  that 
'  which  answers  the  witness  in  them  all,  out  of  the  man's  matters  part, 

*  where  they  must  expect  wars,  and  the  dishonour.  Friends  every 
'  where,  dwell  in  your  own,  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  to  keep  your 
'  minds  up  to  God,  from  falling  down  to  the  strength  of  Egypt,  or  going 
'  thither  for  strength,  after  ye  are  come  out  of  it,  like  the  children  of 
'  Israel,  after  they  were  come  out  of  outward  Egypt.  But  dwell  in  the 
'  power  of  the  Lord  God,  that  ye  may  keep  over  all  the  powers  of  the 
'  earth,  amongst  whom  the  just  hand  of  God  is  come :  for  they  have 
'  turned  against  the  just,  and  disobeyed  the  just  in  their  own  particulars, 

*  and  so  gone  on  in  one  against  the  just ;  therefore  the  just  sets  them  one 

*  against  another.     Now  he  that  goes  to  help  among  them,  is  from*the 

*  just  in  himself,  in  the  mad  and  unstayed  state,  and  doth  not  know  bv 
'  the  All-seeing  eye  (that  beholdeth)  him  that  recompenseth  and  reward' 

'  eth,  and  lives  not  in  the  hand,  in  the  power  that  mangles  and  overturns, 

*  which  vexeth  the  transgressors,  that  come  to  be  blind  and  zealous  for 

2P 


314  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [U59 

'  they  do  not  know  what.  Therefore  keep  in  peace,  and  in  the  love  and 
'  power  of  God,  and  in  unity  and  love  one  to  another,  lest  any  go  out, 
'  and  fall  with  the  uncircumcised :  that  is,  they  that  are  from  the  Spirit  in 
'  themselves,  and  they  that  go  from  it,  go  into  the  pit  together.  There- 
'  fore  stand  in  that  (it  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  God  to  you  all)  in  the 
'  fear  and  dread  of  the  Lord  God,  his  power,  Hfe,  light,  seed  and  wis- 
dom, by  which  ye  may  take  away  the  occasion  of  wars,  and  so  know 
'  a  kingdom  which  hath  no  end,  and  fight  for  that  with  spiritual  weapons, 
'  which  takes  away  the  occasion  of  the  carnal :  and  there  gather  men  to 
'  war,  as  many  as  ye  can,  and  set  up  as  many  as  ye  can  with  these 
'  weapons.  G.  F.' 

After  I  had  staid  some  time  in  London,  and  had  visited  friends'  meet- 
ings there  and  thereabouts,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  set  over  all,  I 
travelled  into  the  counties  again,  passing  through  Suffolk,  Essex,  and 
Norfolk,  visiting  friends,  till  I  came  to  Norwich,  where  we  had  a  meet- 
ing about  the  time  called  Christmas.     The  mayor  of  Norwich,  having 
got  notice  beforehand  of  the  meeting  I  intended  to  have  there,  granted 
a  warrant  to  apprehend  me.     Wherefore  when  I  was  come  thither,  and 
heard  of  the  warrant,  I  sent  some  friends  to  the  mayor  to  reason  with 
him  about  it.    His  answer  was,  the  soldiers  should  not  meet ;  and  did  we 
think  to  meet  1     he  would  have  had  us  met  without  the  city :  for  he 
said,  the  town's-people  were  so  rude,  that  he  could  hardly  order  them, 
and  he  feared  that  our  meeting  would  make  tumults  in  the  town.     But 
our  friends  told  him,  we  were  a  peaceable  people,  and  that  he  ought  to 
keep  the  peace ;  for  we  could  not  but  meet  to  worship  God,  as  our  man- 
ner was.     So  he  became  pretty  moderate,  and  did  not  send  his  officers 
to  the  meeting.     A  large  meeting  it  was,  and  abundance  of  rude  people 
came,  with  intent  to  have  done  mischief:  but  the  Lord's  power  came 
over  them,  so  that  they  were  chained  by  it,  though  several  priests  were 
there,  and  professors,  and  Ranters.     Among  the  priests,  one,  whose  name 
was  Townsend,  stood  up  and  cried.  Error,  blasphemy,  and  an  ungodly 
meeting !  I  bad  him  not  burden  himself  with  that  which  he  could  not 
make  good;  and  I  asked  him,  what  was  our  error  and  blasphemy?    for 
I  told  him,  he  should  make  good  his  words,  before  I  had  done  with  him, 
or  be  shamed.     As  for  an  ungodly  meeting,  I  said,  I  did  believe  there 
were  manyi-people  there  that  feared  God,  and  therefore  it  was  both  un- 
christian and  uncivil  in  him,  to  charge  civil  godly  people  with  an  ungod- 
ly meeting.     He  said,  my  error  and  blasphemy  was,  in  that  I  said,  peo- 
ple must  wait  on  God  by  his  power  and  Spirit,  and  feel  his  presence 
when  they  did  not  speak  words :  I  asked  him  then.  Whether  the  apostles 
and  holy  men  of  God  did  not  hear  God  speak  to  them  in  their  silence, 
before  they  spake  forth  the  Scripture,  and  before  it  was  written  ?     He 
replied,  Yes :  David  and  the  prophets  did  hear  God,  before  they  did  pen 
the  Scriptures,  and  felt  his  presence  in  silence,  before  they  spake  them 
forth.     Then  said  I,  All  people  take  notice,  he  said  this  was  error  and 
blasphemy  in  me  to  say  these  words ;  and  now  he  hath  confessed  it  is  no 
more  than  the  holy  men  of  God  in  former  times  witnessed.     So  I  shew- 
ed the  people,  that  as  the  holy  men  of  God,  who  gave  forth  the  Scrip- 
tures, were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  did  hear  and  learn  of  God,  be- 
fore they  spake  them  forth,  so  must  they  all  hearken  and  hear  what  the 
Spirit  saith,  which  will  lead  them  into  all  truth,  that  they  may  know 
God  and  Christ,  and  may  understand  the  Scriptures.     O,  said  the  priest, 


IK9]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  315 

this  is  not  that  George  Fox  I  would  speak  withal ;  this  is  a  subtil  man, 
said  he.  So  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  the  rude  people  were 
moderate,  and  were  reached  by  it ;  and  some  professors  called  to  the 
priests,    saying,   'Prove   the   blasphemy   and    errors,   which   ye   have 

*  charged  them  with :  ye  have  spoken  much  against  them  behind  their 
'  backs,  but  nothing  ye  can  prove  now  to  their  faces.'  But  the  priest 
began  to  get  away:  whereupon  I  told  him,  we  had  many  things  to 
charge  him  withal,  therefore  let  him  set  a  time  and  place  to  answer 
them ;  which  he  did  and  went  his  way.  A  glorious  day  this  was :  for 
truth  came  over  all,  and  people  were  turned  to  God  by  his  power  and 
Spirit,  and  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  free  teacher,  who  was  exalted 
over  all.  And  as  we  passed  away,  generally  people's  hearts  were  filled 
with  love  towards  us ;  yea,  the  ruder  sort  of  them  desired  another  meet- 
ing ;  for  the  evil  intentions  they  had  against  us  were  thrown  out  of  their 
hearts.  At  night  I  passed  out  of  town  to  a  friend's  house,  and  from 
thence  to  colonel  Dennis's,  where  we  had  a  great  meeting  :  and  after- 
wards travelled  on,  visiting  friends  up  and  down  in  Norfolk,  Hunting- 
tonshire,  and  Cambridgeshire.  But  George  Whitehead,  and  Richard 
Hubberthorn  staid  about  Norwich,  to  meet  the  priest,  who  was  soon 
confounded  and  down,  the  Lord's  power  came  so  over  him. 

After  I  had  travelled  through  many  counties  in  the  Lord's  service, 
and  many  were  convinced,  notwithstanding  that  in  some  places  the 
people  were  very  rude,  I  returned  to  London  again,  when  general 
Monk  was  come  up  thither,  and  the  gates  and  posts  of  the  city  were 
pulling  down.  '  Long  before  this  I  had  a  vision,  wherein  I  saw  the  city 
'  lie  in  heaps,  and  the  gates  down ;  and  it  was  then  represented  to  me, 
'  just  as  I  saw  it  several  years  after,  lying  in  heaps  when  it  was  burned.' 

Divers  times  had  I,  both  by  word  and  writing,  forewarned  the  several 
powers,  both  in  Oliver's  time  and  after,  of  the  day  of  recompense  that 
was  coming  upon  them :  but  they  rejecting  counsel,  and  slighting  those 
visitations  of  love  to  them,  I  was  moved  now,  before  they  were  quite 
overturned,  to  lay  their  backsliding,  hypocrisy,  and  treacherous  dealing 
before  them,  thus : 

'  Friends,  Now  are  the  prophecies  fulfilled  and  fulfilling  upon  you, 
'  which  have  been  spoken  to  you  by  the  people  of  God  in  your  courts,  in 

*  your  steeple-houses,  in  your  towns,  cities,  markets,  highways,  and  at 

*  your  feasts,  when  ye  were  in  your  pleasures,  and  puffed  up,  that  ye 

*  would  neither  hear  God  nor  man ;  when  ye  were  in  your  height  of  au- 

*  thority,  though  raised  up  from  a  mean  state,  none  might  come  nigh  you 

*  without  bowing,  or  the  respect  of  persons,  for  ye  were  in  the  world's 

*  way,  compliments  and  fashions,  which  for  conscience  sake  towards 

*  God,  they  could  not  go  into,  being  redeemed  therefrom :  therefore  they 
'  were  hated  by  you  for  that  cause.  But  how  are  ye  brought  low,  who 
'  exalted  yourselves  above  your  brethren,  and  threw  the  just  and  harm- 

*  less  from  among  you,  until  at  last  God  hath  thrown  you  out :  and  when 

*  ye  cast  the  innocent  from  amongst  you,  then  ye  fell  a  biting  one  another, 
'  until  ye  were  consumed  one  of  another.     And  so  the  day  is  come  upon 

*  you,  which  before  was  told  to  you,  though  ye  would  not  believe  it.  And 

*  are  not  your  hearts  so  hardened,  that  ye  will  hardly  yet  believe,  though 

*  ready  to  go  into  captivity  ?  was  it  not  told  you,  when  ye  spilt  the  blood 

*  of  the  innocent  in  your  steeple-houses,  in  your  markets,  in  your  high- 

*  ways  and  cities,  yea,  and  even  in  your  courts  also,  because  they  said 


316  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1659 

'  the  word  Thou  to  you,  and  could  not  put  olT  their  hats  to  you,  "  That 
"  if  something  did  not  rise  up  amongst  yourselves,  to  avenge  the  blood 
"  of  the  innocent,  there  would  come  something  from  beyond  the  seas, 
"  which  lay  reserved  there ;  which  being  brought  by  the  arm  of  God,  the 
"  arm  of  flesh  and  strongest  mountain  cannot  withstand  ? "  Yet  ye  would 

*  not  consider,  nor  regard,  nor  hear ;  but  cried,  peace,  peace,  and  feasted 
'  yourselves,  and  sat  down  in  the  spoil  of  your  enemies,  being  treacher- 
'  ous  both  to  God  and  man ;  and  who  will  trust  you  now  1  have  ye  not 

*  taken  covenants  and  oaths  1  and  broken  covenants  and  oaths  betwixt 
'  God  and  man,  and  made  the  nations  breakers  both  of  covenants  and 
'  oaths ;  so  that  nothing  but  hypocrisy,  and  rottenness,  and  falsehood  un- 

*  der  fair  pretence,  was  amongst  you  1  When  ye  pretended  to  set  up  the 
'  old  cause,  it  was  but  yourselves ;  for  which  ye  long  stunk  to  sober  peo- 
'  pie,  who  saw  that  ye  would  do  no  good.     But  it  was  a  joy  for  any  of 

*  you  to  get  up  into  authority,  that  ye  might  have  praise,  and  honour,  and 
'  respect ;  and  they  that  were  in  the  self-denial  were  a  derision  to  you ; 
'  from  amongst  whom  that  was  banished.  Thus  ye  became  the  nation's 
'  masters,  and  not  servants :  whereas  the  greatest  of  all  should  be  the  ser- 
'  vants  of  all.  But  there  ye  lost  your  authority,  not  considering  your  es- 
'  tates,  from  whence  ye  were,  and  to  what  end  God  had  raised  you  up ; 

*  but  forgot  the  Lord,  and  quenched  that  which  was  good  in  yourselves, 
'  and  persecuted  them  that  hved  in  it :  and  so  are  grown  so  gross  and 
'  perverse,  that  at  last  ye  are  fit  for  neither  God  nor  man.  Have  not  ye 
'  used  to  call  the  Quakers  the  fanatic  people,  and  the  giddy  heads  1  but 
'  whither  now  are  ye  giddying  1  into  Cain's  city  Nod,  which  signifies  fu- 
'  gitive,  or  wandering  ?  Have  not  ye  persecuted  and  imprisoned  to  death, 
'  such  as  God  had  respect  to,  and  is  now  reproving  you  for  their  sakes, 
'  by  them  whom  ye  have  hated  ?  Were  not  many  amongst  you  cut  otf 
'  for  your  persecution,  and  yet  the  rest  of  you  would  not  take  warning  ? 
'  Was  not  there  a  book  of  examples  set  out  unto  you,  of  what  sudden 
'  and  strange  deaths  happened  upon  the  persecutors  of  the  innocent  1  and 
'  yet  ye  would  not  take  warning,  until  the  overflowing  scourge  is  now 
'  coming  upon  you.  Are  not  ye  they  that  have  killed  like  Cain,  who  have 
'  killed  about  your  sacrifice,  and  mingled  the  blood  of  the  innocent  with 
'  it  ?  Hath  not  God  now  vagabonded  you,  that  ye  should  become  a  curse 
'  upon  the  earth,  who  have  persecuted  friends  to  death  1  Did  not  the  blood 

*  of  the  righteous  cry  out  of  the  ground  for  vengeance  ?  And  will  not  the 
'  blood  of  the  righteous  be  required  ?  Could  ye  think,  that  the  Lord  would 
'  sit  always  with  bloody  hands,  and  fists  of  wickedness  ?  Ah  !  What's 
'  become  of  all  your  feasts  and  your  fasts,  the  prayers  and  blessings  of 
'  your  priests  1  G.  F.' 

Being  now  clear  of  the  city,  and  finding  my  spirit  drawn  to  visit  friends 
in  the  western  parts  of  England,  I  went  out  of  town;  and  passing  first 
into  Surry  and  Sussex,  came  to  a  great  toAvn,  where  there  was  a  large 
meeting,  to  which  several  friends  from  Reading  came;  and  a  blessed 
meeting  it  was.  The  priest  of  the  town  was  in  a  great  rage,  but  did  not 
come  out  of  his  house,  wherefore,  hearing  him  make  a  great  noise  in  his 
house,  as  we  were  passing  from  the  meeting,  we  bid  him  come  out  intO' 

1  1 

the  street,  and  we  would  discourse  with  him ;  but  ho  would  not.  So  the 
Lord's  power  being  over  all,  friends  were  refreshed  therein.  From 
thence  I  went  to  another  market-town,  where  in  the  evening  we  had  a 
precious  meeting ;  and  the  fresh  sense  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord  God 


1659]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  317 

was  sweetly  felt  amongst  us.  Then  turning  into  Hampshire  and  Dorset- 
shire, I  went  to  Ringwood  and  Pool,  visiting  friends  in  the  Lord's  power, 
and  had  great  meetings  amongst  them. 

At  Dorchester  we  had  a  great  meeting  in  the  evening  at  our  inn,  to 
which  many  soldiers  came,  and  were  pretty  civil.  But  the  constables 
and  officers  of  the  town  came,  under  pretence  to  look  for  a  Jesuit,  whose 
head,  they  said,  was  shaved :  and  they  would  have  all  to  put  oif  their 
hats,  or  else  they  would  take  them  off,  to  look  for  the  Jesuit's  shaven 
crown.  So  they  took  oft"  my  hat,  for  I  was  the  man  they  aimed  at,  and 
they  looked  very  narrowly ;  but  not  finding  any  bald  or  shaven  place  on 
my  head,  they  went  away  with  shame ;  and  the  soldiers,  and  other  sober 
people  were  greatly  ofiended  with  them.  But  it  was  of  good  service  for 
the  Lord,  and  all  things  wrought  together  for  good;  for  it  affected  the 
people :  and  after  the  officers  were  gone,  we  had  a  fine  meeting ;  and 
people  were  turned  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher,  who  had 
bought  them,  and  would  reconcile  them  to  God. 

From  thence  we  passed  into  Somersetshire,  where  the  Presbyterians 
and  other  professors  were  very  wicked,  and  often  disturbed  friends'  meet- 
ings. '  One  time  especially,  as  we  were  then  informed,  a  very  wicked 
'  man  put  a  bear's  skin  on  his  back,  and  undertook  with  that  to  play 
'  pranks  in  the  meeting.  Accordingly,  setting  himself  opposite  to  the 
'  friend  that  was  speaking,  he  lolled  his  tongue  out  of  his  mouth,  and 
'  made  sport  to  his  wicked  followers,  causing  great  disturbance  in  the 
'  meeting.  But  an  eminent  judgment  overtook  him,  and  his  punishment 
'  slumbered  not ;  for  as  he  went  from  the  meeting  there  was  a  bull- 
'  baiting  in  the  way,  which  he  stayed  to  see ;  and  coming  within  the 

*  bull's  reach,  he  struck  his  horn  under  the  man's  chin  into  his  throat, 
'  and  thrust  his  tongue  out  of  his  mouth,  so  that  it  hung  lolling  out,  as  he 
'  had  used  it  before  in  derision  in  the  meeting.     And  the  bull's  horn  run- 

*  ning  up  into  the  man's  head,  he  swung  him  about  upon  his  horn  in  a 
'  most  remarkable  and  fearful  manner.  Thus  he  that  came  to  do  mis- 
'  chief  amongst  God's  people  was  mischieved  himself;  and  well  w^ould 
'  it  be  if  such  apparent  examples  of  divine  vengeance  would  teach  others 
'  to  beware.' 

We  travelled  through  Somersetshire  and  Devonshire,  till  we  came  to 
Plymouth,  and  so  into  Cornwall,  visiting  the  meetings  of  friends,  to  the 
Land's-end.  Many  precious  and  blessed  meetings  we  had  all  along  as 
we  went,  wherein  the  convinced  w^ere  established,  and  many  others  were 
added  to  them.  At  the  Land's-end  an  honest  fisherman  was  convinced, 
who  became  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ.  I  took  notice  of  him  to  friends, 
telling  them,  '  He  was  like  Peter.' 

While  I  was  in  Cornwall,  there  were  great  shipw^recks  about  the 
Land's-end.  It  was  the  custom  of  that  country  at  such  a  time,  both  rich 
and  poor  went  out  to  get  as  much  of  the  wreck  as  they  could,  not  caring 
to  save  the  people's  lives ;  and  in  some  parts  of  the  country  they  called 
shipwrecks  God's  grace.  It  grieved  my  spirit  to  hear  of  such  unchris- 
tian actions,  considering  how  far  they  were  below  the  heathen  at  Melita, 
who  received  Paul,  made  him  a  fire,  and»were  courteous  towards  him, 
and  those  that  sufilered  shipwreck  with  him.  Wherefore  I  was  moved 
to  write  a  paper,  and  send  it  to  all  tlie  parishes,  priests,  and  magistrates, 
to  reprove  them  for  such  greedy  actions,  and  to  warn  and  exhort  them 
that,  if  they  could  assist  to  save  people's  lives  and  preserve  their  ships 
and  goods,  they  should  use  their  diligence  therein ;  and  consider,  if  it  had 


318  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1659 

been  their  own  condition,  they  would  judge  it  hard,  if  they  should  be 
upon  a  wreck  and  the  people  should  strive  to  get  what  they  could  from 
them,  and  not  regard  their  lives. 

*  Friends  and  people, 
'  Take  heed  of  greediness  and  covetousness,  for  that  is  idolatry ;  and 

*  the  idolater  must  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Take  heed  of 
'  drunkenness,  oaths,  and  cursings,  for  such  are  destroyers  of  the  crea- 

*  tion,  and  make  it  to  groan.     Lay  aside  all  fighting,  quarrelling,  brawl- 

*  ing,  and  evil-speaking,  which  are  the  works  of  the  flesh  and  not  of  the 
'  Spirit,  for  who  follow  such  things  are  not  like  to  inherit  the  kingdom  of 

*  God.  Put  away  all  corrupt  words,  which  are  unsavoury,  and  misnam- 
'  ing  one  another,  for  ye  must  give  an  account  for  every  idle  word.  Lay 
'  aside  all  profession  and  religion  that  is  vain,  and  come  to  the  possession, 

*  the  pure  religion,  which  is  to  visit  the  fatherless,  the  widow,  and  the 

*  stranger,  and  receive  them,  for  some  thereby  may  entertain  angels  or 
'  the  servants  of  the  Lord  unawares,  as  Paul  was  entertained  after  the 

*  shipwreck  at  Melita.     Do  not  take  people's  goods  from  them  by  force 

*  out  of  their  ships,  seamen's  or  others,  neither  covet  after  them ;  but 
'  rather  endeavour  to  preserve  their  lives  and  goods  for  them,  for  that 

*  shews  a  spirit  of  compassion,  and  the  spirit  of  a  christian.     But  if  ye 

*  be  greedy  and  covetous  after  other  men's  goods,  not  mattering  what 
'  becomes  of  the  men,  would  ye  be  served  so  yourselves?  If  ye  should 
'  have  a  ship  cast  away  in  other  places,  and  the  people  should  come  to 
'  tear  the  goods  and  ship  in  pieces,  not  regarding  to  save  your  lives,  but 
'  be  ready  to  fight  one  with  another  for  your  goods,  do  not  ye  believe 

*  such  goods  would  become  a  curse  to  them  1  May  ye  not  as  surely  be- 
'  lieve  such  kind  of  actions  will  become  a  curse  to  you  1  When  the  spoil 
'  of  one  ship's  goods  is  idly  spent  and  consumed  upon  the  lusts  in  ale- 
'  houses,  taverns,  and  otherwise,  then  ye  gape  for  another.  Is  this  to 
"  do  as  ye  would  be  done  by ;"  which  is  the  law  and  the  prophets  ?  Priest 
'  Hull,  are  these  thy  fruits  ?  What  dost  thou  take  people's  labour  and 
'  goods  for  ?  Hast  thou  taught  the  people  no  better  manners  and  conver- 
'sation,  who  are  so  brutish  and  heathenish?  All  such  things  we  judge  in 
'  whomsoever.  But  if  any  friend  or  others  preserve  men's  lives,  and 
'  endeavour  to  save  their  goods  and  estates,  and  restore  what  they  can 
'  save  of  a  wreck  to  the  owners,  if  they  consider  them  for  their  labour, 
'  doing  in  that  case  unto  them  what  they  would  have  done  to  themselves, 
'  that  we  approve.  And  if  they  buy  or  sell,  and  do  not  make  a  prey, 
'  that  is  allowed  of  still  in  the  way  of  "  doing  as  ye  would  be  done  by," 
'  keeping  to  the  law  and  to  the  prophets.  If  you  should  be  wrecked  in  an- 
'  other  country,  ye  would  have  other  people  save  your  lives  and  goods, 

*  and  have  your  goods  restored  to  you  again,  and  you  ought  to  consider 
'  them  for  so  doing.     All  that  do  otherwise,  who  wait  for  a  wreck  and 

*  take  the  goods  for  yourselves,  not  regarding  the  lives  of  the  men,  but 

*  if  any  escape  drowning  turn  them  a  begging  up  and  down  the  country, 
'  and  if  any  escape  with  a  little  rob  them  of  it,  all  that  do  so  are  not  for 

*  preserving  the  creation,  but  destroying  it :  and  those  goods  which  are 

*  so  got  shall  be  a  curse,  a  plague,  and  a  judgment  to  them,  and  the  judg- 

*  ments  of  God  will  follow  them  for  acting  such  things ;  the  witness  in 
'  your  consciences  shall  answer  it.  Therefore,  all  ye  who  have  done 
'  such  things,  "  do  so  no  more,"  lest  a  worse  thing  come  unto  you.     But 

*  that  which  is  good,  do :  preserve  men's  lives  and  estates,  and  labour  to 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  319 

*  restore  the  loss  and  breach :  that  the  Lord  requires.  Be  not  like  a  com- 
'  pany  of  greedy  dogs,  and  worse  than  heathens,  as  if  ye  had  never 

*  heard  of  God,  nor  Christ,  nor  the  scriptures,  nor  pure  rehgion.     And 

*  priest  Hull,  have  people  spent  their  money  upon  thee  for  that  which  is 
'  no  bread?  for  a  thing  of  nought,  that  thou  hast  such  fruits'?    All  such 

*  teachers,  that  make  a  trade  of  the  scriptures,  which  are  given  forth 

*  from  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  be  believed,  read,  and  practised,  and  Christy 

*  whom  they  testify  of,  enjoyed,  we  utterly  deny ;  who  own  Christ,  and 
'  are  come  off  from  your  steeple-houses,  which  were  the  old  mass-houses ; 

*  for  there  are  these  bad  fruits  harboured,  those  are  the  cages  of  them, 

*  But  come  to  the  church  which  is  in  God,  1  Thess.  i.  and  come  all  to 
'  the  light  which  Christ  Jesus  hath  enlightened  you  with,  which  shews 

*  you  all  your  ungodly  words,  ungodly  thoughts,  and  ungodly  actions. 

*  This  will  be  your  teacher  if  ye  love  it,  your  condemnor  if  ye  hate  it. 

*  For  the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  is  coming  upon  all  wickedness  and  un- 

*  godliness;  therefore  lay  aside  your  whoredoms  and  fornications.     And 

*  ye  magistrates,  who  are  to  do  justice,  think  ye  not  that  the  hand  of  the 

*  Lord  is  against  you,  and  that  his  judgments  will  come  upon  you  who 

*  do  not  look  after  these  things,  and  stop  them  with  the  law,  which  is, 
"  To  do  unto  all  men  as  they  would  have  done  unto  them,"  whereby  ye 

*  might  be  a  good  savour  in  your  country  1  Is  not  the  law  to  preserve 
'  men's  lives  and  estates,  "  Doing  unto  all  men  as  they  would  men  should 
"  do  unto  them  1"  For  all  men  would  have  their  lives  and  estates  pre- 

*  served ;  therefore,  should  not  ye  preserve  others,  and  not  suffer  them 
'  to  be  devoured  and  destroyed  1  The  evil  of  these  things  will  lie  upon 

*  you,  both  priests  and  magistrates.  G.  F.' 

POSTSCRIPT. 

'  All  dear  friends  who  fear  the  Lord  God,  keep  out  of  the  ravenous 
'  world's  spirit,  which  leads  to  raven  and  destroy,  and  is  out  of  the  wis- 

*  dom  of  God.  When  ships  are  wrecked,  do  not  run  to  destroy  and  make 
'  havock  of  ship  and  goods  with  the  world ;  but  run  to  save  the  men,  and 
'  the  goods  for  them :  and  so  deny  yourselves,  and  do  unto  them  as  ye 
'  would  they  should  do  unto  you.  G.  F.' 

This  paper  had  good  service  among  people :  and  friends  have  endea- 
vored much  to  save  the  lives  of  men  in  time  of  wrecks,  and  to  preserve 
the  ships  and  goods  for  them.  And  when  some,  who  suffered  shipwreck, 
have  been  almost  dead  and  starved,  friends  have  taken  them  to  their 
houses  to  succour  and  recover  them,  which  is  an  act  to  be  practised  by 
all  true  christians. 

I  had  many  precious,  blessed,  living  meetings  in  Cornwall,  several 
eminent  people  being  convinced  in  that  county,  whom  neither  priests  nor 
magistrates,  by  spoiling  goods  or  imprisonments,  could  bring  to  forsake 
their  shepherd,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  bought  them ;  and  friends  who 
were  turned  to  Christ,  their  Teacher  and  Saviour,  being  settled  in  peace 
and  quietness  upon  him,  their  Foundation,  we  left  them  to  the  Lord's 
teaching  and  ordering,  fresh  and  green.  Thomas  Lower,  who  had  ac- 
companied me  through  that  county,  brought  me  over  Horse-bridge  into 
Devonshire  again ;  and  after  several  meetings  in  Devonshire  we  came 
to  Somersetshire,  where  we  had  divers  large  and  peaceable  meetings, 
and  visited  friends  till  we  came  to  Bristol. 

I  entered  Bristol  on  a  seventh-day.    The  day  before  the  soldiers  came 


320  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1680 

into  the  meeting,  and  were  exceeding  rude,  beating  and  striking  friends 
with  their  muskets,  and  drove  them  out  of  the  orchard  in  a  great  rage, 
threatening  what  they  would  do  if  they  came  there  again.  For  the  mayor 
and  the  commander  of  the  soldiers  had,  it  seems,  combined  together  to 
make  a  disturbance  amongst  us.  When  friends  told  me  what  a  rage 
there  was  in  the  town,  how  they  were  threatened  by  the  mayor  and  sol- 
diers, and  how  unruly  they  had  been  the  day  before,  I  sent  for  George 
Bishop,  Thomas  Gouldney,  Thomas  Speed,  and  Edward  Pyot,  and  de- 
sired them  to  go  to  the  mayor  and  aldermen,  and  request  them,  seeing 
they  had  broke  up  our  meetings,  to  let  us  have  the  town-hall  to  meet  in ; 
and  for  the  use  of  it  we  would  give  them  twenty  pounds  a  year,  to  be 
distributed  amongst  the  poor :  and  when  the  mayor  and  aldermen  had 
business  to  do  in  it,  friends  would  not  meet  in  it,  but  only  on  the  first- 
days.  Those  friends  were  astonished  at  this,  and  said.  The  mayor  and 
aldermen  would  think  they  were  mad.  I  said.  Nay;  for  they  should 
offer  them  a  considerable  benefit  to  the  poor.  And  it  was  upon  me  from 
the  Lord  to  bid  them  go.  At  last  they  consented,  and  went,  though  in 
the  cross  to  their  own  wills.  When  they  had  laid  the  thing  before  the 
mayor,  it  came  so  over  him,  that  he  said,  '  For  his  part  he  could  consent 

*  to  it,  but  he  was  but  one.'  He  told  them  of  another  great  hall  they 
might  have,  but  that  they  did  not  accept  of,  it  being  inconvenient.  So 
they  came  away,  leaving  the  mayor  in  a  very  loving  frame  towards 
them ;  for  they  felt  the  Lord's  power  had  come  over  him.  When  they 
came  back,  I  spoke  to  them  to  go  to  the  colonel,  and  lay  before  him  the 
rude  carriage  of  his  soldiers,  how  they  came  armed  amongst  naked  in- 
nocent people,  who  were  waiting  upon  and  worshipping  the  Lord  ;  but 
they  were  backward  to  go  to  him.  Next  morning,  being  first-day,  we 
went  to  the  meeting  in  the  Orchard,  where  the  soldiers  had  so  lately  been 
so  rude.  After  I  had  declared  the  truth  a  pretty  while  in  the  meeting, 
there  came  in  many  rude  soldiers  and  people,  some  with  drawn  swords. 
The  innkeepers  had  made  some  of  them  drunk;  and  one  of  them  had 
bound  himself  with  an  oath,  '  to  cut  down  and  kill  the  man  that  spoke.' 
He  came  pressing  in  through  the  crowd  to  within  two  yards  of  me,  and 
stopped  at  those  four  friends  before-mentioned  (who  should  have  gone  to 
the  colonel  as  I  would  have  had  them)  and  fell  a  jangling  with  them.  On 
a  sudden  I  saw  his  sword  was  put  up  and  gone ;  for  the  Lord's  power 
came  over  all,  and  chained  him  with  the  rest.  We  had  a  blessed  meet- 
ing, for  the  Lord's  everlasting  power  and  presence  was  felt  amongst  us. 
The  day  following  those  four  friends  went  and  spoke  with  the  colonel, 
and  he  sent  for  the  soldiers,  and  cut  and  slashed  some  of  them  before 
the  friends'  faces.  Which  when  I  heard  of  I  blamed  them  for  letting  him 
do  so,  and  also  for  not  going  on  the  seventh-day  as  I  would  have  had 
them,  which  might  have  prevented  this  cutting  of  the  soldiers,  and  the 
trouble  they  gave  at  our  meeting.  Thus  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
all  those  persecuting,  bloody  minds,  and  the  meeting  was  held  in  peace 
for  a  good  while  after. 

I  had  then  also  a  general  meeting  at  Edward  Pyot's  near  Bristol,  at 
which  it  was  judged  were  several  thousands  of  people ;  for  besides  friends 
from  many  parts  thereabouts,  some  of  the  Baptists  and  Independents, 
with  their  teachers,  came  to  it,  and  many  of  the  sober  people  of  Bris- 
tol ;  insomuch  that  the  people  who  staid  behind  said,  '  The  city  looked 

*  naked,'  so  many  were  gone  out  of  it  to  this  meeting.  It  was  very  quiet, 
many  glorious  truths  were  opened  to  the  people,  and  the  Lord  Jesus 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  321 

Christ  was  set  up,  who  is  the  end  of  all  figures  and  shadows,  of  the  law 
and  the  first  covenant.  It  was  declared  to  the  people,  that  all  figures 
and  shadows  were  given  to  man  after  man  fell,  and  that  all  the  rudi- 
ments and  inventions  of  men  which  have  been  set  up  in  Christendom, 
many  of  which  were  Jewish  and  heathenish,  were  not  set  up  by  the 
command  of  Christ ;  and  all  images  and  likenesses  man  has  made  to 
himself  or  for  himself,  whether  of  things  in  heaven  or  things  in  earth, 
have  been  since  he  lost  the  image  and  likeness  of  God,  which  God  made 
him  in.  But  now  Christ  is  come  to  redeem,  translate,  convert,  and  re- 
generate man  out  of  all  these  things  that  he  hath  set  up  in  the  fall,  out  of 
the  true  types,  figures  and  shadows  also,  and  out  of  death  and  darkness, 
up  into  the  light,  life,  and  image  of  God  again,  which  man  and  woman 
were  in  before  they  fell.  Therefore  all  now  should  come,  and  all  may 
come  to  receive  Christ  Jesus,  the  substance,  by  his  light,  spirit,  grace 
and  faith,  and  should  five  and  walk  in  him,  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour. 

And  as  we  had  a  great  deal  of  work  with  priests  and  professors,  who 
pleaded  for  imperfection,  I  was  opened  to  declare  and  manifest  to  them 
that  Adam  and  Eve  were  perfect  before  they  fell,  and  all  that  God  made 
he  saw  was  good,  and  he  blessed  it ;  but  the  imperfection  came  in  by  the 
fall,  through  man's  and  woman's  hearkening  to  the  devil  who  was  out  of 
truth.  And  though  the  law  made  nothing  perfect,  yet  it  made  way  for 
the  bringing  in  of  the  better  hope,  which  hope  is  Christ,  who  destroys 
the  devil  and  his  works,  which  made  man  and  woman  imperfect.  Christ 
saith  to  his  disciples,  '  Be  ye  perfect,  even  as  your  heavenly  Father  is 
'perfect:'  and  he,  v/ho  himself  was  perfect,  comes  to  make  man  and 
woman  perfect  again,  and  brings  them  again  to  the  state  which  God  made 
them  in.  So  he  is  the  maker  up  of  the  breach,  and  the  peace  betwixt 
God  and  man.  That  this  might  the  better  be  understood  by  the  lowest 
capacities,  I  used  a  comparison  of  two  old  people  who  had  their  house 
broken  down  by  an  enemy,  so  that  they,  with  all  their  children,  were 
liable  to  all  storms  and  tempests.  And  there  came  some  to  them  that  pre- 
tended to  be  workmen,  and  offered  to  build  up  their  house  again,  if  they 
would  give  them  so  much  a  year ;  but  when  they  had  got  their  money 
they  left  their  house  as  they  found  it.  After  this  manner  came  a  second, 
third,  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth,  each  with  his  several  pretence  to  build  up 
the  old  house,  and  each  got  the  people's  money,  and  then  cried,  '  They 
'  could  not  rear  up  the  house,  the  breach  could  not  be  made  up ;  for  there 
'  is  no  perfection  here.'  They  tell  them,  the  house  can  never  be  perfectly 
built  up  again  in  this  fife,  though  they  have  taken  the  people's  money  for 
doing  it.  For  all  the  sect-masters  in  Christendom  (so  called)  have  pre- 
tended to  build  up  Adam's  and  Eve's  fallen  house,  and  when  they  have 
got  people's  money,  tell  them  the  work  cannot  be  perfectly  done  here ; 
so  their  house  lies  as  it  did.  But  I  told  the  people,  Christ  was  come  to 
do  it  freely,  who  by  one  offering  hath  perfected  for  ever  all  them  that 
are  sanctified,  and  renews  them  up  into  the  image  of  God,  which  man 
and  woman  were  in  before  they  fell,  and  makes  man's  and  woman's  house 
as  perfect  again  as  God  made  them  at  the  first ;  and  this  Christ,  the  hea- 
venly Man,  doth  freely.  Therefore  all  are  to  look  unto  him,  and  all  that 
have  received  him  are  to  walk  in  him,  the  Life,  the  Substance,  the  First, 
and  the  I^ast,  '  The  Rock  of  Ages,  the  Foundation  of  many  Genera- 
'  tions.'  Largely  were  these  and  many  other  things  opened  to  people, 
the  word  of  life  was  preached,  which  lives  and  abides,  and  all  were  ex- 
horted to  hear  and  obey  it,  that  by  it  all  might  be  born  again  of  the  im- 

2Q 


322  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

mortal  seed,  and  feed  of  the  milk  of  the  word.  A  glorious  meeting  there 
was,  wherein  the  Lord's  everlasting  seed,  Christ  Jesus,  was  set  over  all, 
and  friends  parted  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  in  peace,  and  in 
his  truth,  that  is  over  all. 

About  this  time  the  soldiers  under  general  Monk's  command  were  rude 
and  troublesome  at  friends'  meetings  in  many  places,  whereof  complaint 
being  made  to  him,  he  gave  forth  the  following  order,  which  somewhat 
restrained  them : 

"  St.  James's,  the  9th  of  March,  1659.  " 
"  I  DO  require  all  officers  and  soldiers  to  forbear  to  disturb  the  peace- 
"  able  meetings  of  the  Quakers,  they  doing  nothing  prejudicial  to  the 
"  parliament  or  commonwealth  of  England. 

"  George  Monk." 

After  this  meeting,  I  passed  to  Oldeston,  to  Nailsworth,  and  to  Na- 
thaniel Crisp's ;  where  was  a  large  meeting,  and  several  soldiers,  but 
quiet.  From  thence  we  passed  to  Gloucester,  visiting  meetings.  In 
Gloucester  we  had  one  that  was  peaceable,  though  the  town  was  very 
rude  and  divided ;  for  one  part  of  the  soldiers  were  for  the  king,  and  an- 
other for  the  parliament.  As  I  passed  out  of  the  town  over  the  bridge, 
Edward  Pyot  being  with  me,  the  soldiers  there  said,  '  They  were  for 
'  the  king.'  After  we  were  past  them,  they  were  in  a  great  rage  that  I 
had  escaped  them,  and  said,  '  Had  they  known  it  they  would  have  shot 
'  me  with  hail-shot  rather  than  I  should  have  escaped.'  But  the  Lord 
prevented  their  devilish  design,  and  brought  me  safe  to  colonel  Grimes's, 
where  we  had  a  large  general  meeting,  and  the  Lord's  truth  and  power 
was  set  over  all ;  friends  were  established  upon  the  Rock,  and  settled 
under  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  teaching. 

We  passed  from  thence  to  Tewksbury,  and  so  to  Worcester,  visiting 
meetings  as  we  went.  And  in  all  my  time  I  never  saw  the  like  drunk- 
enness as  then  in  the  towns  ;  for  they  had  been  choosing  parliament- 
men.  At  Worcester  the  Lord's  truth  was  set  over  all,  people  were  finely 
settled  therein,  and  friends  praised  the  Lord ;  nay,  I  saw  the  very  earth 
rejoiced.  Yet  great  fears  and  troubles  were  in  many,  looking  for  the 
king's  coming  in,  and  that  all  things  should  be  altered.  They  would  ask 
me  what  I  thought  of  times  and  things  1  I  told  them  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all,  his  light  shined  over  all,  and  that  fear  would  take  hold 
only  on  the  hypocrites,  such  as  had  not  been  faithful  to  God,  and  on  our 
persecutors.  In  my  travail  and  sufferings  at  Reading,  when  people  were 
at  a  stand,  and  could  not  tell  who  might  rule,  I  told  them  the  Lord's 
power  was  over  all  (for  I  travelled  through  in  it)  and  his  day  shined 
whosoever  should  come  in,  and  whether  the  king  came  in  or  no,  all 
would  be  well  to  them  that  loved  the  Lord,  and  were  faithful  to  him. 
Therefore  I  bid  all  friends  fear  none  but  the  Lord,  and  keep  in  his  power 
that  was  over  all. 

From  Worcester  I  visited  friends'  meetings  till  I  came  to  Badgely ; 
from  thence  I  went  to  Drayton,  in  Leicestershire,  to  visit  my  relations. 
While  I  was  there,  one  Burton,  a  justice,  hearing  I  had  a  good  horse, 
sent  a  warrant  to  search  for  me  and  my  horse  ;  but  I  was  gone  before 
they  came,  so  he  missed  of  his  wicked  end.  I  passed  to  Twycross, 
Swanington,  and  Derby,  where  I  visited  friends,  and  found  my  old  gaoler 
amongst  them,  who  had  formerly  kept  me  in  the  house  of  correction 
there,  who  was  now  convinced  of  the  truth  which  I  then  suffered  under 


16601  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  333 

him  for.  Passing  into  Derbyshire  and  Nottinghamshire,  I  came  to  Syn- 
derhill-green,  visiting  friends'  meetings ;  and  so  to  Balby  in  Yorkshire, 
where  our  yearly  meeting  at  that  time  was  held,  in  a  great  orchard  of 
John  Killam's,  where  it  was  supposed  some  thousands  of  people  and 
friends  were  gathered  together.  In  the  morning  I  heard  a  troop  of  horse 
was  sent  from  York,  about  thirty  miles  off,  to  break  up  our  meeting,  and 
that  the  militia  newly  raised  was  to  join  them.  I  went  into  the  meeting, 
and  stood  up  on  a  great  stool ;  and  after  I  had  spoken  some  time,  two 
trumpeters  came,  sounding  their  trumpets  pretty  near  me,  and  the  cap- 
tain of  the  troop  cried,  '  Divide  to  the  right  and  left,  and  make  way.' 
Then  they  rode  up  to  me.  I  was  declaring  the  everlasting  truth  and 
word  of  life,  in  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord.  The  captain  bid  me 
'  Come  down,  for  he  was  come  to  disperse  our  meeting.'  After  some 
time  I  told  him,  they  all  knew  we  were  a  peaceable  people,  and  that  we 
used  to  have  such  great  meetings ;  but  if  he  apprehended  we  met  in  an 
hostile  way,  I  desired  him  to  make  search  among  us,  and  if  he  found 
either  sword  or  pistol  about  any  there,  let  such  suffer.  He  told  me,  '  He 
'  must  see  us  dispersed,  for  he  came  all  night  on  purpose  to  disperse  us.' 
I  asked  him.  What  honour  it  would  be  to  him  to  ride  with  swords  and 
pistols  amongst  so  many  unarmed  men  and  women  as  there  were  ?  If 
he  would  be  still  and  quiet,  our  meeting  probably  might  not  con- 
tinue above  two  or  three  hours,  and  when  it  was  done,  as  we  came 
peaceably  together,  so  we  should  part ;  for  he  might  perceive  the  meet- 
ing was  so  large  all  the  country  thereabouts  could  not  entertain  them, 
but  that  they  intended  to  depart  towards  their  homes  at  night.  He  said, 
'  He  could  not  stay  to  see  the  meeting  ended,  but  must  disperse  them 

*  before  he  went.'  I  desired  him  then,  if  he  himself  could  not  stay,  that 
he  would  let  a  dozen  of  his  soldiers  stay,  and  see  the  order  and  peacea- 
bleness  of  our  meeting.  He  said,  '  He  would  permit  us  an  hour's  time,' 
and  left  half  a  dozen  soldiers  with  us.  Then  he  went  away  with  his  troop, 
and  friends  of  the  house  gave  the  soldiers  that  staid,  and  their  horses, 
some  meat.  When  the  captain  was  gone,  the  soldiers  that  were  left  told 
us,  '  We  might  stay  till  night  if  we  would.'  But  we  staid  but  about  three 
hours  after,  and  had  a  glorious,  powerful  meeting ;  for  the  presence  of 
the  living  God  was  manifest  amongst  us,  and  the  seed,  Christ,  was  set 
over  all.  Friends  were  built  upon  him  the  foundation,  and  settled  under 
his  glorious,  heavenly  teaching.  After  the  meeting  friends  passed  away 
in  peace,  greatly  refreshed  with  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  filled  with 
joy  and  gladness  that  the  Lord's  power  had  given  them  such  dominion. 
Many  of  the  militia-soldiers  staid  also,  much  vexed  that  the  captain  and 
troopers  had  not  broke  up  our  meeting,  and  cursed  the  captain  and  his 
troopers.  It  was  reported  they  intended  evil  against  us  that  day ;  but 
the  troopers,  instead  of  assisting  them,  were  rather  assistant  to  us,  in  not 
joining  them  as  they  expected,  but  preventing  them  from  doing  the  mis- 
chief they  designed.  Yet  this  captain  was  a  desperate  man ;  for  it  was 
he  that  said  to  me  in  Scotland,  '  He  would  obey  his  superior's  commands, 

*  if  it  was  to  crucify  Christ  he  would  do  it,  or  execute  the  great  Turk's 
'  commands  against  the  christians  if  he  was  under  him.'  So  that  it  was 
an  eminent  power  of  the  Lord,  which  chained  both  him  and  his  troopers, 
and  those  envious  miUtia-soldiers  also,  who  went  away,  not  having  power 
to  hurt  any  of  us,  nor  to  break  up  our  meeting. 

Next  day  we  had  an  heavenly  meeting  at  Warmsworth  of  friends  in 
the  ministry,  with  several  others ;  and  then  friends  parted.  As  they  pass- 


324  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

ed  through  the  country  several  were  taken  up ;  for  the  day  that  our  first 
meeting  was  held  on,  Lambert  was  routed,  and  it  made  great  confusion 
in  the  country ;  but  friends  were  not  kept  long  in  prison  at  that  time. 
As  I  went  to  this  meeting  there  came  several  to  me  at  Skegby  in  Not- 
tingiiamshire,  who  were  going  to  be  soldiers  under  Lambert,  and  would 
have  bought  my  horse  of  me ;  and  because  I  would  not  sell  him,  they 
were  in  a  great  rage  against  me,  using  many  threatening  words :  but 
I  told  them,  '  God  would  confound  and  scatter  them ;'  and  within  two 
or  three  days  after  they  were  scattered  indeed. 

From  Warmsworth  I  passed,  in  the  Lord's  power,  to  Barton-abbey, 
where  I  had  a  great  meeting;  from  thence  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  and  so 
to  Skipton,  where  was  a  general  meeting  of  men  friends  out  of  many 
counties  concerning  the  afiairs  of  the  church.  '  A  friend  went  naked 
*  through  the  town,  declaring  truth,  and  was  much  beaten.  Some  other 
'  friends  also  came  to  me  all  bloody.'  As  I  walked  in  the  street,  a  des- 
perate fellow  had  an  intent  to  have  done  me  mischief;  but  he  was  pre- 
vented, and  our  meeting  was  quiet.  To  this  meeting  came  many  friends 
out  of  most  parts  of  the  nation ;  for  it  was  about  business  relating  to  the 
church  both  in  this  nation  and  beyond  the  seas.  Several  years  before, 
when  I  was  in  the  north,  I  was  moved  to  recommend  to  friends  the  set- 
ting up  of  this  meeting  for  that  service ;  for  many  friends  suffered  in 
divers  parts  of  the  nation,  their  goods  were  taken  from  them  contrary  to 
law,  and  they  understood  not  how  to  help  themselves,  or  where  to  seek 
redress.  But  after  this  meeting  was  set  up,  several  friends  who  had  been 
magistrates,  and  others  who  understood  something  of  the  law,  came 
thither,  and  were  able  to  inform  friends,  and  to  assist  them  in  gathering 
up  the  sufferings,  that  they  might  be  laid  before  the  justices,  judges,  or 
parliament.  This  meeting  had  stood  several  years,  and  divers  justices 
and  captains  had  come  to  break  it  up ;  but  when  they  understood  the 
business  friends  met  about,  and  saw  friends'  books,  and  accounts  of  col- 
lections for  relief  of  the  poor,  how  v*^e  took  care  one  county  to  help  an- 
other, and  to  help  our  friends  beyond  sea,  and  provide  for  our  poor  that 
none  of  them  should  be  chargeable  to  their  parishes,  &c.  the  justices  and 
ofScers  confessed  that  we  did  their  work,  and  would  pass  away  peace- 
ably and  lovingly,  '  commending  friends'  practice.'  Sometimes  there 
would  come  two  hundred  of  the  poor  of  other  people,  and  wait  till  the 
meeting  was  done,  for  all  the  country  knew  we  met  about  the  poor,  and 
after  the  meeting  friends  would  send  to  the  bakers  for  bread,  and  give 
every  one  of  those  poor  people  a  loaf,  how  many  soever  there  were 
of  them ;  for  we  were  taught  '  to  do  good  unto  all,  though  especially  to 
'  the  household  of  faith.' 

After  this  meeting,  I  visited  friends'  meetings  till  I  came  to  Lancaster; 
from  whence  I  went  to  Robert  Withers's,  and  so  to  Araside,  where  I 
had  a  general  meeting  for  all  the  friends  in  the  counties  of  Westmore- 
land, Cumberland,  and  Lancashire.  This  meeting  was  quiet  and  peace- 
able, and  the  living  presence  of  the  Lord  was  amongst  us.  I  went  back 
with  Robert  Withers,  and  friends  passed  away,  fresh  in  the  life  and 
power  of  Christ,  in  which  they  had  dominion,  being  settled  upon  him 
the  Heavenly  Rock  and  Foundation.  Several  rude  fellows,  serving-men 
belonging  to  Sir  George  Middleton,  a  justice,  that  lived  not  far  off,  came 
to  have  made  some  disturbance,  as  it  was  thought ;  but  the  meeting  be- 
ing ended  they  did  nothing  there ;  but  lighting  on  three  women  friends 
going  homeward,  they  set  upon  them  with  impudent  scoffs,  and  one  of 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  325 

them  carried  himself  very  abusively  and  immodestly  towards  them.  The 
same  man  abused  other  friends  also,  and  was  so  outrageous  that  he 
would  have  cut  some  with  an  ax,  but  that  he  was  restrained  by  some  of 
his  fellows.  At  another  time  the  same  man  set  upon  six  friends  that 
were  going  to  a  meeting  at  Yelland,  and  beat  and  abused  them  so,  that 
he  '  bruised  their  faces  and  shed  much  of  their  blood,'  wounding  them 
very  sore,  and  one  of  them  in  several  parts  of  his  body ;  yet  they  lifted 
not  an  hand  against  him,  but  gave  him  their  backs  and  cheeks  to  beat. 

From  Robert  Withers's  I  went  next  day  to  Swarthmore,  Francis 
Howgil  and  Thomas  Curtis  being  with  me.  I  had  not  been  long  there 
before  Henry  Porter,  a  justice,  sent  a  warrant  by  the  chief  constable 
and  three  petty  constables  to  apprehend  me.  I  had  a  sense  of  the  thing 
beforehand;  and  being  in  the  parlour  with  Richard  Richardson  and 
Margaret  Fell,  some  of  her  servants  came  and  told  her,  there  were 
some  come  to  search  the  house  for  arms,  and  they  went  up  into  some 
of  the  chambers  under  that  pretence.  It  came  upon  me  to  go  out  to 
them,  and  as  I  was  going  by  some  of  them,  I  spoke  to  them ;  whereupon 
they  asked  me  my  name.  I  readily  told  them  my  name,  and  they  laid 
hold  on  me,  saying,  I  was  the  man  they  looked  for,  and  led  me  away  to 
Ulverstone.  There  they  kept  me  all  night  at  the  constable's,  and  set  a 
guard  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  men  to  watch  me ;  some  of  whom  sate  in  the 
chimney,  for  fear  I  should  go  up  the  chimney :  such  dark  imaginations 
possessed  them.  They  were  very  rude  and  uncivil  to  me,  and  would 
neither  suffer  me  to  speak  to  friends  nor  friends  to  bring  me  necessaries  ; 
but  with  violence  thrust  them  out,  and  kept  a  strong  guard  upon  me. 
Very  wicked  and  rude  they  were,  and  a  great  noise  they  made  about 
me.  One  of  the  constables,  whose  name  was  Ashburnham,  said,  '  He 
'  did  not  think  a  thousand  men  could  have  taken  me.'  Another  of  the 
constables,  whose  name  was  Mount,  a  very  wicked  man,  said,  '  He 
'  would  have  served  judge  Fell  himself  so,  if  he  had  been  alive,  and  he 
*  had  a  warrant  for  him.'  Next  morning  about  the  sixth  hour,  I  was 
putting  on  my  boots  and  spurs  to  go  with  them  before  some  justice ;  but 
they  pulled  off  my  spurs,  took  my  knife  out  of  my  pocket,  and  hasted 
me  away  along  the  town,  with  a  party  of  horse  and  abundance  of  peo- 
ple, not  suffering  me  to  stay  till  my  own  horse  came  down.  When  I 
was  gone  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  with  them,  some  friends,  with  Mar- 
garet Fell  and  her  children,  came  towards  me,  and  then  a  great  party 
of  horse  gathered  about  me  in  a  mad  rage  and  fury,  crying  out,  '  Will 
'  they  rescue  him !  will  they  rescue  him  !'  Whereupon  I  said,  '  Here  is 
'  my  hair,  here  is  my  back,  here  are  my  cheeks,  strike  on !'  Upon  which 
their  heat  was  a  little  assuaged.  Then  they  brought  a  little  horse,  and 
two  of  them  took  up  one  of  my  legs,  and  put  my  foot  in  the  stirrup,  and 
two  or  three  lifting  over  my  other  leg,  set  me  upon  the  little  horse,  be- 
hind the  saddle,  and  so  led  the  horse  by  the  halter,  but  I  had  nothing  to 
hold  by.  When  they  were  come  a  pretty  way  out  of  the  town,  they 
beat  the  little  horse,  and  made  him  kick  and  gallop ;  whereupon  I 
slipped  off  him,  and  told  them,  '  They  should  not  abuse  the  creature.' 
They  were  much  enraged  at  my  getting  off,  and  took  me  by  the  legs 
and  feet,  and  set  me  upon  the  same  horse  behind  the  saddle  again,  and 
led  the  horse  about  two  miles,  till  we  came  to'a  great  water  called  Car- 
ter-ford. By  this  time  my  own  horse  was  come  to  us,  and  the  water 
being  deep,  and  their  little  horse  scarce  able  to  carry  me  through,  they 
let  me  get  upon  my  own  horse  through  the  persuasion  of  some  of  their 


326  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  (1660 

own  company,  they  leading  him  through  the  water.  One  wicked  fel- 
low '  kneeled  down,  and  lifting  up  his  hands  blessed  God  that  I  was 
'  taken.'  When  I  was  come  over  the  sands,  I  told  them  I  had  heard  I 
had  liberty  to  choose  what  justice  I  would  go  before ;  but  the  consta- 
bles cried,  '  No,  I  should  not.'  They  led  me  to  Lancaster,  about  fourteen 
miles,  and  a  great  triumph  they  thought  to  have  had ;  but  as  they  led 
me  I  was  moved  to '  sing  praises  to  the  Lord,  in  his  triumphing  power 
'  over  all.'  When  I  was  come  to  Lancaster,  the  spirits  of  the  people 
being  mightily  up,  I  stood  and  looked  earnestly  upon  them,  and  they 
cried,  '  Look  at  his  eyes  !'  After  a  while  I  spoke  to  them,  and  they 
were  pretty  sober.  Then  came  a  young  man  who  took  me  to  his  house, 
and  after  a  little  time  the  officers  had  me  to  major  Porter's,  the  justice 
who  had  sent  the  warrant  against  me,  who  had  several  others  with  him. 
When  I  came  in,  I  said,  '  Peace  be  amongst  you.'     Porter  asked  me, 

*  Why  I  came  into  the  country  that  troublesome  time  V     I  told  him, 

*  To  visit  my  brethren.'     But  said  he,  '  You  have  great  meetings  up  and 

*  down.'  I  told  him  though  we  had,  our  meetings  were  known  through- 
out the  nation  to  be  peaceable,  and  we  were  a  peaceable  people.  He 
said,  '  We  saw  the  devil  in  people's  faces.'  I  told  him,  '  If  I  saw  a 
'  drunkard,  or  a  swearer,  or  a  peevish  heady  man,  I   could  not  say  I 

*  saw  the  Spirit  of  God  in  him.'     And  I  asked  him,  '  If  he  could  see  the 

*  Spirit  of  God  V  He  said,  '  We  cried  against  their  ministers.'  I  told 
him.  While  we  were  as  Saul,  sitting  under  the  priests,  and  running  up 
and  down  with  their  packets  of  letters,  we  were  never  called  pestilent 
fellows  nor  makers  of  sects ;  but  when  we  were  come  to  exercise  our 
consciences  towards  God  and  man,  we  were  called  pestilent  fellows,  as 
Paul  was.  He  said,  We  could  express  ourselves  well  enough,  and  he 
would  not  dispute  with  me ;  but  he  would  restrain  me.  I  desired  to 
know,  '  for  what,  and  by  whose  order  he  sent  his  warrant  for  me ;'  and 
complained  to  him  of  the  abuse  of  the  constables  and  other  officers 
after  they  had  taken  me,  and  in  their  bringing  me  thither.  He  would 
not  take  notice  of  that,  but  told  me,  '  He  had  an  order,  but  would  not 
'  let  me  see  it ;  for  he  would  not  reveal  the  king's  secrets ;'  and  besides, 

*  a  prisoner,'  he  said, '  was  not  to  see  for  what  he  was  committed.'  I  told 
him,  that  was  not  reason ;  for  how  should  he  make  his  defence  then  ? 
I  said  I  ought  to  have  a  copy  of  it.  But  he  said.  There  was  a  judge 
once,  '  that  fined  one  for  letting  a  prisoner  have  a  copy  of  his  mittimus ; 

*  and,'  said  he, '  I  have  an  old  clerk,  though  I  am  a  young  justice.'  Then 
he  called  to  his  clerk,  saying,  '  Is  it  not  ready  yet  1  Bring  it ;'  meaning 
the  mittimus.  But  it  not  being  ready,  he  told  me  I  was  a  disturber  of 
the  nation.  I  told  him,  I  had  been  a  blessing  to  the  nation,  in  and 
through  the  Lord's  power  and  truth,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  in  all  con- 
sciences would  answer  it.  Then  he  charged  me  as  an  '  enemy  to  the 
'king,  that  I  endeavoured  to  raise  a  new  war,  and  imbrue  the  nation  in 
'  blood  again.'  I  told  him,  I  had  never  learned  the  postures  of  war,  but 
was  clear  and  innocent  as  a  child  concerning  those  things;  and  there- 
fore was  bold.  Then  came  the  clerk  with  the  mittimus,  and  the  gaoler 
was  sent  for  and  commanded  to  take  me,  put  me  into  the  Dark-house, 
and  let  none  come  at  me,  but  keep  me  there  close  prisoner  till  I  should 
be  delivered  by  the  king  or  parliament.  Then  the  justice  asked  the 
constables  where  my  horse  was  ?  '  For  I  hear,'  said  he, '  he  hath  a  good 
'horse;  have  ye  brought  his  horse?'  I  told  him  where  my  horse  was, 
but  he  did  not  meddle  with  him.     As  they  had  me  to  the  gaol  the  con- 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  327 

stable  gave  me  my  knife  again,  and  then  asked  me  to  give  it  him :  I  told 
him,  JNIay ;  he  had  not  been  so  civil  to  me.  So  they  put  me  into  the 
gaol,  and  the  under-gaoler,  one  Hardy,  a  very  wicked  man,  w^as  ex- 
ceeding rude  and  cruel,  and  many  times  would  not  let  me  have  meat 
brought  in,  but  as  I  could  get  it  under  the  door.  Many  came  to  look 
at  me,  some  in  a  rage,  and  very  uncivil  and  rude.  One  time  there  came 
two  young  priests,  and  very  abusive  they  were;  the  meanest  people 
could  not  be  worse.  Amongst  those  that  came  in  this  manner,  old 
Preston's  wife  of  Howker  was  one.  She  used  many  abusive  words  to 
me,  telling  me,  my  '  tongue  should  be  cut  out,'  and  that  '  I  should  be 
'  hanged ;'  shewing  me  the  gallows.  But  the  Lord  God  cut  her  off,  and 
she  died  in  a  miserable  condition. 

Being  close  prisoner  in  the  common  gaol  at  Lancaster,  I  desired 
Thomas  Cummins  and  Thomas  Green  to  go  to  the  gaoler,  and  desire  a 
copy  of  my  mittimus,  that  I  might  know  what  I  stood  committed  for. 
They  went ;  and  the  gaoler  answered,  '  He  could  not  give  a  copy  of  it, 
'  for  another  had  been  fined  for  so  doing ;'  but  he  gave  them  liberty  to 
read  it  over.  To  the  best  of  their  remembrance,  the  matters  therein 
charged  against  me  were,  '  That  I  was  a  person  generally  suspected  to 
'  be  a  common  disturber  of  the  peace  of  the  nation,  an  enemy  to  the 
'  king,  and  a  chief  upholder  of  the  Quakers'  sect ;  and  that  I,  together 

*  with  many  of  my  fanatick  opinion,  have  of  late  endeavoured  to  raise 
'  insurrections  in  these  parts  of  the  country,  and  embroil  the  whole 
'  country  in  blood.     Wherefore  the  gaoler  was  commanded  to  keep  me 

*  in  safe  custody,  till  I  should  be  released  by  order  from  the  king  or  par- 
'  liament.' 

When  I  had  thus  got  the  heads  of  the  charge  contained  in  the  mitti- 
mus, I  wrote  a  plain,  downright  answer,  in  vindication  of  my  innocency 
to  each  particular,  as  followeth : 

'  I  AM  a  prisoner  at  Lancaster,  committed  by  justice  Porter.     A  copy 

*  of  the  mittimus  I  cannot  get ;  but  such  expressions  I  am  told  are  in  it 
'  as  are  very  untrue.  As  that  I  am  "  generally  suspected  to  be  a  com- 
•'  mon  disturber  of  the  nation's  peace,  an  enemy  to  the  king,  and  that  I, 
"  with  others,  should  endeavour  to  raise  insurrections,  to  embroil  the 
"  nation  in  blood."     All  which  is  utterly  false  ;  and  I  do,  in  every  part 

*  thereof,  deny  it.  For  I  am  not  a  person  generally  suspected  to  be  a 
'  disturber  of  the  nation's  peace,  nor  have  given  any  cause  for  such  sus- 
'  picion ;    for  through  the   nation  I  have  been  tried   for  these   things 

*  formerly.     In  the  days  of  Oliver  I  was  taken  up  on  pretence  of  raising 

*  arms  against  him,  which  was  also  false ;  for  I  meddled  not  with  rais- 
'  ing  arms  at  all.     Yet  I  was  then  carried  up  prisoner  to  London,  and 

*  brought  before  him  ;  when  I  cleared  myself,  and  denied  the  drawing 
'  of  a  carnal  weapon  against  him,  or  any  man  upon  the  earth ;  for  my 
'  weapons  are  spiritual,  which  take  away  the  occasion  of  war,  and 

*  lead  into  peace.     Upon  my  declaring  this  to  Oliver,  I  was  set  at  liber- 

*  ty  by  him.  After  this  I  was  taken,  and  sent  to  prison  by  major  Ceely, 
'  in  Cornwall,  who,  when  I  was  brought  before  the  judge,  informed 

*  against  me,  "  That  I  took  him  aside,  and  told  him,  that  I  could  raise 
"  forty  thousand  men  in  an  hour's  time  to  involve  the  nation  in  blood, 
"  and  bring  in  king  Charles,"     This  also  was  utterly  false,  a  lie  of  his 

*  own  inventing,  as  was  then  proved  upon  him ;  for  I  never  spoke  any 

*  such  word  to  him.     I  never  was  in  any  plot,  I  never  took  any  engage- 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [166* 

ment  or  oath,  nor  ever  learned  war-posture.  As  those  were  false 
charges  against  me  then,  so  are  these  now  which  come  from  major 
Porter,  who  is  lately  appointed  to  be  justice,  but  wanted  power 
formerly  to  exercise  his  cruelty  against  us ;  which  is  but  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  old  enemy.  For  the  peace  of  the  nation  I  am  not  a  dis- 
turber of,  nor  ever  was ;  but  seek  the  peace  thereof,  and  of  all  men, 
and  stand  for  all  nations'  peace  and  men's  peace  upon  the  earth,  and 
wish  that  all  nations  and  men  knew  my  innocency  in  these  things. 

'  And  whereas  major  Porter  saith,  I  am  an  "  enemy  to  the  king,"  this 
'  is  false ;  for  my  love  is  to  "  him  and  to  all  men,"  even  though  they  be 
enemies  to  God,  to  themselves,  and  me.  And  I  can  say.  It  is  of  the 
Lord  that  he  is  come  in,  to  bring  down  many  unrighteously  set  up ;  of 
which  I  had  a  sight  three  years  before  he  came  in.  It  is  much  he 
should  say  I  am  an  enemy  to  the  king ;  for  I  have  no  reason  so  to  be, 
he  having  done  nothing  against  me.  But  I  have  been  often  imprisoned 
and  persecuted  these  eleven  or  twelve  years  by  those  that  have  been 
both  against  the  king  and  his  father,  even  the  party  that  Porter  was 
made  a  major  by  and  bore  arms  for ;  but  not  by  them  that  M^ere  for  the 
king.  I  was  never  an  enemy  to  the  king,  nor  to  any  man's  person  upon 
the  earth.  I  am  in  the  love  that  fulfils  the  law,  which  thinks  no  evil, 
but  loves  even  enemies ;  and  would  have  the  king  saved,  and  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  be  brought  into  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  to 
receive  his  wisdom  from  above,  by  which  all  things  were  made  and 
created ;  that  with  that  wisdom  he  may  order  all  things  to  the  glory  of 
God. 

*  Whereas  he  calleth  me,  "  A  chief  upholder  of  the  Quakers'  sect,"  I 
answer :  the  Quakers  are  not  a  sect,  but  are  in  the  power  of  God, 
which  was  before  sects  were,  and  witness  the  election  before  the  world' 
began,  and  are  come  to  live  in  the  life  which  the  prophets  and  apostles 
lived  in  who  gave  forth  the  scriptures ;  therefore  are  we  hated  by  en- 
vious, wrathful,  wicked,  persecuting  men.  But  God  is  the  upholder  of 
us  all  by  his  mighty  power,  and  preserves  us  from  the  wrath  of  the 
wicked  that  would  swallow  us  up. 

*  And  whereas  he  saith,  "  That  I,  together  with  others  of  my  fanatick 
'  opinion,"  as  he  calls  it,  "  have  of  late  endeavoured  to  raise  insurrec- 
'  tions,  and  to  embroil  the  whole  kingdom  in  blood :"  This  is  altogether 
false ;  to  these  things  I  am  as  a  child,  and  know  nothing  of  them.  The 
postures  of  war  I  never  learned ;  my  weapons  are  spiritual  and  not 
carnal,  for  with  carnal  weapons  I  do  not  fight.     I  am  a  follower  of 

'  him  who  said,  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  And  though  these 
lies  and  slanders  are  raised  upon  me,  I  deny  drawing  of  any  carnal 
weapon  against  the  king  or  parliament,  or  any  man  upon  the  earth ;  for 
I  am  come  to  the  end  of  the  law,  "  to  love  enemies,  and  wrestle  not 

'  with  flesh  and  blood ;"  but  am  in  that  which  saves  men's  lives.  A  wit- 
ness I  am  against  all  murderers,  plotters,  and  all  such  as  would  "  im- 

'  brue  the  nation  in  blood ;  for  it  is  not  in  my  heart  to  have  any  man's 
life  destroyed.  And  as  for  the  word  fanatick,  which  signifies  furious, 
foolish,  mad,  &c.  he  might  have  considered  himself  before  he  had  used 
that  word,  and  have  learned  the  humility  which  goes  before  honour. 
We  are  not  furious,  foolish,  or  mad ;  but  through  patience  and  meek- 
ness have  borne  lies,  slanders,  and  persecutions  many  years,  and  have 

'  undergone  great  sufferings.     The  spiritual  man,  that  wrestles  not  with 

*  flesh  and  blood,  and  the  Spirit  that  reproves  sin  in  the  gate,  which  is 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  329 

*  the  Spirit  of  truth,  wisdom,  and  sound  judgment,  is  not  mad,  foolish, 

*  furious,  which  fanatick  signifies ;  but  all  are  of  a  mad,  furious,  foolish 
'  spirit,  that  wrestle  with  flesh  and  blood,  with  carnal  weapons,  in  their 
'  furiousness,  foolishness,  and  rage.    This  is  not  the  Spirit  of  God,  but  of 

*  error,  that  persecutes  in  a  mad,  blind,  zeal,  hke  Nebuchadnezzar  and 
<  Saul. 

'  Inasmuch  as  I  am  ordered  to  be  kept  prisoner  till  I  be  delivered  by 

*  order  from  the  king  or  parliament,  therefore   I   have  written  these 

*  things  to  be  laid  before  you,  the  king  and  padiament,  that  ye  may  con- 

*  sider  of  them  before  ye  act  any  thing  therein ;  that  ye  may  weigh,  in 
'  the  wisdom  of  God,  the  intent  and  end  of  men's  spirits,  lest  ye  act  the 
'  thing  that  will  bring  the  hand  of  the  Lord  upon  you  and  against  you, 
'  as  many  have  done  befcii'e  you  who  have  been  in  authority,  whom  God 
'  hath  overthrown.     In  him  we  trust  whom  we  fear  and  cry  unto  day 

*  and  night,  who  hath  heard  us,  doth  hear  us,  and  will  hear  us,  and 

*  avenge  our  cause.  Much  innocent  blood  hath  been  shed.  Many  have 
'  been  persecuted  to  death  by  such  as  were  in  authority  before  you, 
'  whom  God  hath  vomited  out  because  they  turned  against  the  just. 
'  Therefore  consider  your  standing  now  that  ye  have  the  day,  and  re- 

*  ceive  this  as  a  warning  of  love  to  you. 

*  From  an  innocent  sufferer  in  bonds,  and  close   prisoner  in 
'  Lancaster  castle,  called 

'  George  Fox.' 

Upon  my  being  taken,  and  forcibly  carried  away  from  Margaret 
Fell's,  and  charged  with  things  of  so  high  a  nature,  she  was  concerned, 
looking  upon  it  to  be  an  injury  offered  to  her.  Whereupon  she  wrote  the 
following  lines,  and  sent  them  abroad,  directed  thus : 

'  To  all  magistrates  concerning  the  wrong  taking  up  and  imprisoning 
George  Fox  at  Lancaster. 

'  I  DO  inform  the  governors  of  this  nation,  that  Henry  Porter,  mayor 
'  of  Lancaster,  sent  a  warrant  with  four  constables  to  my  house,  for 
'  which  he  had  no  authority  nor  order.  They  searched  my  house,  and 
'  apprehended  George  Fox  in  it,  who  was  not  guilty  of  the  breach  of  any 
'  law,  or  of  any  offence  against  any  in  the  nation.  After  they  had  taken 
'  him  and  brought  him  before  the  said  Henry  Porter,  bail  was  offered 

*  what  he  would  demand  for  his  appearance,  to  answer  what  could  be 
'  laid  to  his  charge ;  but  he,  contrary  to  law,  if  he  had  taken  him  lawful- 
'  ly,  denied  to  accept  of  any  bail,  and  clapped  him  up  in  close  prison. 
'  After  he  was  in  prison  a  copy  of  his  mittimus  was  demanded,  which 
'  ought  not  to  be  denied  to  any  prisoner,  that  he  may  see  what  is  laid  to 
'  his  charge ;  but  it  was  denied  him ;  a  copy  he  could  not  have,  only  the}^ 
'  were  suffered  to  read  it  over.  Every  thing  there  charged  against  him 
'  was  utterly  false ;  he  was  not  guilty  of  any  one  charge  in  it,  as  will  be 
'  proved  and  manifested  to  the  nation.    Let  the  governors  consider  of  it. 

*  I  am  concerned  in  this  thing,  inasmuch  as  he  was  apprehended  in  my 
'  house,  and  if  he  be  guilty,  I  am  so  too.  I  desire  to  have  this  searched 
'  out.  Margaret  Fell.' 

After  this  Margaret  Fell  determined  to  go  to  London  to  speak  with 
the  king  about  my  being  taken,  to  shew  him  the  manner  of  it,  and  the 
unjust  dealing  and  evil  usage  I  had  received.    Which  when  justice  Por- 

2R 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  \m» 

ter  heard  of,  he  vapoured  that  he  would  go  and  meet  her  in  the  gap. 
But  when  he  came  before  the  king,  he  having  been  a  zealous  man  for 
the  parliament  against  the  king,  several  courtiers  spoke  to  him  concern- 
ing his  plundering  their  houses ;  so  he  had  quickly  enough  of  the  court, 
and  returned  into  the  country.  Meanwhile  the  gaoler  seemed  very  fear- 
ful, and  said.  He  was  afraid  major  Porter  would  hang  him  because  he 
had  not  put  me  in  the  Dark-house.  But  when  the  gaoler  went  to  wait 
on  him,  after  he  was  come  from  London,  he  was  very  blank  and  down, 
and  asked  '  how  I  did  V  pretending  he  would  find  a  way  to  set  me  at 
liberty.     But  having  overshot  himself  in  his  mittimus,  by  ordering  me 

*  to  be  kept  prisoner  till  I  should  be  delivered  by  the  king  or  parliament,' 
he  had  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  release  me  if  he  would.  He  was  the 
more  dejected  also  upon  reading  a  letter  which  I  sent  him  ;  for  when  he 
was  in  the  height  of  his  rage  and  threats  against  me,  and  thought  to  in- 
gratiate himself  into  the  king's  favour  by  imprisoning  me,  I  was  moved 
to  write  to  him,  and  put  him  in  mind,  '  How  fierce  he  had  been  against 

*  the  king  and  his  party,  though  now  he  would  be  thought  zealous  for  the 

*  king.'  Among  other  passages  in  my  letter,  I  called  to  his  remembrance, 
that  when  he  held  Lancaster  castle  for  the  parliament  against  the  king, 
he  was  so  rough  and  fierce  against  those  that  favoured  the  king,  that  he 
said,  *  He  would  leave  them  neither  dog  nor  cat  if  they  did  not  bring 

*  him  provision  to  his  castle.'     I  asked  him  also,  '  Whose  great  buck's 

*  horns  those  were  that  were  in  his  house  1  and  where  he  had  them  and 

*  the  wainscot  that  he  ceiled  his  house  withal  1     Had  he  not  them  from 

*  Hornby  castle  V 

About  this  time  Ann  Curtis,  of  Reading,  came  to  see  me ;  and  under- 
standing how  I  stood  committed,  it  was  upon  her  also  to  go  to  the  king 
about  it.  Her  father,  who  had  been  sheriff  of  Bristol,  was  hanged  near 
his  own  door  for  endeavouring  to  bring  the  king  in ;  upon  which  con- 
sideration she  had  some  hopes  the  king  might  hear  her  on  my  behalf 
Accordingly,  when  she  returned  to  London,  she  and  Margaret  Fell  went 
to  the  king  together ;  who,  when  he  understood  whose  daughter  she  was, 
received  her  kindly.  And  her  request  to  him  being  '  to  send  for  me  up, 
'  and  hear  the  cause  himself,'  he  promised  her  he  would,  and  commanded 
his  secretary  to  send  an  order  for  bringing  me  up.  But  when  they  came 
to  the  secretary  for  the  order,  he  said,  '  It  was  not  in  his  power ;  he 
'  must  go  according  to  law ;  and  I  must  be  brought  up  by  an  Habeas 

*  Corpus  before  the  judges.'  So  he  wrote  to  the  judge  of  the  king's 
bench,  signifying  it  was  the  king's  pleasure  I  should  be  sent  up  by  an 
Habeas  Corpus.  Accordingly  a  writ  was  sent,  and  delivered  to  the 
sheriff;  but  because  it  was  directed  to  the  chancellor  of  Lancaster,  tiie 
sheriff  put  it  off  to  him ;  on  the  other  hand  the  chancellor  would  not 
make  the  warrant  upon  it,  but  said  the  sheriff  must  do  that.  At  length 
both  chancellor  and  sheriff  were  got  together ;  but  being  both  enemies 
to  truth  they  sought  occasion  for  delay,  and  found  an  error  in  the  writ, 
which  was,  that  being  directed  to  the  chancellor,  it  said,  '  George  Fox 

*  in  prison  under  your  custody,'  whereas  the  prison  I  was  in  was  not  in 
the  chancellor's  custody,  but  the  sheriff's  ;  so  the  word  vour  should  have 
been  ms.  Upon  this  they  returned  the  writ  to  London  again,  only  to 
have  that  one  word  altered.  When  it  was  altered  and  brought  down 
again,  the  sheriff  refused  to  carry  me  up,  unless  I  would  seal  a  writing 
to  him,  and  become  bound  to  pay  for  the  sealing  and  the  charge  of  car- 
rying me  up :  which  I  denied,  telling  them,  I  would  not  seal  any  thing 


.r^ 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  331 

to  them,  nor  be  bound.  So  the  matter  rested  awhile,  and  I  continued  in 
prison.  Meanwhile  the  assize  came  on ;  but  as  there  was  a  writ  for 
removing  me  up,  I  was  not  brought  before  the  judge.  At  the  assize 
many  came  to  see  me.  I  was  moved  to  speak  out  of  the  gaol-window 
to  them,  and  shew  them,  '  How  uncertain  their  religion  was,  and  that 
'  every  sort,  when  uppermost,  had  persecuted  the  rest.  When  popery 
"  was  uppermost,  people  had  been  persecuted  for  not  following  the  mass ; 
'  and  those  who  held  it  up  cried,  "  It  was  the  higher  power,"  and  people 
'  must  be  subject  to  the  higher  power.     Afterwards  they  that  set  up  the 

*  Common  Prayer  persecuted  others  for  not  following  that ;  saying,  "  It 
■"  was  the  higher  power,  and  we  must  be  subject  to  that."     Since  that, 

*  the  Presbyterians  and  Independents  cried  each  of  them,  "  We  must  be 
"  subject  to  the  higher  power,  and  submit  to  the  directory  of  the  one  and 
*'  the  church-faith  of  the  other."     Thus  all,  like  the  apostate  Jews,  have 

*  cried,  "  Help,  men  of  Israel,  against  the  true  Christians."     So  people 

*  might  see  how  uncertain  they  are  of  their  religions.     But  I  directed 

*  them  to  Christ  Jesus,  that  they  might  be  built  upon  him,  the  Rock  and 
'  Foundation  that  changeth  not.'  Much  on  this  wise  I  declared  to  them, 
and  they  were  quiet  and  very  attentive.  Afterwards  I  gave  forth  a  little 
paper  concerning  True  Religion,  as  foUoweth : 

'  True  Religion  is  the  true  rule  and  right  way  of  serving  God.     And 

*  religion  is  a  pure  stream  of  righteousness  flowing  from  the  image  of 
'  God,  and  is  the  hght  and  power  of  God  planted  in  the  heart  and  mind 
'  by  the  law  of  life,  which  bringeth  the  soul,  mind,  spirit,  and  body  to  be 
'  conformable  to  God,  the  Father  of  Spirits,  and  to  Christ ;  so  that  they 
'  come  to  have  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  with  all  his 

*  holy  angels  and  saints.  This  religion  is  pure  from  above,  undefiled  be- 
'  fore  God,  leads  to  visit  the  fatherless,  widows,  and  strangers,  and  keeps 
'  from  the  spots  of  the  world.  This  religion  is  above  all  the  defiled,  spot- 

*  ted  religions  in  the  world,  that  keep  not  from  defilements  and  spots,  but 
'leave  their  professors  impure,  below,  and  spotted;  whose  fatherless, 
'  widows,  and  strangers,  beg  up  and  down  the  streets.  G.  F.' 

Soon  after  this  I  gave  forth  another  against  persecution,  on  this  wise : 

'The  Papists,  Common-prayer-men,  Presbyterians,  Independents,  and 
'  Baptists  persecute  one  another  about  their  own  inventions,  their  Mass, 
'  their  Common-Prayer,  their  Directory,  their  Church-faith,  which  they 
'  have  made  and  framed,  and  not  for  the  truth ;  for  they  know  not  what 
'  spirit  they  are  of,  who  persecute,  and  would  have  men's  lives  destroyed 
'  about  church-worship  and  religion,  as  Christ  saith,  who  also  said,  "  He 
"  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them."  They  that  know 
'  not  what  spirit  they  are  of,  but  will  persecute  and  destroy  men's  lives, 
'  and  not  save  them,  we  cannot  trust  our  bodies,  souls  nor  spirits  in  their 
'hands;  they  know  not  what  spirit  they  are  of  themselves,  therefore  they 
'  are  not  fit  to  be  trusted  with  others.  They  would  destroy  by  a  law, 
'  as  the  disciples  once  would  have  done  by  prayer,  who  would  have  com- 
'  manded  "  fire  to  come  down  from  heaven,"  to  destroy  them  that  would 
'  not  receive  Christ.  But  Christ  rebuked  them,  and  told  them,  "  They 
"  knew  not  what  spirit  they  are  of"  If  they  did  not  know  what  spirit 
'they  were  of;  do  these  who  have  persecuted  about  religion  since  the 
'  apostles'  days,  who  would  compel  men's  bodies,  goods,  lives,  souls,  and 

*  estates  into  their  hands  by  law,  or  make  them  suffer  ?  Those  that  de- 


332  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

*  stroy  men's  lives  are  not  the  ministers  of  Christ,  the  Saviour;  and  see- 
'  ing  they  know  not  what  spirit  they  are  of,  the  Kves,  bodies,  and  souk 
'  of  men  are  not  to  be  trusted  in  their  hands.  And  ye  that  persecute  shall 
'  have  no  resurrection  to  life  with  God,  except  ye  repent.  But  they  that 
'  know  what  spirit  they  are  of  themselves  are  in  the  unrebukeable  zeal, 
'  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God  they  offer  up  their  spirits,  souls,  and  bodies  to 

*  the  Lord,  which  are  his,  to  keep  them.  G.  F.' 

While  I  was  kept  in  Lancaster  gaol,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the 
following  paper,  '  For  staying  the  minds  of  any  such  as  might  be  hur- 
'  ried  or  troubled  about  the  change  of  government.' 

'AH  friends, 
'  Let  the  dread  and  majesty  of  God  fill  you  1  Concerning  the  changing 
'  of  times  and  governments,  let  not  that  trouble  any  of  you ;  for  God  hath 
'  a  mighty  work  and  hand  therein.  He  will  yet  change  again,  until  that 
'  come  up  which  must  reign,  and  in  vain  shall  powers  and  armies  with- 
'  stand  the  Lord;  for  his  determined  work  shall  come  to  pass.  But  what 
'  is  now  come  up,  it  is  just  with  the  Lord  that  it  should  be  so,  and  he 
'  will  be  served  by  it.  Therefore  let  none  murmur,  nor  distrust  God ; 
'  for  he  will  provoke  many  to  zeal  against  unrighteousness,  and  for  right- 
'  eousness,  through  things  w-hich  are  suffered  now  to  work  for  a  season : 
'  yea  many,  whose  zeal  has  been  even  dead,  shall  revive  again,  and  they 
'  shall  see  their  backslidings  and  bewail  them  bitterly.  For  "  God  shall 
"  thunder  from  heaven,  and  break  forth  in  a  mighty  noise,  his  enemies 
"  shall  be  astonished,  the  workers  of  iniquity  confounded,  and  all  that 
"  have  not  on  the  garment  of  righteousness  shall  be  amazed  at  the  mighty 
"  and  strange  work  of  the  Lord,  which  shall  be  certainly  brought  to 
"  pass."  But  my  children,  look  ye  not  out,  but  be  still  in  the  light  of  the 
'  Lamb,  and  he  shall  fight  for  you.  The  Almighty  Hand,  which  must 
'  break  and  divide  your  enemies,  and  take  away  peace  from  them,  pre- 
'  serve  and  keep  you  whole,  in  unity  and  peace  with  himself,  and  one 

*  with  another.    Amen.  G.  F.' 

I  was  moved  also  to  write  to  the  king,  to  '  exhort  him  to  exercise 

*  mercy  and  forgiveness  towards  his  enemies,  and  to  warn  him  to  restrain 
'  the  prophaneness  and  looseness  that  was  got  up  in  the  nation  upon  his 
'  return.' 

'  To  the  KING. 
'  King  Charles, 
'  Thou  camest  not  into  this  nation  by  sword,  nor  by  victory  of  war, 
'  but  by  the  power  of  the  Lord.  Now  if  thou  dost  not  live  in  it,  thoa 
'  wilt  not  prosper.  If  the  Lord  hath  shewed  thee  mercy  and  forgiven 
'  thee,  and  thou  dost  not  shew  mercy  and  forgive,  God  will  not  hear  thy 
'  prayers,  nor  them  that  pray  for  thee.  If  thou  dost  not  stop  persecution 
'  and  persecutors,  and  take  away  all  laws  that  hold  up  persecution  about 
'  religion ;  if  thou  persist  in  them,  and  uphold  persecution,  that  will  make 

*  thee  as  blind  as  those  that  have  gone  before  thee :  for  persecution  hath 
'  always  blinded  those  that  have  gone  into  it.     Such  God  by  his  power 

*  overthrows,  doth  his  valiant  acts  upon,  and  bringeth  salvation  to  his 

*  oppressed  ones.  If  thou  bear  the  sword  in  vain,  and  let  drunkenness, 
'  oaths,  plays,  May-games,  with  such  like  abominations  and  vanities  be 
'  encouraged  or  go  unpunished,  as  setting  up  of  May-poles,  with  the  im- 


1660]  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  333 

'  age  of  the  crown  atop  of  them,  &c.  the  nations  will  quickly  turn  like 

*  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  be  as  bad  as  the  old  world,  who  grieved 

*  the  Lord  till  he  overthrew  them  ;  and  so  he  will  you,  if  these  things  be 
'  not  suppressed.  Hardly  was  there  so  much  wickedness  at  liberty  be- 
'  fore  as  there  is  at  this  day,  as  though  there  was  no  terror  nor  sword  of 
'magistracy;  which  doth  not  grace  a  government,  nor  is  a  praise  to 
'  them  that  do  well.  Our  prayers  are  for  them  that  are  in  authority,  that 
'  under  them  we  may  live  a  godly  life,  in  which  we  have  peace,  and  that 
'  we  may  not  be  brought  into  ungodliness  by  them.  Hear  and  consider, 
'  and  do  good  in  thy  time,  whilst  thou  hast  power ;  be  merciful  and  for- 

*  give :  that  is  the  way  to  overcome  and  obtain  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

'  G.  F.' 
It  was  long  before  the  sheriff  would  yield  to  remove  me  to  London, 
unless  I  would  seal  a  bond  to  him,  and  bear  their  charges ;  which  I  still 
refused  to  do.  Then  they  consulted  how  to  convey  me  up,  and  first  con- 
cluded to  send  up  a  party  of  horse  with  me.  I  told  them,  '  If  I  were 
'  such  a  man  as  they  had  represented  me  to  be,  they  had  need  send  a 
'  troop  or  two  of  horse  to  guard  me.'  When  they  considered  what  a 
charge  it  would  be  to  them  to  send  up  a  party  of  horse  with  me,  they 
altered  their  purpose,  and  concluded  to  send  me  up  guarded  only  by  the 
gaoler  and  some  bailifts.  But  upon  farther  consideration  they  found  that 
would  be  a  great  charge  to  them  also,  and  therefore  sent  for  me  to  the 
gaoler's  house,  and  told  me,  if  I  would  put  in  bail  that  I  would  be  in  Lon- 
don such  a  day  of  the  term,  I  should  have  leave  to  go  up  with  some  of 
my  own  friends.  I  told  them  I  would  neither  put  in  bail,  nor  give  one 
piece  of  silver  to  the  gaoler;  for  I  was  an  innocent  man,  they  had  im- 
prisoned me  wrongfully,  and  laid  a  false  charge  upon  me.  Nevertheless 
I  said.  If  they  would  let  me  go  up  with  one  or  two  of  my  friends  to  bear 
me  company,  I  might  go  up  and  be  in  London  such  a  day,  if  the  Lord 
should  permit ;  and,  if  they  desired  it,  I  or  any  of  my  friends  that  went 
with  me  would  carry  up  their  charge  against  myself  When  they  saw 
they  could  do  no  otherwise  with  me,  the  sheriff  consented  that  '  I  should 
'  come  up  with  some  of  my  friends,  without  any  other  engagement  than 
'  my  word,  to  appear  before  the  judges  at  London  such  a  day  of  the 
'  term,  if  the  Lord  should  permit.'  Whereupon  I  M^as  let  out  of  prison, 
and  went  to  Swarthmore,  where  I  staid  two  or  three  days ;  and  from 
thence  went  to  Lancaster,  and  so  to  Preston,  haA'ing  meetings  amongst 
friends  till  I  came  into  Cheshire,  to  William  Gaudy's,  where  was  a  large 
meeting  without  doors,  the  house  not  being  sufficient  to  contain  it.  That 
day  the  Lord's  everlasting  seed  was  set  over  all,  and  friends  were  turned 
to  it,  who  is  the  heir  of  the  promise.  Thence  I  came  into  Staffordshire 
and  Warwickshire,  to  Anthony  Bickliff's,  and  at  Non-eaton,  at  a  priest's 
widow's  house,  we  had  a  blessed  meeting,  whei'ein  the  everlasting  word 
of  life  was  powerfully  declared,  and  many  settled  in  it.  Then  travelHng 
on,  visiting  friends'  meetings,  in  about  three  weeks'  time  from  my  com- 
ing out  of  prison,  I  reached  London,  Richard  Hubberthorn  and  Robert 
Withers  being  with  me. 

When  we  came  to  Charing-cross,  multitudes  of  people  were  gathered 
together  to  see  the  burning  of  the  bowels  of  some  of  the  old  king's  judges, 
who  had  been  hanged,  drawn  and  quartered. 

We  went  next  morning  to  judge  Mallet's  chamber,  who  was  putting 
on  his  gown  to  sit  upon  more  of  the  king's  judges.  He  was  then  very 
peevish  and  froward,  and  said,  I  might  come  another  time.     We  went 


334  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

another  time  to  bis  chamber,  when  judge  Foster  was  with  him,  who  was 
called  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  England.  With  me  was  one  called  Esquire 
Marsh,  one  of  the  bed-chamber  to  the  king.  When  we  had  delivered  to 
the  judges  the  charge  against  me,  and  they  had  read  to  those  words, 

*  That  1  and  my  friends  were  embroiling  the  nation  in  blood,'  &c.  they 
struck  their  hands  on  the  table.  Whereupon  I  told  them,  '  I  was  the 
'  man  whom  that  charge  was  against,  but  I  was  as  innocent  of  any  such 

*  thing  as  a  new-born  child,  and  had  brought  it  up  myself;  and  some  of 

*  my  friends  came  up  with  me,  without  any  guard.'  As  yet  they  had  not 
minded  my  hat ;  but  now,  seeing  my  hat  on,  they  said,  '  What,  did  I 
^  stand  with  my  hat  on ! '  I  told  them  I  did  not  stand  so  in  any  contempt 
of  them.  Then  they  commanded  one  to  take  it  off";  and  when  they  had 
called  for  the  marshal  of  the  king's  bench,  they  said  to  him.  You  must 
take  this  man  and  secure  him,  but  you  must  let  him  have  a  chamber,  and 
not  put  him  amongst  the  prisoners.  My  Lord,  said  the  marshal,  I  have 
no  chamber  to  put  him  into ;  my  house  is  so  full  that  I  cannot  tell  where 
to  provide  for  him  but  amongst  the  prisoners.  Nay,  said  the  judges,  you 
must  not  put  him  amongst  the  prisoners.  But  when  he  still  answered,  he 
had  no  other  place  to  put  me  in,  judge  Foster  said  to  me,  '  Will  you  ap- 

*  pear  to-morrow,  about  ten  of  the  clock,  at  the  king's  bench  bar  in  West- 

*  minster-halH'  I  said,  '  Yes,  if  the  Lord  give  me  strength.'  Then  said 
judge  Foster  to  the  other  judge,  '  If  he  says  yes,  and  promises  it,  you 
'  may  take  his  word.'  So  I  was  dismissed.  The  next  day  I  appeared  at 
the  king's  bench  bar  at  the  hour  appointed,  Robert  Withers,  Richard 
Hubberthorn,  and  Esquire  Marsh  going  with  me.  I  was  brought  into 
the  middle  of  the  court,  and  as  soon  as  I  came  in  I  was  moved  to  look 
about,  and  turning  to  the  people,  said,  '  Peace  be  among  you ;'  and  the 
power  of  the  Lord  sprang  over  the  court.  The  charge  against  me  was 
read  openly.  The  people  were  moderate,  and  the  judges  cool  and  loving ; 
and  the  Lord's  mercy  was  to  them.  But  when  they  came  to  that  part 
of  it  which  said,  '  That  I  and  my  friends  were  embroiling  the  nation  in 

*  blood  and  raising  a  new  war,  and  that  I  was  an  enemy  to  the  king,' 
&c.  they  lifted  up  their  hands.  Then,  stretching  out  my  arms,  I  said, 
'  I  am  the  man  whom  that  charge  is  against,  but  I  am  as  innocent  as  a 

*  child  concerning  the  charge,  and  have  never  learned  any  war-postures. 

*  And  said  I,  do  ye  think,  that  if  I  and  my  friends  were  such  men  as  the 

*  charge  declares,  that  I  should  have  brought  it  up  myself  against  my- 

*  self?  Or  that  I  should  be  suffered  to  come  up  with  one  or  two  of  my 
'  friends  with  me  ?  Had  I  been  such  a  man  as  this  charge  sets  forth,  I 
'  had  need  to  have  been  guarded  up  with  a  troop  or  two  of  horse.     But 

*  the  sheriff  and  magistrates  of  Lancashire  thought  fit  to  let  me  and  my 
'  friends  come  up  with  it  ourselves,  almost  two  hundred  miles,  without 

*  any  guard  at  all;  which,  you  may  be  sure,  they  would  not  have  done 
'  if  they  had  looked  upon  me  to  be  such  a  man.'  The  judge  asked  me, 
Whether  it  should  be  filed  ?  or  what  I  would  do  with  it  ?  I  answered, 
Ye  are  judges,  and  able,  I  hope,  to  judge  in  this  matter ;  therefore  do 
with  it  what  ye  will ;  for  I  am  the  man  these  charges  are  against,  and  here 
ye  see  I  have  brought  them  up  myself  Do  ye  what  ye  will  with  them, 
I  leave  it  to  you.  Then  Judge  Twisden  beginning  to  speak  some  angry 
words,  I  appealed  to  judge  Foster  and  judge  Mallet,  who  had  heard  me 
over  night.  Whereupon  they  said,  '  They  did  not  accuse  me,  for  they 
'  had  nothing  against  me.'  Then  stood  up  'squire  Marsh,  and  told  the 
judges,  '  It  was  the  king's  pleasure  that  I  should  be  set  at  hberty,  seeing 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  335 

*  no  accuser  came  up  against  me.'     They  asked  me,  *  Whether  I  would 

*  put  it  to  the  king  and  council  1 '  I  said,  *  Yes,  with  a  good  will.'  There- 
upon they  sent  the  sheriff's  return,  which  he  made  to  the  writ  of  Habeas 
Corpus,  containing  the  matter  charged  against  me  in  the  mittimus,  to  the 
king,  that  he  miffht  see  for  what  I  was  committed.  The  return  of  the 
sheriff'  of  Lancaster  was  thus : 

'  By  virtue  of  his  majesty's  writ  to  me  directed,  and  hereunto  annexed, 
'  I  certify.  That  before  the  receipt  of  the  said  writ,  George  Fox,  in  the 

*  said  writ  mentioned,  was  committed  to  his  majesty's  gaol  at  the  castle 

*  of  Lancaster,  in  my  custody,  by  a  warrant  from  Henry  Porter,  esquire, 

*  one  of  his  majesty's  justices  of  peace  within  the  county  palatine  afore- 

*  said,  bearing  date  the  fifth  of  June  now  last  past ;  for  that  he,  the  said 
'  George  Fox,  was  generally  suspected  to  be  a  common  disturber  of  the 
'  peace  of  this  nation,  an  enemy  to  our  sovereign  Lord  the  king,  and  a 
'  chief  upholder  of  the  Quakers'  sect ;  and  that  he,  together  with  others 

*  of  his  fanatick  opinion,  have  of  late  endeavoured  to  make  insurrections 

*  in  these  parts  of  the  country,  and  to  embroil  the  whole  kingdom  in 
'  blood.  And  this  is  the  cause  of  his  taking  and  detaining.  Nevertheless, 
'  the  body  of  the  said  George  Fox  I  have  ready  before  Thomas  Mallet, 
'  knight,  one  of  his  majesty's  justices,  assigned  to  hold  pleas  before  his 

*  majesty,  at  his  chamber  in  Serjeant's-inn,  in  Fleet-street,  to  do  and  re- 

*  ceive  those  things  which  his  majesty's  said  justice  shall  determine  con- 

*  cerning  him  in  this  behalf,  as  by  the  aforesaid  writ  is  required. 

*  George  Chetham,  esquire,  sheriff".' 

Upon  perusal  of  this,  and  consideration  of  the  whole  matter,  the  king, 
being  satisfied  of  my  innocency,  commanded  his  secretary  to  send  an 
order  to  judge  Mallet  for  my  release;  which  the  secretary  did,  thus: 

'  It  is  his  majesty's  pleasure,  That  you  give  your  order  for  the  releas- 

*  ing  and  setting  at  full  liberty  the  person  of  George  Fox,  late  a  prisoner 
'  in  Lancaster  gaol,  and  commanded  hither  by  an  Habeas  Corpus.    And 

*  this  signification  of  his  majesty's  pleasure  shall  be  your  sufficient  war- 
'  rant.     Dated  at  Whitehall,  the  24th  of  October,  1660. 

'  Edward  Nicholas.' 
'  For  Sir  Thomas  Mallet,  knight,  one 
*  of  the  justices  of  the  king's  bench.' 

When  this  order  was  delivered  to  judge  Mallet,  he  forthwith  sent  his 
warrant  to  the  marshal  of  the  king's  bench  for  my  release;  which  war- 
rant was  thus  worded. 

'  By  virtue  of  a  warrant  which  this  morning  I  have  received  from  the 
'  Right  Honourable  Sir  Edward  Nicholas,  knight,  one  of  his  majesty's 
'  principal  secretaries,  foi'  the  releasing  and  setting  at  liberty  of  George 
'  Fox,  late  a  prisoner  in  Lancaster  gaol,  and  from  thence  brought  hither 
'  by  Habeas  Coipus,  and  yesterday  committed  unto  your  custody ;  I  do 

*  hereby  require  you  accordingly  to  release  and  set  the  said  prisoner 

*  George  Fox  at  liberty :  for  which  this  shall  be  your  warrant  and  dis- 

*  charge.  Given  under  my  hand  the  25th  day  of  October,  in  the  year 
'of  our  Lord  God  1660. 

«  To  Sir  John  Lenthal,  knight,  «  Thomas  Mallet. 

'  marshal  of  the  king's  bench, 
*  or  his  deputy ' 


336  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

Thus,  after  I  had  been  a  prisoner  somewhat  more  than  twenty  weeks, 
I  was  freely  set  at  hberty  by  the  kuig's  command,  the  Lord's  power 
having  wonderfully  wrought  for  the  clearing  of  my  innocency,  and  Por- 
ter, who  committed  me,  not  daring  to  appear  to  make  good  the  charge 
he  had  falsely  suggested  against  me.  But  after  it  was  known  I  was  dis- 
charged, a  company  of  envious,  wicked  spirits  were  troubled,  and  terror 
took  hold  of  justice  Porter;  for  he  was  afraid  I  would  take  the  advantage 
of  the  law  against  him  for  my  wrong  imprisonment,  and  thereby  undo 
him,  his  wife,  and  children.  And  indeed  I  was  pressed  by  some  in  au- 
thority to  have  made  him  and  the  rest  examples ;  but  I  said,  I  should 
leave  them  to  the  Lord ;  if  the  Lord  forgave  them  I  should  not  trouble 
myself  with  them. 

Now  did  I  see  the  end  of  the  travail  which  I  had  in  my  sore  exercise 
at  Reading ;  for  the  everlasting  power  of  the  Lord  was  over  all,  and  his 
blessed  truth,  life,  and  light  shined  over  the  nation,  and  great  and  glori- 
ous meetings  we  had,  and  very  quiet ;  and  many  flocked  unto  the  truth. 
Richard  Hubberthorn  had  been  with  the  king,  who  said,  '  None  should 
molest  us  so  long  as  we  lived  peaceably,'  and  promised  this  upon  the 
word  of  a  king ;  telling  him,  we  might  make  use  of  his  promise.  Some 
friends  were  also  admitted  in  the  house  of  Lords,  to  declare  their  rea- 
sons, why  they  could  not  pay  tythes,  swear,  nor  go  to  the  steeple-house- 
worship,  or  join  with  others  in  worship;  and  they  heard  them  moder- 
ately. There  being  about  seven  hundred  friends  in  prison,  who  had  been 
committed  under  Oliver's  and  Richard's  government,  upon  contempts 
(so  called)  when  the  king  came  in  he  set  them  all  at  liberty.  There 
seemed  at  that  time  an  inclination  and  intention  in  the  government  to 
have  granted  friends  liberty,  because  they  were  sensible  we  had  suffered 
as  well  as  they  under  the  former  powers.  But  when  any  thing  was 
going  forward  in  order  thereunto,  some  dirty  spirits  or  other,  that  would 
seem  to  be  for  us,  threw  something  in  the  way  to  stop  it.  It  was  said 
there  was  an  instrument  drawn  up  for  confirming  our  liberty,  which  only 
wanted  signing;  when  on  a  sudden  that  wicked  attempt  of  the  Fifth- 
monarchy-people  broke  out,  and  put  the  city  and  nation  in  an  uproar. 
This  was  on  a  first-day  night,  and  very  glorious  meetings  we  had  that 
day,  wherein  the  Lord's  truth  shined  over  all,  and  his  power  was  exalted 
above  all ;  but  about  midnight  the  drums  beat,  and  the  cry  was,  '  Arm, 
'  Arm.'  I  got  out  of  bed,  and  in  the  morning  took  boat,  and  landing  at 
Whiteiiall-stairs,  walked  through  Whitehall.  They  looked  strangely  at 
me  there ;  but  I  passed  through,  and  went  to  Pall-mall,  whither  divers 
friends  came  to  me,  though  it  was  now  grown  dangerous  passing  the 
streets ;  for  by  this  time  the  city  and  suburbs  were  up  in  arms,  and  ex- 
ceeding rude  the  people  and  soldiers  were ;  insomuch  that  Henry  Fell, 
going  to  a  friend's  house,  the  soldiers  knocked  him  down,  and  he  had 
been  killed  if  the  duke  of  York  had  not  come  by.  Great  mischief  was 
done  in  the  city  this  week ;  and  when  first-day  came,  that  friends  went 
to  their  meetings,  many  were  taken  prisoners.  I  staid  at  Pall-mall,  in- 
tending to  be  at  the  meeting  there ;  but  on  the  seventh-day  night  a  com- 
pany of  troopers  came  and  knocked  at  the  door.  The  maid  letting  them 
in,  they  strait  laid  hold  of  me ;  and  there  being  amongst  them  one,  that 
had  served  under  the  parliament,  he  clapped  his  hand  to  my  pocket,  and 
asked,  '  Whether  I  had  any  pistols?'  I  told  him.  He  knew  I  did  not  use 
to  carry  pistols ;  why  did  he  ask  such  a  question  of  me,  who  he  knew  to 
be  a  peaceable  man  1    Others  of  the  soldiers  ran  up  into  the  chambers, 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  337 

and  there  found  in  bed  'squire  Marsh,  who,  though  he  was  one  of  the 
king's  bed-chamber,  out  of  his  love  to  me  had  come  and  lodged  where 
I  did.  When  they  came  down  again,  they  said.  Why  should  we  take 
this  man  away  with  us  1  We  will  let  him  alone.  Oh  !  said  the  parliament- 
soldier,  he  is  one  of  the  heads  and  a  chief  ringleader.  Upon  this  the  sol- 
diers were  taking  me  away ;  but  'squire  Marsh  hearing  of  it,  sent  for  the 
commander  of  the  party,  and  desired  him  to  let  me  alone,  for  he  would 
see  me  forth-coming  in  the  morning.  In  the  morning,  before  they  could 
fetch  me,  and  before  the  meeting  was  gathered,  there  came  a  company 
of  foot  to  the  house,  and  one  of  them,  drawing  his  sword,  held  it  over 
my  head.  I  asked  him,  '  Why  he  drew  his  sword  at  a  naked  man  V  At 
which  his  fellows  being  ashamed  bid  him  put  up  his  sword.  These  sol- 
diers took  me  away  to  Whitehall  before  the  troopers  came  for  me.  As 
I  was  going  out  several  friends  were  coming  in  to  the  meeting,  whose 
boldness  and  cheerfulness  I  commended,  and  encouraged  them  to  perse- 
vere therein.  When  I  was  brought  to  Whitehall,  the  soldiers  and  people 
were  exceeding  rude,  yet  I  declared  truth  to  them ;  but  some  great  per- 
sons coming  by,  who  were  very  full  of  envy,  '  What,'  said  they,  '  do  ye 
'  let  him  preach?  Put  him  into  such  a  place  where  he  may  not  stir.'  So 
into  that  place  they  put  me,  and  the  soldiers  watched  over  me.  I  told 
them,  Tho'  they  could  confine  my  body  and  shut  that  up,  they  could  not 
stop  up  the  word  of  life.  Some  thereupon  came,  and  asked  me,  '  What 
'  I  was  V  I  told  them,  I  was  a  preacher  of  righteousness.  After  I  had 
been  kept  there  two  or  three  hours,  'squire  Marsh  spoke  to  lord  Gerrard, 
who  came  and  bid  them  set  me  at  liberty.  The  marshal,  when  I  was 
discharged,  demanded  fees.  I  told  him,  I  could  not  give  him  any,  neither 
was  it  our  practice.  I  asked  him.  How  he  could  demand  fees  of  me  who 
was  innocent  ?  Then  I  went  through  the  guards,  the  Lord's  power  being 
over  them ;  and  after  I  had  declared  truth  to  the  soldiers,  I  went  up  the 
streets  with  two  Irish  colonels  that  came  from  Whitehall  to  an  inn, 
w^here  many  friends  were  prisoners  under  a  guard.  I  desired  those 
colonels  to  speak  to  the  guard  to  let  me  go  in  to  visit  my  friends  that 
were  {jrisoners  there ;  but  they  would  not.  Then  I  stept  to  the  sentry, 
and  desired  him  to  let  me  go  up ;  which  he  did.  While  I  was  there  the 
soldiers  went  to  Pall-mall  again  to  search  for  me ;  but  not  finding  me 
they  turned  towards  the  inn,  and  bid  all  come  out  that  were  not  prison- 
ers ;  so  they  went  out.  But  I  asked  the  soldiers  within.  Whether  I  might 
not  stay  awhile  with  my  friends  ?  They  said.  Yes.  I  staid,  and  escaped 
their  hands  again.  Towards  night  I  went  to  Pall-mall,  to  see  how  it 
was  with  friends  there,  and  after  went  into  the  city.  Great  rifling  of 
houses  there  was  at  that  time  to  search  for  people.  I  went  to  a  private 
friend's  house  and  Richard  Hubberthorn  with  me.  There  we  drew  up 
a  declaration  against  plots  and  fightings,  to  be  presented  to  the  king  and 
council ;  but  when  we  had  finished  it,  and  sent  it  to  the  press,  it  was 
taken  in  the  press. 

Upon  this  insurrection  of  the  Fifth-monarchy-men  great  havock  was 
made  both  in  city  and  country,  so  that  it  was  dangerous  for  sober  people 
to  stir  abroad  several  weeks  after;  and  hardly  could  either  men  or 
women  go  up  and  down  the  streets  to  buy  provisions  for  their  families 
without  being  abused.  In  the  country  they  dragged  men  and  women  out 
of  their  houses,  and  some  sick  men  out  of  their  beds  by  the  legs.  Nay, 
one  that  was  in  a  fever  the  soldiers  dragged  out  of  his  bed  to  prison ; 

2S 


338  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

and  when  he  was  brought  thither  he  died.  His  name  was  Thomas 
Patching. 

Margaret  Fell  went  to  the  king,  and  told  him  what  sad  work  there 
was  in  the  city  and  nation,  and  shewed  him  we  were  an  innocent  peace- 
able people,  and  that  we  must  keep  our  meetings  as  we  used  to  do  what- 
ever we  suffered ;  but  it  concerned  him  to  see  that  peace  was  kept,  that 
no  innocent  blood  might  be  shed. 

Now  were  the  prisons  every  where  filled  with  friends  and  others  in 
the  city  and  country,  and  the  posts  were  so  laid  for  the  searching  of 
letters,  that  none  could  pass  unsearched.  We  heard  of  several  thousands 
of  our  friends  that  were  cast  into  pi'ison  in  several  parts  of  the  nation, 
and  Margaret  Fell  carried  an  account  of  them  to  the  king  and  council. 
The  next  week  we  had  an  account  of  several  thousands  more  that  were 
cast  into  prison,  and  she  went  and  laid  them  also  before  the  king  and 
council.  They  wondered  how  we  could  have  such  intelligence,  seeing 
they  had  given  such  strict  charge  for  the  intercepting  of  all  letters ;  but 
the  Lord  did  so  order  it  that  we  had  an  account  notwithstanding  all 
their  stoppings.  In  the  deep  sense  I  had  of  the  grievous  sufferings  friends 
underwent,  and  of  their  innocency  towards  God  and  man,  I  was  moved 
to  send  the  following  epistle  to  them,  as  a  word  of  consolation,  and  to 
put  them  upon  sending  up  their  sufferings. 

*  My  dear  friends, 

'  In  the  immortal  seed  of  God,  which  will  plead  its  own  innocency, 

*  who  are  inheritors  of  an  everlasting  kingdom,  which  is  incorruptible,  and 

*  of  a  world  and  riches  that  fade  not  away,  peace  and  mercy  be  multi- 
'  plied  amongst  you  in  all  your  sufferings ;  whose  backs  were  not  un- 
'  ready,  but  your  hair  and  cheeks  prepared ;  who  never  feared  suffer- 
'  ings,  as  knowing  it  is  your  portion  in  the  world,  from  the  foundation  of 

*  which  the  Lamb  was  slain ;  who  reigns  in  his  glory,  which  he  had  with 
'  his  Father  before  the  world  began.  He  is  your  rock  in  all  floods  and 
'  waves,  upon  which  you  can  stand  safe,  with  a  cheerful  countenance, 

*  beholding  the  Lord  God  of  the  whole  earth  on  your  side.  So  in  the 
'  seed  of  God,  which  was  before  the  unrighteous  world  in  which  the  suf- 
'  ferings  are,  live  and  feed,  wherein  the  bread  of  hfe  is  felt,  and  no  cause 
'  of  complaint  of  hunger  or  cold.  Friends,  your  sufferings  all,  that  are 
'  or  have  been  of  late  in  prison,  I  would  have  you  send  up  an  account 

*  of,  and  how  things  are  amongst  you,  that  it  may  be  delivered  to  the 
'  king  and  his  council ;  for  things  are  pretty  well  here  after  the  storm. 

'  G.  F.' 
♦  London,  the  28th  of  the 
'  11th  month,  1660.' 

Having  lost  our  former  declaration  in  the  press,  we  made  haste  and 
drew  up  another  against  plots  and  fighting,  got  it  printed,  and  sent  some 
copies  to  the  king  and  council;  others  were  sold  up  and  down  the 
streets,  and  at  the  Exchange.  Which  Declaration  was  some  years 
after  reprinted. 

'  A  declaration  from   the   harmless  innocent  people  of  God,  called 
'  Quakers,  against  all  sedition,  plotters,  and  fighters  in  the  world ; 

*  for  removing  the  ground  of  jealousy  and  suspicion  from  both 

*  magistrates  and   people   in  the   kingdom   concerning   wars   and 

*  fightings. 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  339 

'  Presented  to  the  king  the  21st  day  of  the  11th  month,  1660. 
'  Our  principle  is  and  our  practices  have  always  been  to  seek  peace 

*  and  ensue  it ;  to  follow  after  righteousness  and  the  knowledge  of  God ; 

*  seeking  the  good  and  welfare,  and  doing  that  which  tends  to  the  peace 
'  of  all.  We  know  that  wars  and  fightings  proceed  from  the  lusts  of 
'  men,  as  Jam.  iv.  1,  2,  3,  out  of  which  lusts  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  us, 
'  and  so  out  of  the  occasion  of  war.     The  occasion  of  war  and  the  war 

*  itself,  wherein  envious  men,  who  are  lovers  of  themselves  more  than 

*  lovers  of  God,  lust,  kill,  and  desire  to  have  men's  lives  or  estates, 

*  ariseth  from  the  lust.  All  bloody  principles  and  practices  we,  as  to 
'  our  own  particulars,  do  utterly  deny,  with  all  outward  Wars,  strife,  and 

*  fighting  with  outward  weapons  for  any  end,  or  under  any  pretence 

*  whatsoever :  this  is  our  testimony  to  the  whole  world. 

'  And  whereas  it  is  objected  : 

'  But  although  you  now  say,  "  That  you  cannot  fight  nor  take  up 
"  arms  at  all ;  yet  if  the  Spirit  move  you,  then  you  will  change  your 
"  principle,  you  will  sell  your  coat  and  buy  a  sword,  and  fight  for  the 
"  kingdom  of  Christ." 

'  To  this  we  answer,  Christ  said  to  Peter,  "  Put  up  thy  sword  in  his 
"  place :"  though  he  had  said  before,  he  that  had  no  sword  might  sell  his 
'  coat  and "  buy  one  (to  the  fulfilling  of  the  law  and  the  scripture)  yet 
'  after,  when  he  had  bid  him  put  it  up,  he  said,  "  He  that  taketh  the 
"  sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword."  And  Christ  said  to  Pilate, 
"  Thinkest  thou,  that  I  cannot  now  pray  to  my  Father,  and  he  shall 
"  presently  give  me  more  than  twelve  legions  of  angels  t"  And  this 
'  might  satisfy  Peter,  Luke  xxii.  36,  after  he  had  put  up  his  sword,  when 
'  he  said  to  him,  "  He  that  took  it,  should  perish  by  it ;"  which  satisfieth 
'  us,  Mat.  xxvi.  51,  52,  53.  In  the  Revelations  it  is  said,  "  He  that  kills 
"  with  the  sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword ;  and  here  is  the  faith  and 
"  the  patience  of  the  saints."     So  Christ's  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world, 

*  therefore  do  not  his  servants  fight,  as  he  told  Pilate,  the  magistrate 
'  who  crucified  him.  And  did  they  not  look  upon  Christ  as  a  raiser  of 
'  sedition?  and  did  not  he  pray,  "  Forgive  themi"  But  thus  it  is  that 
'  we  are  numbered  amongst  transgressors,  and  amongst  fighters,  that 
'  the  scriptures  might  be  fulfilled. 

'  That  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  by  which  we  are  guided,  is  not  changea- 

*  ble,  so  as  once  to  command  us  from  a  thing,  as  evil,  and  again  to 

*  move  unto  it.  We  certainly  know  and  testify  to  the  world,  That  the 
'  Spirit  of  Christ,  which  leads  us  into  all  truth,  will  never  move  us  to 

*  fight  and  war  against  any  man  with  outward  weapons,  neither  for  the 
'  kingdom  of  Christ  nor  for  the  kingdoms  of  this  world. 

*  First,  Because  the  kingdom  of  Christ  God  will  exalt,  according  to 
'  his  promise,  and  cause  it  to  grow  and  flourish  in  righteousness.  "  Not 
"  by  might,  nor  by  power  (of  outward  sword)  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith 
"  the  Lord,"  Zech.  iv.  6.  So  those  that  use  any  weapon  to  fight  for 
'  Christ,  or  for  the  estabhshing  of  his  kingdom  or  government,  their 
'  spii'it,  principle,  and  practice  we  deny. 

'Secondly,  We  earnestly  desire  and  wait,  that,  by  the  word  of 
'  God's  power,  and  its  effectual  operation  in  the  hearts  of  men,  the 

*  kingdoms  of  this  world  may  become  the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord,  and 
'  of  his  Christ ;  and  that  he  may  rule  and  reign  in  men  by  his  Spirit 
'  and  truth ;    that   thereby  all   people,  out   of   all   different  judgments 

*  and  professions,  may  be  brought  into  love  and  unity  with  God,  and 


340  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

one  with  another  ;  and  that  all  may  come  to  witness  the  prophet's  words 
fulfilled,  who  said,  "  Nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation, 
'  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more,"  Isa.  ii.  4.  Mich.  iv.  3. 

'  Since  we,  whom  the  Lord  hath  called  into  the  obedience  of  his  truth, 
have  denied  wars  and  fightings,  and  cannot  any  more  learn  them. 
This  is  a  certain  testimony  unto  all  the  world  of  the  truth  of  our  hearts 
in  this  particular,  that  as  God  persuadeth  every  man's  heart  to  believe, 
so  they  may  I'eceive  it.  For  we  have  not,  as  some  others,  gone  about 
cunningly  with  devised  fables,  nor  have  we  ever  denied  in  practice 
what  we  have  professed  in  principle ;  but  in  sincerity  and  truth,  and 
by  the  word  of  God,  have  we  laboured  to  be  made  manifest  unto  all 
men,  that  both  we  and  our  ways  might  be  witnessed  in  the  hearts  of 
all.  And  whereas  all  manner  of  evil  hath  been  falsely  spoken  of  us, 
we  hereby  speak  the  plain  truth  of  our  hearts,  to  take  away  the  occa- 
sion of  that  offence,  that  so  we,  being  innocent,  may  not  suffer  for 
other  men's  offences,  nor  be  made  a  prey  of  by  the  wills  of  men  for 
that  of  which  we  were  never  guilty;  but  in  the  uprightness  of  our 
hearts  we  may,  under  the  power  ordained  of  God  for  the  punishment 
of  evil-doers,  and  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well,  live  a  peaceable 
hfe  in  all  godliness  and  honesty.  For  although  we  have  always  suffer- 
ed, and  do  now  more  abundantly  suffer,  yet  we  know  it  is  for  right- 
eousness sake ;  "  For  our  rejoicing  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our  con- 
'  sciences,  that  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wis- 
'  dom,  but  by  the  grace  of  God,  we  have  had  our  conversation  in  the 
'  world,"  2  Cor.  i.  12,  which  for  us  is  a  whness  for  the  convincing  of 
our  enemies.  For  this  we  can  say  to  all  the  world,  we  have  wronged 
no  man,  we  have  used  no  force  nor  violence  against  any  man,  we  have 
been  found  in  no  plots,  nor  guilty  of  sedition.  When  we  have  been 
wronged  we  have  not  sought  to  revenge  ourselves,  we  have  not  made 
resistance  against  authority ;  but  wherein  we  could  not  obey  for  con- 
science sake,  we  have  suffered  the  most  of  any  people  in  the  nation. 
We  have  been  counted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter,  persecuted  and  de- 
spised, beaten,  stoned,  wounded,  stocked,  whipped,  imprisoned,  haled 
out  of  the  synagogues,  cast  into  dungeons  and  noisome  vaults,  where 
many  have  died  in  bonds,  shut  up  from  our  friends,  denied  needful  sus- 
tenance for  many  days  together,  with  other  the  like  cruelties.  And 
the  cause  of  all  these  our  sufferings  is  not  for  any  evil,  but  for  things 
relating  to  the  worship  of  our  God,  and  in  obedience  to  his  requirings. 
'  For  which  cause  we  shall  freely  give  up  our  bodies  a  sacrifice,  rather 
'  than  disobey  the  Lord;"  knowing,  as  the  Lord  hath  kept  us  innocent, 
he  will  plead  our  cause  when  there  is  none  in  the  earth  to  plead 
it.  So  we,  in  obedience  to  his  truth,  do  not  love  our  lives  unto  death, 
that  we  may  do  his  will,  and  wrong  no  man  in  our  generation,  but 
seek  the  good  and  peace  of  all  men.  He  who  hath  commanded  us, 
'  That  we  shall  not  swear  at  all,"  Matth.  v.  34,  hath  also  commanded 
us,  "  That  we  shall  not  kill,"  Matth.  v.  So  that  we  can  neither  kill 
men,  nor  swear  for  nor  against  them.  This  is  both  our  principle  and 
our  practice,  and  hath  been  from  the  beginning;  so  that  if  we  suf- 
fer, as  suspected  to  take  up  arms  or  make  war  against  any,  it  is  with- 
out any  ground  from  us ;  for  it  neither  is,  nor  ever  was  in  our  hearts, 
since  we  owned  the  truth  of  God ;  neither  shall  we  ever  do  it,  because 
it  is  contrary  to  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  his  doctrine,  and  the  practices  of 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  341 

his  apostles ;  even  contrary  to  him  for  whom  we  suffer  all  things  and 
endure  all  things. 

'And  whereas  men  come  against  us  with  clubs,  staves,  drawn 
swords,  pistols  cock'd,  and  beat,  cut,  and  abuse  us;  yet  we  never 
resisted  them,  but  to  them  our  hair,  backs,  and  cheeks  have  been 
ready.  It  is  not  an  honour  to  manhood  or  nobility  to  run  upon 
harmless  people,  who  lift  not  an  hand  against  them,  with  arms  and 
weapons. 

'  Therefore  consider  these  things,  ye  men  of  understanding ;  for 
plotters,  raisers  of  insurrections,  tumultuous  ones,  and  fighters,  run- 
ning with  swords,  clubs,  staves,  and  pistols,  one  against  another ;  we 
say,  these  are  of  the  world,  and  have  their  foundation  from  this  un- 
righteous world,  from  the  foundation  of  which  the  Lamb  hath  been 
slain :  which  Lamb  hath  redeemed  us  from  this  unrighteous  world ; 
we  are  not  of  it,  but  are  heirs  of  a  world  of  which  there  is  no  end,  a 
kingdom  where  no  corruptible  thing  enters.  Our  weapons  are  spirit- 
ual, not  carnal,  yet  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  the 
strong  holds  of  sin  and  Satan,  who  is  the  author  of  wars,  fighting, 
murder,  and  plots.  Our  swords  are  broken  into  plough-shares,  and 
spears  into  pruning-hooks,  as  prophesied  of  in  Micah  iv.  Therefore 
we  cannot  learn  war  any  more,  neither  rise  up  against  nation  or 
kingdom  with  outward  weapons,  though  you  have  numbered  us 
amongst  the  transgressors  and  plotters.  The  Lord  knows  our  inno- 
cency  herein,  and  will  plead  our  cause  with  all  people  upon  earth  at 
the  day  of  their  judgment,  when  all  men  shall  have  a  reward  accord- 
ing to  their  works. 

'  Therefore  in  love  we  warn  you  for  your  souls'  good,  not  to  wrong 
the  innocent,  nor  the  babes  of  Christ,  which  he  hath  in  his  hand,  and 
tenders  as  the  apple  of  his  eye ;  neither  seek  to  destroy  the  heritage  of 
God,  nor  turn  your  swords  backward  upon  such  as  the  law  was  not 
made  for,  i.  e.  the  righteous ;  but  for  the  sinners  and  transgressors,  to 
keep  them  down.  For  those  are  not  peace-makers  nor  lovers  of  ene- 
mies, neither  can  they  overcome  evil  with  good,  who  wrong  them  that 
are  friends  to  you  and  all  men,  and  wish  your  good  and  the  good  of  all 
people  upon  earth.  If  you  oppress  us  as  they  did  the  children  of  Israel 
in  Egypt,  if  you  oppress  us  as  they  did  when  Christ  was  born,  and  as 
they  did  the  Christians  in  the  primitive  times,  we  can  say,  "  The  Lord 
'  forgive  you ;"  leave  the  Lord  to  deal  with  you,  and  not  revenge  our- 
selves. If  you  say,  as  the  council  said  to  Peter  and  John,  "  You  must 
'  speak  no  more  in  that  name ;"  and  if  you  serve  us  as  they  served  the 
three  children  spoken  of  in  Daniel,  God  is  the  same  as  he  ever  was,  that 
lives  for  ever  and  ever,  who  hath  the  innocent  in  his  arms. 

'  Oh !  friends !  offend  not  the  Lord  and  his  little  ones,  neither  afflict  his 
people  ;  but  consider  and  be  moderate.  Run  not  hastily  into  things, 
but  mind  and  consider ' mercy,  justice,  and  judgment;  that  is  the  way 
for  you  to  prosper  and  get  the  favour  of  the  Lord.  Our  meetings  were 
stopped  and  broken  up  in  the  days  of  Oliver,  under  pretence  of  plotting 
against  him ;  in  the  days  of  tiie  Committee  of  Safety  we  were  looked 
upon  as  plotters  to  bring  in  king  Charles ;  and  now  our  peaceable  meet- 
ings are  termed  seditious.  Oh  !  that  men  should  lose  their  reason,  and 
go  contrary  to  their  own  consciences ;  knowing  that  we  have  suffered 
all  things,  and  have  been  accounted  plotters  all  along,  though  we  have 
always  declared  against  them  both  by  word  of  mouth  and  printing,  and 


342  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1660 

*  are  clear  from  any  such  tiling !  Though  we  have  suffered  all  along,  be- 
'  cause  we  would  not  take  up  carnal  weapons  to  fight  against  any,  and 

*  are  thus  made  a  prey  upon  because  we  are  the  innocent  lambs  of  Christ, 
'  and  cannot  avenge  ourselves !    These  things  are  left  upon  your  hearts 

*  to  consider ;  for  we  are  out  of  all  those  things  in  the  patience  of  the 

*  saints,  and  we  know  as  Christ  said,  "  He  that  takes  the  sword  shall 
*'  perish  with  the  sword,"  Matth.  xxvi.  52.  Rev.  xiii.  10. 

"  This  is  given  forth  from  the  people  called  Quakers,  to  satisfy  the 
"  king  and  his  council,  and  all  that  have  any  jealousy  concerning 
"  us,  that  all  occasion  of  suspicion  may  be  taken  away,  and  our 
"  innocency  cleared." 

'  POSTSCRIPT. 

*  Though  we  are  numbered  amongst  transgressors,  and  have  been 
given  up  to  rude,  merciless  men,  by  whom  our  meetings  are  broken  up, 
in  which  we  edified  one  another  in  our  holy  faith,  and  prayed  together 
to  the  Lord  that  lives  for  ever,  yet  he  is  our  pleader  in  this  day.  The 
Lord  saith,  "  They  that  feared  his  name  spoke  often  together,"  as  in 
Malachi ;  which  were  as  his  jewels.  For  this  cause,  and  no  evil  doing, 
are  we  cast  into  holes,  dungeons,  houses  of  correction,  prisons,  sparing 
neither  old  nor  young,  men  nor  women,  and  made  a  prey  of  in  the  sight 
of  all  nations,  under  pretence  of  being  seditious,  &c.  so  that  all  rude 
people  run  upon  us  to  take  possession ;  for  which  we  say.  The  Lord  for- 
give them  that  have  thus  done  to  us ;  who  doth  and  will  enable  us  to 
suffer;  and  never  shall  we  lift  up  hand  against  any  man  that  doth  thus 
use  us ;  but  that  the  Lord  may  have  mercy  upon  them,  that  they  may 
consider  what  they  have  done.  For  how  is  it  possible  for  them  to  re- 
quite us  for  the  wrong  they  have  done  to  us  1  Who  to  all  nations  have 
sounded  us  abroad  as  seditious  or  plotters,  who  were  never  plotters 
against  any  power  or  man  upon  the  earth,  since  we  knew  the  life  and 
power  of  Jesus  Christ  manifested  in  us,  who  hath  redeemed  us  from  the 
world  and  all  works  of  darkness,  and  plotters  therein,  by  which  we 
know  the  election  before  the  world  began.  So  we  say,  The  Lord  have 
mercy  upon  our  enemies,  and  forgive  them  for  what  they  have  done 
unto  us. 

'  Oh !  do  as  you  would  be  done  by ;  do  unto  all  men  as  you  would  have 
them  do  unto  you ;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets. 

'  All  plots,  insurrections,  and  riotous  meetings,  we  deny,  knowing  them 
to  be  of  the  devil,  the  murderer ;  which  we  in  Christ,  who  was  before 
they  were,  triumph  over.  And  all  wars  and  fightings  with  carnal  wea- 
pons we  den}^  who  have  the  sword  of  the  Spirit ;  and  all  that  wrong 
us,  we  leave  to  the  Lord.  This  is  to  clear  our  innocency  from  that  as- 
persion cast  upon  us,  "  That  we  are  seditious  or  plotters." 

Added  in  the  reprinting. 
'  Courteous  reader, 

*  This  was  our  testimony  above  twenty  years  ago,  and  since  then  we 
'  have  not  been  found  acting  contrary  to  it,  nor  ever  shall ;  for  the  truth 

*  that  is  our  guide  is  unchangeable.     This  is  now  reprinted  to  the  men 

*  of  this  age,  many  of  whom  were  then  children,  and  doth  stand  as  our 

*  certain  testimony  against  all  plotting  and  fighting  with  carnal  weapons. 

*  And  if  any,  by  departing  from  the  truth,  should  do  so,  this  is  our  testi 


1660]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  343 

'  mony  in  the  truth  against  them,  and  will  stand  over  them,  and  the  truth 
*  will  be  clear  of  them.' 

This  Declaration  did  somewhat  clear  the  dark  air  that  was  over  the 
city  and  country ;  and  soon  after  the  king  gave  forth  a  proclamation, 
'  That  no  soldier  should  search  any  house  without  a  constable.'  But  the 
gaols  were  still  full,  many  thousands  of  friends  being  in  prison ;  which 
mischief  was  occasioned  by  the  wicked  rising  of  those  Fifth-monarchy- 
men.  But  when  those  of  them  that  were  taken  came  to  be  executed, 
they  did  us  the  justice  to  clear  us  openly  from  having  any  hand  in  or 
knowledge  of  their  plot.  After  that  the  king,  being  continually  impor- 
tuned thereunto,  issued  forth  a  Declaration,  "  That  friends  should  be  set 
"  at  liberty  without  paying  fees."  But  great  labour,  travail,  and  pains 
were  taken  before  this  was  obtained ;  for  Thomas  Moor  and  Margaret 
Fell  went  often  to  the  king  about  it. 

Much  blood  was  shed  this  year,  many  of  the  old  king's  judges  being 
hanged,  drawn,  and  quartered.  Amongst  those  that  suffered  colonel 
Hacker  was  one,  who  sent  me  prisoner  from  Leicester  to  London  in  Oli- 
ver's time.  A  sad  day  it  was,  and  a  repaying  of  blood  with  blood.  For 
in  the  time  of  O.  Cromwell,  when  several  were  hanged,  drawn,  and  quar- 
tered for  pretended  treasons,  I  felt  from  the  Lord  God  that  their  blood 
would  not  be  put  up,  but  would  be  required,  and  I  said  as  much  then  to 
several,  and  now  also  upon  the  king's  return,  when  several  that  had  been 
against  the  king  were  put  to  death,  as  the  others  that  were  for  the  king 
had  been  before  by  Oliver.  This  was  sad  work,  destroying  people  con- 
trary to  the  nature  of  Christians,  who  have  the  nature  of  lambs  and 
sheep.  But  there  was  a  secret  hand  in  bringing  this  day  upon  that  hypo- 
critical generation  of  professors,  who  being  got  into  power  grew  proud, 
haughty,  and  cruel  beyond  others,  and  persecuted  the  people  of  God 
without  pity.  Therefore  when  friends  were  under  cruel  persecutions 
and  sufferings  in  the  commonwealth's  time,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to 
write  unto  them,  to  draw  up  their  sufferings,  and  lay  them  before  the 
justices  at  their  sessions ;  and  if  they  would  not  do  them  justice,  then  to 
lay  them  before  the  judges  at  the  assize ;  and  if  they  refused  them  jus- 
tice, to  lay  it  before  the  parhament,  and  before  the  protector  and  his 
council,  that  they  might  all  see  what  was  done  under  their  government ; 
and  if  they  would  not  do  justice,  then  to  lay  it  before  the  Lord,  who 
would  hear  the  cries  of  the  oppressed,  the  widows,  and  fatherless,  whom 
they  had  made  so.  For  that  which  we  suffered  for,  and  which  our 
goods  were  spoiled  for,  was  our  obedience  to  the  Lord  in  his  Power  and 
in  his  Spirit,  who  is  able  to  help  and  succour,  and  we  had  no  helper  in 
the  earth  but  him.  And  he  heard  the  cries  of  his  people,  and  brought 
an  overflowing  scourge  over  the  heads  of  all  our  persecutors,  which 
brought  a  quaking,  a  dread,  and  a  fear  amongst  and  on  them  all ;  so  that 
those  who  had  nick-named  us  (who  are  the  children  of  light)  and  in  scorn 
called  us  Quakers,  the  Lord  made  to  quake,  and  many  of  them  would 
have  been  glad  to  have  hid  themselves  amongst  us ;  and  some  of  them, 
through  the  distress  that  came  upon  them,  did  at  length  confess  to  the 
truth.  Oh !  the  daily  reproaches,  revilings,  and  beatings  we  underwent 
amongst  them,  even  in  the  highways,  because  we  could  not  put  off  our 
hats  to  them,  and  for  saying  Thou  and  Thee  to  them !  Oh  !  the  havock 
and  spoil  the  priests  made  of  our  goods,  because  we  could  not  put  into 
their  mouths  and  give  them  tythes !  Besides  casting  into  prisons,  and  be- 
sides the  great  fines  laid  upon  us  because  we  could  not  swear !   But  for 


344  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

all  these  things  did  the  Lord  God  plead  with  them.  Yet  some  of  them 
were  so  hardened  in  their  wickedness,  that  when  they  were  turned  out 
of  their  places  and  offices,  they  said,  '  If  they  had  power  they  would  do 
'  the  same  again.'  And  when  this  day  of  overturning  was  come  upon 
them,  they  said,  '  It  was  all  along  of  us.'  Wherefore  I  was  moved  to 
write  to  them,  and  to  ask,  '  Did  we  ever  resist  them  when  they  took  away 

*  our  ploughs  and  plough-gears,  our  carts  and  horses,  our  corn  and  cattle, 

*  our  kettles  and  platters  from  us,  and  whipped  us,  and  set  us  in  the  stocks, 
'  and  cast  us  into  prison,  and  all  this  only  for  serving  and  worshipping' 

*  God  in  spirit  and  truth,  and  because  we  could  not  conform  to  their  re- 
'  ligions,  manners,  customs,  and  fashions  ?  Did  we  ever  resist  them  ?  Did 

*  we  not  give  them  our  backs  to  beat,  our  cheeks  to  pull  olf  the  hair,  and 

*  our  faces  to  spit  on  1  Had  not  their  priests,  that  prompted  them  on  to 
'  such  work,  plucked  them  with  themselves  into  the  ditch  1  Why  then 
^  would  they  say,  "  It  was  all  along  of  us  ? "  when  it  was  owing  to  them- 

*  selves  and  their  priests,  their  bhnd  prophets,  that  followed  their  own 

*  spirits,  and  could  foresee  nothing  of  these  times  and  things  that  are 

*  come  upon  them,  which  we  had  long  forewarned  them  of;  as  Jeremiah 
'  and  Christ  had  forewarned  Jerusalem.  They  thought  to  have  wearied 
'  us  out  and  undone  us ;  but  they  undid  themselves.  Whereas  we  could 
'  praise  God,  notwithstanding  all  their  plundering  of  us,  that  we  had  a 
'  kettle,  a  platter,  an  horse,  and  plough  still.' 

Many  ways  were  these  professors  warned,  by  word,  by  writing,  and 
by  signs ;  but  they  would  believe  none  till  it  was  too  late.  William  Symp- 
son  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  at  several  times  for  three  years  naked 
and  bare-footed  before  them,  as  a  sign  to  them,  in  markets,  courts,  towns, 
cities,  to  priests'  houses,  and  to  great  men's  houses ;  telling  them,  "  So 
"  should  they  be  stripped  naked  as  he  was  stripped  naked !"  And  some- 
times he  was  moved  to  put  on  hair-sackcloth,  and  to  besmear  his  face, 
and  to  tell  them,  "  So  would  the  Lord  God  besmear  all  their  religion  as 
"  he  was  besmeared."  Great  sufferings  did  that  poor  man  undergo,  sore 
whippings  with  horse-whips  and  coach-whips  on  his  bare  body,  grievous 
stoning  and  imprisonments  in  three  years'  time,  before  the  king  came  in, 
that  they  might  have  taken  warning ;  but  they  would  not,  and  rewarded 
his  love  with  cruel  usage.  Only  the  mayor  of  Cambridge  did  nobly  to 
him,  for  he  put  his  gown  about  him,  and  took  him  into  his  house. 

Another  friend,  Robert  Huntingdon,  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  into 
Carlisle  steeple-house  with  a  white  sheet  about  him,  amongst  the  great 
Presbyterians  and  Independents  there,  to  shew  them  that  the  surplice 
was  coming  up  again  ;  and  he  put  an  halter  about  his  neck  to  shew  them 
that  an  halter  was  coming  upon  them ;  which  was  fulfilled  upon  some  of 
our  persecutors  not  long  after. 

Another,  Richard  Sale,  living  near  Westchester,  being  constable  of 
the  place  where  he  lived,  had  a  friend  sent  to  him  with  a  pass,  whom 
those  wicked  professors  had  taken  up  for  a  vagabond,  because  he  trav- 
elled up  and  down  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  this  constable,  being 
convinced  by  the  friend  thus  brought  to  him,  gave  him  his  pass  and  lib- 
erty, and  was  afterwards  himself  cast  into  prison.  After  this,  on  a  lec- 
ture-day, Richard  Sale  was  moved  to  go  to  the  steeple-house  in  the  time 
of  their  worship,  and  to  carry  those  persecuting  priests  and  people  a 
lanthorn  and  candle,  as  a  figure  of  their  darkness ;  but  they  cruelly  abused 
him,  and  like  dark  professors  as  they  were  put  him  into  theii-  prison  called 
Little  Ease,  and  so  squeezed  his  body  therein  that  not  long  after  he  died. 


1661]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  345 

Many  warnings  of  divers  sorts  were  friends  moved  in  the  power  of  the 
Lord  to  give  unto  that  generation;  which  they  not  only  rejected,  but 
abused  friends,  calUng  us  giddy-headed  Quakers,  but  God  brought  his 
judgments  upon  those  persecuting  priests  and  magistrates.  For  when 
the  king  came  in,  most  of  them  were  turned  out  of  their  places  and  bene- 
fices, the  spoilers  were  spoiled ;  and  then  we  could  ask  them,  Who  were 
the  giddy-heads  now  ?  Then  many  confessed  we  had  been  true  prophets 
to  the  nation,  and  said,  Had  we  cried  against,  some  priests  only  they 
should  have  liked  us  then ;  but  we  crying  against  all,  that  made  them  dis- 
like us.  But  now  they  saw  that  those  priests,  then  looked  upon  to  be  the  best, 
were  as  bad  as  the  rest.  For  indeed  some  of  those  that  were  counted 
the  most  eminent  priests  were  the  bitterest  and  greatest  stirrers  up  of  the 
magistrates  to  persecution,  and  it  was  a  judgment  upon  them  to  be  de- 
nied the  free  liberty  of  their  consciences  when  the  king  came  in,  because 
when  they  were  uppermost  they  would  not  have  liberty  of  conscience 
granted  to  others.  One  Hewes,  of  Plymouth,  a  priest  of  great  note  in 
Oliver's  days,  when  some  liberty  was  granted,  prayed,  '  That  God  would 

*  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  the  chief  magistrates  of  the  nation  to  remove 

*  this  cursed  Toleration.'  Others  of  them  prayed  against  it  by  the  name 
of  Intolerable  Toleration.  But  awhile  after,  when  the  king  was  come 
in,  and  priest  Hewes  turned  out  of  his  great  benefice  for  not  conforming 
to  the  Common  Prayer,  a  friend  from  Plymouth  meeting  with  him,  asked 
him,  '  Whether  he  would  account  Toleration  accursed  now  ?  and  whether 

*  he  would  not  now  be  glad  of  a  Toleration  V  To  which  the  priest  re- 
turned no  answer,  save  by  the  shaking  of  his  head.  But  as  stiff"  as  this 
sort  of  men  were  then  against  Toleration,  it  is  well  known  many  of  them 
petitioned  the  king  for  Toleration  and  for  meeting-places,  and  paid  for 
licences  too.  But  to  return  to  the  present  time,  the  latter  end  of  the  year 
1660  and  the  beginning  of  1661. 

Although  those  friends,  who  had  been  imprisoned  upon  the  rising  of 
those  Monarchy-men,  were  set  at  liberty,  yet  meetings  were  much  dis- 
turbed, and  great  sufferings  friends  underwent;  for  besides  what  was 
done  by  officers  and  soldiers,  many  wild  fellows  and  rude  people  often 
came  in.  There  came  one  time,  when  I  was  at  Pall-mall,  an  ambassador 
with  a  company  of  Irishmen  with  rude  fellows :  the  meeting  was  over 
before  they  came,  and  I  was  gone  up  into  a  chamber,  where  I  heard  one 
of  them  say,  he  would  '  kill  all  the  Quakers.'  I  went  down  to  him,  and 
was  moved  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  speak  to  him.  I  told  him,  the 
law  said,  '  An  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth ;'  but  thou  threat- 
enest  to  '  kill  all  the  Quakers,  though  they  have  done  thee  no  hurt.'  But, 
said  I,  here  is  gospel  for  thee:  '  Here's  my  hair,  here's  my  cheek,  here's  my 

*  shoulder,'  turning  it  to  him.  This  came  so  over  him,  that  he  and  his  com- 
panions stood  as  men  amazed,  and  said.  If  that  was  our  principle,  and  if 
we  were  as  we  said,  they  never  saw  the  like  in  their  fives.  I  told  them, 
What  I  was  in  words,  I  was  the  same  in  life.  Then  the  ambassador  who 
had  stood  without,  came  in;  for  he  said  that  Irish  colonel  was  such  a  despe- 
rate man,  he  durst  not  come  in  with  him  for  fear  he  should  have  done  us 
some  mischief;  but  truth  came  over  him,  and  he  carried  himself  lovingly 
towards  us,  as  also  did  the  ambassador ;  for  the  Lord's  power  was  over 
them  all. 

At  Mile-end  friends  were  kept  out  of  their  meeting-place  by  soldiers ; 
but  friends  stood  nobly  in  the  truth,  valiant  for  the  Lord's  name,  and  at 
last  the  truth  gave  them  dominion. 

2T 


346  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1661 

About  this  time  we  had  an  account  that  John  Love,  a  friend  that  was 
moved  to  go  and  bear  testimony  against  the  idolatry  of  the  Papists,  was 
dead  in  prison  at  Rome :  it  was  suspected  he  was  privately  put  to  death. 
John  Perrot  was  also  prisoner  there,  and  being  released  came  over  again ; 
but  after  his  arrival  here,  he,  with  Charles  Baily  and  some  others,  turned 
aside  from  the  unity  of  friends  and  truth.  Whereupon  I  was  moved  to 
give  forth  a  paper,  declaring  how  the  Lord  would  blast  him  and  his  fol- 
lowers, if  they  did  no1»  repent  and  return,  and  that  they  should  wither 
like  the  grass  on  the  house-top ;  which  many  of  them  did :  but  others  re- 
pented and  returned. 

Also  before  this  time  we  received  account  from  New-England,  '  That 

*  the  government  there  had  made  a  law  to  banish  the  Quakers  out  of  their 

*  colonies,  upon  pain  of  death  in  case  they  returned ;  that  several  of  our 
'  friends,  having  been  so  banished  and  returning,  were  thereupon  taken 

*  and  actually  hanged,  and  that  divers  more  were  in  prison,  in  danger  of 
*the  like  sentence  to  be  executed  upon  them.'  When  those  were  put  to 
death,  I  was  in  prison  at  Lancaster,  and  had  a  perfect  sense  of  their  suf- 
ferings as  though  it  had  been  myself,  and  as  though  the  halter  had  been 
put  about  my  own  neck,  though  we  had  not  at  that  time  heard  of  it.  But 
as  soon  as  we  heard  of  it,  Edward  Burrough  went  to  the  king,  and  told 
him,  '  There  was  a  vein  of  innocent  blood  opened  in  his  dominions,  which 

*  if  it  were  not  stopped  would  over-run  all.'     To  which  the  king  replied, 

*  But  I  will  stop  that  vein.'  Edward  Burrough  said,  '  Then  do  it  speedily, 

*  for  we  know  not  how  many  may  soon  be  put  to  death.'  The  king  an- 
swered, '  As  speedily  as  ye  will.  Call  (said  he  to  some  present)  the  sec- 
'  retary,  and  I  will  do  it  presently.'  The  secretary  being  called,  a  man- 
damus was  forthwith  granted.  A  day  or  two  after,  Edward  Burrough 
going  again  to  the  king  to  desire  the  matter  might  be  expedited,  the  king 
said,  He  had  no  occasion  at  present  to  send  a  ship  thither,  but  if  we 
would  send  one  we  might  do  it  as  soon  as  we  would.  Edward  then 
asked  the  king,  If  it  would  please  him  to  grant  his  deputation  to  one 
called  a  Quaker  to  carry  the  mandamus  to  New-England?  He  said,  'Yes, 
'  to  whom  ye  will.'  Whereupon  E.  B.  named  Samuel  Shattock,  who 
being  an  inhabitant  of  New-England  was  banished  by  their  law,  to  be 
hanged  if  he  came  again,  and  to  him  the  deputation  was  granted.  Then 
he  sent  for  Ralph  Goldsmith,  an  honest  friend,  who  was  master  of  a  good 
ship,  and  agreed  with  him  for  three  hundred  pounds  (goods  or  no  goods) 
to  sail  in  ten  days.  He  forthwith  prepared  to  set  sail,  and  with  a  pros- 
perous gale,  in  about  six  weeks'  time,  arrived  before  the  town  of  Boston 
in  New-England,  upon  a  first-day  morning.  With  him  went  many  pas- 
sengers, both  of  New  and  Old  England,  friends,  whom  the  Lord  moved 
to  go  to  bear  their  testimony  against  those  bloody  persecutors,  who  had 
exceeded  all  the  world  in  that  age  in  their  bloody  persecutions.  The 
townsmen  at  Boston,  seeing  a  ship  come  into  the  bay  with  English  col- 
ours, soon  came  on  board  and  asked  for  the  captain.  Ralph  Goldsmith 
told  him.  He  was  the  commander.  They  asked  him.  If  he  had  any  let- 
ters 1  He  said.  Yes.  They  asked,  If  he  would  dehver  them  1  He  said, 
'  No,  not  to-day.'  So  they  went  ashore,  and  reported,  There  was  a  ship 
full  of  Quakers,  and  that  Samuel  Shattock  was  among  them,  who  they 
knew  was  by  their  law  to  be  put  to  death  for  coming  again  after  banish- 
ment ;  but  they  knew  not  his  errand  nor  his  authority.  So  all  being  kept 
close  that  day,  and  none  of  the  ship's  company  suffered  to  go  on  shore ; 
next  morning  Samuel  Shattock,  the  king's  deputy,  and  Ralph  Goldsmith, 


1661]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  347 

went  on  shore,  and  sending  back  to  the  ship  the  men  that  landed  them, 
they  two  went  through  the  town  to  the  governor's,  John  Endicott's  door, 
and  knocked.  He  sent  out  a  man  to  know  their  business.  They  sent 
him  word  their  business  was  from  the  king  of  England,  and  they  would 
deUver  their  message  to  none  but  the  governor  himself.  Thereupon  they 
were  admitted  in,  and  the  governor  came  to  them ;  and  having  received 
the  deputation  and  the  mandamus,  he  put  off  his  hat  and  looked  upon 
them.  Then  going  out,  he  bid  the  friends  follow  him.  He  went  to  the 
deputy-governor,  and  after  a  short  consultation  came  out  to  the  friends, 
and  said,  *  We  shall  obey  his  majesty's  commands.'  After  this  the  mas- 
ter gave  liberty  to  the  passengers  to  come  on  shore,  and  presently  the 
noise  of  the  business  flew  about  the  town ;  and  the  friends  of  the  town 
and  the  passengers  of  the  ship  met  together  to  offer  up  their  praises  and 
thanksgivings  to  God,  who  had  so  wonderfully  delivered  them  from  the 
teeth  of  the  devourer.  While  they  were  thus  met,  in  came  a  poor  friend, 
who,  being  sentenced  by  their  bloody  law  to  die,  had  lain  some  time  in 
irons  expecting  execution.  This  added  to  their  joy,  and  caused  them  to 
lift  up  their  hearts  in  high  praises  to  God,  who  is  worthy  for  ever  to  have 
tlie  praise,  the  glory,  and  the  honour ;  for  he  only  is  able  to  deliver,  to 
save,  and  support  all  that  sincerely  put  their  trust  in  him.  Here  follows 
a  copy  of  the  mandamus. 

'  CHARLES  R. 

'  Trusty  and  well-beloved.  We  greet  you  well.     Having  been  inform- 

*  ed,  that  several  of  our  subjects  amongst  you,  called  Quakers,  have  been 

*  and  are  imprisoned  by  you,  whereof  some  have  been  executed,  and 

*  others  (as  hath  been  represented  unto  us)  are  in  danger  to  undergo  the 
'  like,  we  have  thought  fit  to  signify  our  pleasure  in  that  behalf  for  the 

*  future ;  and  do  hereby  require,  that  if  there  be  any  of  those  people  call- 
'  ed  Quakers  amongst  you,  now  already  condemned  to  suffer  death  or 

*  other  corporal  punishment,  or  that  are  imprisoned  and  obnoxious  to  the 
'  like  condemnation,  you  are  to  forbear  to  proceed  any  further  therein ; 

*  but  that  you  forthwith  send  the  said  persons  (whether  condemned  or 

*  imprisoned)  over  into  this  our  kingdom  of  England,  together  with  the 

*  respective  crimes  or  offences  laid  to  their  charge,  to  the  end  such  course 

*  may  be  taken  with  them  here  as  shall  be  agreeable  to  our  laws  and 

*  their  demerits.     And  for  so  doing,  these  our  letters  shall  be  your  suffi- 

*  cient  warrant  and  discharge.  Given  at  our  court  at  Whitehall,  the  9th 
*day  of  September,  1661,  in  the  13th  year  of  our  reign.' 

Subscribed :  '  To  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  John  Endicott,  esquire, 

*  and  to  all  and  every  other  the  governor  or  governors  of  our 
'  plantations  of  New-England,  and  of  all  the  colonies  thereunto 

*  belonging,  that  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be,  and  to  all  and 

*  every  the  ministers  and  officers  of  our  plantations  and  colonies 

*  whatsoever  within  the  continent  of  New-England. 

'  By  his  majesty's  command, 

'  William  Morris.' 
Some  time  after  this  several  New-England  magistrates  came  over, 
with  one  of  their  priests.  We  had  several  discourses  with  them  con- 
cerning their  murdering  our  friends,  the  servants  of  the  Lord ;  but  they 
were  ashamed  to  stand  to  their  bloody  actions.  At  one  of  those  meet- 
ings I  asked  Simon  Broadstreet,  one  of  the  New-England  magistrates. 
Whether  he  had  not  an  hand  in  putting  to  death  those  four  servants  of 


348  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1661 

God,  whom  they  hanged  for  being  Quakers  only,  as  they  had  nick-named 
them  1  He  confessed.  He  had.  1  then  asked  him,  and  the  rest  of  his  as- 
sociates then  present.  Whether  they  would  acknowledge  themselves  to 
be  subjects  to  the  laws  of  England '(  And  if  they  did,  by  what  law  they 
had  put  our  friends  to  death  ?  They  said.  They  were  subjects  to  the  laws 
of  England,  and  they  had  put  our  friends  to  death  by  the  same  law  as 
the  Jesuits  were  put  to  death  here  in  England.  I  asked  them  then.  Whe- 
ther they  did  believe  those  friends  of  ours,  whom  they  had  put  to  death, 
were  Jesuits  or  jesuitically  affected  1  They  said.  Nay.  Then,  said  I,  ye 
have  murdered  them,  if  ye  have  put  them  to  death  by  the  law  that  Je- 
suits are  put  to  death  here  in  England,  and  yet  confess  they  were  no  Je- 
suits. By  this  it  plainly  appears  ye  have  put  them  to  death  in  your  own 
wills,  without  any  law.  Then  Simon  Broadstreet,  finding  himself  and 
his  company  ensnared  by  their  own  words,  said.  Did  we  come  to  catch 
them?  I  told  them.  They  had  catched  themselves,  and  they  might  justly 
be  questioned  for  their  lives ;  and  if  the  father  of  William  Robinson,  who 
was  one  of  those  that  were  put  to  death,  was  in  town,  it  was  probable 
he  would  question  them,  and  bring  their  lives  into  jeopardy.  Hereupon 
they  began  to  excuse  themselves,  saying,  '  There  was  no  persecution 
*  now  amongst  them ;'  but  next  morning  we  had  letters  from  New-Eng- 
land, giving  us  account  that  our  friends  were  persecuted  there  afresh. 
Tliereupon  we  went  to  them  again,  and  shewed  them  our  letters,  which 
put  them  both  to  silence  and  to  shame.  In  great  fear  they  seemed  to  be, 
lest  some  should  call  them  to  account  and  prosecute  them  for  their  lives, 
especially  Simon  Broadstreet ;  for  he  had  at  first  before  so  many  wit- 
nesses confessed,  '  He  had  a  hand  in  putting  our  friends  to  death,'  that 
he  could  not  get  from  it ;  though  he  afterwards  through  fear  shuffled, 
and  would  have  unsaid  it  again.  After  this  he  and  the  rest  soon  left  the 
city,  and  got  back  to  New-England  again.  I  went  also  to  governor 
Winthoi-p,  and  discoursed  with  him  about  these  matters ;  but  he  assured 
me,  '  He  had  no  hand  in  putting  our  friends  to  death,  or  in  any  way  per- 
'  secuting  of  them,  but  was  one  of  them  that  protested  against  it.'  These 
stingy  persecutors  of  New-England  were  a  people  that  fled  out  of  Old 
England  thither  from  the  persecution  of  the  bishops  here ;  but  when  they 
had  got  power  into  their  hands,  they  so  far  exceeded  the  bishops  in 
severity  and  cruelty,  that  whereas  the  bishops  had  made  them  pay  twelve 
pence  a  Sunday  (so  called)  for  not  coming  to  their  worship  here,  they 
imposed  a  fine  of  five  shiUings  a  day  upon  such  as  should  not  conform 
to  their  will-worship  there,  and  spoiled  the  goods  of  friends  that  could 
not  pay  it.  Besides,  many  they  imprisoned,  divers  they  whipped,  and 
that  most  cruelly ;  they  cut  the  ears  off"  some,  and  some  they  hanged : 
as  the  books  of  friends'  sufl'erings  in  New-England  largely  shew,  partic- 
ularly one  written  by  George  Bishop  of  Bristol,  intituled,  New-England 
judged :  in  two  parts.  Some  of  the  old  Royalists  were  earnest  with 
friends  to  have  prosecuted  them  ;  but  we  told  them,  we  left  them  to  the 
Lord,  to  whom  vengeance  belonged,  and  he  would  repay  it.  And  the 
judgments  of  God  have  since  fallen  heavy  on  them ;  for  the  Indians 
have  been  raised  up  against  them,  and  have  cut  off'  many  of  them. 

About  this  time  I  lost  a  very  good  book,  being  taken  in  the  printer's 
hands :  it  was  a  useful,  teaching  book,  containing  the  signification  and 
explanation  of  Names,  Parables,  Types,  and  Figures  in  the  scriptures. 
Those  who  took  it  were  so  affected  therewith  that  they  were  loth  to  de- 
stroy it ;  but  thinking  to  have  made  a  great  advantage  of  it,  they  would 


1661]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  349 

have  let  us  had  it  again,  if  we  would  have  given  them  a  great  sum  of 
money  for  it ;  which  we  were  not  free  to  do. 

Before  this,  while  I  was  prisoner  in  Lancaster  castle,  the  book  called 
the  Battledore  came  forth,  which  was  written  to  shew  that  in  all  lan- 
guages Thou  and  Thee  is  the  proper  and  usual  form  of  speech  to  a  single 
pei'son,  and  You  to  more  than  one.  This  was  set  forth  in  examples  or 
instances  taken  out  of  the  scriptures,  and  out  of  books  of  instruction  in 
about  thirty  languages.  John  Stubbs  and  Benjamin  Furly  took  great 
pains  in  compiling  it,  which  I  put  them  upon ;  and  some  things  I  added 
to  it.  When  it  was  finished,  some  of  them  were  presented  to  the  king 
and  his  council,  to  the  bishops  of  Canterbury  and  London,  and  to  the  two 
universities  one  apiece ;  and  many  bought  of  them.  The  king  said,  '  It 
*  was  the  proper  language  of  all  nations.'  The  bishop  of  Canterbury, 
being  asked  what  he  thought  of  it,  was  so  at  a  stand  that  he  could  not 
tell  what  to  say  to  it.  For  it  did  so  inform  and  convince  people,  that 
few  afterwards  were  so  rugged  towards  us  for  saying  Thou  and  Thee 
to  a  single  person,  which  before  they  were  exceeding  fierce  against  us 
for.  For  Thou  and  Thee  was  a  sore  cut  to  proud  flesh,  and  them  that 
sought  self-honour ;  who,  though  they  would  say  it  to  God  and  Christ, 
would  not  endure  to  have  it  said  to  themselves.  So  that  we  were  often 
beat  and  abused,  and  sometimes  in  danger  of  our  lives  for  using  those 
words  to  some  proud  men,  who  would  say,  '  What !  you  ill-bred  clown, 
do  you  Thou  me ! '  as  though  there  lay  christian  breeding  in  saying  You 
to  one,  which  is  contrary  to  their  grammars  and  teaching  books,  by 
which  they  instructed  their  youth. 

Now  the  bishops  and  priests  being  busy  and  eager  to  set  up  their 
form  of  worship,  and  compel  all  to  come  to  it,  I  was  moved  to  give 
forth  the  following  paper,  to  open  the  nature  of  the  true  worship  which 
Christ  set  up,  and  which  God  accepts ;  thus  : 

'  Christ's  worship  is  free  in  the  Spirit  to  all  men ;  and  such  as  worship 
'  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth  are  those  that  God  seeks  to  worship  him ; 
'  for  he  is  the  God  of  truth,  and  is  a  Spirit,  and  the  God  of  the  spirits 
'  of  all  flesh.  He  hath  given  to  all  nations  of  men  and  women  breath 
'  and  life,  to  live,  move,  and  have  their  being  in  him,  and  hath  put  into 
'  them  an  immortal  soul.  So  all  nations  of  men  and  women  are  to  be 
'  temples  for  him  to  dwell  in ;  and  they  that  defile  his  temple  will  he 
'  destroy.  Now  as  the  outward  Jews,  while  they  had  their  outward 
'  temple  at  Jerusalem,  were  to  go  thither  to  worship,  which  temple  God 
'  hath  long  since  thrown  down,  and  destroyed  that  Jerusalem,  the  vision 
'  of  peace,  and  cast  off"  the  Jews  and  their  worship,  and  in  the  room 
'  thereof  hath  set  up  his  gospel- worship  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth, 
'  so  now  all  are  to  worship  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth.  This  is  a  free 
'  worship ;  for  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  and  ruleth,  there  is  liber- 
'  ty ;  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  are  seen,  and  will  manifest  themselves ;  and 
'*  the  Spirit  is  not  to  be  limited,  but  to  be  lived  and  walked  in,  that  the 
'  fruits  of  it  may  appear.  The  tares  are  such  as  hang  upon  the  wheat, 
'  and  thereby  draw  it  down  to  the  earth ;  yet  the  tares  and  the  wheat 
'  must  grow  together  till  the  harvest,  lest  they  that  take  upon  them  to 
'  pluck  up  the  tares  should  pluck  up  the  wheat  with  the  tares.  The 
'  tares  are  such  as  worship  not  God  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth,  but 
'  grieve  the  Spirit,  vex  and  quench  it  in  themselves,  and  walk  not  in  the 
'  truth ;    yet  will  hang  about  the  wheat,  the  true  worshippers  in  the 


350  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1661 

*  Spirit  and  in  the  truth.  Christ's  church  was  never  established  by 
'  blood,  nor  held  up  by  prisons ;  neither  was  the  foundation  of  it  laid 

*  by  carnal  armed  men,  nor  is  it  preserved  by  such.     When  men  went 

*  from  the  Spirit  and  truth,  they  took  up  carnal  weapons  to  maintain 

*  their  outward  forms,  and  yet  cannot  preserve  them  with  their  carnal 
'  weapons ;    for  one  plucketh    down   another's  form  with  his  outward 

*  weapons.  And  this  work  hath  been  among  the  Christians  in  name 
'  since  they  lost  the  Spirit,  and  spiritual  weapons,  and  the  true  worship 
'  which  Christ  set  up,  that  is  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth ;  which 
'  Spirit  and  truth  they  that  worship  in  are  over  all  the  tares.  All  that 
'  would  be  plucking  up  the  tares  are  forbidden  by  Christ,  who  hath  all 

*  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him ;  for  the  tares  and  the  wheat 

*  must  grow  together  till  the  harvest,  as  Christ  hath  commanded.     The 

*  stone  that  smote  the  image  became  a  great  mountain,  and  filled  the 

*  whole  earth ;  now  if  the  stone  do  fill  the  whole  earth,  all  nations  must 

*  be  temples  for  the  stone.     All  that  say  they  travail  for  the  seed,  and 

*  yet  bring  forth  nothing  but  a  birth  of  strife,  contention,  and  confusion, 
'  their  fruit  shews  their  travail  to  be  wrong ;  for  by  the  fruit  the  end  of 

*  every  one's  work  is  seen  of  what  sort  it  is.  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  many  Papists  and  Jesuits  began  to  fawn  upon  friends, 
and  talked  up  and  down  where  they  came,  that  of  all  the  sects  the 
Quakers  were  the  best  and  most  self-denying  people ;  and  said,  '  It  was 
'  great  pity  that  they  did  not  return  to  the  holy  mother  church.'  Thus 
they  made  a  buzz  among  the  people,  and  said,  '  They  would  willingly 

*  discourse  with  friends.'  But  friends  were  loth  to  meddle  with  them, 
because  they  were  Jesuits,  looking  upon  it  to  be  both  dangerous  and 
scandalous.  But  when  I  understood  it,  I  said  to  friends,  '  Let  us  dis- 
'  course  with  them,  be  they  what  they  will.'  So  a  time  being  appointed 
at  Gerrard  Roberts's,  there  came  two  of  them  like  courtiers.  They 
asked  our  names,  which  we  told  them ;  but  we  did  not  ask  their  names, 
for  we  understood  they  were  called  Papists,  and  they  knew  we  were 
called  Quakers.  I  asked  them  the  same  question  that  I  had  formerly 
asked  a  Jesuit,  namely,  '  Whether  the  church  of  Rome  was  not  degene- 
'  rated  from  the  church  in  the  primitive  times,  from  the  Spirit,  power, 
'  and  practice  that  they  were  in  in  the  apostles'  times  V  He  to  whom  I 
put  this  question,  being  subtle,  said,  *  He  would  not  answer  it.'  I  asked 
him,  Why  ?  But  he  would  shew  no  reason.  His  companion  said,  he 
would  answer  me ;  and  said,  '  They  were  not  degenerated  from  the 
'  church  in  the  primitive  times.'     I  asked  the  other,  '  Whether  he  was 

*  of  the  same  mind?'  He  said.  Yes.  Then  T  replied,  for  the  better  un- 
derstanding one  another,  and  that  there  might  be  no  mistake,  I  would 
repeat  my  question  over  again  after  this  manner:  '  Whether  the  church 

*  of  Rome  now  was  in  the  same  purity,  practice,  power,  and  Spirit,  that 

*  the  church  in  the  apostles'  time  was  in  V  When  they  saw  we  would 
be  exact  with  them,  they  flew  off,  and  denied  that,  saying,  '  It  was  pre- 
'  sumption  in  any  to  say  they  had  the  same  power  and  Spirit  which  the 
'  apostles  had.'  I  told  them.  It  was  presumption  in  them  to  meddle 
with  the  words  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  and  make  people  believe  they 
succeeded  tiie  apostles,  yet  be  forced  to  confess,  '  They  were  not  in  the 

*  same  power  and  Spirit  that  the  apostles  were  in :'  This,  said  I,  is  a  spirit 
of  presumption,  and  rebuked  by  the  apostles'  Spirit.  I  shewed  them  how 
different  their  fruits  and  practices  were  from  the  fruits  and  practices  of  the 


1661]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  351 

apostles.  Then  got  up  one  of  them,  and  said, '  Ye  are  a  company  of  dream- 

*  ers.'  Nay,  said  I,  ye  are  the  filthy  dreamers,  who  dream  ye  are  the  apos- 
tles' successors,  and  yet  confess,  '  Ye  have  not  the  same  power  and  Spirit 
'  which  the  apostles  were  in.'  And  are  not  they  defilers  of  the  flesh, 
who  say,  '  It  is  presumption  for  any  to  say,  they  have  the  same  power 

*  and  Spirit  which  the  apostles  had  V  Now,  said  I,  if  ye  have  not  the 
same  power  and  Spirit  which  the  apostles  had,  then  it  is  manifest  that 
ye  are  led  by  another  power  and  spirit  than  the  apostles  and  church  in 
the  primitive  times  were  led  by.  Then  I  began  to  tell  them  how  that 
evil  spirit,  which  they  were  led  by,  had  led  them  to  pray  by  beads  and 
to  images,  and  to  set  up  nunneries,  friaries,  and  monasteries,  and  to  put 
people  to  death  for  religion ;  which  practice  I  shewed  them  was  below 
the  law,  and  far  short  of  the  gospel,  in  which  is  liberty.  They  were 
soon  weary  of  this  discourse  and  went  their  way,  and  gave  a  charge, 
as  we  heard,  to  the  Papists,  '  That  they  should  not  dispute  with  us,  nor 

*  read  any  of  our  books.'  So  we  were  rid  of  them ;  but  we  had  reasonings 
with  all  the  other  sects,  Presbyterians,  Independents,  Seekers,  Baptists, 
Episcopal-men,  Socinians,  Brownists,  Lutherans,  Calvinists,  Arminians, 
Fifth-monarchy-men,  Familists,  Muggletonians,  and  Ranters ;  none  of 
which  would  affirm  they  had  the  same  power  and  Spirit  that  the  apos- 
tles had  and  were  in ;  so  in  that  power  and  Spirit  the  Lord  gave  us  do- 
minion over  them  all. 

As  for  the  Fifth-monarchy-men  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  a  paper, 
to  manifest  their  error  to  them ;  for  they  looked  for  Christ's  personal 
coming  in  an  outward  form  and  manner,  and  fixed  the  time  to  the  year 
1666 ;  at  which  time  some  of  them  prepared  themselves  when  it  thun- 
dered and  rained,  thinking  Christ  was  then  come  to  set  up  his  kingdom, 
and  they  imagined  they  were  to  kill  the  whore  without  them.  But  I 
told  them  the  whore  was  alive  in  them,  and  was  not  burned  with  God's 
fire,  nor  judged  in  them  with  the  same  power  and  Spirit  the  apostles 
were  in.  And  their  looking  for  Christ's  coming  outwardly  to  set  up  his 
kingdom,  was  like  the  Pharisees  '  Lo  here,'  and  '  Lo  there.'  .But 
Christ  was  come  and  had  set  up  his  kingdom  above  sixteen  hundred 
years  ago,  according  to  Nebuchadnezzar's  dream  and  Daniel's  prophe- 
cy, and  he  had  dashed  to  pieces  the  four  monarchies,  the  great  image, 
with  its  head  of  gold,  breast  and  arms  of  silver,  belly  and  thighs  of 
brass,  legs  of  iron,  and  feet  part  of  iron  part  of  clay ;  and  they  were 
all  blown  away  with  God's  wind,  as  the  chaff  in  the  summer  threshing- 
floor.  And  when  Christ  was  on  earth,  he  said,  His  kingdom  was 
not  of  this  world ;  if  it  had,  his  servants  would  have  fought ;  but 
it  was  not,  therefore  his  servants  did  not  fight.  Therefore  all  the 
Fifth-monarchy-men,  that  are  fighters  with  carnal  weapons,  are  none 
of  Christ's  servants,  but  the  beast's  and  the  whore's.     Christ  said,  '  All 

*  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  is  given  to  me ;'  so  then  his  kingdom  was 
set  up  above  sixteen  hundred  years  ago,  and  he  reigns.  And  we  see 
Jesus  Christ  reign,  said  the  apostle,  and  he  shall  reign  till  all  things  be 
put  under  his  feet ;  tho'  all  things  are  not  yet  put  under  his  feet,  nor 
subdued. 

This  year  several  friends  were  moved  to  go  beyond  sea,  to  publish 
truth  in  foreign  countries.  John  Stubbs,  Henry  Fell,  and  Richard  Cos- 
trop  were  moved  to  go  towards  China,  and  Prester  John's  country ;  but 
no  masters  of  ships  would  carry  them.  With  much  ado  they  got  a  war- 
rant from  the  king ;  but  the  East-India  company  found  ways  to  avoid  it, 


S52  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1661 

and  the  masters  of  their  ships  would  not  carry  them.  Then  they  went 
into  Holland,  hoping  to  have  got  passage  there ;  but  no  passage  could 
they  get  there  neither.  Then  John  Stubbs  and  Henry  Fell  took  shipping 
for  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  intending  to  go  by  the  caravans  from  thence. 
Meanwhile  Daniel  Baker  being  to  go  to  Smyrna,  drew  Richard  Costrop, 
contrary  to  his  own  freedom,  along  with  them ;  and  in  the  passage, 
Richard  falling  sick,  D.  Baker  left  him  sick  in  the  ship ;  where  he  died : 
but  that  hard-hearted  man  afterwards  lost  his  own  condition. 

John  Stubbs  and  Henry  Fell  got  to  Alexandria;  but  they  had  not  been 
long  there  before  the  English  consul  banished  them  from  thence ;  yet  be- 
fore they  came  away,  they  dispersed  many  books  and  papers  for  the 
opening  the  principles  and  way  of  truth  to  the  Turks  and  Grecians. 
They  gave  the  book  called,  '  The  Pope's  strength  broken,'  to  an  old  friar, 
for  him  to  give  or  send  to  the  pope ;  which  book,  when  the  friar  had  pe- 
rused, he  clapped  his  hand  upon  his  breast,  and  confessed,  '  What  was 
'  written  therein  was  truth ;  but,'  said  he,  '  if  I  should  confess  it  openly, 

*  they  would  burn  me.'  John  Stubbs  and  Henry  Fell,  not  being  suffered 
to  go  farther,  returned  to  England,  and  came  to  London  again.  John 
had  a  vision  that  the  EngUsh  and  Dutch,  who  had  joined  together  not 
to  carry  them,  '  would  fall  out  one  with  the  other.'  And  so  it  came  to 
pass. 

Having  staid  in  London  some  time,  I  felt  drawings  to  visit  friends  in 
Essex.  I  went  to  Colchester,  where  I  had  very  large  meetings,  and 
from  thence  to  Coggeshall ;  not  far  from  which  there  was  a  priest  con- 
vinced, and  I  had  a  meeting  at  his  house.  So  travelling  a  little  in  those 
parts,  visiting  friends  in  their  meetings,  I  returned  pretty  quickly  to  Lon- 
don, where  I  found  great  service  for  the  Lord ;  for  a  large  door  was 
opened,  many  flocked  in  to  our  meetings,  and  the  Lord's  truth  spread 
mightily  this  year.  Yet  friends  had  great  travail  and  sore  labour,  the 
rude  people  having  been  so  heightened  by  the  Monarchy-men's  rising  a 
little  before.  But  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  in  it  friends  had 
dojfninion ;  though  we  had  not  only  those  suiTerings  without,  but  suffer- 
ings within  also,  by  John  Perrot  and  his  company ;  who  giving  heed  to  a 
spirit  of  delusion,  sought  to  introduce  among  friepds  that  evil  and  un- 
comely practice  of  '  keeping  on  the  hat  in  the  time  of  publick  prayers.' 
Friends  had  spoken  to  him  and  divers  of  his  followers  about  it,  and  I  had 
written  to  them  concerning  it ;  but  he  and  some  others  rather  strength- 
ened themselves  against  us.  Wherefore  feeling  the  judgment  of  truth 
rise  against  it,  I  gave  forth  the  following  lines,  as  a  warning  to  all  con- 
cerned therein. 

'  Whosoever  is  tainted  with  this  spirit  of  John  Perrot,  it  will  perish. 
'  Mark  theirs  and  his  end,  that  are  turned  into  those  outward  things  and 
'  janglings  about  them,  and  that  which  is  not  savoury;  all  which  is  for 
'  perpetual  judgment,  and  is  to  be  swept  and  cleansed  out  of  the  camp 

*  of  God's  elect.     This  is  to  that  spirit  that  is  gone  into  jangling  about 

*  that  which  is  below  (the  rotten  principle  of  the  old  Ranters)  gone  from 

*  the  invisible  power  of  God,  in  which  is  the  everlasting  fellowship ;  so 

*  many  are  become  like  the  corn  on  the  house-top,  and  like  the  untimely 

*  figs,  who  now  clamour  and  speak  against  them  that  are  in  the  power 

*  of  God.     Oh!  consider!  the  light  and  power  of  God  goes  over  you  all, 

*  and  leaves  you  in  the  fretting  nature,  out  of  the  unity  which  is  in  the 

*  everlasting  light,  life,  and  power  of  God.     Consider  this  before  the  day 


1661]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  353 

*  be  gone  from  you,  and  take  heed  that  your  memorial  be  not  rooted  out 
'  from  among  the  righteous.  G.  F.' 

Among  the  exercises  and  troubles  that  friends  had  from  without,  one 
was  concerning  friends'  marriages,  which  sometimes  were  called  in 
question.  In  this  year  there  happened  to  be  a  cause  tried  at  the  assize 
at  Nottingham  concerning  a  friend's  marriage.  The  case  was  thus : 
Some  years  before  two  friends  were  joined  together  in  marriage  amongst 
friends,  and  lived  together  as  man  and  wife  about  two  years.  Then  the 
man  died,  leaving  his  wife  with  child,  and  leaving  an  estate  in  lands  of 
copyhold.  When  the  woman  was  delivered,  the  jury  presented  the  child 
heir  to  its  father's  lands,  and  accordingly  the  child  was  admitted ;  after- 
wards another  friend  married  the  widow.  And  after  that  a  person  near 
of  kin  to  her  former  husband,  brought  his  action  against  the  friend  who 
had  last  married  her,  endeavouring  to  dispossess  them,  and  deprive  the 
child  of  the  inheritance,  and  to  possess  himself  thereof,  as  next  heir  to 
the  woman's  first  husband.  To  effect  this,  he  endeavoured  to  prove  the 
child  illegitimate,  alleging,  '  The  marriage  was  not  according  to  law.' 
In  opening  the  cause,  the  plaintifi''s  counsel  used  unseemly  words  con- 
cerning friends,  saying,  '  they  went  together  like  brute  beasts,'  with  other 
ill  expressions.  After  the  counsel  on  both  sides  had  pleaded,  the  judge, 
(viz.  judge  Archer)  took  the  matter  in  hand,  and  opened  it  to  them,  tell- 
ing them,  '  There  was  a  marriage  in  paradise  when  Adam  took  Eve,  and 
'  Eve  took  Adam,  and  that  it  was  the  consent  of  the  parties  that  made  a 
'  marriage.     And  for  the  Quakers  (he  said)  he  did  not  know  their  opin- 

*  ions ;  but  he  did  not  believe  they  went  together  as  brute  beasts,  as  had 
'  been  said  of  them,  but  as  Christians ;  and  therefore  he  did  believe  the 
'  marriage  was  lawful,  and  the  child  lawful  heir.'  The  better  to  satisfy 
the  jury,  he  brought  them  a  case  to  this  purpose,  '  A  man  that  was  weak 

*  of  body,  and  kept  his  bed,  had  a  desire  in  that  condition  to  marry,  and 
'  did  declare  before  witnesses,  that  he  did  take  such  a  woman  to  be  his 
'  wife,  and  the  woman  declared  that  she  took  that  man  to  be  her  husband. 
'  This  marriage  was  afterwards  called  in  question,  (and  as  the  judge  said) 
'  all  the  bishops  did  conclude  it  to  be  a  lawful  marriage.'  Hereupon  the 
jury  gave  in  their  verdict  for  the  friend's  child  against  the  man  that 
would  have  deprived  it  of  its  inheritance. 

About  this  time  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy  were  tendered 
to  friends  as  a  snare,  because  it  was  known  we  could  not  swear,  and 
thereupon  many  were  imprisoned,  and  divers  premunired.  Upon  that 
occasion  friends  published  in  print,  '  The  gi'ounds  and  reasons  why  they 

*  refused  to  swear ;'  besides  which,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  these  few 
lines  following,  to  be  given  to  the  magistrates : 

'  The  world  saith,  "  Kiss  the  book ;"  but  the  book  saith,  "  Kiss  the 
"  Son,  lest  he  be  angry ;"  and  the  Son  saith,  "  Swear  not  at  all ;"  but 
'  keep  to  Yea  and  Nay  in  all  your  communication ;  for  whatsoever  is 
'  more  than  this  cometh  of  evil.  Again,  the  world  saith,  "  Lay  your 
"  hand  on  the  book ;"  but  the  book  saith,  "  Handle  the  word ;"  and  the 
'  word  saith,  "  Handle  not  the  traditions,"  nor  the  inventions,  nor  the  ru- 
'  diments  of  the  world.  And  God  saith,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear 
*'  him ;"  who  is  the  life,  the  truth,  the  light,  and  the  way  to  God. 

'  G.  F.' 

Abundance  of  friends  being  in  prison,  Richard  Hubberthorn  and  I 
drew  up  a  paper  concerning  them ;  and  got  it  delivered  to  the  king,  that 

2U 


334  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1662 

he  might  understand  how  we  were  dealt  with  by  his  officers.     It  was 
directed  thus : 

'  To  the  KING. 

'  Frieivd,  who  art  the  chief  ruler  of  these  dominions,  here  is  a  list  of 
some  of  the  sufferings  of  the  people  of  God,  in  scorn  called  Quakers, 
that  have  suffered  under  the  changeable  powers  before  thee,  by  whom 
there  have  been  imprisoned,  and  under  whom  there  have  suffered  for 
good  conscience-sake,  and  for  bearing  testimony  to  the  truth,  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  "  three  thousand  one  hundred  seventy-three  persons ;"  and  there 
lie  yet  in  prison  in  the  name  of  the  commonwealth,  "  seventy-three  per- 
'  sons,"  that  we  know  of.  And  there  have  died  in  prison,  in  the  time  of 
the  commonwealth,  and  of  Oliver  and  Richard,  the  protectors,  through 
cruel  and  hard  imprisonments,  upon  nasty  straw  and  in  dungeons, 
'  thirty-two  persons."  There  have  been  also  imprisoned  in  thy  name, 
since  thy  arrival,  by  such  as  thought  to  ingratiate  themselves  thereby 
with  thee,  "  three  thousand  sixty  and  eight  persons."  Besides  this,  our 
meetings  are  daily  broken  up  by  men  with  clubs  and  arms  (though  we 
meet  peaceably,  according  to  the  practice  of  God's  people  in  the  primi- 
tive times)  our  friends  are  thrown  into  waters,  and  trod  upon  till  the 
very  blood  gusheth  out  of  them ;  the  number  of  which  abuses  can  hard- 
ly be  uttered.  Now  this  we  would  have  of  thee,  to  set  them  at  liberty 
that  lie  in  prison  in  the  names  of  the  commonwealth  and  of  the  two 
protectors,  and  them  that  lie  in  thy  own  name,  for  speaking  the  truth, 
and  for  a  good  conscience-sake,  who  have  not  lifted  up  an  hand  against 
thee  nor  any  man ;  and  that  the  meetings  of  our  friends,  who  meet 
peaceably  together  in  the  fear  of  God  to  worship  him,  may  not  be  bro- 
ken up  by  rude  people,  with  their  clubs,  swords,  and  staves.  One  of 
the  greatest  things  that  we  have  suffered  for  formerly,  was  because  we 
could  not  swear  to  the  protectors  and  all  the  changeable  governments ; 
and  now  we  are  imprisoned  because  we  cannot  take  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance. Now,  if  Yea  be  Yea,  and  Nay  Nay,  to  thee,  and  to  all  men 
upon  the  earth,  let  us  suffer  as  much  for  breaking  of  that  as  others  do 
for  breaking  an  oath.  We  have  suffered  these  many  years  both  in  lives 
and  estates  under  these  changeable  governments,  because  we  cannot 
swear,  but  obey  Christ's  doctrine,  who  commands  "  we  should  not 
'  swear  at  all,"  Matth.  v.  James  v.  and  this  we  seal  with  our  lives  and 
estates,  with  our  Yea  and  Nay,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ. 
Hearken  to  these  things,  and  so  consider  them  in  the  wisdom  of  thy 
God,  that  by  it  such  actions  may  be  stopped;  thou  that  hast  the  gov- 
ernment, and  may'st  do  it.  We  desire  all  that  are  in  prison  may  be  set 
at  liberty,  and  that  for  the  time  to  come  they  may  not  be  imprisoned 
for  conscience  and  for  the  truth's  sake.  If  thou  question  the  innocency 
of  ijieir  sufferings,  let  them  and  their  accusers  be  brought  before  thee, 
and  we  shall  produce  a  more  particular  and  full  account  of  their  suffer- 
ings, if  required.  G.  F.  &  R.  H.' 

I  mentioned  before,  that  in  the  year  1650  I  was  kept  prisoner  six 
months  in  the  house  of  correction  at  Derby,  and  that  the  keeper  of  the 
prison,  being  a  cruel  man,  and  had  dealt  very  wickedly  by  me,  was 
smitten  himself,  the  plagues  and  terrors  of  the  Lord  falling  upon  him 
because  thereof:  this  man,  being  afterwards  convinced  of  truth,  wrote 
me  the  followin";  letter. 


1662]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  355 

'  Dear  friend, 
'  Having  such  a  convenient  messenger,  I  could  do  no  less  than  give 

*  thee  an  account  of  my  present  condition ;  remembering,  that  to  the  first 

*  awakening  of  me  to  a  sense  of  life,  and  of  the  inward  principle,  God 
'  was  pleased  to  make  use  of  thee  as  an  instrument.  So  that  sometimes 
'  I  am  taken  with  admiration  that  it  should  come  by  such  a  means  as  it 

*  did ;  that  is  to  say,  that  Providence  should  order  thee  to  be  my  prison- 
'  er,  to  give  me  my  first  real  sight  of  the  truth.  It  makes  me  many 
'  times  to  think  of  the  gaoler's  conversion  by  the  apostles.  Oh !  happy 
'  George  Fox !  that  first  breathed  that  breath  of  life  within  the  walls  of 

*  my  habitation !  Notwithstanding  my  outward  losses  are  since  that  time 
'  such  that  I  am  become  nothing  in  the  world,  yet  I  hope  I  shall  find 
'  that  all  these  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  will  work 
'  for  me  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.     They  have 

*  taken  all  from  me ;  and  now,  instead  of  keeping  a  prison,  I  am  rather 

*  waiting  when  I  shall  become  a  prisoner  myself.  Pray  for  me,  that  my 
'  faith  fail  not,  and  that  I  may  hold  out  to  the  death,  that  I  may  receive 

*  a  crown  of  life.    I  earnestly  desire  to  hear  fi*om  thee,  and  of  thy  condi- 

*  tion,  which  would  very  much  rejoice  me.     Not  having  else  at  present, 

*  but  my  kind  love  unto  thee  and  all  Christian  friends  with  thee,  in  haste, 
'  I  rest  thine  in  Christ  Jesus, 

'  Thomas  Sharman.' 
*  Derby,  the  22d  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1662.' 

There  were  two  of  our  friends  in  prison  in  the  inquisition  at  Malta, 
both  women ;  Catherine  Evans  and  Sarah  Chevers.  I  was  told  that  one 
called  the  Lord  D'Aubeny  could  procure  their  liberty ;  wherefore  I  went 
to  him  :  and  having  informed  him  concerning  their  imprisonment,  desired 
him  to  write  to  the  magistrates  there  for  their  release.  He  readily 
promised  me  he  would;  and  said,  '  If  I  would  come  again  within  a  month 
'  he  would  acquaint  me  of  their  discharge.'  I  went  again  about  that 
time,  and  he  said,  '  He  thought  his  letters  had  miscarried,  because  he 
'  had  received  no  answer.'  But  he  promised  he  would  write  again,  and 
did  so :  whereupon  they  were  set  at  liberty. 

With  this  great  man  I  had  a  great  deal  of  reasoning  about  religion, 
and  he  confessed  that  '  Christ  hath  enlightened  every  man  that  cometh 

*  into  the  world  with  his  spiritual  light ;  that  he  had  tasted  death  for  every 
'  man :  that  the  Grace  of  God,  which  brings  salvation,  hath  appeared  to 

*  all  men ;  and  that  it  would  teach  them,  and  bring  their  salvation,  if  they 
'  did  obey  it.'  I  asked  him.  What  would  they  (the  Papists)  do  with  all 
their  relicks  and  images,  if  they  should  own  and  believe  in  this  light,  and 
receive  the  grace  to  teach  them  and  bring  their  salvation  ?  He  said, 
'  Those  things  were  but  policies  to  keep  people  in  subjection.'  Very  free 
he  was  in  discourse.  I  never  heard  a  Papist  confess  so  much  as  he  did. 
Tho'  several  about  the  court  began  to  grow  kind  to  friends,  yet  the  per- 
secution was  very  hot,  and  several  friends  died  in  prison.  Whereupon 
I  gave  forth  a  Fittle  paper  concerning  the  grounds  and  rise  of  persecu- 
tion ;  which  was  thus : 

'  All  the  sufferings  of  the  people  of  God  in  all  ages  were  because  they 
'  could  not  join  to  the  national  religions  and  worships  which  men  have 
'  made  and  set  up,  and  because  they  would  not  forsake  God's  religion  and 


356  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1662 

'  his  worship  which  he  had  set  up.  You  may  see  through  all  chronicles 
'  and  histories,  that  the  priests  joined  with  the  powers  of  the  nations ;  the 

*  magistrates,  sooth-sayers,  and  fortune-tellers,  all  joined  against  the  peo- 

*  pie  of  God,  and  did  imagine  vain  things  against  them  in  their  councils. 
'  When  the  Jews  did  wdckedty,  they  turned  against  Moses ;  when  the 
'  Jewish  kings  transgressed  the  law  of  God,  they  persecuted  the  prophets ; 
'  as  may  be  .seen  in  the  prophets'  writings.  When  Christ,  the  substance, 
'  came,  the  Jews  persecuted  Christ,  his  apostles,  and  disciples.  And  when 
'  the  Jews  had  not  power  enough  of  themselves  to  persecute  answerable 

*  to  their  wills,  then  they  got  the  heathen  Gentiles  to  help  them  against 

*  Christ,  and  against  his  apostles  and  disciples,  who  were  in  the  Spirit 

*  and  power  of  Christ.  G.  F.' 

After  I  had  made  some  stay  in  London,  and  had  cleared  myself  of 
what  lay  upon  me  there,  I  went  into  the  country,  having  with  me  Alex- 
ander Parker  and  John  Stubbs.  We  travelled  through  the  country,  vis- 
iting friends'  meetings,  till  we  came  to  Bristol.  There  we  understood, 
that  the  officers  were  likely  to  come  and  break  up  the  meeting ;  yet  on 
first-day  we  went  to  the  meeting  at  Broad-mead,  and  Alexander  Parker 
standing  up  first,  while  he  was  speaking,  the  officers  came  and  took  him 
away.  After  he  was  gone,  I  stood  up  and  declared  the  everlasting  truth 
of  the  Lord  God  in  his  eternal  power,  which  came  over  all,  and  the  meet- 
ing was  quiet  the  rest  of  the  time,  and  broke  up  peaceably.  I  tarried  till 
first-day  following,  visiting  friends,  and  being  visited  by  friends.  On  first- 
day  morning  several  friends  came  to  Edward  Pyot's,  where  I  lay  the 
night  before,  and  used  endeavours  to  persuade  me  not  to  go  to  the  meet- 
ing that  day ;  for  the  magistrates  had  threatened  to  take  me,  and  had 
raised  the  trained-bands.  I  wished  them  to  go  to  the  meeting,  not  telling 
them  what  I  intended  to  do ;  but  I  told  Edward  Pyot  I  intended  to  go, 
and  he  sent  his  son  to  shew  me  the  way  from  his  house  by  the  fields.  As 
I  went  I  met  divers  friends,  who  did  what  they  could  to  stop  me : 
'  \¥hat,'  said  one,  '  wilt  thou  go  into  the  mouth  of  the  beast  V  '  Wilt  thou 
'  go  into  the  mouth  of  the  dragon  V  said  another.  I  put  them  by  and  went 
on.  When  I  came  to  the  meeting,  Margaret  Thomas  was  speaking. 
When  she  had  done,  I  stood  up.  I  saw  a  concern  and  fear  upon  friends 
for  me ;  but  the  power  of  the  Lord,  in  which  I  declared,  soon  struck  the 
fear  out  of  them.  Life  sprang,  and  an  heavenly  glorious  meeting  we 
had.  After  I  had  cleared  myself  of  what  was  upon  me  from  the  Lord 
to  the  meeting,  I  was  moved  to  pray,  and  after  prayer  to  stand  up 
again,  and  tell  friends,  '  Now  they  might  see  there  was  a  God  in  Israel 

*  that  could  deliver.'  A  very  large  meeting  this  was,  and  very  hot ;  but 
truth  was  over  all,  and  the  life  was  exalted  which  carried  through  all, 
and  the  meeting  broke  up  in  peace.  The  officers  and  soldiers  had  been 
breaking  up  another  meeting,  which  had  taken  up  their  time ;  so  that  our 
meeting  was  ended  before  they  came.  But  I  understood  afterwards  they 
were  in  a  great  rage,  because  they  had  missed  me ;  for  they  were  heard 
to  say  one  to  another  before,  '  Pll  warrant  we  shall  have  "him ;'  but  the 
Lord  prevented  them.  I  went  to  Joan  Hily's,  where  many  friends  came 
to  see  me ;  rejoicing  and  blessing  God  for  our  deliverance.  In  the  even- 
ing I  had  a  fine  fresh  meeting  at  a  friend's  house  over  the  water,  where 
we  were  much  refreshed  in  the  Lord.  After  this  I  staid  most  part  of 
that  week  in  Bristol,  and  at  Edward  Pyol's.  Edward  was  brought  so 
low  and  weak  with  an  ngue,  that  when  I  first  came  he  was  looked  upon 


1662]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  357 

as  a  dying  man ;  but  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  raise  him  up  again,  so  that, 
before  I  went  away,  his  ague  left  him,  and  he  was  finely  well. 

Having  been  two  first-days  at  the  meeting  at  Broad-mead,  and  feeling 
my  spirit  clear  of  Bristol,  I  went  next  first-day  to  a  meeting  in  the  coun- 
try not  far  distant.  And  after  the  meeting,  some  friends  from  Bristol 
told  me,  the  soldiers  that  day  had  beset  the  meeting-house  round  at  Bris- 
tol, and  then  went  up,  saying,  '  They  would  be  sure  to  have  me  now ;' 
but  when  they  found  me  not  there,  they  were  in  a  great  rage,  and  kept 
friends  in  the  meeting-house  most  part  of  the  day  before  they  would  let 
them  go  home ;  and  queried  of  them,  '  Which  way  I  was  gone,  and  how 

*  they  might  send  after  me  ?     For  the  mayor,'  they  said,  '  would  fain 

*  have  spoken  with  me.'  I  had  a  vision  of  a  great  mastiff"  dog,  that  would 
have  bit  me ;  but  I  put  one  hand  above  his  jaws,  and  the  other  hand  be- 
low, and  tore  his  jaws  in  pieces.  So  the  Lord  by  his  power  tore  their 
power  to  pieces,  and  made  way  for  me  to  escape  them.  Then  I  passed 
through  the  country,  visiting  friends  in  Wiltshire  and  Berkshire,  till  I 
came  to  London,  having  great  meetings  amongst  friends  as  I  went.  The 
Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  a  blessed  time  it  was  for  the  spreading 
of  his  glorious  truth.  It  was  indeed  the  immediate  power  of  the  Lord 
that  preserved  me  out  of  their  hands  at  Bristol,  and  over  the  heads  of  all 
our  persecutors ;  and  the  Lord  alone  is  worthy  of  all  the  glory,  who  did 
uphold  and  preserve  for  his  name  and  truth's  sake. 

At  London  I  staid  not  long,  being  drawn  in  spirit  to  visit  friends 
northward  as  far  as  Leicestershire.  John  Stubbs  was  with  me.  We 
travelled  down,  having  meetings  amongst  friends  as  we  went ;  and  at 
Skegby  we  had  a  great  meeting.  Thence  we  came  to  Barnet-hills, 
where  lived  captain  Brown,  a  Baptist,  whose  wife  was  convinced  of 
truth.  This  captain  Brown,  after  the  act  for  'breaking  up  meetings' 
came  forth,  being  afraid  his  wife  should  go  to  meetings,  and  be  cast  into 
prison,  left  his  house  at  Barrow,  and  took  a  place  on  these  hills,  saying, 
'  His  wife  should  not  go  to  prison.'  And  this  being  a  free  place,  many 
priests  and  others  fled  thither  as  well  as  he.  But  he,  who  would  neither 
stand  to  truth  himself  nor  suffer  his  wife,  was  in  this  place,  where  he 
thought  himself  safe,  found  out  by  the  Lord,  w^hose  hand  fell  heavy  upon 
him  for  his  unfaithfulness ;  so  that  he  was  sorely  plagued,  and  grievous- 
ly judged  in  himself  for  flying  and  drawing  his  wife  into  that  private 
place.  We  went  to  see  his  wife,  and  being  in  the  house,  I  asked  him, 
how  he  did  1     '  How  do  I ! '  said  he,  '  The  plagues  and  vengeance  of 

*  God  are  upon  me,  a  runagate,  a  Cain  as  I  am.     God  may  look  for  a 

*  witness  for  me,  and  such  as  me ;  for  if  all  were  not  faithfuller  than  I, 
'  God  would  have  no  witness  left  in  the  earth.'  In  this  condition  he  lived 
on  bread  and  water,  and  thought  it  was  too  good  for  him.  At  length  he 
got  home  again  with  his  wife  to  his  own  house  at  Barrow,  where  after- 
wards he  was  convinced  of  God's  eternal  truth,  and  died  in  it.  A  little 
before  his  death  he  said,  '  Though  he  had  not  borne  a  testimony  for 
'  truth  in  his  life,  he  would  bear  a  testimony  in  his  death,  and  would  be 

*  buried  in  his  orchard ;'  and  was  so.  He  was  an  example  to  all  the  fly- 
ing Baptists  in  the  time  of  persecution,  who  could  not  bear  persecution 
themselves,  yet  persecuted  us  when  they  had  power. 

From  Barnet-hills  we  came  to  Swanington,  in  Leicestershire,  where 
William  Smith  and  some  other  friends  visited  me;  but  went  away 
towards  night,  leaving  me  at  a  friend's  house  in  Swanington.  At  night, 
as  I  was  sitting  in  the  hall,  speaking  to  a  widow-woman  and  her  daugh- 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1668 

ter,  lord  Beaumont  came  with  a  company  of  soldiers,  who,  slapping  their 
swords  on  the  door,  rushed  into  the  house  with  swords  and  pistols  in 
their  hands,  crying,  '  Put  out  the  candles,  and  make  fast  the  doors.'  Then 
they  seized  upon  the  friends  in  the  house,  and  asked,  '  If  there  were  no 
'more  about  the  house?'  The  friends  told  them,  there  was  one  man 
more  in  the  hall.  There  being  some  friends  out  of  Derbyshire,  one  of 
them  was  named  Thomas  Fauks :  lord  Beaumont,  after  he  had  asked  all 
their  names,  bid  his  man  set  down  that  man's  name  Thomas  Fox.  The 
friend  said.  Nay,  his  name  was  not  Fox,  but  Fauks.  In  the  mean  time 
some  of  the  soldiers  came,  and  fetched  me  out  of  the  hall  to  him.  He 
asked  my  name.  I  told  him  my  name  was  George  Fox,  and  that  I  was 
well  known  by  that  name.  '  Aye,'  said  he, '  you  are  known  all  the  world 
'  over.'  I  said,  I  was  known  for  no  hurt,  but  for  good.  Then  he  put 
his  hands  into  my  pockets  to  search  them,  and  plucked  out  my  comb- 
case,  and  afterwards  commanded  one  of  his  officers  to  search  further 
for  letters.  I  told  him,  I  was  no  letter-carrier,  and  asked  him.  Why  he 
came  amongst  a  peaceable  people  with  swords  and  pistols,  without  a 
constable,  contrary  to  the  king's  proclamation  and  to  the  late  act  1  For 
he  could  not  say,  there  was  a  meeting,  I  being  only  talking  with  a  poor 
widow-woman  and  her  daughter.  By  reasoning  thus  with  him,  he  came 
somewhat  down ;  yet  sending  for  the  constables,  he  gave  them  charge 
of  us  that  night,  and  to  bring  us  before  him  next  morning.  Accordingly 
the  constables  set  a  watch  of  the  town's  people  upon  us  that  night,  and 
had  us  next  morning  to  his  house  about  a  mile  from  Swanington.  When 
We  came  before  him,  he  told  us,  '  We  met  contrary  to  the  Act.'  I  de- 
sired him  to  shew  us  the  act.  '  Why,'  says  he,  '  you  have  it  in  your 
'  pocket.'  I  told  him,  he  did  not  find  us  in  a  meeting.  Then  he  asked, 
'  Whether  we  would  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy?'  I 
told  him,  I  never  took  any  oath  in  my  life,  nor  engagement,  nor  the  cov- 
enant. Yet  still  he  would  force  the  oath  upon  us.  I  desired  him  to  shew 
us  the  oath,  that  we  might  see  whether  we  were  the  persons  it  was  to 
be  tendered  to,  and  whether  it  was  not  for  the  discovery  of  popish  re- 
cusants. At  length  he  brought  a  little  book,  but  we  called  for  the  statute- 
book.  He  would  not  shew  us  that,  but  caused  a  mittimus  to  be  made, 
which  mentioned,  '  That  we  were  to  have  had  a  meeting.'  With  this 
mittimus  he  delivered  us  to  the  constables  to  convey  us  to  Leicester  gaol. 
But  when  the  constables  had  brought  us  back  to  Swanington,  being  har- 
vest-time, it  was  hard  to  get  any  body  to  go  with  us.  The  people  were 
loth  to  take  their  neighbours  to  prison,  especially  in  such  a  busy  time. 
They  would  have  given  us  our  mittimus  to  have  carried  ourselves  to  the 
gaol ;  for  it  had  been  usual  for  constables  to  give  friends  their  own  mit- 
timuses, and  they  have  gone  themselves  with  them  to  the  gaoler.  But 
we  told  them,  though  our  friends  had  sometimes  done  so,  we  would  not 
take  this  mittimus ;  but  some  of  them  should  go  with  us  to  the  gaol.  At 
last  they  hired  a  poor  labouring  man,  who  was  loth  to  go,  though  hired. 
So  we  rode  to  Leicester,  being  five  in  number;  some  carried  their 
bibles  open  in  their  hands,  declaring  truth  to  the  people  as  we  rode  in 
the  fields  and  through  the  towns,  and  telling  them,  '  We  were  prisoners 
'  of  the  L(jrd  Jesus  Christ,  going  to  suffer  bonds  for  his  name  and  truth 
*  sake.'  One  woman  friend  carried  her  wheel  on  her  lap  to  spin  on  in 
prison,  and  the  people  were  mightily  affected.  At  Leicester  we  went  to 
an  inn.  The  master  of  the  house  seemed  to  be  troubled  that  we  should 
go  to  prison ;  and  being  himself  in  commission,  he  sent  for  lawyers  in 


1CC8]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  359 

the  town  to  advise  with,  and  would  have  taken  up  the  mittimus,  and 
kept  us  in  his  own  house,  and  not  have  let  us  gone  into  the  gaol.  But  I 
told  friends,  it  would  be  great  charge  to  lie  at  an  inn,  many  friends  and 
people  would  come  to  visit  us,  and  it  might  be  hard  for  him  to  bear 
meetings  in  his  house :  besides,  we  had  many  friends  in  the  prison  al- 
ready, and  we  had  rather  be  with  them.  So  we  let  the  man  know  we 
were  sensible  of  his  kindness,  and  to  prison  we  went ;  the  poor  man  that 
brought  us  thither  delivering  both  the  mittimus  and  us  to  the  gaoler. 
This  gaoler  had  been  a  very  wicked,  cruel  man.  Six  or  seven  friends 
being  in  prison  before  we  came,  he  had  taken  some  occasion  to  quarrel 
with  them,  and  had  thrust  them  into  the  dungeon  amongst  felons,  where 
was  hardly  room  for  them  to  lie  down.  We  staid  all  that  day  in  the 
prison-yard,  and  desired  the  gaoler  to  let  us  have  some  straw.  He  sur- 
lily answered,  '  You  do  not  look  Hke  men  that  would  lie  on  straw.'  Af- 
ter awhile  William  Smith  came  to  me,  and  being  acquainted  in  the 
house,  I  asked  him.  What  rooms  were  in  the  house,  and  what  rooms 
friends  had  been  usually  put  in  before  they  were  put  into  the  dungeon  ? 
I  asked  him  also.  Whether  the  gaoler  or  his  wife  was  master  1  He  said, 
The  wife  was  master ;  and  though  she  was  lame,  and  sate  mostly  in  her 
chair,  not  being  able  to  go  but  on  crutches,  yet  she  would  beat  her  hus- 
band when  he  came  within  her  reach,  if  he  did  not  as  she  would  have 
him.  I  considered  that  many  friends  might  probably  come  to  visit  us, 
and  if  we  had  a  room  to  ourselves,  it  would  be  better  for  them  to  speak 
to  me,  and  for  me  to  speak  to  them  in,  as  there  should  be  occasion. 
Wherefore  I  desired  William  Smith  to  speak  with  the  woman,  and  ac- 
quaint her,  if  she  would  let  us  have  a  room,  suffer  our  friends  to  come  out 
of  the  dungeon,  and  leave  it  to  us  to  give  her  what  we  would,  it  might  be 
better  for  her.  He  went,  and  after  some  reasoning  with  her  she  con- 
sented ;  and  we  were  had  into  a  room.  Then  we  were  told.  The  gaoler 
would  not  suffer  us  to  have  any  drink  out  of  the  town  into  the  prison, 
but  what  beer  we  drank  we  must  take  of  him.  I  told  them,  I  would 
remedy  that  if  they  would ;  for  we  would  get  a  pail  of  water,  and  a 
little  wormwood  once  a  day,  and  that  might  serve  us;  so  we  should 
have  none  of  his  beer,  and  the  water  he  could  not  deny  us. 

Before  we  came,  when  those  few  friends  that  were  prisoners  met  to- 
gether on  first-days,  if  any  of  them  was  moved  to  pray  to  the  Lord, 
the  gaoler  would  come  up  with  his  quarter-staff  in  his  hand,  and  his 
mastiff-dog  at  his  heels,  and  pluck  them  down  by  the  hair  of  the  head, 
and  strike  them  with  his  staff;  but  when  he  struck  friends,  the  mastiff- 
dog,  instead  of  falling  upon  them,  would  take  the  staff  out  of  his  hand. 

When  first-day  came,  I  spoke  to  one  of  my  fellow  prisoners  to  carry 
a  stool  and  set  it  in  the  yard,  and  give  notice  to  the  debtors  and  felons 
that  thei-e  would  be  a  meeting  in  the  yard,  and  they  that  would  hear  the 
word  of  the  Lord  declared  might  come  thither.  So  the  prisoners 
gathered  in  the  yard,  and  we  went  down  and  had  a  very  precious  meet- 
ing, the  gaoler  not  meddling.  Thus  every  first-day  we  had  a  meeting 
as  long  as  we  staid  in  prison,  and  several  came  out  of  the  town  and 
country.  Many  were  convinced,  and  some  received  the  Lord's  truth 
there,  who  stood  faithful  witnesses  for  it  ever  since. 

When  the  sessions  came,  we  were  brought  before  the  justices,  with 
more  friends,  to  the  number  of  about  twenty.  Being  brought  into  the 
court,  the  gaoler  put  us  in  the  place  where  the  thieves  were,  and  some 
of  the  justices  began  to  tender  the  oatlis  of  allegiance  and  supremacy 


360  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1662 

to  US.  I  told  them,  I  never  took  any  oath  in  my  Hfe ;  and  they  knew 
we  could  not  swear,  because  Christ  and  his  apostle  forbad  it :  therefore 
they  put  it  but  as  a  snare  to  us.  We  told  them,  if  they  could  prove, 
that  after  Christ  and  the  apostle  had  forbid  swearing,  they  did  ever 
command  Christians  to  swear,  we  would  take  these  oaths ;  otherwise 
we  were  resolved  to  obey  Christ's  command  and  the  apostle's  exhorta- 
tion. They  said,  '  We  must  take  the  oath,  that  we  might  manifest  our 
'  allegiance  to  the  king.'  I  told  them,  I  had  been  formerly  sent 
prisoner  by  col.  Hacker  from  that  town  to  London,  under  pretence  that 
I  held  meetings  to  plot  to  bring  in  king  Charles.  I  also  desired  them  to 
read  our  mittimus,  which  set  forth  the  cause  of  our  commitment  to  be, 
that  '  we  were  to  have  a  meeting ;'  and  I  said,  lord  Beaumont  could  not 
by  that  act  send  us  to  gaol,  unless  we  had  been  taken  at  a  meeting,  and 
found  to  be  such  persons  as  the  act  speaks  of;  therefore  we  desired 
they  would  read  the  mittimus,  and  see  how  wrongfully  we  were  im- 
prisoned. They  would  not  take  notice  of  the  mittimus ;  but  called  a 
jury,  and  indicted  us  '  for  refusing  to  take  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and 
'  supremacy.'  When  the  jury  was  sworn  and  instructed,  as  they  were 
going  out,  one  who  had  been  an  alderman  of  the  city  bid  them,  '  Have 
*  a  good  conscience ;'  and  one  of  the  jury,  being  a  peevish  man,  told 
the  justices,  there  was  one  affronted  the  juiy ;  whereupon  they  called 
him  up,  and  tendered  him  the  oath  also,  which  he  took. 

While  we  were  standing  where  the  thieves  used  to  stand,  a  cut-purse 
had  his  hand  in  several  friends'  pockets.  Friends  declared  it  to  the  jus- 
tices, and  shewed  them  the  man.  They  called  him  up  before  them,  and 
upon  examination  he  could  not  deny  it ;  yet  they  set  him  at  liberty. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  jury  returned,  and  Urought  us  in  guilty; 
and  after  some  words,  the  justices  whispered  together,  and  bid  the 
gaoler  take  us  to  prison  again ;  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them, 
and  his  everlasting  truth,  which  we  declared  boldly  amongst  them. 
There  being  a  great  concourse  of  people,  most  of  them  followed  us ; 
so  that  the  crier  and  bailiffs  were  fain  to  call  the  people  back  again  to 
the  court.  We  declared  the  truth  as  we  went  along  the  streets,  till  we 
came  to  the  gaol,  the  streets  being  full  of  people.  When  we  were  in 
our  chamber  again,  after  some  time  the  gaoler  came  to  us,  and  desired 
all  to  go  forth  that  were  not  prisoners.  When  they  were  gone,  he  said, 
'  Gentlemen,  it  is  the  court's  pleasure  that  ye  should  be  set  at  liberty, 
'  except  those  that  are  in  for  tythes :  and  you  know  there  are  fees  due 
'  to  me ;  but  I  shall  leave  it  to  you  to  give  me  what  you  will.' 

Thus  we  were  all  set  at  liberty  on  a  sudden,  and  passed  every  one 
into  our  services.  Leonard  Fell  went  with  me  again  to  Swanington. 
I  had  a  letter  from  lord  Hastings,  who  hearing  of  my  imprisonment 
had  wrote  from  London  to  the  justices  of  the  sessions  to  set  me  at 
liberty.  I  had  not  delivered  this  letter  to  the  justices ;  but  whether  they 
had  any  knowledge  of  his  mind  from  any  other  hand,  which  made  them 
discharge  us  so  suddenly,  I  know  not.  But  this  letter  I  carried  to  lord 
Beaumont,  who  sent  us  to  prison ;  and  when  he  had  broke  it  open  and 
read  it,  he  seemed  much  troubled ;  but  at  last  came  a  little  lower ;  yet 
threatened  us,  if  we  had  any  more  meetings  at  Swanington,  he  would 
break  them  up  and  send  us  to  prison  again.  But  notwithstanding  his 
threats  we  went  to  Swanington,  and  had  a  meeting  with  friends  there, 
and  he  neither  came  nor  sent  to  break  it  up. 

From  Swanington  we  came  to  Twy-cross,  where  that  great  man 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  361 

formerly  mentioned,  whom  the  Lord  raised  up  from  his  sickness  in  the 
year  1649  (whose  serving-man  came  at  me  with  a  drawn  sword  to  have 
done  me  a  mischief)  and  his  wife  came  to  see  me.  From  thence  we 
travelled  through  Warwickshire,  where  we  had  brave  meetings ;  and 
into  Narthamptonshire  and  Bedfordshire,  visiting  friends  till  we  came  to 
London. 

I  staid  not  long  in  London,  but  went  into  Essex,  and  so  to  Norfolk, 
having  great  meetings.  At  Norwich,  when  I  came  to  captain  Law- 
rence's, there  was  a  great  threatening  of  disturbance ;  but  the  meeting 
was  quiet  Passing  from  thence  to  Sutton,  and  into  Cambridgeshire,  I 
heard  of  Edward  Burrough's  decease.  And  being  sensible  how  great 
a  grief  and  exercise  it  would  be  to  friends  to  part  with  him,  I  wrote  the 
following  lines  for  the  staying  and  settling  of  their  minds. 

*  Friends, 
'  Be  still  and  quiet  in  your  own  conditions,  and  settled  in  the  seed  of 
'  God,  that  doth  not  change ;  that  in  that  ye  may  feel  dear  E.  B.  among 

*  you  in  the  seed,  in  which  and  by  which  he  begat  you  to  God,  with 
'  whom  he  is ;  and  that  in  the  seed  ye  may  all  see  and  feel  him,  in  which 

*  is  the  unity  with  him  in  the  life ;  and  so  enjoy  him  in  the  life  that  doth 

*  not  change,  which  is  invisible.  G.  F.' 

From  thence  I  passed  to  Little-port  and  the  Isle  of  Ely ;  where  one 
that  had  been  the  mayor,  with  his  wife,  and  the  wife  of  the  then  present 
mayor  of  Cambridge,  came  to  the  meeting.  Travelling  into  Lincoln- 
shire and  Huntingdonshire,  I  came  to  Thomas  Parnel's,  where  the  mayor 
of  Huntingdon  came  to  see  me,  and  was  very  loving.  From  thence  I 
came  into  the  Fen-country,  where  we  had  large  and  quiet  meetings. 
While  I  was  in  that  country,  there  came  so  great  a  flood,  that  it  was 
dangerous  to  go  out ;  yet  we  did  get  out,  and  went  to  Lynn,  where  we 
had  a  blessed  meeting.  Next  morning  I  went  to  visit  some  prisoners 
there ;  then  back  to  the  inn,  and  took  horse.  As  I  was  riding  out  of  the 
yard,  the  officers  came  to  search  the  inn  for  me.  I  knew  nothing  of 
it  then,  only  I  felt  a  great  burden  come  upon  me  as  I  rode  out  of  the 
town,  till  I  was  got  without  the  gates.  When  some  friends  that  came 
after  overtook  me,  they  told  me  their  officers  had  been  searching  for  me 
in  the  inn,  as  soon  as  I  was  gone  out  of  the  yard.  So  by  the  good 
hand  of  the  Lord  I  escaped  their  cruel  hands.  After  this  we  passed 
through  the  countries,  visiting  friends  in  their  meetings.  The  Lord's 
power  carried  us  over  the  persecuting  spirits,  and  through  many 
dangers ;  and  his  truth  spread  and  grew,  and  friends  were  estabhshed 
therein :  praises  and  glory  to  his  name  for  ever ! 

Having  passed  through  Norfolk,  Suffolk,  Essex,  and  Hertfordshire, 
we  came  to  London  again;  where  I  staid  awhile,  visiting  friends  in 
their  meetings,  which  were  very  large,  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over 
all.  After  some  time  I  left  the  city,  and  travelled  into  Kent,  having 
Thomas  Briggs  with  me.  We  went  to  Ashford,  where  we  had  a  quiet 
and  a  very  blessed  meeting.  On  first-day  we  had  a  very  good  and 
peaceable  meeting  at  Cranbrook.  Then  we  went  to  Tenterden,  and 
had  a  meeting  there,  to  which  friends  came  from  several  parts ;  and 
many  other  people  came  in  and  were  reached  by  the  truth.  When  the 
meeting  was  done,  I  walked  with  Thomas  Briggs  into  a  close,  while 
our  horses  were  getting  ready ;  and  turning  my  head,  I  espied  a  cap- 
tain coming,  and  a  great  company  of  soldiers  with  lighted  matches  and 

2  V 


362  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

muskets.  Some  of  the  soldiers  came  to  Thomas  and  me,  and  said, 
'  We  must  go  to  their  captain.'  When  they  had  brought  us  before  him, 
he  asked,  '  Where  was  George  Fox  ?  Which  was  he  V  I  said,  '  I  am 
'  the  man.'  *  Then  he  came  to  me,  and  was  somewhat  struck,  and  said, 
'  I  will  secure  you  among  the  soldiers.'  So  he  called  for  the  soldiers  to 
take  me.  Then  he  took  Thomas  Briggs  and  the  man  of  the  house,  with 
many  more ;  but  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  mightily  over  them  all. 
Then  he  came  to  me  again,  and  said, '  I  must  go  along  with  him  to  the 

*  town  ;'  and  he  carried  himself  pretty  civilly,  bidding  the  soldiers  bring 
the  rest  after.     As  we  walked,  I  asked  him,  'Why  they  did  thus?  for  I 

*  had  not  seen  so  much  ado  a  great  while ;'  and  I  bid  him  be  civil  to  his 
peaceable  neighbours.  When  we  were  come  to  the  town,  they  had  us 
to  an  inn  that  was  the  gaoler's  house.  After  awhile  the  mayor  of  the 
town,  this  captain,  and  the  lieutenant,  who  were  justices,  came  together 
and  examined  me, '  Why  I  came  thither  to  make  a  disturbance  V  I  told 
them,  I  did  not  come  to  make  a  disturbance,  neither  had  I  made  any 
disturbance  since  I  came.  They  said,  '  There  was  a  law  against  the 
'  Quakers'  meetings,  made  only  against  them.'  I  told  them,  I  knew  no 
such  law.  Then  they  brought  the  act  made  against  Quakers  and  others. 
I  told  them,  that  was  against  such  as  were  a  '  terror  to  the  king's  sub- 

*  jects,  who  were  enemies,  and  held  principles  dangerous  to  the  govern- 
'  ment ;'  and  therefore  it  was  not  against  us,  for  we  held  the  truth ;  our 
principles  were  not  dangerous,  and  our  meetings  were  peaceable,  as 
they  knew,  who  knew  their  neighbours  were  a  peaceable  people.  They 
told  me,  *  I  was  an  enemy  to  the  king.'  I  answered,  We  loved  all 
people,  were  enemies  to  none,  and  that  I  had  been  cast  into  Derby  dun- 
geon about  the  time  of  Worcester  fight,  because  I  would  not  take  up 
arms  against  him;  and  that  I  was  afterwards  brought  by  colonel 
Hacker  to  London,  as  a  plotter  to  bring  in  king  Charles,  and  was  kept 
prisoner  at  London  till  I  was  set  at  liberty  by  Oliver.  They  asked  me, 
'Whether  I  was  imprisoned  in  the  time  of  the  insurrection  I'  I  said, 
Yes ;  I  had  been  imprisoned  then  and  since,  and  had  been  set  at  liberty 
by  the  king's  own  command.  I  opened  the  act  to  them,  shewed  them 
the  king's  late  declaration,  gave  them  the  examples  of  other  justices, 
and  told  them  also  what  the  house  of  lords  had  said  of  it.  I  spoke 
also  to  them  concerning  their  own  conditions,  exhorting  them  to  live  in 
the  fear  of  God,  to  be  tender  towards  their  neighbours  that  feared  God, 
and  to  mind  God's  wisdom  by  which  all  things  were  made  and  created, 
that  they  might  come  to  receive  it,  be  ordered  by  it,  and  by  it  order  all 
things  to  God's  glory.  They  demanded  bond  of  us  for  our  appearance 
at  the  sessions ;  but  we,  pleading  our  innocency,  refused  to  give  bond. 
Then  they  would  have  us  promise  to  come  no  more  there ;  but  we  kept 
clear  of  that  also.  When  they  saw  they  could  not  bring  us  to  their 
terms,  they  told  us,  '  We  should  see  they  were  civil  to  us,  for  it  was 
'  the  mayor's  pleasure  we  should  all  be  set  at  liberty.'  I  told  them, 
their  civility  was  noble ;  and  so  we  parted. 

Leaving  Tenterden,  we  went  to  Newick  in  Sussex,  where  we  visited 
some  friends.  From  thence  we  passed  through  the  country,  visiting 
friends,  and  having  great  meetings ;  all  quiet  and  free  from  disturbance 
(except  by  some  jangling  Baptists)  till  we  came  into  Hampshire.  Where, 
after  a  good  meeting  at  Southampton,  we  went  to  Pulner,  in  the  parish 
of  Ringwood,  where  was  to  be  a  monthly  meeting  next  day,  to  which 
many  friends  resorted  from  Southampton,  Pool,  and  other  places;  and 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  363 

the  weather  being  very  hot,  some  came  pretty  early  in  the  morning.     I 
took  a  friend,  and  walked  out  with  him  into  the  orchard,  enquiring  of 
him  how  the  affairs  of  truth  stood  amongst  them  1      For  many  of  them 
had  been  convinced  by  me  before  I  was  prisoner  in  Cornwall.      While 
we  were  discoursing,  a  young  man  came  and  told  us  the  trained  bands 
were  raising,  and  he  heard  they  would  break  up  the  meeting.  It  was  not 
yet  meeting-time  by  about  three  hours,  and  there  being  other  friends 
walking  in  the  orchard,  the  friend  I  was  discoursing  with  before  desired 
me  to  walk  into  a  corn-field  adjoining  to  it,  which  we  did.    After  awhile, 
the  young  man  that  spoke  of  the  trained  bands  left  us,  and  when  he  was 
gone  a  pretty  way  he  stood  and  waved  his  hat.     Whereupon  I  spoke  to 
the  other  young  man  that  was  with  me  to  go  see  what  he  meant.     He 
w^ent,  but  came  not  to  me  again,  for  the  soldiers  were  come  into  the 
orchard.     As  I  kept  walking  I  could  see  the  soldiers,  and  some  of  them, 
as  I  heard  afterwards,  did  see  me,  but  had  no  mind  to  meddle.     So  the 
soldiers  coming  so  long  before  meeting-time,  did  not  tarry ;  but  took 
what  friends  they  found  at  the  house,  and  some  they  met  in  the  lane,  and 
had  them  away.     After  they  were  gone,  it  drew  towards  the  eleventh 
hour,  friends  began  to  come  in  apace,  and  a  large  and  glorious  meeting 
we  had ;  for  the  everlasting  seed  of  God  was  set  over  all,  and  the  people 
were  settled  in  the  new  covenant  of  life,  upon  the  foundation  Christ  Jesus. 
Towards  the  latter  end  of  the  meeting  there  came  a  man  in  gay  apparel, 
and  looked  in  while  I  was  declaring,  and  went  away  again  presently. 
This  man  came  with  an  evil  intent ;  for  he  went  forthwith  to  Ringwood, 
and  told  the  magistrates,  '  That  they  had  taken  two  or  three  men  at 
'  Pulner,  and  had  left  George  Fox  there  preaching  to  two  or  three  hun- 
'  dred.'     Upon  this  the  magistrates  sent  the  officers  and  soldiers  again  ; 
but  the  meeting  being  near  ended  when  the  man  looked  in,  and  he  having 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  to  go  with  his  information  to  fetch  the  soldiers, 
and  they  as  far  to  come  after  they  had  received  their  orders,  before  they 
came  our  meeting  was  over ;  ending  about  the  third  hour  peaceably  and 
orderly.     After  the  meeting,  I  spoke  to  the  friends  of  the  house  where 
this  was  held  (the  woman  of  the  house  then  lying  dead  in  the  house)  and 
then  some  friends  led  me  to  another  friend's  at  a  little  distance ;  where 
after  we  had  refreshed  ourselves,  I  took  horse,   having  about  twenty 

miles  to  ride  that  afternoon  to  one Frye's,  in  Wiltshire,  where  a 

meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held  the  next  day. 

After  we  were  gone,  the  officers  and  soldiers  came  in  a  great  heat, 
who  finding  they  had  missed  their  prey  were  much  enraged ;  and  the 
officers  were  offended  with  the  soldiers,  because  they  had  not  seized  my 
horse  in  the  stable  the  first  time  they  came.  But  the  Lord,  by  his  good 
providence,  delivered  me,  and  prevented  their  mischievous  design.  For 
the  officers  were  envious  men,  and  had  an  evil  mind  against  friends ;  but 
the  Lord  brought  his  judgments  upon  them,  so  that  it  was  taken  notice 
of  by  their  neighbours.  For  '  as  before  they  wei'e  wealthy  men,  after 
'  this  their  estates  wasted  away ;  and  John  Line,  the  constable,  who  was 
'  not  only  very  forward  in  putting  on  the  soldiers  to  take  friends,  but 
'  also  carried  those  that  were  taken  to  prison,  and  took  a  false  oath 
'  against  them  at  the  assize,  upon  which  they  were  fined  and  continued 
'  prisoners,  was  a  sad  spectacle  to  behold.  For  his  flesh  rotting  away 
'  while  be  lived,  he  died  in  a  very  miserable  condition,  wishing  he  had 
'  never  meddled  with  the  Quakers,  and  confessing  he  never  prospered 


364  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  63 

'  since  he  had  an  hand  in  persecuting  them ;  and  that  he  thought  the 
'  hand  of  the  Lord  was  against  him  for  it.' 

At Frye's  in  Wiltshire  we  had  a  very  blessed  meeting,  and  quiet, 

though  the  oificers  purposed  to  have  broken  it  up,  and  were  on  their 
way  in  order  thereunto.  But  before -they  were  got  to  the  meeting,  word 
was  brought  them,  "  There  was  a  house  newly  broken  up  by  thieves, 
'  and  they  were  required  to  go  back  again  w^th  speed  to  search  after  and 
'  pursue  them ;'  by  which  means  our  meeting  escaped  disturbance,  and 
we  were  preserved  out  of  their  hands. 

We  passed  through  Wiltshire  into  Dorsetshire,  having  large  and  good 
meetings.  The  Lord's  everlasting  power  was  with  us,  and  carried  us 
over  all ;  in  which  we  sounded  forth  his  saving  truth  and  word  of  life, 
which  many  gladly  received.  Thus  we  visited  friends  till  we  came  to 
Topsham,  in  Devonshire,  travelling  some  weeks  eight  or  nine  score  miles 
a  week,  and  had  meetings  every  day.  At  Topsham  we  met  with  Mar- 
garet Fell  and  two  of  her  daughters,  Sarah  and  Mary,  and  with  Leonard 
Fell  and  Thomas  Salthouse.  From  thence  we  passed  to  Totness,  where 
we  visited  some  friends,  and  then  to  Kingsbridge,  and  to  Henry  Pollex- 
fen's,  who  had  been  an  ancient  justice  of  peace.  There  we  had  a  large 
meeting.  This  old  justice  accompanied  us  to  Plymouth,  and  into  Corn- 
wall, to  justice  Porter's,  and  from  thence  to  Thomas  Mount's,  where  we 
had  a  large  meeting.  After  which  we  went  to  Humphrey  Lower's, 
where  also  we  had  a  large  meeting ;  and  from  thence  to  Loveday  Ham- 
bley's,  where  we  had  a  general  meeting  for  the  whole  country :  and  all 
was  quiet. 

A  httle  before  this,  Joseph  Hellen,  and  G.  Bewley  had  been  at  Loo  to 
visit  Blanch  Pope,  a  Ranting  woman,  under  pretence  to  convince  and 
convert  her;  but  before  they  left  her,  she  had  so  darkened  them  with  her 
principles,  that  they  seemed  to  be  like  her  disciples,  especially  Joseph 
Hellen.  She  asked  them,  '  Who  made  the  devil  1  Did  not  God  V  This 
idle  question  so  puzzled  them,  they  could  not  answer  her.  They  after- 
wards asked  me  the  question.  1  told  them.  No ;  for  all  that  God  made 
was  good  and  was  blest,  so  was  not  the  devil.  He  was  called  a  serpent 
before  he  was  called  a  devil  and  an  adversary,  and  then  he  had  the  title 
of  devil  given  him.  Afterwards  he  was  called  a  dragon,  because  he  was 
a  destroyer.  The  devil  abode  not  in  the  truth ;  by  departing  from  the 
truth  he  became  a  devil.  So  the  Jews,  when  they  went  out  of  the  truth, 
were  said  to  be  of  the  devil,  and  were  called  serpents.  There  is  no 
promise  of  God  to  the  devil,  that  ever  he  shall  return  into  truth  again; 
but  to  man  and  woman,  who  have  been  deceived  by  him,  the  promise  of 
God  is,  that  '  The  seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise  the  serpent's  head ;' 
shall  break  his  power  and  strength  to  pieces.  When  these  things 
were  opened  more  at  large  to  the  satisfaction  of  friends,  those  two, 
who  had  let  up  the  spirit  of  that  ranting  woman,  were  judged  by 
tlie  truth ;  and  one  of  them,  viz.  Joseph  Hellen,  ran  quite  out,  and  was 
denied  by  friends ;  but  George  Bewley  was  recovered,  and  afterwards 
became  serviceable. 

We  passed  from  Loveday  Hambley's  to  Francis  Hodges's,  near  Fal- 
mouth and  Penryn,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting.  From  thence  we 
went  to  Helstone  that  night,  where  friends  came  to  visit  us,  and  next 
day  passed  to  Thomas  Teage's,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting,  at  which 
many  were  convinced.  I  was  led  to  open  '  the  state  of  the  church  in 
*  the  primitive  times,  the  state  of  the  church  in  the  wilderness,  the  state 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  365 

*  of  the  false  church  that  was  got  up  since ;  and  to  shew,  that  now  the 
'  everlasting  gospel  was  preached  over  the  head  of  the  whore,  beast,  false 
'  prophets,  and  anti-christs,  which  had  rose  up  since  the  apostles'  days ; 
'  and  now  the  everlasting   gospel  was  received    and  receiving,  which 

*  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light,  that  they  might  see  over  the  devil 
'  who  had  darkened  them.'  The  people  received  the  gospel  and  the  word 
of  life  gladly,  and  a  glorious  blessed  meeting  we  had  for  the  exalting  the 
Lord's  everlasting  trutli  and  his  name.  After  it  was  done  I  walked  out, 
and  coming  in  again,  I  heard  a  noise  in  the  court.  Approaching  nearer, 
I  found  the  man  of  the  house  speaking  to  the  tinners  and  others,  telling 
them.  It  was  the  '  everlasting  truth  that  had  been  declared  there  that 
'  day ;'  and  the  people  generally  confessed  to  it. 

From  thence  we  passed  to  the  Land's-end  to  John  Ellis's,  where  we 
had  a  precious  meeting.  Here  was  a  fisherman,  Nicholas  Jose,  that  was 
convinced.  He  spoke  in  meetings,  and  declared  the  truth  amongst  the 
people ;  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all.  I  was  glad  the  Lord  raised 
up  his  standard  in  those  dark  parts  of  the  nation,  where  since  there  is  a 
fine  meeting  of  honest-hearted  friends ;  many  are  come  to  sit  under 
Christ's  teaching,  and  a  great  people  the  Lord  will  have  in  that  country. 

From  thence  we  returned  to  Redruth,  and  the  next  day  to  Truro, 
where  we  had  a  meeting.  Next  morning,  some  of  the  chief  of  the  town 
desired  to  speak  with  me,  amongst  whom  was  colonel  Rouse.  I  went, 
and  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse  with  them  concerning  the  things  of 
God.  In  their  reasoning  they  said,  '  The  gospel  was  the  four  books  of 
'  Matthew,  Mark,  Lulce,  and  John ;'  and  they  called  it  natural.  I  told 
them,  the  gospel  was  the  power  of  God,  which  was  preached  before 
Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  or  John  were  written ;  and  it  was  preached  to 
every  creature,  of  which  a  great  part  might  never  see  nor  hear  of  those 
four  books,  so  that  every  creature  was  to  obey  the  power  of  God ;  for 
Christ,  the  Spiritual  Man,  would  judge  the  world  according  to  the  gos- 
pel, that  is,  according  to  his  invisible  power.  When  they  heard  this,  they 
could  not  gainsay ;  for  the  truth  came  over  them.  I  directed  them  to 
their  teacher,  the  grace  of  God,  and  shewed  them  the  sufficiency  of  it, 
which  would  teach  them  how  to  live,  and  what  to  deny ;  and  being 
obeyed  would  bring  them  salvation.  So  to  that  grace  I  recommended 
them,  and  left  them. 

Then  we  returned  through  the  country,  visiting  friends,  and  had  meet- 
ings at  Humphrey  Lower's  and  Thomas  Mount's.  Afterwards  at  George 
Hawkins's  at  Stoke  we  had  a  large  meeting,  to  which  friends  came  from 
Lanceston  and  several  other  places.  A  Hving,  precious  meeting  it  was, 
in  which  the  Lord's  presence  and  power  was  richly  m.anifested  amongst 
us,  and  I  left  friends  there  under  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  teaching. 

'  In  Cornwall  I  was  informed  there  was  one  colonel  Robinson,  a  very 
'wicked  man,  who  after  the  king  came  in  was  made  a  justice  of  peace, 
'  and  became  a  cruel  persecutor  of  friends ;  of  whom  he  sent  many  to 
'prison.    Hearing  they  had  some  little  liberty,  through  the  favour  of  the 

*  gaoler,  to  go  home  sometimes  to  visit  their  wives  and  children,  he  made 
'great  complaint  thereof  to  the  judge  at  the  assize  against  the  gaoler: 
'  whereupon  the  gaoler  was  fined  an  hundred  marks,  and  friends  were 
'  kept  very  strictly  up  for  awhile.  After  he  was  come  home  from  the 
'  assize,  he  sent  to  a  neighbouring  justice  to  desire  him  to  go  a  fanatick- 
'  hunting  with  him.  He  sent  his  man  about  with  his  horses,  and  walked 
'  himself  on  foot  from  his  dwelling-house  to  a  tenement  where  his  cows 


366  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

*  and  dairy  were  kept,  and  where  his  servants  were  then  milking.  When 

*  he  came  there,  he  asked  for  his  bull.  The  servant-maids  said,  They  had 
'  shut  him  into  the  field  because  he  was  unruly,  and  hindered  their  milk- 
'  ing.     Then  went  he  into  the  field  to  the  bull ;  and  having  formerly  ac- 

*  customed  himself  to  play  with  him,  he  began  to  fence  at  him  with  his 

*  staff.  But  the  bull  snuffed  at  him,  and  passed  a  little  back;  then  turn- 
'  ing  upon  him  again,  ran  fiercely  at  him,  and  struck  his  horn  into  his 
'  thigh,  and  heaving  him  upon  his  horn,  threw  him  over  his  back,  and 

*  tore  up  his  thigh  to  his  belly.  When  he  came  to  the  ground  again  he 
'  gored  him  with  his  horns,  run  them  into  the  ground  in  his  rage  and 
'  violence,  and  roared,  and  licked  up  his  master's  blood.  The  maid-ser- 
'  vant,  hearing  her  master  cry  out,  ran  into  the  field,  and  took  the  bull  by 
'  the  horns  to  pull  him  oft^  from  her  master.  The  bull,  without  hurting 
'  lier,  put  her  gently  by  with  his  horns,  but  still  fell  to  goring  of  him,  and 
'  licking  up  his  blood.     Then  she  ran,  and  got  some  men  that  were  at 

*  work  not  far  off,  to  come  and  rescue  her  master;  but  they  could  not  at 

*  all  beat  off  the  bull,  till  they  brought  mastiff-dogs  to  set  on  him ;  and 
'  then  he  fled  in  great  rage  and  fury.  Upon  notice  of  it  his  sister  came, 
'  and  said  to  him,  "  Alack !  brother,  what  a  heavy  judgment  is  this  that 
"is  befallen  you!"  He  answered,  "Ah!  sister,  it  is  an  heavy  judgment 
"  indeed."     Pray  let  the  bull  be  killed,  and  the  flesh  given  to  the  poor, 

*  said  he.  They  carried  him  home ;  but  he  died  soon  after.  The  bull 
'  was  grown  so  fierce,  they  were  forced  to  shoot  him  with  guns ;  for  no 
'  man  durst  come  near  to  kill  him.  Thus  does  the  Lord  sometimes  make 
'  examples  of  his  just  judgment  upon  the  persecutors  of  his  people,  that 
'  others  may  fear,  and  learn  to  beware.' 

After  I  had  cleared  myself  of  Cornwall,  and  Thomas  Lower  had 
brought  us  over  Horse-bridge  into  Devonshire  again,  we  took  our  leave 
of  him.  Thomas  Briggs,  Robert  Widders,  and  I  came  to  Tiverton.  It 
being  their  fair-time,  and  many  friends  there,  we  had  a  meeting  amongst 
them ;  and  the  magistrates  gathered  in  the  street,  but  the  Lord's  power 
stopped  them.  I  saw  them  over  against  the  door;  but  they  had  not 
power  to  come  in  to  meddle  with  us,  though  they  had  will  enough  to 
have  done  it. 

After  the  meeting  we  passed  to  Collumpton  and  Wellington ;  for  we 
had  appointed  a  meeting  five  miles  off,  where  we  had  a  large  one  at  a 
butcher's  house,  and  a  blessed  meeting  it  was.  The  people  were  directed 
to  their  Teacher,  the  Grace  of  God,  which  would  bring  them  salvation, 
and  many  were  settled  under  its  teaching.  The  Lord's  presence  was 
amongst  us,  and  we  were  refreshed  in  him,  in  whom  we  laboured  and 
travailed  ;  and  the  meeting  was  quiet.  There  had  been  very  great  per- 
secution in  that  country,  and  in  that  town  a  little  before,  insomuch  that 
some  friends  questioned  the  peaceableness  of  our  meeting ;  but  the  Lord's 
power  chained  all,  and  his  glory  shined  over  all.  Friends  told  us,  how 
they  had  broken  up  their  meetings  by  warrants  from  the  justices,  and 
how  by  their  warrants  they  were  required  to  carry  friends  before  the 
justices.  The  friends  bid  them.  Carry  them  then.  The  officers  told  them, 
They  must  go ;  but  they  said.  Nay,  that  was  not  according  to  their  war- 
rants, which  required  them  to  carry  them.  Then  they  were  forced  to 
hire  carts,  waggons,  and  horses,  and  to  lift  them  into  their  waggons  and 
carts  to  carry  them  before  a  justice.  When  they  came  to  a  justice's 
house,  sometimes  he  happened  to  be  from  home,  or  if  he  was  a  moderate 
man  he  would  get  out  of  the  way,  and  then  they  were  obliged  to  carry 


16631  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  367 

them  before  them  before  another ;  so  that  they  were  many  days  carting 
and  carrying  friends  up  and  down  from  place  to  place.  And  when  after- 
wards the  othcers  came  to  lay  their  charges  for  this  upon  the  town,  the 
town's  people  would  not  pay  it,  but  made  them  bear  it  themselves,  which 
broke  the  neck  of  their  persecution  there  for  that  time.  The  like  was 
done  in  several  other  places,  till  the  officers  had  shamed  and  tired  them- 
selves, and  then  were  glad  to  give  over. 

At  one  place  they  warned  friends  to  come  to  the  steeple-house. 
Friends  met  to  consider  of  it,  and  finding  freedom  to  go,  they  met  to- 
gether there.  They  sate  down  to  wait  upon  the  Lord  in  his  power  and 
Spirit,  and  minded  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  Teacher  and  Saviour ; 
but  did  not  mind  the  priest.  When  the  officers  saw  that,  they  came  to 
them  to  put  them  out  of  the  steeple-house  again ;  but  the  friends  told 
them,  it  was  not  time  for  them  to  break  up  their  meeting  yet.  Awhile 
after,  when  the  priest  had  done,  they  came  to  the  friends  again,  and 
would  have  had  them  go  home  to  dinner ;  but  the  friends  told  them,  they 
did  not  choose  to  go  to  dinner,  they  were  feeding  upon  the  bread  of  life. 
So  there  they  sate,  waiting  upon  the  Lord,  and  enjoying  his  power  and 
presence,  till  they  found  freedom  in  themselves  to  depart.  Thus  the 
priest's  people  were  oflended,  first  because  they  could  not  get  them  to 
the  steeple-house,  and  when  there,  they  were  offended,  because  they  could 
not  get  them  out  again. 

From  the  meeting  near  CoUumpton  we  went  to  Taunton,  where  we 
had  a  large  meeting.  The  next  day  we  came  to  a  general  meeting 
in  Somersetshire,  which  was  very  large ;  and  the  Lord's  everlasting  word 
of  life  and  truth  was  largely  declared.  The  people  were  refreshed  there- 
by, and  settled  upon  Christ,  their  Rock  and  Foundation,  and  brought  to 
sit  under  his  teaching ;  and  the  meeting  was  peaceable.  About  the  sec- 
ond hour  of  the  night  came  a  company  of  men,  knocked  at  the  door, 
and  bid  open  it,  or  they  would  break  it  open ;  for  they  wanted  a  man 
that  they  came  to  search  the  house  for.  I  heard  the  noise,  and  got  up, 
and  saw  a  man  at  the  door  with  his  sword  by  his  side.  When  they  had 
let  him  in,  he  came  into  the  chamber  where  I  was,  and  looked  on  me, 
and  said,  '  You  are  not  the  man  I  looked  for ;'  and  went  his  way. 

We  came  from  thence  to  Street,  and  to  William  Beaton's  at  Puddi- 
more,  where  we  had  a  very  large  general  meeting ;  wherein  the  Lord's 
everlasting  truth  was  declared,  the  people  refreshed,  and  all  quiet.  From 
thence  we  went  to  John  Dandy's,  where  we  had  another  large  and  very 
precious  meeting ;  and  then  passed  to  Bristol,  where  we  had  good  ser- 
vice for  the  Lord,  and  all  quiet.  Here  we  met  with  Margaret  Fell  and 
her  daughters  again.  After  some  time  we  went  to  Slattenford  in  Wilt- 
shire, where  was  a  very  large  meeting  in  a  great  barn.  Good  service 
we  had  there ;  for  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  was  published  amongst 
them,  and  many  were  gathered  by  it  into  the  name  of  the  Lord.  ' 

After  this  I  passed  into  Gloucestershire  and  Herefordshire,  having 
large  meetings  in  each.  In  Hereford  I  had  a  meeting  in  the  inn ;  after 
which,  and  I  was  gone,  the  magistrates  hearing  of  it,  came  to  search  the 
inn  for  me,  and  were  vexed  they  had  missed  me.  But  the  Lord  so  or- 
dered it,  that  I  escaped  their  hands,  and  friends  were  established  upon 
Christ,  their  Foundation,  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

Then  I  went  into  Radnorshire,  in  Wales,  where  I  had  several  precious 
meetings.     The  Lord's  name  and  standard  was  set  up,  many  were  gath- 


368  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [M63 

ered  to  it,  and  settled  under  the  teaching  of  Christ  Jesus,  their  Saviour, 
who  bought  them. 

After  I  was  clear  of  Wales,  I  came  to  a  market-town  betwixt  England 
and  Wales,  where  was  a  great  fair  that  day ;  and  several  friends  being 
at  the  fair,  we  went  to  an  inn,  where  they  came  to  us.  After  a  fine  op- 
portunity with  friends  we  parted  and  went  our  way.  The  officers  of  the 
town  took  notice,  it  seems,  of  our  being  there,  and  of  friends  gathering 
to  us.  They  began  also  to  get  together  to  consult  how  to  ensnare  us, 
though  it  was  the  fair-time ;  but  before  they  could  do  any  thing  we  were 
gone,  and  so  escaped  them. 

From  thence  we  came  into  Shropshire,  where  we  had  a  large  and 
precious  meeting.  After  many  meetings  in  those  parts,  we  came  into 
Warwickshire,  visited  friends  there,  and  so  into  Derbyshire  and  Staf- 
fordshire, visiting  meetings  as  we  went.  At  White-haugh  we  had  a 
large  blessed  meeting,  and  quiet ;  after  which  we  took  horse,  and  rode 
about  twenty  miles  that  night  to  captain  Lingard's.  We  heard  after- 
wards, that  when  we  were  gone,  the  officers  came  to  have  seized  us,  and 
were  much  disturbed  they  missed  us ;  but  the  Lord  disappointed  them, 
and  friends  were  joyful  in  the  Lord  that  we  escaped-  them. 

At  captain  Lingard's  we  had  a  blessed  meeting,  the  Lord's  presence 
being  wonderfully  amongst  us.  After  which  we  passed  thro'  the  Peak- 
country  in  Derbyshire,  and  went  to  Synderhill-green,  where  we  had  a 
large  meeting.  Here  John  Whitehead  and  several  friends  came  to  me. 
Then  I  passed  through  the  country,  visiting  friends,  till  I  came  to  the 
farther  end  of*  Holderness,  and  by  Scarborough,  Whitby,  and  Malton, 
to  York,  having  many  meetings  in  the  way,  and  the  Lord's  everlasting 
power  was  over  all. 

We  went  from  York  to  Boroughbridge,  where  I  had  a  glorious  meet- 
ing. Thence  we  passed  into  the  Bishoprick  to  one  Richmond's,  where 
was  a  general  meeting ;  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  though  peo- 
ple were  exceeding  rude  about  this  time.  After  the  meeting  we  went  to 
Henry  Draper's,  where  we  staid  all  night.  Next  morning  a  friend  came 
as  I  was  passing  away,  and  told  me,  '  If  the  priests  and  justices  could 
'  light  on  me,  they  would  destroy  me.' 

Being  clear  of  the  Bishoprick,  I  went  over  Stainmore  into  Yorkshire, 
and  to  Stedberg ;  where  having  visited  friends,  I  went  into  Westmore- 
land, visiting  friends  there  also.  From  thence  I  passed  into  Lancashire, 
and  came  to  Swarthmore,  where  I  staid  but  a  little  while  before  I  went 
over  the  Sands  to  Arnside ;  where  I  had  a  general  meeting.  After  it 
was  ended  some  men  came  to  have  broken  it  up,  but  understanding  be- 
.  fore  they  got  thither  the  meeting  was  over,  they  turned  back.  I  went 
to  Robert  Widders's,  and  from  thence  to  Underbarrow,  where  I  had  a 
glorious  meeting ;  and  the  Lord's  power  was  set  over  all.  From  thence 
'I  passed  to  Grayrigg,  visited  friends,  and  then  to  Ann  Audland's,  where 
they  would  have  had  me  to  have  staid  their  meeting  the  next  day ;  but 
I  felt  a  stop  in  my  spirit.  It  was  upon  me  to  go  to  John  Blaykling's,  in 
Sedberg,  to  be  at  the  meeting  there ;  which  is  large,  and  a  precious  peo- 
ple there  is.  We  had  a  very  good  meeting  the  next  day ;  but  the  con- 
stables went  to  Ann  Audland's  meeting  to  look  for  me.  Thus  by  the 
good  hand  and  disposing  providence  of  the  Lord  I  escaped  their  snare. 

I  went  from  John  Blaykling's  with  Leonard  Fell  to  Strickland-head, 
where  on  first-day  we  had  a  very  precious  meeting  on  the  common. 
That  night  we  staid  amongst  our  friends  there,  and  the  next  day  passed 


1663]'  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  '  369 

into  Northumberland.  After  the  justices  heard  of  this  meeting,  they 
made  search  for  me ;  but  by  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord  I  escaped  them, 
though  there  w^ere  some  very  wicked  justices.  We  went  to  Hugh  Hutch- 
inson's, in  Northumberland,  a  friend  in  the  ministry,  from  whence  we 
visited  friends  thereabouts ;  and  then  to  Dei-went-water,  where  we  had 
a  very  glorious  meeting.  There  came  an  ancient  woman,  and  told  me, 
her  husband  remembered  his  love  to  me ;  she  said,  I  might  call  him  to 
mind  by  this  token,  that  I  used  to  call  him,  '  The  tall  white  old  man.'  She 
said,  he  was  six  score  and  two  years  old,  and  that  he  would  have  come 
to  the  meeting,  but  that  his  horses  were  all  employed  upon  some  urgent 
occasion.     I  heard  he  lived  some  years  after. 

When  I  had  visited  friends  in  those  parts,  and  they  were  settled  upon 
Christ,  their  Foundation,  I  passed  through  Northumberland,  and  came  to 
old  Thomas  Bewley's,  in  Cumberland.  Friends  came  about  me,  and 
asked,  '  Would  I  come  there  to  go  into  prison  ? '  For  there  was  great  per- 
secution in  that  country  at  that  time ;  yet  I  had  a  general  meeting  at 
Thomas  Bewley's,  which  was  large  and  precious ;  and  the  Lord's  power 
was  over  all. 

One  Musgrave  was  at  that  time  deputy-governor  of  Carlisle,  and  I 
passing  along  that  country,  came  to  a  man's  house  that  had  been  con- 
vinced, whose  name  was  Fletcher ;  and  he  told  me,  '  If  Musgrave  knew 
'I  was  there,  he  would  be  sure  to  send  me  to  prison,  he  was  such  a  se- 
'  vere  man.'  But  I  staid  not,  only  called  on  the  way  to  see  this  man, 
then  went  to  William  Pearson's,  near  Wigton,  where  this  meeting  was, 
which  was  very  large  and  precious.  Some  friends  were  then  prisoners 
at  Carlisle,  whom  I  visited  by  a  letter,  which  Leonard  Fell  carried. 
From  William  Pearson's  I  visited  friends  till  I  came  to  Pardsey-crag, 
where  we  had  a  general  meeting,  which  was  large,  quiet,  and  peaceable, 
and  the  glorious,  powerful  presence  of  the  everlasting  God  was  with  us. 

So  eager  were  the  magistrates  about  this  time  to  stir  up  persecution 
in  those  parts,  that  some  offered  five  shillings,  some  a  noble  a  day,  to  any 
that  could  apprehend  the  speakers  amongst  Quakers  ;  but  it  being  now 
the  time  of  the  quarter-sessions  in  that  county,  the  men  who  were  so 
hired  were  gone  to  the  sessions  to  get  their  wages,  so  all  our  meetings 
were  at  that  time  quiet. 

From  Pardsey-crag  we  went  into  Westmoreland,  calling  in  the  way 
upon  Hugh  Tickell,  near  Keswick,  and  upon  Thomas  Laythes,  where 
friends  came  to  visit  us ;  and  we  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  be  refreshed 
together.  We  went  that  night  to  Francis  Benson's,  in  Westmoreland, 
near  justice  Fleming's.  This  justice  was  at  that  time  in  a  great  rage 
against  friends,  and  me  in  particular ;  insomuch  that  in  the  open  sessions 
at  Kendal,  just  before,  he  had  bid  '  Five  pounds  to  any  man  that  should 
'  take  me,'  as  Francis  Benson  told  me.  And  it  seems,  as  I  went  to  this 
friend's  house,  I  met  one  man  coming  from  the  sessions  that  had  this  five 
pounds  offered  him  to  take  me,  and  he  knew  me ;  for  as  I  passed  by  him, 
he  said  to  his  companion,  '  That  is  George  Fox :'  yet  he  had  not  power  to 
touch  me ;  for  the  Lord  preserved  me  over  them  all.  The  justices  being 
so  eager  to  have  me,  and  I  being  so  often  nigh  them,  and  yet  they  miss- 
ing me,  it  tormented  them  the  more. 

I  went  from  thence  to  James  Taylor's  at  Cartmel,  in  Lancashire, 
where  I  staid  first-day,  and  had  a  precious  meeting.  After  which  I  came 
over  the  Sands  to  Swarthmore. 

There  they  told  me  colonel  Kirby  had  sent  his  lieutenant,  who  had 

2  W 


370  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

searched  trunks  and  chests  for  me.  That  night  as  I  was  in  bed,  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  next  day  to  Kirby-hall,  which  was  colonel 
Kirby's  house  about  five  miles  off,  to  speak  with  him.  When  I  came 
thither,  I  found  the  Flemings,  and  several  others  of  the  gentry  (so  called) 
of  the  country,  who  were  come  to  take  their  leave  of  colonel  Kirby,  he 
being  then  to  go  up  to  London  to  the  parliament.  I  was  had  into  the 
parlour  amongst  them ;  but  colonel  Kirby  was  not  then  within,  being 
gone  out  a  little  way.  They  said  little  to  me,  nor  I  much  to  them.  But 
after  a  little  while  colonel  Kirby  came  in,  and  I  told  him,  '  I  came  to  visit 
'  him,  understanding  he  was  desirous  to  see  me,  to  know  what  he  had  to 
'  say  to  me,  and  whether  he  had  any  thing  against  me  1 '  He  said  before 
all  the  company,  '  As  he  was  a  gentleman,  he  had  nothing  against  me. 
'  But,'  said  he,  '  mistress  Fell  must  not  keep  great  meetings  at  her  house, 
'  for  they  met  contrary  to  the  act.'     I  told  him,  '  That  act  did  not  take 

*  hold  on  us,  but  on  such  as  "  met  to  plot  and  contrive,  and  to  raise  in- 
"  surrections  against  the  king ;"  whereas  we  were  no  such  people :  for 

*  he  knew  they  that  met  at  Margaret  Fell's  were  his  neighbours,  and  a 
'  peaceable  people.'  After  many  words  had  passed,  he  shook  me  by  the 
hand,  and  said  again,  '  He  had  nothing  against  me ;'  and  others  of  them 
said,  '  I  was  a  deserving  man.'  So  we  parted,  and  I  returned  to 
Swarthmore. 

Shortly  after,  when  colonel  Kirby  was  gone  to  London,  there  was  a 
private  meeting  of  the  justices  and  deputy-lieutenants  at  Houlker-hall, 
where  justice  Preston  lived ;  where  they  granted  a  warrant  to  apprehend 
me.  I  heard  over  night  both  of  their  meeting  and  of  the  warrant,  and 
could  have  gone  out  of  their  reach  if  I  would ;  for  I  had  not  appointed 
any  meeting  at  that  time,  and  I  had  cleared  myself  of  the  north,  and  the 
Lord's  power  was  over  all.  But  I  considered,  there  being  a  noise  of  a 
plot  in  the  north,  if  I  should  go  away  they  might  fall  upon  friends ;  but 
if  I  gave  myself  up  to  be  taken,  it  might  prevent  them,  and  friends  should 
escape  the  better ;  so  I  gave  myself  up  to  be  taken,  and  prepared  against 
they  came.  Next  day  an  officer  came  with  his  sword  and  pistols  to  take 
me.  I  told  him, '  I  knew  his  errand  before,  and  had  given  myself  to  be 
'  taken ;  for  if  I  would  have  escaped  their  imprisonment,  I  could  have 
'  been  forty  miles  ofl'  before  he  came ;  but  I  was  an  innocent  man,  and  so 
'  mattered  not  what  they  could  do  to  me.'  He  asked  me,  '  How  I  heard 
'  of  it,  seeing  the  order  was  made  privately  in  a  parlour?'  I  said,  it  was 
no  matter  for  that,  it  was  suflicient  that  I  heard  it.  I  asked  him  to  let 
me  see  his  order;  whereupon  he  laid  his  hand  on  his  sword,  and  said, 

*  I  must  go  with  him  before  the  lieutenant's,  to  answer  such  questions  as 

*  they  should  propound  to  me.'  I  told  him,  it  was  but  civil  and  reasona- 
ble for  him  to  let  me  see  his  order ;  but  he  would  not.  Then  said  I,  I 
am  ready.  So  I  went  along  with  him,  and  Margaret  Fell  accompanied 
us  to  Houlker-hall.  When  we  came  thither,  there  was  one  Rawlinson, 
a  justice,  and  one  called  Sir  George  Middleton,  and  many  more  that  I 
did  not  know,  besides  old  justice  Preston  who  lived  there.  They  brought 
Thomas  Atkinson,  a  friend,  of  Cartmel,  as  a  witness  against  me,  for  some 
words  which  he  had  told  to  one  Knipe,  who  had  informed  them ;  which 
words  were,  « That  I  had  written  against  the  plotters,  and  had  knocked 

*  them  down.'  These  words  they  could  not  make  much  of;  for  I  told 
them  I  had  heard  of  a  plot  and  had  written  against  it.  Old  Preston 
asked  me,  '  Whether  I  had  an  hand  in  that  script  ? '  I  asked  him  what 
he  meant  ?  He  said,  in  the  Battledore  1  I  answered,  Yes.     Then  he  ask- 


16631  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  371 

ed  me,  'Whether  I  did  understand  languages?'  I  said,  'Sufficient  for 
'  myself;  and  that  I  knew  no  law  that  was  transgressed  by  it.     I  told 

*  them  also.  That  to  understand  those  outward  languages,  was  no  matter 

*  of  salvation ;  for  the  many  tongues  began  but  at  the  confusion  of  Babel : 

*  and  if  I  did  understand  any  thing  of  them,  I  judged  and  knocked  them 

*  down  again  for  any  matter  of  salvation  that  was  in  them.'  Thereupon 
he  turned  away,  and  said,  '  George  Fox  knocks  down  all  the  languages. 
Come,'  said  he, '  we  will  examine  you  of  higher  matters.' 

Then  said  George  Middleton,  '  You  deny  God,  and  the  church,  and 
'  the  faith.'  I  replied,  '  Nay :  I  own  God,  and  the  true  church,  and  the 
'  true  faith.  But  what  church  dost  thou  own,  said  I V  (for  I  understood 
he  was  a  Papist.)  Then  he  turned  again,  and  said,  "  You  are  a  rebel 
"  and  a  traitor."  I  asked  him,  Whom  he  spoke  to  ?  or  whom  did  he  call 
a  rebel  ?  He  was  so  full  of  envy,  that  for  a  while  he  could  not  speak ; 
but  at  last  he  said,  '  He  spoke  it  to  me.'  With  that  I  struck  my  hand  on 
the  table,  and  told  him,  I  had  suffered  more  than  twenty  such  as  he,  or 
than  any  that  were  there ;  '  for  I  had  been  cast  into  Derby  prison  for 

*  six  months  together,  and  had  suffered  much  because  I  would  not  take 
'  up  arms  against  the  king  before  Worcester  fight.     I  had  been  sent  up 

*  prisoner  out  of  my  own  country  by  colonel  Hacker  to  O.  Cromwell,  as 
'  a  plotter  to  bring  in  K.  Charles,  in  the  year  1654;  and  I  had  nothing 
'  but  love  and  good-will  to  the  king,  and  desired  the  eternal  good  and 

*  welfare  of  him  and  all  his  subjects.  "  Did  you  ever  hear  the  like  ? '  said 
Middleton.     '  Nay,  said  I,  ye  may  hear  it  again,  if  ye  will.    For  ye  talk 

*  of  the  king,  a  company  of  you ;  but  where  were  ye  in  Oliver's  days  ? 
'  and  what  did  ye  do  then  for  him  1  I  have  more  love  to  the  king  for 
'  his  eternal  good  and  welfare  than  any  of  you  have.' 

Then  they  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  had  heard  of  the  plot  ? '  I  said,  '  Yes, 

*  I  had  heard  of  it.'  They  asked  me,  '  How  I  had  heard  of  it  ?  and  whom  I 
'  knew  in  it?'  I  told  them,  I  had  heard  of  it  through  the  high-sheriff  of 
'  Yorkshire,  who  told  Dr.  Hodgson  "  there  was  a  plot  in  the  north ;" 
'  that  was  the  way  I  heard  of  it ;  but  I  never  heard  of  any  such  thing  in 
'  the  south,  nor  till  I  came  into  the  north.     And  as  for  knowing  any  in 

*  the  plot,  I  was  as  a  child  in  that,  for  I  knew  none  of  them.'  Then  they 
said,  "  Why  would  you  write  against  it,  if  you  had  not  known  some 
"  that  were  in  it  ? "  I  said,  "  My  reason  was,  because  you  are  so  forward 
"  to  mash  the  innocent  and  guilty  together ;  therefore  I  wrote  against  it 
"  to  clear  the  truth  from  such  things,  and  to  stop  all  forward  fooHsh 
"  spirits  from  running  into  such  things."     I  sent  copies  of  it  into  West- 

*  moreland,   Cumberland,  Bishoprick,  Yorkshire,  and  to   you  here.     I 

*  sent  another  copy  of  it  to  the  king  and  his  council,  and  it  is  like  it  may 

*  be  in  print  by  this  time.'     One  of  them  said,  '  O !  this  man  hath  great 

*  power ! '  I  said.  Yes,  I  had  power  to  write  against  plotters.  Then  said 
one  of  them,  '  You  are  against  the  laws  of  the  land.'  I  answered  '  Nay ; 
'  for  I  and  my  friends  direct  all  people  to  the  Spirit  of  God  in  them,  to 
'  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  flesh.  This  brings  them  into  well-doing,  and 
'  from  that  which  the  magistrates'  sword  is  against,  which  eases  the 
'  magistrates,  who  are  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers.  People  being 
'  turned  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  which  brings  them  to  mortify  the  deeds  of 
'  the  flesh,  from  under  the  occasion  of  the  magistrates'  sword.  This  must 
'  needs  be  one  with  magistracy,  and  one  with  the  law,  which  was  added 

*  because  of  transgression,  and  is  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well.   In 


372  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

*  this  we  establish  the  law,  are  an  ease  to  the  magistrates,  and  arc  not 
'  against  but  stand  for  all  good  government.' 

Then  George  Middleton  cried,  '  Bring  the  book,  and  put  the  oaths  of 
'  allegiance  and  supremacy  to  him.'  He  being  a  Papist,  I  asked  him, 
'  Whether  he  had  taken  the  oath  of  supremncy,  who  was  a  swearer?  As 
'  for  us,  we  could  not  swear  at  all,  because  Christ  and  his  apostle  had 
«  forbidden  it.'  Some  of  them  would  not  have  had  the  oath  put  to  me, 
but  have  set  me  at  liberty.  The  rest  would  not  agree  to  it ;  for  this  was 
their  last  snare,  and  they  had  no  other  way  to  get  me  into  prison,  as  all 
other  things  had  been  cleared  to  them.  This  was  like  the  Papists'  sacra- 
ment of  the  altar,  by  which  they  ensnared  the  martyrs.  So  they  ten- 
dered me  the  oath,  which  I  could  not  take;  whereupon  they  were  about  to 
make  my  mittimus  to  send  me  to  Lancaster  gaol ;  but  considering  of  it, 
the}^  only  engaged  me  to  appear  at  the  sessions,  and  for  that  time  dis- 
missed me.  I  went  back  with  Margaret  Fell  to  Swarthmore,  and  soon 
after  colonel  West  came  to  see  me,  who  was  at  that  time  a  justice  of 
peace.  He  told  us,  '  He  acquainted  some  of  the  rest  of  the  justices,  that 
'he  would  come  and  see  Margaret  Fell  and  me;  but -it  may  be,'  said 
he,  '  some  of  you  will  take  oflence  at  it.  I  asked  him,  What  he  thought 
they  would  do  with  me  at  the  sessions  ?  He  said,  '  They  would  tender 
'  the  oath  to  me  again.' 

Whilst  I  was  at  Swarthmore,  William  Kirby  came  into  Swarthmore 
meeting,  and  brought  the  constables  with  him.  I  was  sitting  with  friends 
in  the  meeting,  and  he  said  to  me,  '  How  now,  Mr.  Fox !  you  have  a 
'  fine  company  here.'  '  Yes,'  said  I,  '  we  meet  to  wait  upon  the  Lord.' 
So  he  began  to  take  the  names  of  friends,  and  those  that  did  not  readily 
tell  him  their  names,  he  committed  to  the  constables'  hands,  and  sent 
some  to  prison.  The  constables  were  unwilling  to  take  them  without  a 
warrant,  whereupon  he  threatened  to  set  them  by  the  heels ;  but  the  con- 
stable told  him,  '  He  could  keep  them  in  his  presence,  but  after  he  was 
'  gone  he  could  not  keep  them  without  a  warrant.' 

The  sessions  coming  on,  I  went  to  Lancaster,  and  appeared  according 
to  my  engagement.  There  was  upon  the  bench  justice  Fleming,  who 
had  bid  five  pounds  in  Westmoreland  to  any  man  that  would  apprehend 
me ;  for  he  was  a  justice  both  in  Westmoreland  and  Lancashire.  There 
were  also  justice  Spencer,  colonel  West,  and  old  justice  Rawlinson,  the 
lawyer,  who  gave  the  charge,  and  was  very  sharp  against  truth  and 
friends ;  but  the  Lord's  power  stopped  them.  The  session  was  large, 
the  concourse  of  people  great,  and  way  being  made  for  me,  I  came  up 
to  the  bar,  and  stood  with  my  hat  on,  they  looking  earnestly  upon  me 
and  I  upon  them  for  a  pretty  space.  Proclamation  being  made  '  for  all 
'  to  keep  silence  upon  pain  of  imprisonment ;'  and  all  being  quiet,  I  said 
twice,  '  Peace  be  among  you.'  The  chairman  asked,  If  I  knew  where 
I  was  1     I  said,  *  Yes,  I  do ;  but  it  may  be,  said  I,  my  hat  oifends  you. 

*  That's  a  low  thing,  that's  not  the  honour  that  I  give  to  magistrates,  for 

*  the  true  honour  is  from  above ;  which,  said  I,  I  have  received,  and  I 
'  hope  it  is  not  the  hat  wliich  ye  look  upon  to  be  the  honour.'  The  chair- 
man said,  '  They  looked  for  the  hat  too,'  and  asked,  '  Wherein  I  shew- 
'  ed  my  respect  to  magistrates,  if  I  did  not  put  off*  my  hatt'  I  replied, 
'  In  coming  when  they  called  me.'     Then  they  bid  one,  '  Take  off  my 

*  hat.'  After  which  it  was  some  time  before  they  spoke  to  me,  and  I 
felt  the  power  of  the  Lord  to  arise.  After  some  pause,  old  justice  Raw- 
linson, the  chairman,  asked  me,  '  If  I  knew  of  the  plot  ?'     I  told  him,  '  I 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  373 

'  heard  of  it  in  Yorkshire  by  a  friend,  who  had  it  from  the  high-sheriff.' 
They  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  had  declared  it  to  the  magistrates  ? '  I  said, 

*  I  had  sent  papers  abroad  against  plots  and  plotters,  and  also  to  you,  as 

*  soon  as  I  came  into  the  country,  to  take  all  jealousies  out  of  your 

*  minds  concerning  me  and  my  friends ;  for  it  is  our  principle  to  declare 
'  against  such  things.'  They  asked  me,  *  If  I  knew  not  of  an  act  against 
^  meetings  V     I  said, '  I  knew  there  was  an  act  that  took  hold  of  such  as 

*  met  to  the  terrifying  of  the  king's  subjects,  were  enemies  to  the  king, 

*  and  held  dangerous  principles;  but  I  hoped  they  did  not  look  upon  us 

*  to  be  such  men,  for  our  meetings  were  not  to  terrify  the  king's  subjects, 

*  neither  are  we  enemies  to  him  or  any  man,'  Then  they  tendered  me 
the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy.     I  told  them,  '  I  could  not  take 

*  any  oath  at  all,  because  Christ  and  his  apostle  had  forbid  it ;  and  they 
"•  had  sufficient  experience  of  swearers,  first  one  way,  then  another  ;  but 

*  I  had  never  taken  any  oath  in  my  life.'  Rawhnson  asked  me,  '  Whe- 
'  ther  I  held  it  was  unlawful  to  swear  i '  This  question  he  put  on  pur- 
pose to  ensnare  me ;  for  by  an  act  that  was  made,  such  were  hable  to 
banishment  or  a  great  fine,  that  should  say,  it  was  '  unlawful  to  swear.' 
But  I,  seeing  the  snare,  avoided  it,  and  told  him,  *  That  in  the  time  of 
•*  the  law  amongst  the  Jews,  before  Christ  came,  the  law  commanded 

*  them  to  swear ;  but  Christ,  who  doth  fulfil  the  law  in  his  gospel-time, 
'  commands,  "  not  to  swear  at  all ;"  and  the  apostle  James  forbids  swear- 

*  ing,  even  to  them  that  were  Jews,  and  who  had  the  law  of  God.'  Af- 
ter much  discourse  they  called  for  the  gaoler,  and  committed  me  to 
prison.  I  had  the  paper  about  me  which  I  wrote  as  a  testimony  against 
plots,  which  I  desired  they  would  read,  or  sufter  to  be  read  in  open 
court;  but  they  would  not.     So  being  committed  for  refusing  to  swear, 

*  I  bid  them  and  all  the  people  take  notice,  that  I  suffered  for  the  doc- 

*  trine  of  Christ,  and  for  my  obedience  to  his  command.'  x\fterwards  I 
understood  the  justices  did  say,  that  they  had  private  instructions  from 
colonel  Kirby  to  prosecute  me,  notwithstanding  his  fair  carriage  and 
seeming  kindness  to  me  before,  when  he  declared  before  many  of  them, 
'  That  he  had  nothing  against  me.'  Several  other  friends  were  commit- 
ted to  prison,  some  for  meeting  to  worship  God,  and  some  for  not 
swearing ;  so  that  the  prison  was  very  full.  Many  of  them  being  poor 
men,  without  any  thing  to  maintain  their  families  by  but  their  labour, 
which  now  they  were  taken  from,  several  of  their  wives  went  to  the  jus- 
tices who  committed  their  husbands,  and  told  them,  '  If  they  kept  their 
'  husbands  in  gaol  for  nothing  but  the  truth  of  Christ  and  for  good  con- 

*  science-sake,  they  would  bring  their  children  to  them  to  be  maintained.' 
A  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  rose  in  friends,  and  gave  them  great  bold- 
ness, so  that  they  spoke  much  to  the  justices.  Friends  also  that  were 
prisoners  wrote  to  the  justices,  'laying  the  weight  of  their  sufferings 

*  upon  them,  and  shewing  them  both  their  injustice  and  want  of  compas- 

*  sion  towards  their  poor  neighbours,  whom  they  knew  to  be  honest,  con- 

*  scientious,  peaceable  people,  that  in  tenderness  of  conscience  could  not 

*  take  any  oath ;  yet  they  sent  them  to  prison  for  refusing  to  take  the 

*  oath  of  allegiance.  Though  several  of  those  imprisoned  on  that  account 

*  were  known  to  be  men  who  had  served  the  king  in  his  wars,  had  haz- 

*  arded  their  lives  in  the  field  in  his  cause,  had  suffered  great  hardships, 

*  with  the  loss  of  much  blood  for  him,  and  always  stood  faithful  to  him 

*  from  first  to  last,  3^et  never  received  pay  for  their  service ;  and  to  be 

*  thus  requited  for  all  their  faithful  services  and  sufferings  by  those  that 


374  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

'  pretended  to  be  the  king's  friends,  was  hard,  unkind,  and  ungrateful 
'  deahng.'  At  length  the  justices,  being  continually  attended  with  com- 
plaints of  grievances,  released  some  of  the  friends,  but  kept  divers  still  in 
prison. 

There  were  four  friends  prisoners  for  tythes,  sent  to  prison  at  the  suit 
of  the  countess  of  Derby,  who  had  lain  near  two  years  and  an  half.  One 
of  these  was  Oliver  Atherton,  who  being  of  a  weakly  constitution  was 
through  long  and  hard  imprisonment  in  a  cold,  raw,  unwholesome  place, 
brought  so  low  and  weak  in  his  body,  that  there  appeared  no  hopes  of 
his  life  unless  he  might  be  removed.  Wherefore  a  letter  was  wrote  on 
his  behalf  to  the  countess,  and  sent  by  his  son  Godfrey  Atherton,  where- 
in was  laid  before  her  '  the  reasons  why  he  and  the  rest  could  not  pay 
tythes ;  '  because  if  they  did,  they  should  deny  Christ  come  in  the  flesh, 

*  who  by  his  coming  had  put  an  end  to  the  tythes,  and  to  the  priesthood 
'  to  which  they  had  been  given,  and  to  the  commandment  by  which  they 

*  had  been  paid  under  the  law.  His  weak  condition  of  body  was  also 
'  laid  before  her,  and  the  apparent  likelihood  of  his  death,  if  she  continued 
'  to  hold  him  there,  that  she  might  be  moved  to  pity  and  compassion,  and 
'  also  warned  not  to  draw  the  guilt  of  innocent  blood  upon  her.'  When 
his  son  went  to  her  with  his  father's  letter,  a  servant  of  hers  abused  him, 
plucked  off"  his  cap  and  threw  it  away,  and  put  him  out  of  the  gate. 
Nevertheless  the  letter  was  delivered  into  her  own  hand,  but  she  shut  out 
all  pity  and  tenderness,  and  continued  him  in  prison  till  death.  When  his 
son  returned  to  his  father  in  prison,  and  told  him  as  he  lay  on  his  dying- 
bed,  that  the  countess  denied  his  liberty,  he  only  said,  '  She  hath  been 
'  the  cause  of  shedding  much  blood,  but  this  will  be  the  heaviest  blood 

*  that  ever  she  spilt,'  and  soon  after  he  died.  Friends  having  his  body 
delivered  to  them  to  bury,  as  they  carried  it  from  the  prison  to  Ormskirk, 
the  parish  wherein  he  had  lived,  they  stuck  up  papers  upon  the  crosses 
at  Garstang,  Preston,  and  other  towns  through  which  they  passed,  with 
this  inscription : 

"  This  is  Oliver  Atherton,  of  Ormskirk  parish,  persecuted  to  death  by 
"  the  countess  of  Derby  for  good  conscience-sake  towards  God  and 
"  Christ,  because  he  could  not  give  her  tythes,  &c." 

Setting  forth  the  reasons  of  his  refusing  to  pay  tythes,  the  length  of 
his  imprisonment,  the  hardships  he  underwent,  her  hard-heartedness  to- 
wards him,  and  the  manner  of  his  death.  After  his  death,  Richard  Cub- 
ban,  another  of  her  prisoners  for  tythes,  wrote  a  large  letter  to  her,  on 
behalf  of  himself  and  his  fellow-prisoners  at  her  suit,  laying  their  inno- 
cency  before  her ;  '  and  that  it  was  not  out  of  wilfulness,  stubbornness, 
'  or  covetousness,  that  they  refused  to  pay  their  tythes,  but  purely  in  good 
'  conscience  towards  God  and  Christ ;  letting  her  know,  if  she  should  be 
'  suffered  to  keep  them  there  till  they  every  one  died,  as  she  had  done 
'  their  fellow-sufferer,  Oliver  Atherton,  they  could  not  }-ield  to  pay  her. 

*  And  therefore  desired  her  to  consider  their  case  in  a  Christian  spirit, 
'  and  not  bring  their  blood  upon  herself  also.'  Yet  she  would  not  shew 
any  pity  or  compassion  to  them,  who  had  now  suffered  hard  imprison- 
ment about  two  years  and  an  half  under  her.  Instead  thereof  she  sent  to 
Garstang,  and  threatened  to  complain  to  the  king  and  council,  and  bring 
them  into  trouble,  for  suffering  the  paper  concerning  Oliver  Atherton's 
death  to  be  stuck  upon  their  cross.  The  rage  she  expressed  made  the 
people  take  the  more  notice  of  it,  and  some  of  them  said,  *  the  Quakers 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  375 

*  had  given  her  a  bone  to  pick.'  But  she,  that  regarded  not  the  life  of  an 
innocent  sufferer  for  Christ,  Uved  not  long  after  herself;  for  that  day  three 
weeks  that  Oliver  Atherton's  body  was  carried  through  Ormskirk  to  be 
buried,  she  died ;  and  her  body  was  carried  that  day  seven  weeks  through 
the  same  town  to  her  burying-place.  Thus  the  Lord  pursued  the  hard- 
hearted persecutor.  I  was  kept  till  the  assize,  and  judge  Turner  and 
judge  Twisden  coming  that  circuit,  I  was  brought  before  judge  Twisden, 
the  14th  of  the  month  called  March,  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1663. 
When  I  was  set  to  the  bar,  I  said,  '  Peace  be  amongst  you  all,'  The 
judge  looked  upon  me,  and  said,  '  What !  do  you  come  into  the  court 
'  with  your  hat  on ,'     Upon  which  words,  the  gaoler  taking  it  off,  I  said, 

*  The  hat  is  not  the  honour  that  comes  from  God.'  Then  said  the  judge 
to  me,  '  Will  you  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  George  Fox  V     I  said,  '  I 

*  never  took  any  oath  in  my  life,  nor  any  covenant  or  engagement.' 
'  Well,'  said  he,  *  Will  you  swear  or  no  V     I  answered,  '  I  am  a  Chris- 

*  tian,  and  Christ  commands  me  "  not  to  swear ;"  so  does  the  apostle 

*  James ;  and  whether  I  should  obey  God  or  man,  do  thou  judge.'     I  ask 

*  you  again,'  said  he,  '  Whether  you  will  swear  or  no  V  I  answered  again, 

*  I  am  neither  Turk,  Jew,  nor  Heathen,  but  a  Christian,  and  should  shew 

*  forth  Christianity.     I  asked  him.  If  he  did  not  know  that  Christians  in 

*  the  primitive  times,  under  the  ten  persecutions,  and  some  also  of  the 

*  martyrs  in  queen  Mary's  days,  refused  swearing,  because  Christ  and 

*  the  apostle  had  forbidden  it  ?     I  told  him  also,  they  had  experience 

*  enough,  how  many  had  first  sworn  for  the  king  and  then  against  him. 
'  But  as  for  me  I  had  never  taken  an  oath  in  my  life.  My  allegiance  did 
*■  not  lie  in  swearing,  but  in  truth  and  faithfulness ;  for  I  honour  all  men, 

*  much  more  the  king.  But  Christ,  who  is  the  Great  Prophet,  the  King 
'  of  kings,  the  Saviour  and  Judge  of  the  whole  world,  saith,  I  must  "  not 
"  swear."     Now,  whether  must  I  obey  Christ  or  thee  ?    For  it  is  tender- 

*  ness  of  conscience,  and  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ,  that  I 
'  do  not  swear :  and  we  have  the  word  of  a  king  for  tender  consciences. 

*  Then  I  asked  the  judge,  If  he  did  own  the  king  ?  "  Yes,"  said  he,  "  I 
"  do  own  the  king."     Why  then,  said  I,  dost  thou  not  observe  his  decla- 

*  ration  from  Breda,  and  his  promises  made  since  he  came  into  England, 
"  That  no  man  should  be  called  in  question  for  matters  of  religion,  so 
"  long  as  they  lived  peaceably  ?"  If  thou  ownest  the  king,  said  I,  why 
'  dost  thou  call  me  in  question,  and  put  me  upon  taking  an  oath,  which 
'  is  a  matter  of  religion ;  seeing  thou  nor  none  else  can  charge  me  with 
'  unpeaceable  living  V  Upon  this  he  was  moved,  and  looking  angrily  at 
me,  said,  '  Sirrah,  will  you  swear  V  I  told  him  *  I  was  none  of  his  Sir- 
'  rahs,  I  was  a  Christian ;  and  for  him,  an  old  man,  and  a  judge,  to  sit 
'  there  and  give  nick-names  to  prisoners,  it  did  not  become  either  his 
'  grey  hairs  or  his  office.'  '  Well,'  said  he,  '  I  am  a  Christian  too.' 
'  Then  do  Christian  works,'  said  I.  '  Sirrah !'  said  he,  '  Thou  thinkest  to 
'  frighten  me  with  thy  words.'  Then  catching  himself,  and  looking  aside, 
he  said,  '  Hark !  I  am  using  the  word  (Sirrah)  again ;'  so  checked  him- 
self. I  said,  '  I  spoke  to  thee  in  love ;  for  that  language  did  not  become 
'  thee,  a  judge.     Thou  oughtest  to  instruct  a  prisoner  in  the  law,  if  he 

*  were  ignorant  and  out  of  the  way.'  '  And  I  speak  in  love  to  thee  too,' 
said  he.  *  But,'  said  I,  *  Love  gives  no  nick-names.'  Then  he  roused 
himself  up,  and  said,  '  I  will  not  be  afraid  of  thee,  George  Fox.  Thou 
'  speakest  so  loud,  thy  voice  drowns  mine  and  the  court's ;  I  must  call 

*  for  three  or  four  criers  to  drown  thy  voice :  thou  hast  good  lungs.'    '  I 


376  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

'  am  a  prisoner  here,'  said  I,  '  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake ;  for  his 

*  sake  do  I  suffer,  for  him  do  I  stand  this  day,  and  if  my  voice  were  five 
'  times  louder  I  should  lift  it  up,  and  sound  it  out  for  Christ's  sake,  for 

*  whose  cause  I  stand  this  day  before  your  judgment-seat,  in  obedience 
'  to  him  who  commands  "  not  to  swear ;"  before  whose  judgment-seat 

*  you  must  all  be  brought,  and  must  give  an  account.'  '  Well,'  said  the 
judge,  '  George  Fox,  say.  Whether  thou  wilt  take  the  oath.  Yea  or 

*  Nay  V    I  replied, '  I  say  as  I  said  before.  Whether  ought  I  to  obey  God 

*  or  man,  judge  thou  !    If  I  could  take  any  oath  at  all,  I  should  take  this ; 

*  for  I  do  not  deny  some  oaths  only  or  on  some  occasions,  but  all  o^thsy 
'  according  to  Christ's  doctrine,  who  hath  commanded  his,  "  Not  to 
'  swear  at  all."     Now  if  thou  or  any  of  you,  or  any  of  your  ministers  or 

*  priests  here,  will  prove  that  ever  Christ  or  his  apostle,  after  they  had 
'  forbid  all  swearing,  commanded  Christians  to  swear,  then  I  will  swear.' 
I  saw  several  priests  there ;  but  not  one  of  them  offered  to  speak.  Then 
said  the  judge,  '  I  am  a  servant  to  the  king,  and  the  king  sent  me  not  to 
'  dispute  with  you,  but  to  put  the  laws  in  execution ;  therefore  tender  him 
'  the  oath  of  allegiance.'  '  If  thou  love  the  king,'  said  I,  '  why  dost  thou 
'  break  his  word,  and  not  keep  his  declarations  and  speeches,  wherein  he 

*  promised  liberty  to  tender  consciences'?  I  am  a  man  of  a  tender  con- 

*  science,  and  in  obedience  to  Christ's  command  I  cannot  swear.'  '  Then 
'  you  will  not  swear,'  said  the  judge ;  '  Take  him  away,  gaoler.'     I  said, 

*  It  is  for  Christ's  sake  that  I  cannot  swear,  and  for  obedience  to  his  com- 
'  mand  I  suffer ;  and  so  the  Lord  forgive  you  all.'  So  the  gaoler  took 
me  away ;  but  I  felt  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  was  over  them  all. 

The  sixteenth  of  the  same  month  I  was  brought  before  judge  Twisden 
again,  who  was  somewhat  offended  at  my  hat ;  but  it  being  the  last  morn- 
ing of  the  assize,  before  he  was  to  go  out  of  town,  and  not  many  people 
there,  he  made  the  less  of  it.  He  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  would  traverse, 
'  stand  mute,  or  submit.'  But  he  spoke  so  fast,  it  was  hard  to  know  what 
he  said.  However  I  told  him,  '  I  desired  I  might  have  liberty  to  traverse 
'  the  indictment,  and  try  it.'  Then  said  he,  '  Take  him  away,  I  will  have 
'  nothing  to  do  with  him,  take  him  away.'  I  said,  '  Well,  live  in  the  fear 
'  of  God,  and  do  justice.'  '  Why,'  said  he,  *  have  not  I  done  you  justice  V 
I  replied,  '  That  which  thou  hast  done  hath  been  against  the  command 
'  of  Christ.'  So  I  was  taken  to  the  gaol  again,  and  kept  prisoner  till  the 
next  assizes. 

Some  time  before  this  assize,  Margaret  Fell  was  sent  prisoner  to  Lan- 
caster gaol  by  Fleming,  Kirby,  and  Preston,  justices ;  and  at  the  assize 
the  oath  was  tendered  to  her  also,  and  she  was  again  committed  to  prison 
to  lie  till  the  next  assize. 

Justice  Fleming  being  one  of  the  fiercest  and  most  violent  justices  in 
persecuting  friends,  and  sending  his  honest  neighbours  to  prison  for  reli- 
gion's sake ;  and  many  friends  being  at  this  time  in  Lancaster  gaol  com- 
mitted by  him,  and  some  having  died  in  prison,  we  that  were  then  pris- 
oners had  it  upon  us  to  write  to  him,  as  followeth. 

'  O  justice  Fleming ! 
'  Mercy,  compassion,  love,  and  kindness  adorn  and  grace  men  and 

*  magistrates.  Oh  !  dost  thou  not  hear  the  cry  of  the  widows,  and  the 
'  cry  of  the  fatherless,  who  were  made  so  through  persecution !  Were 
'  they  not  driven  like  sheep,  from  constable  to  constable,  as  though  they 
'  had  been  the  greatest  transgressors  or  malefactors  in  the  land  ?  Which 


1863]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  377 

grieved  and  tendered  the  hearts  of  many  sober  people,  to  see  how  their 
innocent  neighbours  and  countrymen,  who  were  of  a  peaceable  car- 
riage, and  honest  in  their  lives  and  conversations  among  men,  were 
used  and  served !  One  more  is  dead,  whom  thou  sentest  to  prison,  hav- 
ing left  five  children  fatherless  and  motherless.  How  canst  thou  do 
otherwise  than  take  care  of  those  fatherless  infants,  and  also  of  the 
other's  wife  and  family  1  Is  it  not  thy  place  1  Consider  Job.  (c.  xxix.) 
He  was  a  father  to  the  poor,  he  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the 
fatherless  that  had  none  to  help.  He  broke  the  jaws  of  the  wicked,  and 
plucked  the  spoil  out  of  his  teeth.  But  oh !  measure  thy  life  and  his, 
and  take  heed  of  the  day  of  God's  eternal  judgment,  which  will  come, 
and  the  sentence  and  decree  from  Christ,  when  every  man  must  give 
an  account  and  receive  a  reward  according  to  his  deeds.  Then  it  will 
be  said,  "  Oh !  where  are  the  months  that  are  past !"  Again,  justice 
Fleming,  consider,  when  John  Stubbs  was  brought  before  thee,  having 
a  wife  and  four  small  children,  and  little  to  live  on  but  what  they  hon- 
estly got  by  their  own  diligence ;  as  soon  as  he  appeared,  thou  cried 
out,  "  Put  the  oath  to  that  man."  And  when  he  confessed  he  was  but 
a  poor  man,  thou  hadst  no  regard,  but  cast  away  pity,  not  hearing  what 
he  would  say.  And  now  he  is  kept  in  prison,  because  he  could  not 
swear,  and  break  the  command  of  Christ  and  the  apostle,  it  is  to  be 
hoped  thou  wilt  take  care  of  his  family,  that  his  children  do  not  starve ; 
and  see  that  they  do  not  want  bread.  Can  this  be  allegiance  to  the 
king,  to  do  that  which  Christ  and  his  apostle  say  is  evil,  and  brings  into 
condemnation  1  Would  not  you  have  cast  Christ  and  the  apostle  into 
prison,  who  commanded  "  not  to  swear,"  if  they  had  been  in  your  days  1 
Consider  also  thy  poor  neighbour,  William  Wilson,  who  was  known  to 
all  the  parish  and  neighbours  to  be  an  industrious  man,  careful  to  main- 
tain his  wife  and  children ;  yet  had  little  but  what  he  got  with  his  hands 
in  diligence  and  travels  to  supply  himself  How  should  his  wife  main- 
tain her  children,  when  thou  hast  cast  her  husband  into  prison,  and  there- 
by made  him  incapable  of  working  for  them  1  Therefore  it  may  be  ex- 
pected thou  wilt  have  a  care  of  his  wife  and  children,  and  see  they  do 
not  want ;  for  how  should  they  live,  having  no  other  way  to  be  sus- 
tained but  by  the  little  that  he  got  1  Surely  the  noise  of  this  is  in  the 
very  markets,  the  death  of  thy  two  neighbours,  the  cry  of  the  widows 
and  fatherless  is  heard.  All  those  fatherless  and  widows  are  made  so 
for  righteousness-sake.  For  might  not  John  Stubbs  and  William  Wil- 
son have  had  their  liberty  still,  if  they  would  have  sworn,  though  they 
had  been  such  as  go  after  mountebanks  and  stage-plays,  or  run  a  hunt- 
ing 1  Oh !  consider !  for  the  Lord's  mind  is  otherwise.  He  is  tender, 
and  the  king  hath  declared  his  mind  to  be,  that  there  should  be  no  cru- 
elty inflicted  upon  his  peaceable  subjects.  Besides,  several  poor  honest 
people  were  fined,  who  had  need  to  have  something  given  them ;  and 
it  had  been  more  honourable  to  have  given  them  something,  than  to  fine 
them  and  send  them  to  prison,  some  of  whom  hve  upon  the  charity  of 
others.  What  honour  or  grace  can  it  be  to  thee  to  cast  thy  poor  neigh- 
bours into  prison,  who  are  peaceable ;  seeing  thou  knowest  these  people 
cannot  do  that  which  thou  requirest  of  them,  if  it  were  to  save  their 
lives,  or  all  that  they  have  1  Because  in  tenderness  they  cannot  take 
any  oath,  thou  makest  that  a  snare  to  them.  What  thinkest  thou  do 
the  people  say  concerning  this  1  "  We  know,"  say  they,  "  the  Quakers' 
*  principle  that  keep  to  Yea  and  Nay ;  but  we  see  others  swear  and  for- 

2X 


378  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

*'  swear."  Many  of  you  have  sworn  first  one  way  and  then  another.  So 
'  we  leave  it  to  the  Sph'it  of  God  in  thy  conscience,  justice  Fleming,  who 
'  wast  so  eager  for  the  taking  of  George  Fox,  and  so  offended  with  them 

*  that  had  not  taken  him,  and  now  hast  fallen  upon  thy  poor  neighbours. 

*  But  oh !  Where's  thy  pity  for  their  poor,  fatherless  children,  and  moth- 
'  erless  infants  ?  Oh !  take  heed  of  Herod's  hard-heartedness,  and  cast- 

*  ing  away  all  pity  !  Esau  did  so,  not  Jacob.    Here  is  also  Thomas  Wal- 

*  ters,  of  Bolton,  cast  into  prison,  and  the  oath  imposed  on  him  through 
'  thee,  and  for  denying  to  swear  at  all,  in  obedience  to  Christ's  command, 

*  he  is  continued  in  prison,  who  hath  five  small  children  and  his  wife  near 

*  down-lying.  Surely,  thou  shouldest  take  care  for  them  also,  and  see 
'  that  his  wife  and  small  children  do  not  want,  who  are  as  fatherless  and 
'  she  as  a  widow  through  thee.  Dost  thou  not  hear  in  thy  ears  the  cry 
'  of  the  fatherless,  the  cry  of  the  widows,  and  the  blood  of  the  innocent 
'  speak,  who  through  thee  have  been  persecuted  to  prison,  and  are  now 

*  dead  ?  Oh !  heavy  sentence  at  the  day  of  judgment !  How  wilt  thou 
'  answer,  when  thou  and  thy  works  come  to  be  judged,  when  thou  shall 

*  be  brought  before  the  judgment-seat  of  the  Almighty,  who  in  thy  pros- 
'  perity  hast  made  widows  and  fatherless  for  righteousness-sake,  and  for 
'  tenderness  of  conscience  towards  God  ?  The  Lord  knows  and  sees  it ! 

*  O  man !  consider  in  thy  life-time  how  thou  hast  stained  thyself  with  the 

*  blood  of  the  innocent !  When  thou  had'st  power  and  might'st  have  done 

*  good  amongst  thy  peaceable  neighbours,  thou  would'st  not :  but  usedst 

*  thy  power  not  to  a  good  intent,  but  contrary  to  the  Lord's  mind  and  to 
'  the  king's.  The  king's  favour,  mercy,  and  clemency  to  sober  people 
'  and  tender  consciences  hath  been  manifested  by  declarations  and  pro- 
'  clamations,  which  thou  hast  abused  and  slighted  by  persecuting  his 

*  peaceable  subjects.     At  London  and  in  other  parts  the  Quakers'  meet- 

*  ings  are  peaceable ;  and  if  thou  look  but  as  far  as  Yorkshire,  where 
'  the  plot  hath  been,  friends'  innocency  hath  cleared  itself  in  the  hearts 

of  sober  justices ;  and  for  you  here  to  fall  upon  your  peaceable  neigh- 
bours and  people,  and  to  be  rigorous  and  violent  against  them  that  are 
'  tender,  godly,  and  righteous,  it  is  no  honour  to  you.  How  many  drunk- 
'  ards,  swearers,  and  fighters,  and  such  as  are  subject  to  vice,  have  you 
'  caused  to  be  brought  before  you  to  your  courts !  It  were  more  honour- 
'  able  for  you  to  look  after  such ;  for  the  law  was  not  made  for  the  right- 
'  eous,  but  for  sinners  and  transgressors.  Therefore  consider,  and  be 
'  humbled  for  these  things ;  for  the  Lord  may  do  to  thee  as  thou  hast 
'  done  to  others ;  and  thou  dost  not  know  how  soon  there  may  be  a  cry 
'  in  thy  own  family,  as  the  cry  is  amongst  thy  neighbours,  of  the  father- 
'  less  and  widows  that  are  made  so  through  thee.  But  the  Quakers  can 
'  and  do  say,  "  The  Lord  forgive  thee,  and  lay  not  these  things  to  thy 
"  charge,  if  it  be  his  will." 

Besides  this,  which  went  in  the  name  of  many,  I  sent  him  also  a  line 
or  two,  subscribed  by  myself  only,  and  directed 

*  To  Daniel  Fleming. 
'  Friend, 
'  Thou  hast  imprisoned  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  without  the  breach 
'  of  any  law ;  therefore  take  heed  what  thou  dost  (for  in  the  light  of  the 
'  Lord  God  thou  art  seen)  lest  the  hand  of  the  Lord  be  turned  against 
'thee!  G.  F.' 


K63]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  379 

It  was  not  long  after  this,  ere  Fleming's  wife  died,  and  left  him  thir- 
teen or  fourteen  motherless  children. 

When  I  was  prisoner  at  Lancaster,  there  was  prisoner  also  one  major 
Wiggan,  a  Baptist-preacher.  He  boasted  much  before-hand  what  he 
would  say  at  the  assize,  if  the  oath  should  be  put  to  him ;  and  that  he 
would  refuse  to  swear.  But  when  the  assize  came,  and  the  oath  was 
tendered  him,  he  desired  time  to  consider  of  it ;  and  that  being  granted 
him  till  the  next  assize,  he  got  leave  to  go  to  London  before  the  assize 
came  again,  and  staid  at  London  till  the  plague  broke  forth,  and  there 
both  he  and  his  wife  were  cut  ofi'.  He  was  a  very  wicked  man,  and  the 
judgments  of  God  came  upon  him ;  for  he  had  published  a  verywicked 
book  against  friends,  full  of  lies  and  blasphemies ;  the  occasion  of  which 
was  this.  Whilst  he  was  in  Lancaster  castle,  he  challenged  friends  to  a 
dispute.  Whereupon  I  got  leave  of  the  gaoler  to  go  up  to  them.  And 
entering  into  discourse  with  him,  he  affirmed,  '  That  some  men  never 
'  had  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  that  the  true  light,  which  enlighteneth  every 
'  one  that  cometh  into  the  world,  is  natural.'  For  proof  of  his  first  as- 
sertion, he  instanced  Balaam,  affirming,  '  Balaam  had  not  the  Spirit  of 
'  God.'  I  affirmed  and  proved,  '  That  Balaam  had  the  Spirit  of  God, 
'  and  that  wicked  men  have  the  Spirit  of  God,  else  how  could  they  quench 
'  it,  vex  it,  grieve  it,  and  resist  the  Holy  Ghost,  like  the  stiff-necked  Jews'?' 
To  his  second  assertion,  I  answered, '  That  the  true  light,  which  enlight- 
'  eneth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  was  the  life  in  the  Word, 
'  and  that  was  divine  and  eternal,  and  not  natural.  And  he  might  as 
'  well  say,  the  word  was  natural  as  that  the  life  in  the  word  was  natural. 
'  And  wicked  men  were  enlightened  by  this  light,  else  how  could  they 
'  hate  it '?  It  is  expressly  said,  they  did  hate  it ;  and  the  reason  given  why, 
'  was,  "  because  their  deeds  were  evil ;"  and  they  would  not  come  to  it, 
'  because  it  reproved  them ;  and  that  must  needs  be  in  them,  which  re- 
'  proved  them.  Besides,  that  liglit  could  not  be  the  scriptures  of  the  New 
'  Testament ;  for  it  was  testified  of  before  any  part  of  the  New  Testa- 
'  ment  was  written ;  so  it  must  be  by  the  Divine  Light,  which  is  the  life 
'  in  Christ,  the  Word,  before  the  scriptures  were.  And  the  grace  of  God, 
'  v/hich  brought  salvation,  had  appeared  unto  all  men,  and  taught  the 
'  saints ;  but  they  that  turned  from  it  into  wantonness,  and  walked  de- 
'  spitefully  against  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  were  the  wicked.  Again,  the 
'  Spirit  of  Truth,  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  which  leads  the  disci- 

*  pies  of  Christ  into  all  truth,  the  same  should  reprove  the  world  of  sin, 
'  of  righteousness,  of  judgment,  and  of  their  unbelief  So  the  wicked 
'  world  had  it  to  reprove  them,  and  the  true  disciples  and  learners  of 

*  Christ,  that  believed  in  the  liglit  as  Christ  commands,  had  it  to  lead  them. 
^  But  the  world  that  did  not  believe  in  the  light,  though  they  were  light- 
'  ed,  but  hated  the  light  which  they  should  have  believed  in,  and  loved 
'  the  darkness  rather  than  it,  this  world  had  a  righteousness  and  a  judg- 
'  ment,  which  the  Holy  Ghost  reproved  them  for,  as  well  as  for  tiieir  un- 
'  belief.'  Having  proved,  that  the  good  and  the  bad  were  enlightened, 
that  the  Grace  of  God  had  appeared  unto  all,  and  that  all  had  the  Spirit 
of  God,  else  they  could  not  vex  and  grieve  it,  I  told  major  Wiggan,  the 
least  babe  there  might  see  him ;  and  presently  stood  up  one  Richard  Cub- 
ham,  and  proved  him  an  antichrist  and  a  deceiver  by  scripture.  Then 
the  gaoler  had  me  away  to  my  j^rison  again.  Afterwards  Wiggan  wrote 
a  book  of  this  dispute,  and  put  in  abundance  of  abominable  lies ;  which 


380  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1663 

was  soon  answered  in  print,  and  himself  was  not  long  after  cut  off,  as 
aforesaid. 

This  Wiggan  was  poor,  and  while  he  was  prisoner  at  Lancaster  he 
sent  into  the  country,  and  got  money  gathered  for  relief  of  the  poor  peo- 
ple of  God  in  prison;  and  many  people  gave  freely,  thinking  it  had  been 
for  us,  when  indeed  it  was  for  himself  But  when  we  heard  of  it,  we 
laid  it  upon  him,  and  wrote  into  the  country,  that  friends  might  let  the 
people  know  the  truth  of  the  matter,  that  it  was  not  our  manner  to  have 
collections  made  for  us,  and  that  those  collections  were  only  for  Wiggan 
and  another,  a  drunken  preacher  of  his  society :  who  was  so  drunk,  that 
once  he  lost  his  breeches. 

After  this  it  came  upon  me  to  write  to  the  judges  and  other  magistrates 
concerning  their  '  giving  evil  words  and  nick-names  to  such  as  were 
'  brought  before  them.'     Which  was  after  this  manner. 

'  To  all  judges  or  other  officers  whatsoever  in  the  whole  world,  who 

*  profess  yourselves  to  be  Christians. 

'  Friends, 
'  Herein  and  by  reading  the  scriptures,  ye  may  see  both  your  own 
'  words  and  behaviour,  and  the  words  and  practice  of  both  Jews  and 
'  Heathens,  and  of  the  King  of  kings,  the  great  Lawgiver  and  Judge  of 
'  the  whole  World.  First,  concerning  the  words  and  carriage  of  the 
'  Jews,  when  some  worthy  of  death  were  brought  before  the  rulers 
'  amongst  them.  When  Achan  had  taken  the  Babylonish  garment,  the 
'  two  hundred  shekels  of  silver,  and  the  wedge  of  gold  of  fifty  shekels 
'  weight,  and  Joshua,  who  was  then  judge  of  Israel,  had  by  the  lot  dis- 
'  covered  him,  he  did  not  call  him.  Sirrah,  nor  you  Rascal,  Knave,  Rogue, 

*  as  some,  called  Christian  magistrates,  are  too  apt  to  do.  But  Joshua 
'  said  unto  Achan,  "  My  son."  Mark  his  clean  language,  savoury  ex- 
'  pression,  and  gracious  words.  "  My  son,'  said  he,  "  give,  I  pray  thee, 
"  glory  to  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and  make  confession  unto  him,  and 
"  tell  me  now  what  thou  hast  done,  hide  it  not  from  me."  Then  Achan 
'  confessed,  that  he  had  sinned  against  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and  thus 
'  and  thus  he  had  done.  Then  Joshua,  the  judge,  said,  "  Why  hast  thou 
"  troubled  Israel  I  The  Lord  shall  trouble  thee  this  day ;  and  they  stoned 
"  him  and  his  with  stones,  and  burned  his  goods  with  fire."  But  there 
'  was  no  unsavoury  word  given  him  that  we  read  of,  though  he  was 

*  worthy  of  death.  Josh.  vii. 

'  So  when  the  man,  that  gathered  sticks  upon  the  sabbath-day,  was 

*  taken  and  brought  before  Moses,  the  judge  of  Israel,  and  put  in  ward 
'  till  the  mind  of  the  Lord  was  known  concerning  him,  we  read  not  of 
'  any  revihng  language  given  him ;  but  the  Lord  said  to  Moses,  and 
'  Moses  to  the  people,  "  The  man  shall  surely  be  put  to  death,"  Numb. 
•xv.  35. 

'  Likewise  in  the  rebellion  of  Corah,  Dathan  and  Abiram,  when  Moses 

*  called  tliem  to  trial,  he  did  not  sirrah  them  nor  misname  them  ;  but  said 

*  to  Corah  and  tiie  rest,  "  Hear,  I  pray  you,  ye  sons  of  Levi,"  Numb.  xvi. 
'  8.  And  when  he  gave  the  sentence  against  them,  he  said,  "  If  these 
"  men  die  the  common  death  of  all  men,"  &c.     He  did  not  say.  If  these 

*  Rascals  or  Knaves,  as  many  that  profess  themselves  Christians  now  do. 

'  When  Elihu  spoke  to  Job,  who  was  a  judge,  and  to  his  friends,  and 

*  said,  "  Let  me  not,  I  pray  you,  accept  of  any  man's  person,  neither  let 
"  me  give  flattering  titles  unto  man,  for  I  know  not  to  give  flattering 


1663]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  38^1 

'  titles ;  in  so  doing  my  Maker  would  soon  take  me  away,"  Job  xxxii. 
Job  did  not  say,  "  Sirrah,  hold  thy  tongue ;"  nor  gave  him  any  unsa- 
voury expression.  The  words  of  David,  Solomon,  and  other  kings  and 
officers,  see  in  the  books  of  the  Kings  and  Chronicles,  the  savoury  lan- 
guage they  gave  to  them  that  were  brought  before  them.  Nay,  though 
Shimei  cursed  David  the  king,  yet  neither  did  David  then  or  after- 
ward, nor  Solomon  when  he  caused  him  to  be  put  to  death,  give  him 
any  reproachful  language,  or  so  much  as  call  him  Sirrah,  2  Sam.  xvi. 
and  1  Kings  ii. 

'  Read  the  prophecies  of  Isaiah,  Micah,  Jeremiah,  Ezekiel,  and  the 
rest  of  the  prophets,  who  prophesied  to  different  people,  and  against 
rulers,  kings,  and  magistrates ;  yet  where  can  it  be  found,  that  they  had 
any  bad  language  given  them,  as  Sirrah  or  the  like,  by  any  ruler  either 
of  the  Jews  or  Heathens  1  Nay,  though  Jeremiah  was  cast  into  prison, 
and  into  the  dungeon,  yet  there  was  no  such  word  as  Sirrah  or  Knave 
given  him,  Jer.  xxxvii. 

'  Respecting  the  words  and  carriage  of  the  Heathens.  When  Abra- 
ham was  before  Abimelech,  who  was  a  king,  he  gave  Abraham  no  un- 
savoury expressions.  Gen.  xx.  When  Isaac  came  before  Abimelech, 
he  gave  him  no  taunting  language.  Gen.  xxvi.  When  Joseph  was  cast 
into  prison,  and  that  in  Egypt,  we  do  not  read  he  had  any  railing  lan- 
guage given  him,  Gen.  xxxix.  Neither  did  Pharaoh,  when  Moses  and 
Aaron  appeared  before  him,  give  them  bad  language,  as  Sirrah,  Knave, 
or  the  like. 

*  When  Nebuchadnezzar  sentenced  the  three  children  to  the  fiery  fur- 
nace, there  was  no  such  language  given  them  as  Sirrah,  Knave,  Rascal ; 
but  they  were  called  by  the  names  they  were  known  by,  Dan.  iii. 
When  Daniel  was  brought  before  king  Darius,  and  sentenced  to  be  cast 
into  the  lion's  den,  he  had  no  such  ill  names  given  him,  as  many  give 
now,  who  call  those  Heathen  rulers,  but  themselves  Christians. 

'  If  ye  look  into  the  New-Testament,  in  the  parable  of  the  wedding- 
supper,  the  king  that  came  to  view  his  guests  did  not  say  to  him  that 
was  found  without  a  wedding-garment,  "  Sirrah,  how  cam.est  thou  in 
'  hither  1 "  but,  "  Friend,  how  camest  thou  in  hither  ? "  &c.  though  he 
was  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  "  cast  into  outer  darkness,"  Matth. 
xxii.  Nay,  when  Judas  had  betrayed  his  master,  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Lord  of  Life,  and  sold  him  to  the  priests,  Christ  did  not  call  him  SiiTah, 
when  he  came  to  apprehend  him,  but  Friend,  Matth.  xxvi.  50.  Stephen, 
in  his  examination,  sentence,  and  death  had  no  such  reproachful  word 
given  him,  as  Sirrah  or  Knave,  Acts  vi.  &  vii,  chap.  When  the  apos- 
tles Peter  and  John  were  brought  before  the  high-priest  and  rulers  of 
the  Jews,  and  commanded  not  to  preach  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  Acts  iv. 
they  were  not  called  Sirrahs  or  Knaves,  nor  had  any  such  ill  names 
given  them.  V/hen  Paul  and  Silas  were  cast  into  prison  by  the  mag- 
istrates. Acts  xvi.  they  called  them  men,  not  Rogues,  Sirrahs,  nor 
Knaves.  And  when  the  magistrates  had  done  contrary  to  law,  they 
feared.  So  ye  may  see  how  short  of  this  example  many  are  that  call 
themselves  Christian  rulers,  who  are  not  afraid  to  cast  innocent  people 
into  prison,  and  give  them  ill  names  besides,  below  both  Jews  and 
Heathens. 

'  When  the  uproar  was  at  Ephesus  about  Diana's  shrine,  Demetrius 

'  who  bore  great  sway  among  the  craftsmen,  did  not  call  Paul  Sirrah 

but  Paul,  Acts  xix.     When  Paul  was  brought  prisoner  before  the  high- 


382  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1664 

*  priest  Ananias  and  the  council  of  the  Jews,  and  told  them,  "  He  had 
*'  lived  in  all  good  conscience  towards  God  until  that  day ;"  though  they, 

*  who  professed  the  scriptures  but  lived  out  of  the  life  of  them,  could  not 

*  abide  to  hear  of  hving  in  a  good  conscience,  as  professors  of  the  scrip- 

*  tures  now,  that  live  not  in  the  life,  cannot  abide  to  hear  of  living  in  a 

*  good  conscience  now-a-days ;  but  Ananias  caused  Paul  to  be  "  smitten 
^'  on  the  mouth ;"  yet  he  did  not  call  him  Knave  nor  Sirrah,  Acts  xxiii. 

*  The  apostate  Jews  indeed,  who,  though  they  professed  scripture,  were 

*  out  of  the  life  thereof,  and  had  rejected  Christ,  in  accusing  Paul  before 
'■  the  Roman  magistrates,  did  once  call  him  a  Pestilent  Fellow,  Acts 

*  xxiv,  as  the  accusing  professors,  who  hve  out  of  the  life,  sometimes  call 

*  us  now.     But  neither  Felix,  Festus,  nor  king  Agrippa,  in  all  their  ex- 

*  aminations,  gave  Paul  any  such  words  as  Sirrah,  Rascal,  Knave,  or  the 

*  like,  but  heard  him  patiently.     So  Christians  may  see  through  all  the 

*  scriptures,  when  persons  were  brought  before  rulers,  kings,  or  magis- 

*  trates,  whether  Jews  or  Heathens,  they  did  not  use  to  call  them  evil 

*  names,  as  Sirrah,  Rascal,  Knave,  and  the  like.  They  had  no  such  foul- 
'  mouth'd  language  in  their  courts.  Nor  did  they  use  to  say  to  them, 
*'  Sirrah,  put  off  your  hat."     Now,  ye  that  profess  Christianity,  and  say 

*  the  "  scripture  is  your  rule,"  may  see  that  more  corrupt  words  proceed 

*  out  of  your  mouths  than  either  out  of  the  Jews  or  Heathens,  if  ye  will 
■*  try  vour  practice  by  the  scriptures ;  and  doth  not  the  apostle  tell  you, 
'  that  no  corrupt  communication  should  proceed  out  of  your  mouths  ? 

*  and  that  your  words  should  be  gracious 't  I  query,   where  and  whence 

*  ye  that  call  yourselves  Christians  have  got  all  these  bad  words  and 
'^  names,  seeing  neither  God  nor  Christ,  the  prophets,  judges,  kings,  nor 

*  rulers  ever  gave  any  such  names,  so  far  as  appears  by  scripture,  either 
'  amongst  Heathens,  Jews,  or  Christians  ?  G.  F.' 

Before  the  next  assizes  there  was  a  quarter-sessions  held  at  Lancaster 
by  the  justices.  To  which,  though  we  were  not  brought,  I  put  friends 
upon  drawing  up  an  account  of  their  sufferings,  and  laying  them  before 
the  justices  in  their  open  sessions.  For  friends  had  suffered  deeply  by 
fines  and  distresses,  the  baihffs  and  officers  making  great  havoc  and 
spoil  of  their  goods ;  but  no  redress  was  afforded. 

And  because  some  evil-minded  magistrates  would  tell  us  sometimes 
of  the  late  plot  in  the  north,  we  gave  forth  the  following  paper  to  stop 
their  mouths,  and  to  clear  truth  and  friends  therefrom. 

'  A  Testimony  from  the  people  of  God,  whom  the  world  calls  Quakers, 
'  to  all  the  magistrates  and  officers  of  what  sort  soever,  from  the 
'  highest  to  the  lowest. 

*  We  are  peaceable,  and  seek  the  peace,  good,  and  welfare  of  all,  as 

*  in  our  hves  and  peaceable  carriages  is  manifested,  and  we  desire  the 

*  eternal  good  of  all,  and  their  souls'  everlasting  peace.    We  are  become 

*  heirs  of  the  blessing  before  the  curse  was,  and  of  the  power  of  God  be- 

*  fore  the  devil  was,  and  before  the  fall  of  man.  We  are  heirs  of  the 
^  gospel  of  peace,  which  is  the  power  of  God ;  we  are  heirs  of  Christ, 
'  who  have  inherited  him  and  his  everlasting  kingdom,  and  do  possess 
'  the  power  of  an  endless  life.  Knowing  this  our  portion  and  inheritance, 
^  this  is  to  take  off  all  jealousies  out  of  your  minds,  and  out  of  the  minds 
'  of  all  concerning  us,  that  all  plots  and  conspiracies,  plotters  and  con- 
^  spirators  against  the  king,  and  all  aiders  or  assisters  thereunto  we  al- 
'  ways  did  and  do  utterly  deny  to  be  of  us,  or  to  be  of  the  fellowship  of 


1664]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  383 

*  the  gospel,  of  Christ's  kingdom,  or  his  servants.  For  Christ  said,  *'  His 
"  kino-dom  was  not  of  this  world,  if  it  were  his  servants  would  fight.'* 
'  Therefore  he  bid  Peter,  "  put  up  his  sword ;  for,"  said  he,  "  he  that 
"  taketh  the  sword  shall  perish  by  the  sword."  Here  is  the  faith  and  pa- 
'  tience  of  the  saints,  to  bear  and  suffer  all  things,  knowing  vengeance  is 
'  the  Lord's,  and  he  will  repay  it  to  then:i  that  hurt  his  people  and  wrong 
'  the  innocent ;  therefore  cannot  we  avenge  but  suffer  for  his  name's 
'  sake.  We  know  that  the  Lord  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness 
'  according  to  their  deeds,  and  that,  when  every  one  shall  give  an  ac- 
'  count  to  him  of  the  "  deeds  done  in  the  body,"  then  will  the  Lord  give 

*  every  man  according  to  his  works,  whether  they  be  good  or  evil.  Christ 
'  saith,  he  came  not  to  "  destroy  men's  lives ;"  and  when  his  disciples 
'  would  have  had  "  fire  to  come  down  from  heaven,"  to  have  consumed 
'  those  that  did  not  receive  him,  he  told  them,  "  They  knew  not  what 
"  spirit  they  were  of,"  they  would  have  men's  lives  destroyed;  therefore 
'  he  rebuked  them,  and  told  them,  "  That  he  came  not  to  destroy  men's 
"  lives,  but  to  save  them."  We  are  of  Christ's  mind,  who  is  the  great 
'  prophet,  whom  all  ought  to  hear  in  all  things,  who  commandeth  his, 
"  If  they  strike  thee  on  one  cheek  turn  the  other,  and  render  to  no  man 
"  evil  for  evik"  This  doctrine  of  his  we  have  learned,  and  not  only  con- 
'  fess  him  in  words,  but  follow  his  doctrine ;  and  therefore  we  suffer  all 
'  manner  of  reproaches,  scandals,  slanders,  spoiling  of  goods,  buffetings, 
'  whippings,  stripes,  and  imprisonments  for  these  many  years,  and  can 
'  say,  "  The  Lord  forgive  them  that  have  thus  served  us,  and  lay  not 
"  these  things  to  their  charge  !"  We  know  the  Jews'  outward  sword,  by 
'  which  they  cut  down  the  Heathen  outwardly,  was  a  type  of  the  inward 
'  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  cuts  down  the  inward  Heathen,  the  raging 

*  nature  in  people.  The  blood  of  bulls,  lambs,  rams,  and  other  offerings, 
'  and  that  priesthood  which  offered  them,  together  with  other  things  in 

*  the  law,  were  types  of  Christ,  the  one  offering,  and  of  his  blood,  who 
'  is  the  everlasting  priest  and  covenant,  our  life,  and  way  to  God,  the 
'  great  prophet  and  shepherd,  the  head  of  his  church,  and  the  great 
'  bishop  of  our  souls,  whom  we  witness  come ;  he  doth  oversee  and  keep 
'  his  flock.     For  in  Adam,  in  the  fall,  we  know  the  striving,  quarrelhng, 

*  unpeaceable  spirits  are  at  enmity  one  with  another,  and  not  in  peace ; 
'  but  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  second  Adam,  that  never  fell,  is  peace,  rest,  and 
'  life.  The  doctrine  of  Christ,  who  never  sinned,  is  to  "  love  one  another," 
'  and  those  who  are  in  this  doctrine  hurt  no  man,  in  which  we  are,  in 
'  Christ,  who  is  our  life.  Therefore  it  is  well  for  you  to  distinguish  be- 
'  twixt  the  precious  and  the  vile,  between  them  that  fear  God  and  serve 
'  him  and  them  that  do  not,  and  to  put  a  difference  between  the  innocent 
'  and  the  guilty,  between  him  that  is  holy  and  pure  and  the  ungodly  and 
'  prophane ;  for  they  that  do  not  so,  bring  troubles,  burdens,  and  sor- 
'  rows  upon  themselves.  This  we  write  in  love  to  your  souls,  that  ye 
'  may  consider  these  things ;  for  those  that  hate  enemies,  and  one  an- 

*  other,  we  cannot  say  they  are  of  God,  nor  in  Christ's  doctrine,  but  are 
'  opposers  of  it.  And  such  as  wrestle  with  flesh  and  blood,  with  carnal 
'  weapons,  are  gone  into  the  flesh  out  of  the  Spirit.    They  are  not  in  our 

*  fellowship  in  the  Spirit,  in  which  is  the  bond  of  peace,  neither  are  they 

*  of  us,  nor  have  we  unity  with  them  in  their  fleshly  state,  and  with  their 

*  carnal  weapons.  For  our  unity  and  fellowship  stands  in  the  gospel, 
'which  is  the  power  of  God,  before  the  devil  was,  the  liar,  the  murderer, 

*  the  man-slayer,  and  the  envious.     Christ's  mind  and  his  doctrine  being 


384  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1664 

'  to  save  men's  lives,  we  who  are  of  Christ's  mind  are  out  of  and  above 
'  these  things.     Our  desire  is,  that  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ye  may  Uve, 

*  that  therein  ye  may  receive  God's  wisdom,  by  which  all  things  were 

*  created,  that  by  it  all  may  be  ordered  to  his  glory. 

'  This  is  from  them  that  love  all  your  souls, 
'  and  seek  your  eternal  good.' 

Being  prisoner  in  Lancaster  castle,  a  deep  sense  came  upon  me  of  a 
day  of  sore  trial  and  exercise  that  was  come  and  coming  upon  all  who 
had  been  high  in  profession  of  religion ;  and  I  was  moved  to  give  forth 
tiie  following  paper  as  a  warning  to  such ; 

*  Now  is  the  day  that  every  one's  faith  and  love  to  God  and  Christ 
'will  be  tried;  who  are  redeemed  out  of  the  earth,  and  who  are  in 

*  the  earth,  will  be  manifested ;  who  is  the  master  they  serve,  and 
'  whether  they  will  run  to  the  mountains  to  cover  them.     Now  will  it 

*  appear  who  are  the  stony-ground,  who  are  the  thorny-ground,  and 
'  who  are  the  high-way-ground,  in  whom  the  fowls  of  the  air  take 
'  away  the  seed,  the  thorns  and  cares  of  the  world  choke,  and  the  heat 

*  of  persecution  scorches  and  burns  up  your  green  blade ;  for  the  day 
'  trieth  all  things.    Therefore  let  not  such  as  forsake  truth  for  saving  the 

*  earth  say,  that  your  brother  priest  only  "  serveth  not  the  Lord  Jesus 
"  Christ  but  his  own  belly,  and  mindeth  earthly  things ;"  for  themselves 
'  also  do  the  same,  do  hug  and  embrace  self  and  not  the  Lord.  Now  it 
'  will  be  made  manifest  who  is  every  one's  God,  Christ,  and  Saviour,  and 
'  their  love  will  be  manifest,  whether  it  be  of  the  world  or  the  love  of 
'  God ;  for  if  it  be  the  love  of  the  world,  it  is  enmity,  and  the  enmity  will 
'  manifest  itself  what  it  is ;  and  the  day  will  try  every  spirit  and  his 

*  fruits.  Therefore,  my  dear  friends,  in  the  everlasting  seed  of  God  live, 
'  that  is  over  all  the  house  of  Adam  and  his  works  in  the  fall ;  dwelling 
'  in  the  seed,  Christ,  that  never  fell,  in  him  you  all  have  virtue,  life,  and 

*  peace,  and  through  him  ye  will  overcome  all  that  is  in  the  fall. 

'  G.  F.' 

I  wrote  also  another  short  epistle  to  friends,  to  warn  them  to  keep 
out  of  that  spirit  that  wrought  in  John  Perrot  and  his  company  against 
the  truth. 

'  Dear  friends, 
'  Dwell  in  the  love  of  God,  and  in  his  righteousness,  that  will  preserve 

*  you  above  all  unclean  and  changeable  spirits,  that  dwell  not  in  the  truth 

*  but  in  quarrels.  Avoid  such,  and  keep  your  habitations  in  the  truth. 
'  Dwell  in  the  truth,  and  in  the  word  of  God,  by  which  ye  are  reconciled 
'  to  him.     Keep  your  meetings  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  never 

*  fell ;  then  you  will  see  over  all  the  gatherings  of  Adam's  sons  and  daugh- 
'  ters,  you  being  met  in  the  life  over  them  all,  in  which  is  your  unity, 

*  peace  and  fellowship  with  God,  and  one  with  another,  in  the  life,  where- 

*  in  ye  may  enjoy  God's  presence  among  you.     So  remember  me  to  all 

*  friends  in  the  everlasting  seed  of  God.     All  that  are  got  into  fellowship 

*  in  outward  things,   their   fellowship  will   corrupt,   and  wither   away. 

*  Therefore  live  in  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which  power  of  God 

*  the  gospel  was  before  the  devil  was.  This  fellowship  in  the  gospel,  the 
'  power  of  God,  is  a  mystery  to  all  the  fellowships  in  the  world.  So  look 
'  over  all  outward  sufferings,  and  eye  the  Lord  and  the  Lamb,  who  is 

*  the  First  and  Last,  the  Amen ;  in  whom  farewell.  G.  F.' 


1654  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  385 

In  the  sixth  month  the  assizes  were  held  again  at  Lancaster,  and  the 
same  judges,  Twisden  and  Tm-ner,  came  that  circuit  again ;  but  judge 
Turner  then  sate  on  the  crown-bench,  so  I  was  brought  before  him.  Be- 
fore I  was  called  to  the  bar,  I  was  put  among  murderers  and  felons  for 
about  the  space  of  two  hours,  the  people,  the  justices,  and  the  judge  also 
gazino-  upon  me.  After  they  had  tried  several  others,  they  called  me  to 
tiie  bar,  and  impanelled  a  jury.  Then  the  judge  asked  the  justices, 
'  Whether  they  had  tendered  me  the  oath  at  the  sessions  V  They  said, 
'  They  had.'  Then  he  bid,  '  Give  them  the  book,  that  they  might  swear 
'  they  had  tendered  me  the  oath  at  the  sessions.'  They  said, '  They  had.' 
Then  he  bid,  '  Give  them  the  book,  that  they  might  swear  they  had  ten- 
'  dered  me  the  oath  according  to  the  indictment.'  Some  of  the  justices 
refused  to  be  sworn ;  but  the  judge  said,  he  would  have  it  done  to  take 
away  all  occasion  of  exception.  When  the  jury  were  sworn,  and  the  jus- 
tices had  sworn  '  they  had  tendered  the  oath  according  to  the  indictment,' 
the  judge  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  had  not  refused  the  oath  at  the  last  as- 
'  sizes?'    I  said, '  I  never  took  an  oath  in  my  life,  and  Christ,  the  Saviour 

*  and  Judge  of  the  World,  said,  "  Swear  not  at  all.'"  The  judge  seemed 
not  to  take  notice  of  my  answer ;  but  asked  me,  '  Whether  or  no  I  had 
'  not  refused  to  take  the  oath  at  the  last  assize  V  I  said, '  The  words  that 
'  I  then  spoke  to  them  were,  that  if  they  could  prove,  either  judge,  jus- 
'  tices,  priest,  or  teacher,  that  after  Christ  and  the  apostle  had  forbidden 
'  swearing,  they  commanded  that  Christians  should  swear,  I  would  swear.' 
The  judge  said,  '  He  was  not  at  that  time  to  dispute  whether  it  was 
'  lawful  to  swear,  but  to  inquire  whether  I  had  refused  to  take  the  oath 

*  or  no.'  I  told  him,  '  Those  things  mentioned  in  the  oath,  as  plotting 
'  against  the  king,  and  owning  the  pope's  or  any  other  foreign  power,  I 
'  utterly  deny.'  '  Well,'  said  he,  '  you  say  well  in  that ;  but  did  you  deny 
'  to  take  the  oath  ?     What  say  you  1     What  wouldst  thou  have  me  to 

*  say  V  said  I,  '  for  I  have  told  "thee  before  what  I  did  say.'  Then  he  asked 
me,  '  If  I  would  have  these  men  to  swear  that  I  had  taken  the  oath  V  I 
asked  him,  '  If  he  would  have  those  men  to  swear  that  I  had  refused 
'  the  oath  V  At  which  the  court  burst  out  into  laughter.  I  was  grieved 
to  see  so  much  lightness  in  a  court,  where  such  solemn  matters  are  han- 
dled, and  thereupon  asked  him,  '  If  this  court  was  a  play-house?  Where 
'  is  gravity  and  sobriety,'  said  I ; '  for  this  behaviour  doth  not  become  you.* 
Then  the  clerk  read  the  indictment,  and  I  told  the  judge,  '  I  had  some- 
'  thing  to  speak  to  it ;  for  I  had  informed  myself  of  the  errors  that  were 
'  in  it.'  He  told  me,  '  He  would  hear  me  afterward  any  reasons  that  I 
'  could  allege  why  he  should  not  give  judgment.'  Then  I  spoke  to  the 
jury,  and  told  them,  '  They  could  not  bring  me  in  guilty  according  to 
'  that  indictment ;  for  the  indictment  was  wrong  laid,  and  had  many  gross 
'  errors  in  it.'  The  judge  said,  '  I  must  not  speak  to  the  jury,  but  he 
'  would  speak  to  them ;'  and  he  told  them,  '  I  had  denied  to  take  the  oath 
'  at  the  last  assizes,  and,'  said  he,  '  I  can  tender  the  oath  to  any  man  now, 
'  and  premunire  him  for  not  taking  it ;  and,'  he  said,  '  they  must  bring  me 
'  in  guilty,  seeing  I  refused  to  take  the  oath.'  *  Then,'  said  I,  what  do  ye 
'  do  with  a  form  1  Ye  may  throw  away  your  form  then.'  And  I  told 
'  the  jury,  '  It  lay  upon  their  consciences,  as  they  would  answer  it  to  the 
'  Lord  God  before  his  judgment-seat.'  Then  the  judge  spoke  again  to  the 
jury,  and  I  called  to  him  to  '  do  me  justice.'  The  jury  brought  me  in 
guilty.  Whereupon  I  told  them,  '  That  both  the  justices  and  they  had 
'  forsworn  themselves,  and  therefore  they  had  small  cause  to  laugh  as 

2Y 


386  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1664 

'  they  did  a  little  before.'  Oh !  the  envy,  rage,  and  malice,  that  appeared 
against  me,  and  the  lightness ;  but  the  Lord  confounded  them,  and  they 
were  wonderfully  stopped.  So  they  set  me  aside,  and  called  up  Marga- 
ret Fell,  who  had  a  great  deal  of  good  service  amongst  them,  and  then 
the  court  broke  up  near  the  second  hour. 

In  the  afternoon  we  were  brought  again  to  have  sentence  passed  upon 
us.  Margaret  Fell  desired  sentence  might  be  deferred  till  the  next  morn- 
ing. *  I  desired  nothing  but  law  and  justice  at  his  hands,  for  the  thieves 
'  had  mercy ;  only  I  requested  the  judge  to  send  some  to  see  my  prison, 

*  which  was  so  bad  they  would  put  no  creature  they  had  in  it ;  and  I  told 

*  him,  that  colonel  Kirby,  who  was  then  on  the  bench,  said,  "  I  should  be 
"  locked  up,  and  no  flesh  alive  should  come  to  me.'"  The  judge  shook  his 
head,  and  said,  '  When  the  sentence  was  given,  he  would  leave  me  to 
'  the  favour  of  the  goaler.'  Most  of  the  gentry  of  the  country  were  gath- 
ered together,  expecting  to  hear  the  sentence ;  and  the  noise  amongst  the 
people  was,  '  That  I  should  be  transported.'  But  they  were  all  crossed 
at  tliat  time ;  for  the  sentence  being  deferred  till  next  morning,  I  was  had 
to  prison  again.  Upon  my  complaining  of  the  badness  of  my  prison, 
some  of  the  justices,  with  colonel  Kirby,  went  up  to  see  it ;  but  when  they 
came,  they  durst  hardly  go  in,  the  floor  was  so  bad  and  dangerous,  and 
the  place  so  open  to  wind  and  rain.     Some  that  came  up  said,  '  Sure  it 

*  was  a  Jakes-house.'  When  colonel  Kirby  saw  it,  and  heard  what 
others  said  of  it,  he  excused  the  matter  as  well  as  he  could,  saying,  '  I 
'  should  be  removed  ere  it  was  long  to  some  more  convenient  place.' 

Next  day,  towards  the  eleventh  hour,  we  were  called  again  to  hear 
the  sentence ;  and  Margaret  Fell  being  called  first  to  the  bar,  she  had 
counsel  to  plead,  who  found  many  errors  in  her  indictment ;  whereupon, 
after  the  judge  had  acknowledged  them,  she  was  set  by.  Then  the  judge 
asked,  '  What  they  could  say  to  mine  V  I  was  not  wilhng  to  let  any 
man  plead  for  me,  but  to  speak  to  it  myself;  and  indeed,  though  Marga- 
ret had  some  that  pleaded  for  her,  yet  she  spoke  as  much  herself  as  she 
would.  But  before  I  came  to  the  bar,  I  was  moved  in  my  spirit  to  pray, 
'  That  God  would  confound  their  wickedness  and  envy,  set  his  truth  over 

*  all,  and  exalt  his  seed.'  The  Lord  heard  and  answered,  and  did  con- 
found them  in  their  proceedings  against  me.  And  though  they  had  most 
envy  against  me,  yet  the  most  gross  errors  were  found  in  my  indict- 
ment. 

I  having  put  by  others  from  pleading  for  me,  the  judge  asked  me, 

*  What  I  had  to  say,  why  he  should  not  pass  sentence  upon  me  V  I  told 
him,  *  I  was  no  lawyer ;  but  I  had  much  to  say,  if  he  would  but  have  pa- 
'  tience  to  hear.'  At  that  he  laughed,  and  others  laughed  also,  and  said, 
'  Come,  what  have  you  to  say  1  He  can  say  nothing.'  '  Yes,'  said  I, 
'  I  have  much  to  say ;  have  but  the  patience  to  hear  me.' 

I  asked  him,  '  Whether  the  oath  was  to  be  tendered  to  the  king's  sub- 

'jects,  or  to  the  subjects  of  foreign  princes?'     He  said,  '  To  the  subjects 

of  this  realm.'     Then  said  I,  '  Look  into  the  indictment,  ye  may  see 

*  that  ye  have  left  out  the  word  Subject ;  so  not  having  named  me  in  the 
'  indictment  as  a  subject,  ye  cannot  premunire  me  for  not  taking  an 

*  oath.'  Then  they  looked  over  the  statute  and  the  indictment,  and  saw 
it  was  as  I  said ;  and  the  judge  confessed  it  was  an  error.  I  told  him, 
'  I  had  something  else  to  stop  his  judgment,'  and  desired  him  to  look 
what  day  the  indictment  said  the  oath  was  tendered  to  me  at  the  ses- 
sions there.     They  looked,  and  said,  '  It  was  the  eleventh  day  of  Janua- 


1664]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  387 

*  ry.'  '  What  day  of  the  week  was  the  sessions  held  on  V  said  I.  '  On 
'  a  Tuesday,'  said  they.  Then  said  I,  '  Look  your  Almanacks,  and  see 
'  whether  there  was  any  sessions  held  at  Lancaster  on  the  eleventh  day 
'  of  January,  so  called  V  So  they  looked,  and  found  that  the  eleventh 
day  was  the  day  called  Monday,  and  that  the  sessions  was  on  the  day 
called  Tuesday,  which  was  the  twelfth  day  of  that  month.  '  Look  now,' 
said  I,  '  ye  have  indicted  me  for  refusing  the  oath  in  the  quarter-sessions 
'  held  at  Lancaster  on  the  eleventh  day  of  January  last,  and  the  justices 
'  have  sworn  that  they  tendered  me  the  oath  in  open  sessions  here  that 
'  day,  and  the  jury  upon  their  oaths  have  found  me  guilty  thereupon ; 
'  and  yet  ye  see  there  was  no  session  held  in  Lancaster  that  day.' 
Then  the  judge,  to  cover  the  matter,  asked,  '  Whether  the  sessions  did 
'  not  begin  on  the  eleventh  day  V  But  some  in  the  court  answered, 
'  No ;  the  session  held  but  one  day,  and  that  was  the  twelfth.'  Then 
the  judge  said,  '  This  was  a  great  mistake  and  an  error.'  Some  of  the 
justices  were  in  a  great  rage  at  this,  stamped,  and  said,  '  Who  hath  done 

*  this  1  Somebody  hath  done  this  on  purpose ;'  and  a  great  heat  was 
amongst  them.  Then,  said  I,  '  Are  not  the  justices  here,  that  have 
'sworn  to  this  indictment,  forsworn  men  in  the  face  of  the  country? 
'  But  this  is  not  all,'  said  I,  '  I  have  more  yet  to  offer  why  sentence 
'  should  not  be  given  against  me.'  I  asked,  '  In  what  year  of  the  king 
'  the  last  assize  here  was  holden,  which  was  in  the  month  called  March 

*  last  V  The  judge  said,  '  It  was  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  king.' 
'  But,'  said  I,  '  the  indictment  says,  it  was  in  the  fifteenth  year.'  They 
looked,  and  found  it  so.  This  also  was  acknowledged  to  be  another 
error.  Then  they  were  all  in  a  fret  again,  and  could  not  tell  what  to 
say;  for  the  judge  had  sworn  the  officers  of  the  court,  that  the  oath 
was  tendered  to  me  at  the  assize  mentioned  in  the  indictment.  '  Now,' 
said  I,  '  is  not  the  court  here  forsworn  also,  who  have  sworn  that  the 
'  oath  was  tendered  to  me  at  the  assize  holden  here  in  the  fifteenth  year 
'  of  the  king,  when  it  was  in  his  sixteenth  year,  and  so  they  have  sworn 

*  a  year  false  V  The  judge  bid  them  look  whether  Margaret  Fell's  in- 
dictment was  so  or  no.  They  looked,  and  found  it  was  not  so.  I  told 
the  judge,  '  I  had  more  yet  to  offer  to  stop  sentence  ;'  and  asked  him, 
'  Whether  all  the  oath  ought  to  be  put  into  the  indictment  or  no  V  '  Yes,' 
said  he,  '  it  ought  to  be  all  put  in.'  '  Then,'  said  I,  '  compare  the  indict- 
'  ment  with  the  oath,  and  there  thou  mayest  see  these  words ;  viz.  [or 
'  by  any  authority  derived,  or  pretended  to  be  derived  from  him  or  his 
'  see]  left  out  of  the  indictment,  which  is  a  principal  part  of  the  oath ; 
'  and  in  another  place  the  words  [heirs  and  successors]  arc  left  out.' 
The  judge  acknowledged  these  also  to  be  great  errors.  '  But,'  said  I, 
'  I  have  something  further  to  allege.'  '  Nay,'  said  the  judge,  '  I  have 
'  enough,  you  need  say  no  more.'  '  If,'  said  I,  '  thou  hast  enough,  I  desire 
'  nothing  but  law  and  justice  at  thy  hands ;  for  I  don't  look  for  mercy.' 
'  You  must  have  justice,'  said  he,  '  and  you  shall  have  law.'  Then  I 
asked,  '  Am  I  at  liberty,  and  free  from  all  that  ever  hath  been  done 

*  against  me  in  this  matter?'     '  Yes,'  said  the  judge,  '  you  are  free  from 

*  all  that  hath  been  done  against  you.  But  then,'  starting  up  in  a  rage, 
he  said,  '  I  can  put  the  oath  to  any  man  here,  and  I  will  tender  you  the 
'  oath    again.'     I  told  him,  '  He  had  examples  enough  yesterday  of 

*  swearing  and  false-swearing,  both  in  the  justices  and  in  the  jury ;  for 
'  I  saw  before  mine  eyes  that  both  justices  and  jury  had  forsworn  them- 
'  selves.'     The  judge  asked  me,  *  If  I  would  take  the  oath?  I  answered, 


388  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  [1664 

'Do  me  justice  for  my  false  imprisonment  all  this  while;  for  what  have 
'  I  been  imprisoned  so  long  for '?  I  told  him,  I  ought  to  be  set  at  liberty.' 
'  You  are  at  liberty,'  said  he,  '  but  I  will  put  the  oath  to  you  again.' 
Then  I  turned  about,  and  said,  '  All  people,  take  notice  this  is  a  snare, 
'  for  I  ought  to  be  set  free  from  the  gaoler  and  from  this  court.'  But  the 
judge  cried,  '  Give  him  the  book,'  and  the  sheriti"  and  the  justices  cried, 
'  Give  him  the  book.'  Then  the  power  of  darkness  rose  up  in  them, 
hke  a  mountain,  and  a  clerk  lifted  up  a  book  to  me.  I  stood  still,  and 
said,  '  If  it  be  a  Bible,  give  it  me  into  my  hand.'  '  Yes,  yes,'  said  the 
judge  and  justices,  '  give  it  him  into  his  hand.'  '  So  I  took  it,  and  look- 
'  ed  into  it,  and  said,  I  see  it  is  a  Bible,  I  am  glad  of  it.'  He  had  caused 
the  jury  to  be  called,  and  they  stood  by ;  for  after  they  had  brought  in 
their  former  verdict,  he  would  not  dismiss  them  though  they  desired  it, 
but  told  them,  '  He  could  not  dismiss  them  yet,  he  should  have  business 
'  for  them ;  therefore  they  must  attend,  and  be  ready  when  they  were 
'  called.'  When  he  said  so,  I  felt  his  intent,  that  if  I  was  freed,  he  would 
come  on  again.  So  I  looked  him  in  the  face,  and  the  witness  of  God 
started  up  in  him,  and  made  him  blush  when  he  looked  at  me  again ;  for 
he  saw  that  I  discovered  him.  Nevertheless  hardening  himself,  he 
caused  the  oath  to  be  read  to  me,  the  jury  standing  by.  When  it  was 
read,  he  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  would  take  the  oath  or  no  1'  Then  said 
I,  '  Ye  have  given  me  a  book  here  to  kiss,  and  to  swear  on ;  and  this 
'  book  which  ye  have  given  me  to  kiss,  says,  "  Kiss  the  Son ;"  and  the 
'  Son  says  in  this  book,  "  Swear  not  at  all ;"  and  so  says  also  the  apos- 
'  tie  James,     I  say  as  the  book  says,  yet  ye  imprison  me.     How  chance 

*  ye  do  not  imprison  the  book  for  saying  so  ?  How  comes  it  that  the 
'  book  is  at  liberty  among  you,  which  bids  me  not  to  swear,  and  yet  ye 
'  imprison  me  for  doing  as  the  book  bids  me  V  I  was  speaking  this  to 
them,  and  held  up  the  Bible  open  in  my  hand,  to  shew  them  the  place 
where  Christ  forbad  swearing ;  they  plucked  the  book  out  of  my  hand, 
and  the  judge  said,  '  Nay,  but  we  will  imprison  George  Fox.'  Yet  this 
got  abroad  over  all  the  country  as  a  by-word,  '  That  they  gave  me  a 
'  book  to  swear  on  that  commanded  me  "  not  to  swear  at  all ;"  and  that 
'  the  Bible  was  at  liberty,  and  I  in  prison  for  doing  as  the  Bible  said.' 
When  the  judge  still  urged  me  to  swear,  I  told  him,  '  I  never  took  oath, 
'  covenant,  nor  engagement  in  my  life  ;  but  my  yea  or  nay  was  more 
'  binding  to  me  than  an  oath  was  to  many  others ;  for  had  they  not  had 

*  experience  how  little  men  regarded  an  oath  ?  and  how  they  had  sworn 
'one  way  and  then  another?  and  how  the  justices  and  court  had  for- 

*  sworn  themselves  now  ?  I  told  him,  I  was  a  man  of  a  tender  con- 
'  science,  and  if  they  had  any  sense  of  a  tender  conscience,  they  would 
'  consider,  that  it  was  in  obedience  to  Christ's  command  that  I  could 
'  not  swear.  But,'  said  I,  '  if  any  of  you  can  convince  me,  that,  after 
'  Christ  and  the  apostle  had  commanded  not  to  swear,  they  altered  that 
'  command,  and  commanded  Christians  to  swear,  ye  shall  see  I  will 

*  swear.'  There  being  many  priests  by,  I  said,  '  If  ye  cannot  do  it,  let 
'  your  priests  stand  up  and  do  it.'  But  not  one  of  the  priests  made  an- 
swer. '  Oh !'  said  the  judge,  '  all  the  world  cannot  convince  you.'  '  No,' 
said  I,  '  hov/  is  it  like  the  world  should  convince  me  1  "  The  whole  world 
"  lies  in  wickedness,"     Bring  out  your  spiritual  men,  as  ye  call  them,  to 

*  convince  me.'  Then  both  the  sheriff  and  the  judge  said,  '  The  angels 
'  swore  in  the  Revelations.'  I  replied,  'When  God  bringeth  his  first-be- 
'  gotten  Son  into  the  world,  he  saith,  "  Let  all  the  angels  of  God  wor- 


1664]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  389 

'*  ship  him ;"  and  he  saith,  "  Swear  not  at  all."  '  Nay,'  said  the  judge, 
'  I  will  not  dispute.'  Then  I  spoke  to  the  jury,  teUing  them,  '  It  was  for 
'  Christ's  sake  that  I  could  not  swear,  and  therefore  I  warned  them  not 
'  to  act  contrary  to  that  of  God  in  their  consciences ;  for  before  his  judg- 
'  ment-seat  they  must  all  be  brought.'  I  told  them,  '  As  for  plots,  and 
'  persecution  for  religion  and  popery,  I  deny  them  in  my  heart ;  for  I 
'  am  a  Christian,  and  shall  shew  forth  Christianity  amongst  you  this  day. 
'  It  is  for  Christ's  doctrine  I  stand.'  More  w^ords  I  had  both  with  the 
judge  and  jury  before  the  gaoler  took  me  away. 

In  the  afternoon  I  was  brought  up  again,  and  put  among  the  thieves 
a  pretty  while,  where  I  stood  with  my  hat  on  till  the  gaoler  took  it  off. 
Then  the  jury  having  found  this  new  indictment  against  me  '  for  not 

*  taking  the  oath,'  I  was  called  to  the  bar,  and  the  judge  asked  me, 
'  What  I  would  say  for  myself?'  I  bid  them  read  the  indictment,  for  I 
would  not  answer  to  that  which  I  did  not  hear.  The  clerk  read  it,  and 
as  he  read  the  judge  said, '  Take  heed  it  be  not  false  again ;'  but  he  read 
it  in  such  a  manner,  that  I  could  hardly  understand  what  he  read. 
When  he  had  done,  the  judge  asked  me, '  What  I  said  to  the  indictment  V 
I  told  him,  *  At  once  hearing  so  large  a  writing  read,  and  that  at  such  a 

*  distance,  that  I  could  not  distinctly  hear  all  the  parts  of  it,  I  could  not 

*  well  tell  what  to  say  to  it ;  but  if  he  would  let  me  have  a  copy  of  it, 

*  and  give  me  time  to  consider  of  it,  I  should  answer  it.'  This  put  them 
to  a  little  stand ;  but  after  awhile  the  judge  asked  me,  '  What  time  I 

*  would  have  V  I  said,  '  Till  the  next  assize.'  '  But,'  said  he  '  what  plea 
'  will  ye  now  make  ?  Are  ye  guilty,  or  not  guilty  V  I  said,  '  I  am  not 
'  guilty  at  all  of  denying  to  swear  obstinately  and  wilfully ;  and  as  for 
*■  those  things  mentioned  in  the  oath,  as  Jesuitical  plots  and  foreign  pow- 
'  ers,  I  utterly  deny  them  in  my  heart.     If  I  could  take  any  oath  I  should 

*  take  that ;  but  I  never  took  any  oath  in  my  life.'     The  judge  answered, 

*  I  said  well ;  but,'  said  he,  '  the  king  is  sworn,  the  parliament  is  sworn, 
'  I  am  sworn,  and  the  justices  are  sworn,  and  the  law  is  preserved  by 

*  oaths.'     I  told  him,  '  They  had  sufficient  experience  of  men's  swearing, 

*  and  he  had  seen  how  the  justices  and  jury  had  sworn  wrong  the  other 

*  day ;  and  if  he  had  read  in  the  book  of  martyrs  how  many  of  them 
'  had  refused  to  swear,  both  in  the  time  of  the  ten  persecutions  and  in 

*  bishop  Bonner's  days,  he  might  see,  that  to  deny  swearing  in  obedience 

*  to  Christ's  command  was  no  new  thing.'     He  said,  '  He  wished  the 

*  laws  were  otherwise.'  I  said,  '  Our  yea  is  yea,  and  our  nay  is  nay ; 
'  and  if  we  transgress  our  yea  or  our  nay,  let  us  suffer  as  they  do,  or 
'  should  do,  that  swear  falsely.'  This,  I  told  him,  we  had  offered  to  the 
king,  and  the  king  said,  '  It  was  reasonable.' 

After  some  further  discourse,  they  committed  me  to  prison  again,  there 
to  lie  till  the  next  assize ;  and  colonel  Kirby  gave  order  to  the  gaoler, 
'  To  keep  me  close,  and  suffer  no  flesh  alive  to  come  at  me ;  for  I  was 

*  not  fit,'  he  said,  '  to  be  discoursed  with  by  men.'  I  was  put  into  a  tower, 
where  the  smoke  of  the  other  prisoners  came  up  so  thick,  it  stood  as  dew 
upon  the  walls,  and  sometimes  it  was  so  thick  that  I  could  hardly  see 
the  candle  when  it  burned ;  and  I  being  locked  under  three  locks,  the 
under-gaoler,  when  the  smoke  was  great,  would  hardly  be  persuaded  to 
come  up  to  unlock  one  of  the  uppermost  doors,  for  fear  of  the  smoke, 
so  that  I  was  almost  smothered.  Besides  it  rained  in  upon  my  bed,  and 
many  times,  when  I  went  to  stop  out  the  rain  in  the  cold  winter-season, 
my  shirt  was  as  wet  as  muck  with  the  rain  that  came  in  upon  me  while 


390  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

I  was  labouring  to  stop  it  out.  And  the  place  being  high  and  open  to  the 
wind,  sometimes  as  fast  as  I  stopped  it  the  wind  blew  it  out  again.  In 
this  manner  did  I  lay  all  that  long  cold  winter  till  the  next  assize,  in 
which  time  I  was  so  starved  with  cold  and  rain,  that  my  body  was 
greatly  swelled,  and  my  limbs  much  benumbed. 

The  assize  began  the  sixteenth  of  the  month  called  March  1664-5. 
The  same  judges,  Twisden  and  Turner,  coming  that  circuit  again,  judge 
Twisden  sat  this  time  on  the  crown-bench,  and  before  him  I  was  brought. 
I  had  informed  myself  of  the  errors  in  this  indictment  also.  For  though 
at  the  assize  before,  judge  Turner  said  to  the  officers  in  court,  '  Pray, 
'  see  that  all  the  oath  be  in  the  indictment,  and  that  the  word  Subject  be 
'  in,  and  that  the  day  of  the  month  and  year  of  the  king  be  put  in  right ; 
'  for  it  is  a  shame  that  so  many  errors  should  be  seen  and  found  in  the 
'  face  of  the  country ;'  yet  many  errors,  and  those  great  ones,  were  in 
this  indictment  as  well  as  in  the  former.  Surely  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
was  in  it,  to  confound  their  mischievous  work  against  me,  and  to  blind 
them  therein ;  insomuch  that  although,  after  the  indictment  was  drawn 
at  the  former  assize,  the  judge  examined  it  himself,  and  tried  it  with  the 
clerks,  yet  the  word  Subject  was  left  out  of  this  indictment  also,  the  day 
of  the  month  was  put  in  wrong,  and  several  material  words  of  the  oath 
were  left  out ;  yet  they  went  on  confidently  against  me,  thinking  all  was 
safe  and  well.  When  I  was  sel  to  the  bar,  and  the  jury  called  over  to 
be  sworn,  the  clerk  asked  me,  first,  '  Whether  I  had  any  objection  to 
'make  to  any  of  the  jury?'  I  told  him,  'I  knew  none  of  them.'  Then, 
having  sworn  the  jury,  they  swore  three  of  the  officers  of  the  court,  to 
prove,  '  That  the  oath  was  tendered  to  me  at  the  last  assizes,  according 
'  to  the  indictment.'  '  Come,  come,'  said  the  judge,  '  it  was  not  done  in 
'  a  corner.'  Then  he  asked  me,  '  What  1  had  to  say  to  it ;  or  whether 
'  I  had  taken  the  oath  at  the  last  assize  V  I  told  him  what  I  had  formerly 
said  to  them,  as  it  now  came  to  my  remembrance.  Whereupon  the  judge 
said,  '  I  will  not  dispute  with  you  but  in  point  of  law.'  '  Then,'  said  I, 
'  I  have  something  to  speak  to  the  jury  concerning  the  indictment.'  He 
told  me,  '  I  must  not  speak  to  the  jury ;  but  if  I  had  any  thing  to  say,  I 
'  must  speak  to  him.'     I  asked  him,  '  Whether  the  oath  was  to  be  ten- 

*  dered  to  the  king's  subjects  only,  or  to  the  subjects  of  foreign  princes  V 
lie  replied,  '  To  the  subjects  of  this  realm ;  for  I  will  speak  nothing  to 
'  you,'  said  he,  '  but  in  point  of  law.'    '  Then,'  said  I,  '  look  in  the  indict- 

*  ment,  and  thou  mayest  see  the  word  Subject  is  left  out  of  this  indict- 
'  ment  also.  Therefore,  seeing  the  oath  is  not  to  be  tendered  to  any  but 
'  the  subjects  of  this  realm,  and  ye  have  not  put  me  in  as  a  subject,  the 
'  court  is  to  take  no  notice  of  this  indictment.'  I  had  no  sooner  spoke 
thus,  but  the  judge  cried,  '  Take  him  away  gaoler,  take  him  away.'  So 
I  Vv'as  presently  hunied  away.  The  gaoler  and  people  looked  when  I 
should  be  called  for  again ;  but  I  was  never  brought  to  the  court  any 
more,  though  I  had  many  other  great  errors  to  assign  in  the  indictment. 
After  I  was  gone,  the  judge  asked  the  jury,  '  If  they  were  agreed  V  They 
said  '  Yes ;'  and  found  for  the  king  against  me,  as  I  was  told.  But  I 
was  never  called  to  hear  sentence  given,  nor  was  any  given  against  me 
that  I  could  hear  of.  I  understand,  when  they  looked  narrowly  into  the 
indictment,  th.ey  saw  it  was  not  good  ;  and  the  judge  having  sworn  the 
officers  of  the  court,  that  the  oath  was  tendered  me  at  the  assize  before, 
such  a  day,  according  as  was  set  in  the  indictment,  and  that  being  the 
Tvrong  day,  1  should  have  proved  the  officers  of  the  court  forsworn  men 


1665]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  39 1 

again,  if  the  judge  would  have  suffered  me  to  plead  to  the  indictment ; 
which  was  thought  to  be  the  reason  why  he  hurried  me  away  so  soon. 
The  judge  had  passed  sentence  of  premunire  upon  Margaret  Fell  before 
I  was  brought  in ;  and  it  seems,  when  I  was  hurried  away,  they  recorded 
me  as  a  premunired  person,  though  I  was  never  brought  to  hear  the  sen- 
tence, nor  knew  of  it ;  which  was  very  illegal.  For  they  ought  not  only 
to  have  had  me  present  to  hear  the  sentence  given,  but  also  to  have  asked 
me  first,  '  What  I  could  say  why  sentence  should  not  be  given  against 

*  me  V  But  they  knew  I  had  so  much  to  say,  they  could  not  give  sentence 
if  they  heard  me. 

While  I  was  prisoner  in  Lancaster  castle,  there  was  great  noise  and 
talk  of  the  Turk's  overspreading  Christendom,  and  great  fears  entered 
many.     But  one  day,  as  I  was  walking  in  my  prison-chamber,  '  I  saw 

*  the  Lord's  power  turn  against  him,  and  that  he  was  turning  back  again.' 
I  declared  to  some  what  the  Lord  had  let  me  see,  when  there  were  such 
fears  of  his  over-running  Christendom ;  and  within  a  month  after  the 
news  came  down,  wherein  it  was  mentioned,  *  They  had  given  him  a 

*  defeat' 

Another  time,  as  I  was  walking  in  my  chamber,  with  my  eye  to  the 
Lord,  '  I  saw  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  with  a  glittering  drawn  sword 
'  stretched  southward,  as  though  the  court  had  been  all  on  a  fire.'  Not 
long  after  the  wars  broke  out  with  Holland,  the  sickness  broke  forth, 
and  afterwards  the  fire  of  London ;  so  the  Lord's  sword  was  drawn  in- 
deed. 

By  reason  of  my  long  and  close  imprisonment  in  so  bad  a  place,  I  was 
become  very  weak  of  body ;  but  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  sup- 
ported me  through  all,  and  enabled  me  to  do  service  for  him,  and  for  his 
truth  and  people,  as  the  place  would  admit.  For  while  I  was  in  Lancas- 
ter prison,  I  answered  several  books,  as  the  Mass,  the  Common-prayer, 
the  Directory,  and  the  Church-faith ;  which  are  the  four  chief  religions 
that  are  got  up  since  the  apostles'  days.  And  there  being  several  friends 
in  prison  at  Lancaster  and  other  prisons  for  not  paying  tythes,  I  was 
moved  to  publish  the  following  lines  concerning  tythes  : 

*  In  the  time  of  the  law,  those  that  did  not  bring  their  tythes  into  the 
'  store-house  robbed  God ;  then  there  was  not  meat  in  their  house ;  there- 

*  fore  the  Lord  commanded,  "  To  bring  them  into  his  house,  that  there 
"  might  be  meat  in  the  store-house,  which  was  to  feed  the  fatherless, 
"  stranger,  and  widow."     But  these  priests  who  are  counterfeits,  who 

*  take  people's  tythes  now  by  a  law,  are  from  the  beast ;  and  if  they  will 

*  not  pay  them,  they  prison  them,  or  make  them  pay  treble.     These  rob 

*  the  poor,  rob  the  fatherless,  and  the  stranger  and  widow  are  not  filled ; 

*  so  their  cry  is  gone  up  to  heaven  against  these.  Many  are  made  almost 
'  beggars  by  these  oppressing  priests,  their  cattle  and  corn  being  taken 

*  away  from  them,  and  they  cast  into  prison.    Others  are  sued  at  law  by 

*  the  priests,  and  have  treble  damage  taken  from  them ;  yet  such  priests 

*  are  cried  up  to  be  ministers  of  the  gospel.  Though  when  the  unchange- 

*  able  priest  was  come,  the  priesthood  that  was  changeable  was  denied, 

*  as  we  now  deny  these.    But  if  any  be  moved  to  cry  against  them,  they 

*  are  stocked,  beat,  or  imprisoned.     Many  are  now  in  prison  at  Lancas- 

*  ter  and  other  places  by  a  national  law,  the  Hke  whereof  was  never  done 

*  by  the  law  of  God  delivered  to  Moses.     We  do  not  read  that  under 

*  Moses's  law  any  suffered  imprisonment,  or  spoiling  of  goods  for  not 


392  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

'  paying  tythes,  or  was  to  pay  treble  damage.  Surely,  surely,  the  cry  for 
'  vengeance  will  be  heard,  which  arises  from  the  oppressed  souls  that  lie 
'  under  the  altar.  There  are  many  prisoners  at  Kendal,  because  they 
'  cannot  pay  tythes,  as  captain  Ward,  Thomas  Robertson,  and  the  widow 
'  Garland,  who  hath  many  small  children:  these  suffer  because  they  can- 
'  not  pay  tythes.  Others  there  are  in  Kendal  prison,  who  were  moved  of 
'  the  Lord  to  speak  to  the  priests,  whereof  one  was  moved  to  go  in  sack- 
'  cloth,  and  of  late  with  ashes  upon  her  head.  Others  have  been  moved 
'  to  go  in  sackcloth,  as  a  lamentation  for  the  miserable  estate  of  this  na- 
'  tion,  seeing  so  many  crying  up  of  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  yet 
'  so  much  strife,  debate,  oaths,  and  dissension  among  people.    But  where 

*  the  gospel  is  received  indeed,  sti-ife  and  contention  are  ended,  and  op- 
'  pression  is  taken  off".  Oh !  the  land  mourns,  because  of  the  oppression 
'  of  those  called  ministers  !  And  though  the  cry  of  the  oppressed  hath 
'  not  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  magistrates,  yet  is  the  cry  of  the  poor 
'  oppressed  people  of  God  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabbath, 
'  who  now  will  be  avenged  of  all  his  adversaries.  You  unjust  law-givers,. 
'  and  unjust  judges,  to  that  in  all  your  consciences  I  speak,  to  be  cleared, 
'  when  ye  are  judged  by  the  just  judge  of  heaven  and  earth ;  whose  ter- 

*  ror  is  gone  forth  against  all  the  ungodly,  and  all  the  oppressors  of  God's 
'  people  whatsoever,  whether  ye  will  hear  or  forbear. 

G.  F.' 
After  the  assize,  colonel  Kirby  and  other  justices  were  very  uneasy 
with  my  being  at  Lancaster ;  for  I  had  galled  them  sore  at  my  trials 
there,  and  they  laboured  much  to  get  me  removed  from  thence  to  some 
remote  place.  Colonel  Kirby  threatened  I  should  be  sent  far  enough : 
sometimes  he  said,  '  I  should  be  sent  beyond  sea.'  About  six  weeks  af- 
ter the  assizes,  they  got  an  order  from  the  king  and  council  to  remove 
me  from  Lancaster ;  and  with  it  they  brought  a  letter  from  the  earl  of 
Anglesey,  wherein  was  written,  '  That  if  those  things  were  found  true 
'  against  me,  which  I  was  charged  withal,  I  deserved  no  clemency  nor 

*  mercy ;'  yet  the  greatest  matter  they  had  against  me  was,  because  I 
could  not  disobey  the  command  of  Christ,  and  swear. 

When  they  had  prepared  for  my  removal,  the  under-sheriff  and  the 
head-sheriff''s  man,  with  some  bailiffs,  came  and  fetched  me  out  of  the 
castle,  when  I  was  so  weak  with  lying  in  that  cold,  wet,  and  smoky 
prison,  that  I  could  hardly  go  or  stand.  They  had  me  into  the  gaoler's 
house,  where  was  William  Kirby  and  several  others,  and  they  called 
for  wane  to  give  me.  I  told  them,  '  I  would  have  none  of  their  wine.' 
Then  they  cried,  '  Bring  out  the  horses.'  I  desired  them  first  to  shew 
me  their  order,  or  a  copy  of  it,  if  they  intended  to  remove  me ;  but  they 
would  shew  me  none  but  their  swords.  I  told  them,  '  There  was  no  sen- 
'  tence  passed  upon  me,  nor  was  I  premunired,  that  I  knew  of;  and 
'  therefore  I  was  not  made  the  king's  prisoner,  but  was  the  sheriff's ;  for 
'  they  and  all  the  country  knew,  that  I  was  not  fully  heard  at  the  last  as- 
'  size,  nor  suffered  to  shew  the  errors  in  the  indictment,  which  were  suf- 
'  ficient  to  quash  it,  though  they  had  kept  me  from  one  assize  to  another, 
'  to  the  end  they  might  try  me.    But  they  all  knew  there  was  no  sentence 

*  of  premunire  passed  upon  me ;  therefore  I,  not  being  the  king's  prisoner 
'  but  the  sheriff's,  did  desire  to  see  their  order.'  Instead  of  shewing  me 
their  order,  they  haled  me  out,  and  lifted  me  upon  one  of  the  sheriff's 
horses.  When  I  was  on  horseback  in  the  street,  the  town's  people  being 
gathered  to  gaze  upon  me,  I  told  the  officers,  I  had  received  neither 


,1665]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  393 

Christianity,  civility,  nor  humanity  from  them.  They  hurried  me  away 
about  fourteen  miles  to  Bentham,  though  I  was  so  very  weak  that  I  was 
hardly  able  to  sit  on  horseback,  and  my  clothes  smelt  so  of  smoke  they 
were  loathsome  to  myself.  The  wicked  gaoler,  one  Hunter,  a  young 
fellow,  would  come  behind  and  give  the  horse  a  lash  with  his  whip,  and 
make  him  skip  and  leap ;  so  that  I,  being  weak,  had  much  ado  to  sit  on 
him ;  then  he  would  come  and  look  me  in  the  face,  and  say,  '  How  do 
'  you,  Mr,  Fox  V  I  told  him,  '  It  was  not  civil  in  him  to  do  so.'  The 
Lord  cut  him  off  soon  after. 

When  we  were  come  to  Bentham  in  Yorkshire,  there  met  us  many 
troopers  and  a  marshal ;  and  many  of  the  gentry  of  the  country  were 
come  in,  and  abundance  of  people  to  take  a  view  of  me.     I  being  very 
weak  and  weary,  desired  them  to  let  me  lie  down  on  a  bed,  which  the 
soldiers  permitted ;  for  those  that  brought  me  thither  gave  their  order  to 
the  marshal,  and  he  set  a  guard  of  his  soldiers  upon  me.     When  they 
had  staid  awhile,  they  pressed  horses,  raised  the  bailiff  of  the  hundred, 
the  constables,  and  others,  and  had  me  to  Giggleswick  that  night ;  but 
exceeding  weak  I  was.     There  they  raised  the  constables  with  their 
clog-shoes,  who  sat  drinking  all  the  night  in  the  room  by  me,  so  that  I 
could  not  get  much  rest.     The  next  day  we  came  to  a  market-town, 
where  several  friends  came  to  see  me.     Robert  Widders  and  divers 
friends  came  to  me  upon  the  road.     The  next  night  I  asked  the  soldiers, 
'  Whither  they  intended  to  carry  me,  and  whither  I  was  to  be  sent?' 
Some  of  them  said,  '  Beyond  sea,'  others  said,  '  To  Tinmouth-castle.' 
And  a  great  fear  there  was  amongst  them,  lest  some  should  rescue  me 
out  of  their  hands  ;  but  that  fear  was  needless.     Next  night  we  came  to 
York,  where  the  marshal  put  me  up  into  a  great  chamber,  where  there 
came  most  part  of  two  troops  to  see  me.     One  of  those  troopers,  an 
envious  man,  hearing  I  was  premunired,  asked  me,  '  What  estate  I  had, 
'  and  whether  it  was  copy-hold  or  free-land  V  I  took  no  notice  of  his 
question,  but  was  moved  to  declare  the  word  of  life  to  the  soldiers,  and 
many  of  them  were  very  loving.     At  night  lord  Frecheville,  who  com- 
manded those  horse,  came  to  me,  and  was  very  civil  and  loving.    I  gave 
him  an  account  of  my  imprisonment,  and  declared  many  things  to  him 
relating  to  truth.     They  kept  me  at  York  two  days,  then  the  marshal 
and  four  or  five  soldiers  were  sent  to  convey  me  to  Scarborough  castle. 
Indeed  tiiese  were  very  civil  men,  and  carried  themselves  civilly  and 
lovingly  to  me.     On  the  way  we  baited  at  Malton,  and  they  permitted 
friends  to  come  and  visit  me.     When  we  were  come  to  Scarborough, 
they  had  me  to  an  inn,  and  gave  notice  to  the  governor,  who  sent  half 
a  dozen  soldiers  to  be  my  guard  that  night.     Next  day  they  conducted 
me  to  the  castle,  put  me  into  a  room,  and  set  a  sentry  on  me.     I  being 
very  weak,  and  subject  to  fainting,  they  for  awhile  let  me  go  out  some- 
times into  the  air  with  a  sentry.     They  soon  removed  me  out  of  this 
room,  and  put  me  into  an  open  room,  where  the  rain  came  in;  and  the 
room  smoked  exceedingly,  which  was  very  offensive  to  me.     One  day 
the  governor,  who  was  called  Sir  Jordan  Crosland,  came  to  see  me,  and 
brought  with  him  one  called  Sir  Francis  Cobb.     I  desired  the  governor 
to  go  into  my  room,  and  see  what  a  place  I  had.     I  had  got  a  little  fire 
made  in  it,  and  the  room  was  so  filled  with  smoke,  that  when  they  were 
in  they  could  hardly  find  their  way  out  again.     He  being  a  Papist,  I  told 
him  that  was  his  purgatory  which  they  had  put  me  into.     I  was  forced 
to  lay  out  about  fifty  shillings  to  stop  out  the  rain,  and  keep  the  room 

2  Z 


394  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

from  smoking  so  much.  When  I  had  been  at  that  charge,  and  made  it 
somewhat  tolerable,  they  removed  me  into  a  worse,  where  I  had  neither 
chimney  nor  fire-hearth.  This  being  to  the  sea-side,  and  lying  much 
open,  the  wind  drove  in  the  rain  forcibly,  so  that  the  water  came  over 
my  bed,  and  ran  about  the  room,  that  I  was"  fain  to  skim  it  up  with  a 
platter.  And  when  my  clothes  were  wet,  I  had  no  fire  to  dry  them  ;  so 
my  body  was  numbed  with  cold,  and  my  fingers  swelled,  that  one  was 
grown  as  big  as  two.  Though  I  was  at  some  charge  on  this  room  also, 
yet  I  could  not  keep  out  the  wind  and  rain.  Besides  they  would  suffer 
few  friends  to  come  at  me,  and  many  times  not  any,  not  so  much  as  to 
bring  me  a  little  food ;  but  I  was  forced  for  the  first  quarter,  to  hire  one 
of  another  society  to  bring  me  necessaries.  Sometimes  the  soldiers 
would  take  it  from  her,  and  she  would  scuffle  with  them  for  it.  After- 
wards I  hired  a  soldier  to  fetch  me  water  and  bread,  and  something  to 
make  a  fire  of,  when  I  was  in  a  room  where  a  fire  could  be  made.  Com- 
monly a  three-penny  loaf  served  me  three  weeks,  and  sometimes  longer, 
and  most  of  my  drink  was  water,  with  wormwood  steeped  or  bruised  in 
it.  One  time,  when  the  weather  was  verj'-  sharp,  and  I  had  taken  a  great 
cold,  I  got  a  little  elecampane-beer ;  and  I  heard  one  of  the  soldiers  say 
to  the  other,  '  They  would  play  me  a  pretty  trick,  for  they  would  send 

*  for  me  up  to  the  deputy-governor,  and  in  the  mean  time  drink  my  strong 
'  beer  out ;'  and  so  they  did.  When  I  returned,  one  of  the  soldiers  came 
to  me  in  a  jeer,  and  asked  me  for  some  strong  beer.  I  told  him.  They 
had  played  their  pretty  trick,  and  took  no  farther  notice  of  it.  But  inas- 
much as  they  kept  me  so  very  strait,  not  giving  liberty  to  friends  to  come 
to  me,  I  spoke  to  the  keepers  of  the  castle  to  this  effect :  '  I  did  not  know 
'  till  I  was  removed  from  Lancaster  castle,  and  brought  prisoner  to  this 
'  castle  of  Scarborough,  that  I  was  convicted  of  a  premunire ;  for  the 
'  judge  did  not  give  sentence  upon  me  at  the  assizes  in  open  court.  But 
'  seeing  I  am  now  a  prisoner  here,  if  I  may  not  have  my  liberty,  let  my 

*  friends  and  acquaintance  have  their  liberty  to  come  and  visit  me,  as 
'  Paul's  friends  had  among  the  Romans,  who  were  not  Christians  but 
'  Heathens.  For  Paul's  friends  had  their  liberty ;  all  that  would  might 
'  come  to  him,  and  he  had  his  liberty  to  preach  to  them  in  his  hired 

*  house ;  but  I  cannot  have  liberty  to  go  into  the  town,  nor  for  my  friends 
'  to  come  to  me  here.    So  you,  that  go  under  the  name  of  Christians,  are 

*  worse  in  this  respect  than  those  Heathens  were.' 

But  though  they  would  not  let  friends  come  to  me,  they  would  often 
bring  others,  either  to  gaze  upon  me  or  to  contend  with  me. 

One  time  came  a  great  company  of  Papists  to  discourse  with  me,  who 
affirmed,  '  The  pope  was  infallible,  and  had  stood  infallible  ever  since 
'  Peter's  time.'  I  shewed  them  the  contrary  by  histoiy :  '  For  one  of  the 
'  bishops  of  Rome,  Marcellinus  by  name,  denied  the  faith,  and  sacrificed 
'  to  idols ;  therefore  he  was  not  infallible.     I  told  them,  if  they  were  in 

*  the  Infallible  Spirit,  they  need  not  have  gaols,  swords,  staves,  racks, 

*  tortures,  fires,  whips,  and  gallows,  to  hold  up  their  religion  by,  and  to 
'  destroy  men's  lives  about  religion ;  for  if  they  were  in  the  Infallible 
'  Spirit,  they  would  preserve  men's  lives,  and  use  none  but  spiritual  wea- 
'  pons  about  religion.  I  told  them  also  what  one  that  had  been  of  their 
'  society  told  me.  A  woman  Hved  in  Kent,  who  had  not  only  been  a 
'  Papist  herself,  but  had  brought  over  several  to  that  religion ;  but  com- 

*  ing  to  be  convinced  of  God's  truth,  and  being  turned  by  "it  to  Christ,  her 

*  Saviour,  she  exhorted  the  Papists  to  the  same.     One  of  them,  a  taylor, 


1665]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  395 

*  being  at  work  at  her  house,  while  she  opened  to  him  the  falseness  of  the 
'  Popish  religion,  and  endeavoured  to  draw  him  from  it  to  the  truth,  drew 
'  his  knife,  and  got  between  h^r  and  the  door.     But  she  spoke  boldly  to 

*  him,  and  bid  him  put  up  his  knife,  for  she  knew  his  principle.  I  asked 
'  the  woman.  What  she  thought  he  would  have  done  with  his  knife?  She 
'said,  "He  would  have  stabbed  her."  "Stab  thee!"  said  I,  "What 
*'  would  he  have  stabbed  thee  for  1  thy  religion  ?"  "  Yes,"  said  she,  "  It 
*'  is  the  principle  of  the  Papists,  if  any  turn  from  their  religion,  to  kill 
*'  them  if  they  can."  This  story  I  told  those  Papists,  and  that  I  had  it 
'  from  a  person  who  had  been  one  of  them,  but  had  forsook  their  princi- 

*  pies,  and  discovered  their  practices.    They  did  not  deny  this  to  be  their 

*  principle,  but  said.  What !  would  I  declare  this  abroad  ?  I  told  them, 
'  Yes,  such  things  ought  to  be  declared  abroad,  that  it  might  be  known 
'  how  contrary  their  religion  was  to  true  Christianity ;'  whereupon  they 
went  away  in  a  great  rage. 

Another  Papist  came  to  discourse  with  me,  who  said,  '  All  the  patri- 
'  archs  were  in  hell  from  the  creation  till  Christ  came,  and  that  when 
'  Christ  suifered  he  went  into  hell,  and  the  devil  said  to  him.  What  com- 
'  est  thou  hither  for,  to  break  open  our  strong  holds  1  And  Christ  said, 
'  To  fetch  them  all  out.  So,'  he  said,  '  Christ  was  three  days  and  three 
'  nights  in  hell  to  bring  them  out.'  I  told  him,  that  was  false ;  for  Christ 
"  said  to  the  thief,  "  This  day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  paradise."  And 
Enoch  and  Elijah  were  translated  into  heaven.  And  Abraham  was  in 
heaven :  for  the  scripture  saith,  '  Lazarus  was  in  his  bosom ;  and  Moses 
'  and  EUas  were  with  Christ  upon  the  mount  before  he  suffei'ed.'  These 
instances  stopped  the  Papist's  mouth,  and  put  him  to  a  stand. 

Another  time  came  Dr.  Witty,  who  was  esteemed  a  great  doctor  in 
physick,  with  lord  Falconbridge,  the  governor  of  Tinmouth-castle,  and 
several  knights.  I  being  called  to  them.  Witty  undertook  to  discourse 
with  me,  and  asked  me,  '  What  I  was  in  prison  for  V  I  told  him,  '  Be- 
'  cause  I  would  not  disobey  the  command  of  Christ,  and  swear.'  He 
said,  *  I  ought  to  swear  my  allegiance  to  the  king.'  He  being  a  great 
Presbyterian,  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  he  had  not  sworn  against  the  king 
'  and  house  of  lords,  and  taken  the  Scotch  covenant  1  And  had  he  not 
'  since  sworn  to  the  king  1  What  then  was  his  swearing  good  for  ?  But 

*  my  allegiance,'  I  told  him,  '  did  not  consist  in  swearing,  but  in  truth  and 
'  faithfulness.'  After  some  further  discourse,  I  was  had  away  to  my 
prison  again  ;  and  afterwards  Dr.  Witty  boasted  in  the  town  amongst  his 
patients,  that  he  had  conquered  me.  When  I  heard  of  it,  I  told  the  gov- 
ernor, '  It  was  a  small  boast  in  him  to  say.  He  had  conquered  a  bond- 
'  man.'  I  desired  to  bid  him  come  to  me  again,  when  he  came  to  the 
castle.  He  came  again  awhile  after,  with  about  sixteen  or  seventeen 
great  persons,  and  then  he  ran  himself  worse  on  ground  than  before. 
For  he  affirmed  before  them  all,  '  That  Christ  had  not  enlightened  every 

*  man  that  cometh  into  the  world ;'  and  '  that  the  grace  of  God,  that 
'  brought  salvation,  had  not  appeared  unto  all  men,'  and  '  that  Christ  had 

*  not  died  for  all  men.'  I  asked  him,  what  sort  of  men  those  were  which 
Christ  had  not  enlightened?  and  whom  his  grace  had  not  appeared  to? 
and  whom  he  had  not  died  for?  He  said,  'Christ  did  not  die  for  adulter- 
'  ers,  and  idolaters,  and  wicked  men.'  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  adulterers 
'  and  wicked  men  were  not  sinners  ?'  He  said,  '  Yes.'     '  Did  not  Christ 

*  die  for  sinners  V  said  I.     '  Did  he  not  come  to  call  sinners  to  repent- 

*  ance  V    '  Yes,'  said  he.     '  Then,'  said  I,  '  thou  hast  stopped  thy  own 


396  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

*  mouth.'  So  I  proved,  that  the  grace  of  God  had  appeared  unto  all 
'  men,  though  some  turned  from  it  into  wantonness,  and  walked  despite- 
fuUy  against  it ;  and  that  Christ  had  enlightened  all  men,  though  some 
hated  the  light.  Several  of  the  people  confessed  it  was  true ;  but  he 
went  away  in  a  great  rage,  and  came  no  more  to  me. 

Another  time  the  governor  brought  a  priest ;  but  his  mouth  was  soon 
stopped.  Not  long  after  he  brought  two  or  three  parliament-men,  who 
asked  me,  '  Whether  I  did  own  ministers  and  bishops  V  I  told  them,  '  Yes, 
'  such  as  Christ  sent,  such  as  had  freely  received,  and  would  freely  give, 
'  such  as  were  quahfied,  and  were  in  the  same  power  and  spirit  the  apos- 
'  ties  were  in.     But  such  bishops  and  teachers  as  theirs,  that  would  go 

*  no  farther  than  a  great  benefice,  I  did  not  own ;  for  they  were  not  like 
'  the  apostles.  Christ  saith  to  his  ministers,  "  Go  ye  into  all  nations,  and 
•'  preach  the  gospel ;"  but  ye  parliament-men,  who  keep  your  priests  and 

*  bishops  in  such  great  fat  benefices,  have  spoiled  them  all.  For  do  ye 
'  think  they  will  go  into  all  nations  to  preach  ?  or  will  go  any  farther 
'  than  a  great  fat  benefice  1  Judge  yourselves  whether  they  will  or  no.' 

There  came  another  time  the  widow  of  old  lord  Fairfax,  and 
with  her  a  great  company ;  one  of  whom  was  a  priest.  I  was  moved 
to  declare  the  truth  to  them,  and  the  priest  asked  me,  '  Why  we  said 
'  Thou  and  Thee  to  people  ?  for  he  counted  us  but  fools  and  idiots  for 
'  speaking  so.'  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  those  that  translated  the  scrip- 
'  tures,  and  made  the  grammar  and  accidence,  were  fools  and  idiots,  see- 
'  ing  they  translated  the  scriptures  so,  and  made  the  grammar  so,  Thou 
'  to  one,  and  You  to  more  than  one,  and  left  it  so  to  us  1  If  they  were 
'  fools  and  idiots,  why  had  not  he  and  such  as  he,  who  looked  upon  them- 
'  selves  as  wise  men,  and  could  not  bear  Thou  and  Thee  to  a  singular, 
'  altered  the  grammar,  accidence,  and  bible,  and  put  the  plural  instead 
'  of  the  singular?  But  if  they  were  wise  men,  that  so  translated  the  bible, 

*  and  made  the  grammar  and  accidence  so,  I  wished  him  to  consider, 
'  whether  they  were  not  fools  and  idiots  themselves,  that  did  not  speak  as 
'  their  grammars  and  bibles  taught  them  ;  but  were  offended  with  us,  and 
'  called  us  fools  and  idiots  for  speaking  so  V  Thus  the  priest's  mouth  was 
stopped,  many  of  the  company  acknowledged  the  truth,  and  w^ere  pretty 
loving  and  tender.  Some  would  have  given  me  money,  but  I  would  not 
receive  it. 

After  this  came  Dr.  Cradock,  with  three  priests  more,  and  the  gover- 
nor with  his  lady  (so  called)  and  another  that  was  called  a  lady,  with  a 
great  company.  Dr.  Cradock  asked  me,  '  What  I  was  in  prison  for?  I 
told  him,  '  For  obeying  the  command  of  Christ  and  the  apostle,  in  not 
'  swearing.  But  if  he,  being  both  a  doctor  and  a  justice,  could  convince  m.e, 
'  that  after  Christ  and  the  apostle  had  forbid  swearing,  they  commanded 
'  Christians  to  swear,  then  I  would  swear.     Here  was  the  bible,  I  told 

*  him,  he  might  if  he  could  shew  me  any  such  command.'  He  said,  '  It 
'  is  written,  ye  shall  swear  in  truth  and  righteousness.'  '  Aj^e,'  said  I, 
'  it  was  written  so  in  Jeremiah's  time ;  but  that  was  many  ages  before 
'  Christ  commanded  not  to  swear  at  all ;  but  where  is  it  written  so  since 
'  Christ  forbad  all  swearing?  I  could  bring  as  many  instances  out  of  the 
'  Old  Testament  for  swearing  as  thou,  and  it  may  be  more ;  but  of  what 

*  force  are  they  to  prove  swearing  lawful  in  the  New  Testament,  since 

*  Christ  and  the  apostle  forbad  it?  Besides,'  said  I,  'in  that  text  where  it 

*  is  written,  "  Ye  shall  swear,"  what  [Ye]  was  this  ?  Was  it  Ye  Gentiles, 

*  or  Ye  Jews  V  To  this  he  would  not  answer ;  but  one  of  the  priests  that 


1665]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  397 

were  with  him  answered,  '  It  was  to  the  Jews  that  this  was  spoken.' 
Then  Dr.  Cradock  confessed  it  was  so.  '  Very  well,'  said  I,  '  but  where 
'  did  God  ever  give  a  command  to  the  Gentiles  to  swear  1  For  thou 
'  knowest  that  we  are  Gentiles  by  nature.'  '  Indeed,'  said  he,  '  in  the 
'  gospel-times  every  thing  was  to  be  established  out  of  the  mouths  of  two 
'  or  three  witnesses ;  but  there  was  to  be  no  swearing  then.'  '  Why  then,' 
said  I,  '  dost  thou  force  oaths  upon  Christians,  contrary  to  thy  own 
'  knowledge,  in  the  gospel-times  ?  And  why,'  said  I,  '  dost  thou  excom- 
'  municate  my  friends'?'  for  he  had  excommunicated  abundance  both  in 
Yorkshire  and  Lancashire.  He  said,  '  For  not  coming  to  church.' 
'  Why,'  said  I,  '  ye  left  us  above  twenty  years  ago,  when  we  were  but 

*  young  lads  and  lasses,  to  the  Presbyterians,  Independents,  and  Baptists, 

*  many  of  whom  made  spoil  of  our  goods,  and  persecuted  us  because  we 

*  would  not  follow  them.  We  being  but  young,  knew  little  then  of  your 
'  principles,  and  the  old  men  that  did  know  them,  if  ye  had  intended  to 
'  have  kept  them  to  you,  and  have  kept  your  principles  ahve,  that  we 
'  might  have  known  them,  ye  should  either  not  have  fled  from  us  as  ye 
'  did,  or  ye  should  have  sent  us  your  epistles,  collects,  homilies,  and  even- 

*  ing  songs ;  for  Paul  wrote  epistles  to  the  saints,  though  he  was  in  prison. 

*  But  they  and  we  might  have  turned  Turks  or  Jews  for  any  collects, 

*  homilies,  or  epistles  we  had  from  you  all  this  while.  And  now  thou 
'  hast  excommunicated  us,  both  young  and  old,  and  so  have  others  of 

*  you  done ;  that  is,  "  Ye  have  put  us  out  of  your  church,  before  ye  have 
"  got  us  into  it,"  and  before  ye  have  brought  us  to  know  your  principles. 
'  Is  not  this  madness  in  you,  to  put  us  out  before  we  were  brought  in  ? 
'  Indeed,  if  ye  had  brought  us  into  your  church,  and  when  we  had  been 
'  in,  if  we  had  done  some  bad  thing,  that  had  been  something  like  a 

*  ground  for  excommunication  or  putting  out  again.  But,'  said  I,  '  What 
'  dost  thou  call  the  church  V  '  Why,'  said  he,  '  that  which  you  call  the 
'  steeple-house.'     Then  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  Christ  shed  his  blood  for 

*  the  steeple-house  1  and  purchased  and  sanctified  the  steeple-house  with 

*  his  blood  ?  And  seeing  the  church  is  Christ's  bride  and  wife,  and  that  he 
'  is  the  head  of  the  church,  dost  thou  think  the  steeple-house  is  Christ's 
'  wife  and  bride,  and  that  he  is  the  head  of  that  old  house,  or  of  his  peo- 
'  pie  V  '  No,'  said  he,  '  Christ  is  the  head  of  his  people,  and  they  are  the 
'  church.'    '  But,'  said  I,  '  you  have  given  the  title  church  to  an  old  house, 

which  belongs  to  the  people ;  and  you  have  taught  them  to  believe  so.' 
I  asked  him  also, '  Why  he  persecuted  friends  for  not  paying  tythes  ?  And 
'  whether  God  ever  commanded  the  Gentiles  to  pay  tythes  ?  And  whether 
'  Christ  had  not  ended  tythes  when  he  ended  the  Levitical  priesthood  that 
'  took  tythes  1  And  whether  Christ,  when  he  sent  his  disciples  to  preach, 
'  had  not  commanded  them  to  preach  freely  as  he  had  given  them  freely? 
'  And  whether  all  the  ministers  of  Christ  are  not  bound  to  observe  this 
'  command  of  Christ  V  He  said,  '  He  would  not  dispute  that.'  Neither 
did  I  find  he  was  willing  to  stay  on  that  subject ;  for  he  presently  turned 
to  another  matter,  and  said,  '  You  marry,  but  I  know  not  how.'  I  repli- 
ed,'It  maybe  so:  but  why  dost  thou  not  come  and  see?'  Then  he 
'  threatened  that  he  would  use  his  power  against  us,  as  he  had  done.'  I 
bid  him,  '  Take  heed ;  for  he  was  an  old  man.'  I  asked  him  also, 
'  Where  he  read,  from  Genesis  to  Revelations,  that  ever  any  priest  did 
'  marry  any  ?    I  wished  him  to  shew  me  some  instance  thereof,  if  he 

*  would  have  us  come  to  them  to  be  married ;  for,  said  I,  thou  hast  ex- 
'  communicated  one  of  my  friends  two  j^ears  after  he  was  dead,  about 


398  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1665 

*  his  marriage.  And  why  dost  thou  not  excommunicate  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
'  and  Boaz,  and  Ruth?  For  we  do  not  read  they  were  ever  married  by 
'  the  priests ;  but  they  took  one  another  in  the  assembhes  of  the  right- 
'  eous,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  his  people ;  and  so  do  we.     So  that 

*  we  have  all  the  holy  men  and  women,  that  the  scripture  speaks  of  in 
'  this  practice,  on  our  side.'  Much  discourse  we  had ;  but  when  he 
found  he  could  get  no  advantage  on  me,  he  went  away  with  his  com- 
pany. 

With  such  people  I  was  much  exercised  while  I  was  there ;  for  most 
that  came  to  the  castle  would  desire  to  speak  with  me,  and  great  dis- 
putes I  had  with  them.  But  as  to  friends,  I  was  as  a  man  buried  alive ; 
for  though  many  came  far  to  see  me,  few  were  suflered  to  come  at  me ; 
and  when  any  friend  came  into  the  castle  about  business,  if  he  looked  but 
towards  me,  they  would  rage  at  him.  At  last  the  governor  came  under 
trouble  himself;  for  having  sent  out  a  privateer  to  sea,  they  took  some 
ships  that  w^ere  not  enemies'  ships,  but  their  friends ;  whereupon  he  was 
brought  into  trouble ;  after  which  he  grew  somewhat  more  friendly  to 
me.  For  before  I  had  a  marshal  set  over  me,  on  purpose  to  get  money 
out  of  me ;  but  I  was  not  to  give  him  a  farthing ;  and  when  they  found 
they  could  get  nothing  from  me,  he  was  taken  off  again.  The  officers 
often  threatened  me,  that  I  should  be  hanged  over  the  wall.  Nay,  the 
deputy-governor  told  me  once,  that  the  king,  knowing  I  had  great  inter- 
est in  the  people,  had  sent  me  thither  ;  that  if  there  should  be  any  stirring 
in  the  nation,  they  should  hang  me  over  the  wall  to  keep  the  people  down. 
There  being  awhile  after  a  marriage  at  a  Papist's  house,  upon  which  oc- 
casion a  great  many  of  them  w^ere  met  together,  they  talked  much  then 
of  hanging  me.  But  I  told  them, '  If  that  was  what  they  desired,  and  it 
'  was  permitted  them,  I  was  ready;  for  I  never  feared  death  nor  suffer- 
'  ings  in  my  life ;  but  I  was  known  to  be  an  innocent,  peaceable  man,  free 
'  from  all  stirrings  and  plottings,  and  one  that  sought  the  good  of  all 
'  men.'  Afterwards,  the  governor  growing  kinder,  I  spoke  to  him,  when 
he  was  to  go  to  London  to  the  parliament,  and  desired  him  to  speak  to 
'squire  Marsh,  Sir  Francis  Cobb,  and  some  others;  and  let  them  know 
how  long  I  had  lain  in  prison,  and  for  what:  which  he  did.  When  he 
came  down  again,  he  told  me,  'squire  Marsh  said,  '  He  would  go  an 
'  hundred  miles  barefoot  for  my  liberty,  he  knew  me  so  well ;'  and  seve- 
ral others,  he  said,  spoke  well  of  me.  From  which  time  the  governor 
was  very  loving  to  me. 

There  were  amongst  the  prisoners  two  very  bad  men,  who  often  sat 
drinking  with  the  officers  and  soldiers ;  and  because  I  would  not  sit  and 
drink  with  them,  it  made  them  the  worse  against  me.  One  time,  when 
these  two  prisoners  were  drunk,  one  of  them  (whose  name  was  William 
Wilkinson,  a  Presbyterian,  who  had  been  a  captain)  came  and  chal- 
lenged me  to  fight  with  him.  I  seeing  what  condition  he  was  in,  got  out 
of  his  way ;  and  next  morning,  when  he  was  more  sober,  shewed  him, 

*  How  unmanly  a  thing  it  was  in  him  to  challenge  a  man  to  fight,  whose 
'  principle,  he  knew  it,  was  not  to  strike ;  but  if  he  was  stricken  on  one 

*  ear,  to  turn  the  other.  I  told  him,  if  he  had  a  mind  to  fight,  he  should 
'  have  challenged  some  of  the  soldiers,  that  could  have  answered  him  in 
'  his  own  way.     But  however,  seeing  he  had  challenged  me,  I  was  now 

*  come  to  answ^er  him,  with  my  hands  in  my  pockets  :  and    reaching  my 

*  head  towards  him,  Here,  said  I,  here  is  my  hair,  here  are  my  cheeks, 
'  lierc  is  my  back.'     Witli  that  he  skipped  away  from  me,  and  went  into 


1665]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  399 

another  room ;  at  which  the  soldiers  fell  a  laughing ;  and  one  of  the  offi- 
cers said,  '  You  are  a  happy  man  that  can  bear  such  things.'  Thus  he 
was  conquered  without  a  blow.  After  awhile  he  took  the  oath,  gave 
bond,  got  out  of  prison ;  and  not  long  after  the  Lord  cut  him  off*. 

There  were  great  imprisonments  in  this  and  the  former  years,  while  I 
was  prisoner  at  Lancaster  and  Scarborough.  At  London  many  friends 
were  crowded  into  Newgate,  and  other  prisons,  where  the  sickness  was; 
and  many  died  in  prison.  Many  also  were  banished,  and  several  sent 
on  ship-board  by  the  king's  order.  Some  masters  of  ships  would  not 
carry  them,  but  set  them  on  shore  again ;  yet  some  were  sent  to  Barba- 
does,  Jamaica,  and  Mevis,  and  the  Lord  blessed  them  there.  One  mas- 
ter of  a  ship  was  very  wicked  and  cruel  to  friends  that  were  put  on 
board  his  ship ;  for  he  kept  them  down  under  decks,  though  the  sickness 
was  amongst  them;  so  that  many  died  of  it.  But  the  Lord  visited  him 
for  his  wickedness ;  for  he  lost  most  of  his  seamen  by  the  plague,  and  lay 
several  months  crossed  with  contrary  winds,  though  other  ships  went  out, 
and  made  their  voyages.  At  last  he  came  before  Plymouth,  where  the 
governor  and  magistrates  would  not  suffer  him  nor  any  of  his  men  to 
come  ashore,  though  he  wanted  necessaries  for  his  voyage  ;  but  Thomas 
Lower,  Arthur  Cotton,  John  Light,  and  other  friends  went  to  the  ship's 
side,  and  carried  necessaries  for  the  friends  that  were  prisoners  on  board. 
The  master,  being  thus  crossed  and  vexed,  cursed  them  that  put  him 
upon  this  freight ;  and  said,  '  He  hoped  he  should  not  go  far  before  he 
'  was  taken.'  And  the  vessel  was  but  a  little  while  gone  out  of 'sight  of 
Plymouth,  before  she  was  taken  by  a  Dutch  man  of  war,  and  carried 
into  Holland.  When  they  came  into  Holland,  the  States  sent  the  ban- 
ished friends  back  to  England,  with  a  letter  of  passport,  and  a  certifi- 
cate, '  That  they  had  not  made  an  escape,  but  were  sent  back  by  them.' 
In  time  the  Lord's  power  wrought  over  this  storm,  and  many  of  our  per- 
secutors were  confounded  and  put  to  shame. 

After  I  had  lain  prisoner  above  a  year  in  Scarborough  castle,  I  sent  a 
letter  to  the  king,  in  which  I  gave  him  '  an  account  of  my  imprisonment, 
'  and  the  bad  usage  I  had  received  in  prison ;  and  also  that  I  was  inform- 
'  ed  no  man  could  deliver  me  but  he.'  After  this,  John  Whitehead  being 
at  London,  and  having  acquaintance  also  with  'squire  Marsh,  he  went  to 
visit  him,  and  spoke  to  him  about  me ;  and  he  undertook,  if  John  White- 
head would  get  the  state  of  my  case  drawn  up,  to  deliver  it  to  the  ma?;- 
ter  of  requests.  Sir  John  Birkenhead,  who  would  endeavour  to  get  a  re- 
lease for  me.  So  John  Whitehead  and  Ellis  Hookes  drew  up  a  relati(:)n 
of  my  imprisonment  and  sufferings,  and  carried  it  to  Marsh ;  and  he  went 
with  it  to  the  master  of  requests,  who  procured  an  order  from  the  king 
for  my  release.  The  substance  of  the  order  was,  '  That  the  king  being 
'  certainly  informed  that  I  was  a  man  principled  against  plotting  and 
'  fighting,  and  had  been  ready  at  all  times  to  discover  plots,  rather  than 
'  to  make  any,  &c.  therefore  his  royal  pleasure  was,  that  I  should  be  dis- 
'  charged  from  my  imprisonment,'  &c.  As  soon  as  this  order  was  ob- 
tained, John  Whitehead  came  to  Scarborough  with  it,  and  delivered  it  to 
the  governor;  who,  upon  receipt  thereof,  gathered  the  officers  together, 
and,  without  requiring  bond  or  sureties  for  my  peaceable  living,  being 
satisfied  that  T  was  a  man  of  a  peaceable  life,  he  discharged  me  freely, 
and  gave  me  the  following  passport : 

*  Permit  the  bearer  hereof,  George  Fox,  late  a  prisoner  here,  and  now 


400  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1666 

*  discharged  by  his  majesty's  order,  quietly  to  pass  about  his  lawful  oc- 
'  casions,  without  any  molestation.  Given  under  my  hand  at  Scarbo- 
'  rough-castle,  this  first  day  of  September,  1666. 

'  JORDAN  CROSLANDS, 

'  Governor  of  Scarborough-castle.' 

After  I  was  released,  I  would  have  made  the  governor  a  present  for 
the  civiUty  and  kindness  he  had  of  late  shewed  me ;  but  he  would  not  re- 
ceive any  thing ;  saying,  '  Whatever  good  he  could  do  for  me  and  my 

*  friends,  he  would  do  it,  and  never  do  them  any  hurt.'  And  afterwards, 
if  at  any  time  the  mayor  of  the  town  sent  to  him  for  soldiers  to  break  up 
friends'  meetings,  if  he  sent  any  down,  he  would  privately  give  them  a 
charge,  '  Not  to  meddle.'  He  continued  loving  to  his  dying-day.  The 
officers  also  and  the  soldiers  were  mightily  changed,  and  become  very 
respectful  to  me.  When  they  had  occasion  to  speak  of  me,  they  would 
say,  '  He  is  as  stiff  as  a  tree,  and  as  pure  as  a  bell ;  for  we  could  never 
'  bow  him.' 

The  very  next  day  after  my  release,  the  fire  broke  out  in  London ; 
and  the  report  of  it  came  quickly  down  into  the  country.  Then  I  saw 
the  Lord  God  was  true  and  just  in  his  word,  which  he  had  shewed  me 
before  in  Lancaster  gaol,  when  I  saw  the  angel  of  the  Lord  with  a  glit- 
tering drawn  sword  southward,  as  before  expressed.  The  people  of 
London  were  forewarned  of  this  fire :  yet  few  laid  it  to  heart,  or  believed 
it;  but  rather  grew  more  wicked,  and  higher  in  pride.  A  friend  was 
moved  to  come  out  of  Huntingdonshire  a  little  before  the  fire,  and  to 
scatter  his  money  up  and  down  the  streets,  turn  his  horse  loose,  untie 
the  knees  of  his  breeches,  and  let  his  stockings  fall  down,  and  to  unbut- 
ton his  doublet,  and  tell  the  people,  '  So  should  they  run  up  and  down, 
'  scattering  their  money  and  goods,  half  undressed,  like  mad  people,  as 

*  he  was  a  sign  to  them ;'  which  they  did  when  the  city  was  burning. 
Thus  hath  the  Lord  exercised  his  prophets  and  servants  by  his  power, 
shewed  them  signs  of  his  judgments,  and  sent  them  to  forewarn  the  peo- 
ple ;  but  instead  of  repenting,  they  have  beaten  and  cruelly  entreated 
some ;  and  some  they  have  imprisoned,  both  in  the  former  power's  days, 
and  since.  But  the  Lord  is  just ;  and  happy  are  they  that  obey  his  word. 
Some  have  been  moved  to  go  naked  in  their  streets,  in  the  other  power's 
days,  and  since,  as  signs  of  their  nakedness ;  and  have  declared  amongst 
them,  '  That  God  would  strip  them  of  their  hypocritical  professions,  and 
'  make  them  as  bare  and  naked  as  they  were.'  But,  instead  of  con- 
sidering it,  they  have  frequently  whipped,  or  otherwise  abused  them, 
and  sometimes  imprisoned  them.  Others  have  been  moved  to  go  in 
sackcloth,  and  to  denounce  the  woes  and  vengeance  of  God  against  the 
pride  and  haughtiness  of  the  people ;  but  few  regarded  it.  And  in  the 
other  power's  days,  the  wicked,  envious,  professing  priests  put  up  seve- 
ral petitions  both  to  Oliver  and  Richard,  called  protectors,  and  to  the 
parliaments,  judges,  and  justices  against  us,  stuffed  full  of  lies,  and  vilify- 
ing woi'ds  and  slanders ;  but  we  got  copies  of  them,  and  through  the 
Lord's  assistance  answered  them  all,  and  cleared  the  Lord's  truth  and 
ourselves  of  them.  But  oh  !  the  body  of  darkness  that  rose  against  the 
truth,  in  them  that  made  lies  their  refuge !  But  the  Lord  swept  them 
away  ;  and  in  and  with  his  power,  truth,  light,  and  life  hedged  his  lambs 
about,  and  preserved  them  as  on  eagles'  wings.  Therefore  we  all  had 
and  have  great  encouragement  to  trust  the  Lord,  who,  we  saw,  by  his 


1666]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  401 

power  and  Spirit,  overturned  and  brought  to  nought  all  the  confedera- 
cies and  counsels  that  were  hatched  in  darkness  against  his  truth  and 
people ;  and  by  the  same  truth  gave  his  people  dominion,  that  therein 
they  might  serve  him. 

Indeed,  I  could  not  but  take  notice  how  the  hand  of  the  Lord  turned 
against  those  my  persecutors  who  had  been  the  cause  of  my  imprison- 
ment, or  had  been  abusive  or  cruel  to  me  under  it.  For  the  otBcer  that 
fetched  me  to  Houlkerhall  wasted  his  estate,  and  soon  after  fled  into  Ire- 
land. And  most  of  the  justices  that  were  upon  the  bench  at  the  sessions 
■when  I  was  sent  to  prison  died  in  awhile  after ;  as  old  Thomas  Preston, 
Rawlinson,  Porter,  and  Matthew  West  of  Borwick.  And  justice  Flem- 
ing's wife  died,  and  left  him  thirteen  or  fourteen  motherless  children ; 
who  had  imprisoned  two  friends  to  death,  and  thereby  made  several 
children  fatherless.  Colonel  Kirby  never  prospered  after.  The  chief 
constable,  Richard  Dodgson,  died  soon  after ;  and  Mount,  the  petty  con- 
stable, and  the  wife  of  John  Ashburnham  the  other  petty  constable,  who 
railed  at  me  in  her  house,  died  soon  after.  William  Knipe,  the  witness 
they  brought  against  me,  died  soon  after.  Hunter,  the  gaoler  of  Lan- 
caster, who  was  very  wicked  to  me  while  I  was  his  prisoner,  was  cut 
off  in  his  young  days.  The  under-sheriff,  that  carried  me  from  Lancas- 
ter prison  towards  Scarborough,  lived  not  long  after.  And  Joblin,  the 
gaoler  of  Durham,  who  was  prisoner  with  me  in  Scarborough  castle, 
and  had  often  incensed  the  governor  and  soldiers  against  me,  though  he 
got  out  of  prison,  the  Lord  cut  him  off"  in  his  wickedness  soon  after. 
When  I  came  into  that  country  again,  most  of  those  that  dwelt  in  Lan- 
cashire were  dead,  and  others  ruined  in  their  estates :  so  that,  though  I 
did  not  seek  revenge  upon  them,  for  their  actings  against  me  contrary 
to  the  law,  yet  the  Lord  had  executed  his  judgments  upon  many  of  them. 

Being  now  at  liberty,  I  went  about  three  miles  to  a  large  general 
meeting  at  a  friend's  house,  who  had  been  a  chief  constable ;  and  all  was 
quiet  and  well.  On  fourth-day  after  I  returned  to  Scarborough,  and  had 
a  meeting  in  the  town  at  Peter  Hodgson's.  To  this  meeting  came  one 
called  a  lady,  and  several  other  great  persons ;  also  a  young  man,  son 
to  the  bailiff  of  the  town,  who  had  been  convinced  while  I  was  there  in 
prison.  That  lady  (so  called)  came  to  me,  and  said,  '  I  spoke  against 
'  the  ministers.'  I  told  her,  '  Such  as  the  prophets  and  Christ  declared 
'  against  formerly,  I  declared  against  now.' 

From  hence  I  went  to  Whitby:  and,  having  visited  friends  there, 
passed  to  Burlington,  where  I  had  another  meeting.  From  thence  to 
Oram,  where  I  had  another  meeting ;  and  thence  to  Marmaduke  Storr's, 
and  had  a  large  meeting  at  a  constable's  house,  on  whom  the  Lord  had 
wrought  a  great  miracle. 

Next  day  two  friends  being  to  take  each  other  in  marriage,  there  was 
a  very  great  meeting,  which  I  attended.  I  was  moved  to  open  the  state 
of  our  marriages,  declaring,  '  How  the  people  of  God  took  one  another 
'  in  the  assemblies  of  the  elders ;  and  that  it  was  God  who  joined  man 
'  and  woman  together  before  the  fall.  And  though  men  had  taken  upon 
*  them  to  join  in  the  fall,  yet  in  the  restoration  it  is  God's  joining  that  is 
'  the  right  and  honourable  marriage ;  but  never  any  priest  did  marry 
'  any,  that  we  read  of  in  the  scriptures,  from  Genesis  to  Revelations.' 
Then  I  shewed  tnem  the  duty  of  man  and  wife,  how  they  should  serve 
God,  being  heirs  of  life  and  grace  together. 

I  passed  from  thence  to  Grace  Barwick's,  where  I  had  a  general 

3  A 


402  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1666 

meeting,  which  was  very  large.  I  came  next  to  Richard  Shipton's, 
where  I  had  another  meeting ;  and  to  a  priest's  house,  whose  wife  was 
convinced,  and  himself  grown  very  loving,  and  glad  to  see  me.  This 
was  that  priest,  who,  in  the  year  1651,  threatened,  'If  ever  he  met  with 
'  me  again,  he  would  have  my  life,  or  I  should  have  his ;'  and  said,  '  He 
*  would  lose  his  head  if  I  were  not  knocked  down  in  a  month ;'  but  now 
he  was  partly  convinced,  and  become  very  kind.  I  went  from  his  house 
towards  the  sea,  where  several  friends  came  to  visit  me:  amongst 
others,  Philip  Scarff,  who  had  formerly  been  a  priest,  but,  having  re- 
ceived the  truth,  was  now  become  a  preacher  of  Christ  freely,  and  con- 
tinued so.  Passing  on,  I  called  to  see  an  ancient  man,  who  was  con- 
vinced of  truth,  and  was  above  an  hundred  years  old.  Then  I  came  to 
a  friend's  house,  where  I  had  a  great  meeting,  and  quiet.  I  had  a  great 
meeting  near  Malton ;  and  another  large  one  near  Hull :  from  whence 
I  went  to  Holdendike.  As  we  went  into  the  town,  the  watchmen  ques- 
tioned me  and  those  that  were  with  me ;  but  they  not  having  any  war- 
rant to  stay  us,  we  passed  by  them,  and  they  in  a  rage  threatened  they 
would  search  us  out.  I  went  to  the  house  of  one  called  the  lady  Mon- 
tague, where  I  lodged  that  night ;  and  several  friends  came  to  visit  me. 
Next  morning,  being  up  betimes,  I  walked  into  the  orchard,  and  saw  a 
man  about  sun-rising  go  into  the  house  in  a  great  cloak.  He  staid  not 
long ;  but  soon  came  out  again,  and  went  away,  not  seeing  me.  I  felt 
something  strike  at  my  life ;  and  went  into  the  house,  where  I  found  the 
maid-servant  affrighted  and  trembling.  She  told  me,  '  That  man  had  a 
'  naked  rapier  under  his  cloak.'  By  which  I  perceived  he  came  with  an 
intent  to  have  done  mischief;  but  the  Lord  prevented  him. 

I  then  visited  friends  till  I  came  to  York,  where  we  had  a  large  meet- 
ing. After  which  I  went  to  visit  justice  Robinson,  an  ancient  justice  of 
peace ;  who  had  been  very  loving  to  me  and  friends  from  the  beginning. 
There  was  a  priest  with  him ;  who  told  me,  '  It  was  said,  that  we  loved 
'  none  but  ourselves.'  I  told  him,  *  We  loved  all  mankind  as  they  were 
'  God's  creation,  and  as  they  were  children  of  Adam  and  Eve  by  gene- 
'  ration  ;  and  we  loved  the  brotherhood  in  the  Holy  Ghost.'  This  stop- 
ped him.  After  some  other  discourse,  we  partly  friendly,  and  passed 
away. 

About  this  time  I  wrote  a  book,  intituled,  *  Fear  God,  and  honour  the 
'  king ;'  in  which  I  shewed,  '  That  none  could  rightly  fear  God,  and  hon- 
'  our  the  king,  but  they  that  departed  from  sin  and  evil :'  This  book  did 
much  affect  the  soldiers  and  most  people. 

Having  visited  friends  at  York,  we  passed  to  a  market  town,  where 
we  had  a  meeting  at  George  Watkinson's,  who  formerly  had  been  a  jus- 
tice. A  glorious,  blessed  meeting  it  was,  very  large,  and  the  seed  of  life 
was  set  over  all.  But  we  had  been  troubled  to  get  into  this  town,  had 
not  Providence  made  way  for  us ;  for  the  watchmen  stood  ready  to  stop 
us :  but  there  being  a  man  riding  just  before  us,  the  watchmen  question- 
ed him  first ;  and  perceiving  he  was  a  justice,  let  him  pass ;  and  we 
riding  close  after  him,  by  that  means  escaped. 

From  this  place  we  passed  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  who  had  formerly 
been  a  captain,  where  we  had  a  precious  meeting.  Hard  by  Thomas 
Taylor's  lived  a  knight,  who  was  much  displeased  when  he  heard  I  was 
like  to  be  released  out  of  prison ;  and  threatened,  '  if  the  king  set  me  at 
'  liberty,  he  would  send  me  to  prison  again  the  next  day.'  But  though 
I  had  this  meeting  so  near  him,  the  Lord's  power  stopped  him  from 


1666]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  40& 

meddling,  and  our  meeting  was  quiet.  Colonel  Kirby  also,  who  had  been 
the  chief  means  of  my  imprisonment  at  Lancaster  and  Scarborough  cas- 
tles, when  he  heard  I  was  set  at  liberty,  got  another  order  for  the  taking 
me  up ;  and  said,  '  He  would  ride  his  horse  forty  miles  to  take  me,  and 
'  would  give  forty  pounds  to  have  me  taken.'  Awhile  after  I  came  so 
near  as  to  have  a  meeting  within  two  miles  of  him :  and  then  he  was 
struck  with  the  gout,  and  kept  his  bed,  so  that  it  was  thought  he  would 
have  died. 

From  Thomas  Taylor's  I  visited  friends  till  I  came  to  Synderhill- 
Green,  where  I  had  a  large  and  general  meeting.  The  priest  of  the 
place,  hearing  of  it,  sent  the  constable  to  the  justices  for  a  warrant ;  and 
they  rode  their  horses  so  hard,  they  almost  spoiled  them :  but  the  notice 
they  had  being  short,  and  the  way  long,  the  meeting  was  ended  before 
they  came.  I  heard  not  of  them  till  I  was  going  out  of  the  house,  after 
meeting  was  over ;  and  then  a  friend  came  and  told  me,  *  They  were 
'  searching  another  house  for  me,  the  house  I  was  then  going  to.'  As  I 
went  along  the  closes  towards  it,  I  met  the  constables,  wardens,  and  the 
justice's  clerk.  I  passed  through  them,  they  looking  at  me,  and  went  to 
the  house  they  had  been  searching.  Thus  they  lost  their  design;  for 
the  Lord's  power  bound  them,  and  preserved  me  over  them ;  and  friends 
parted,  and  all  escaped  them.  The  officers  went  away  as  they  came; 
for  the  Lord  had  frustrated  their  design  ;  praised  be  his  name  for  ever ! 

After  this  I  went  into  Derbyshire,  where  I  had  a  large  meeting. 
Some  friends  were  apprehensive  of  the  constable's  coming;  for  they 
had  great  persecution  in  those  parts :  but  our  meeting  was  quiet.  A 
justice  of  peace  in  that  county  had  taken  away  much  of  friends'  goods : 
whereupon  Ellen  Fretwell  had  made  her  appeal  to  the  sessions,  and  the 
rest  of  the  justices  granted  her  her  goods  again,  and  spoke  to  that  per- 
secuting justice,  that  he  should  not  do  so  any  more.  She  was  moved 
to   speak  to  that  justice,   and  to  warn  him ;   whereupon  he  bid  her, 

*  Come  and  sit  down  on  the  bench.'     '  Aye,'  said  she, '  if  I  may  persuade 

*  you  to  do  justice  to  the  country,  I  will  sit  down  with  you.'  '  No,' 
said  he,  '  then  you  shall  not.  Get  out  of  the  court.'  As  she  was  going, 
she  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  turn  again,  and  say, '  She  should  be  there 

*  when  he  should  not.'  After  the  sessions,  he  went  home  and  drove 
away  her  brother's  oxen,  for  going  to  meetings.  Then  Susan  Frith,  a 
friend  of  Chesterfield,  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  tell  him,  '  If  he  con- 

*  tinued  in  his  persecuting  of  the  innocent,  the  Lord  would  execute  his 
'  plagues  upon  him.'  Soon  after  which  he  fell  distracted,  and  died.  This 
relation  I  had  from  Ellen  Fretwell  herself. 

I  travelled  out  of  Derbyshire  into  Nottinghamshire,  and  had  a  large 
meeting  at  Skegby ;  from  thence  went  to  Mansfield,  where  also  I  had  a 
meeting ;  and  thence  to  another  town,  where  was  a  fair,  at  which  I  met 
with  many  friends.  Then  passing  through  the  forest  in  a  mighty  thun- 
dering and  rainy  day,  I  came  to  Nottingham.  So  great  was  the  tem- 
pest, that  many  trees  were  torn  up  by  the  roots,  and  some  people  killed  ; 
but  the  Lord  preserved  us.  On  first-day  following  I  had  a  large  meet- 
ing in  Nottingham,  very  quiet;  friends  were  come  to  sit  under  their 
teacher  the  grace  of  God,  which  brought  them  salvation,  and  were  es- 
tablished upon  the  rock  and  foundation  Christ  Jesus.  After  meeting 
I  went  to  visit  the  friend  who  had  been  sheriff  about  the  year  1649, 
whose  prisoner  I  then  was. 

From  Nottingham  I  passed  into  Leicestershire,  and  came  to  Syleby, 


404  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1666 

•where  we  had  a  large  blessed  meeting.  After  which  I  went  to  Leices- 
ter to  visit  the  prisoners  there,  and  then  to  John  Penford's,  where  we 
had  a  general  meeting,  large  and  precious.  From  thence  I  passed,  visit- 
ing friends  and  my  relations,  till  I  came  to  Warwick ;  where  having 
visited  the  prisoners,  I  passed  to  Badgley,  and  had  a  precious  meeting. 
I  travelled  through  Northamptonshire,  Bedfordshire,  Buckinghamshire, 
and  Oxfordshire,  visiting  friends  in  each  county.  In  Oxfordshire  the 
devil  had  laid  a  snare  for  me,  but  the  Lord  broke  it ;  his  power  came 
over  all,  his  blessed  truth  spread,  and  friends  were  increased  therein.  Thus 
alter  I  had  passed  through  many  counties,  visiting  friends,  and  had  many 
large  and  precious  meetings  amongst  them,  I  came  to  London.  But 
I  was  so  weak  with  lying  almost  three  years  in  cruel  and  hard  impris- 
onments, my  joints  and  my  body  were  so  stiff'  and  benumbed,  that  I 
could  hardly  get  upon  my  horse,  nor  bend  my  joints,  nor  well  bear  to 
be  near  the  fire,  or  to  eat  warm  meat,  I  had  been  kept  so  long  from  it. 
Being  come  to  London,  I  walked  a  little  among  the  ruins,  and  took 
good  notice  of  them.  I  saw  the  city  lying,  according  as  the  word  of 
the  Lord  came  to  me  concerning  it  several  years  before. 

After  I  had  been  a  time  in  London,  and  visited  meetings  through  the 
city,  I  went  into  the  country  again,  and  had  large  meetings  as  I  went,  at 
Kingston,  Reading,  and  in  Wiltshire,  till  I  came  to  Bristol ;  where  also 
I  had  many  large  meetings.  Thomas  Lower  came  out  of  Cornwall  to 
meet  me,  and  friends  from  several  parts  of  the  nation,  it  being  then  the 
fair-time.  After  I  was  clear  of  Bristol,  I  went  to  Nath.  Crips's,  and 
through  the  country  to  London  again,  having  lai^ge  meetings  in  the  way, 
and  all  quiet,  blessed  be  the  Lord.  Thus,  though  I  was  very  weak,  I 
travelled  up  and  down  in  the  service  of  the  Lord,  who  enabled  me  to  go 
through  in  it. 

About  this  time,  some  who  had  run  out  from  truth  and  clashed 
against  friends,  were  reached  unto  by  the  power  of  the  Lord,  which 
came  wonderfully  over,  and  made  them  '  condemn  and  tear  their  papers 
'  of  controversy  to  pieces.'  Several  meetings  we  had  with  them,  the 
Lord's  everlasting  power  was  over  all,  and  set  judgment  on  the  head 
of  that  which  had  run  out.  Li  these  meetings,  which  lasted  whole  days, 
several  who  had  gone  out  with  John  Perrot  and  others  came  in  again, 
and  condemned  that  spirit  which  led  them  to  '  keep  on  their  hats  when 
'  friends  prayed,  and  when  themselves  prayed.'  Some  of  them  said, 
'  Friends  were  more  righteous  than  they ;'  and  that,  '  If  friends  had  not 
'  stood  they  had  been  gone  and  had  fallen  into  perdition.'  Thus  the 
Lord's  power  was  wonderfully  manifested,  and  came  over  all. 

Then  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  recommend  the  setting  up  of 
five  monthly  meetings  of  men  and  women  in  the  city  of  London,  besides 
the  women's  meetings  and  the  quarterly  meetings,  to  take  care  of  God's 
glory,  and  to  admonish  and  exhort  such  as  walked  disorderly  or  care- 
lessly, and  not  according  to  truth.  For  whereas  friends  had  only  quar- 
terly meetings,  now  truth  was  spread  and  friends  grown  more  numer- 
ous, I  was  inoved  to  recommend  the  setting  up  of  monthly  meetings 
throughout  the  nation.  And  the  Lord  opened  to  me  what  I  must  do, 
and  how  the  men's  and  women's  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  should 
be  ordered  and  established  in  this  and  other  nations  ;  and  that  I  should 
write  to  those  where  I  came  not,  to  do  the  same.  After  things  were 
well  settled  at  London,  and  the  Lord's  truth,  power,  seed,  and  life  reign- 
ed and  shined  over  all  in  the  city,  I  went  into  Essex.     After  the  month- 


1666]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  405 

\y  meetings  were  settled  in  that  county,  I  went  into  Suffolk  and  Norfolk, 
Thomas  Dry  being  with  me.  When  we  had  visited  friends  in  those 
parts,  and  the  monthly  meetings  were  settled,  we  went  into  Hunting- 
donshire, where  we  had  very  large  and  blessed  meetings ;  and  though 
we  met  with  some  opposition,  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  the 
monthly  meetings  were  established  there  also.  When  we  came  into 
Bedfordshire,  we  had  great  opposition ;  but  the  Lord's  power  came  over 
it  all.  Afterwards  we  went  into  Nottinghamshire,  where  we  had  many 
precious  meetings,  and  the  monthly  meetings  were  settled  there.  Then, 
passing  into  Lincolnshire,  we  had  a  meeting  of  some  men  friends  of  all 
the  meetings  in  the  county,  at  his  house  who  had  been  formerly  sheriff 
of  Lincoln;  and  all  was  quiet.  After  this  meeting  we  passed  over 
Trent  into  Nottinghamshire,  he  that  had  been  the  sheriff  of  Lincoln  be- 
ing with  me,  where  we  had  some  of  all  the  meetings  in  that  county  to- 
gether. Our  meeting  was  glorious  and  peaceable,  and  many  precious 
meetings  we  had  in  that  county. 

At  that  time  William  Smith  was  very  weak  and  sick,  and  the  con- 
stables and  others  had  seized  all  his  goods,  to  the  very  bed  he  lay  upon, 
for  truth's  sake.  These  officers  threatened  to  break  up  our  meeting ; 
but  the  Lord's  power  chained  them,  so  that  they  had  not  power  to  med- 
dle with  us,  blessed  be  his  name.  After  the  meeting  I  went  to  visit 
William  Smith,  and  there  were  constables  and  others  watching  his  corn 
and  his  beasts,  that  none  of  them  might  be  removed. 

From  thence  we  passed  into  Leicestershire  and  Warwickshire,  where 
we  had  many  blessed  meetings.  The  order  of  the  gospel  was  set  up, 
and  the  men's  monthly  meetings  established  in  all  those  counties.  Then 
we  went  into  Derbyshire,  where  we  had  several  large  and  blessed  meet- 
ings. In  many  places  we  were  threatened  by  the  officers,  but  through 
the  power  of  the  Lord  we  escaped  their  hands.  Leaving  things  well 
settled  in  Derbyshire,  we  travelled  over  the  Peak-hills,  which  were  very 
cold,  for  it  was  then  frost  and  snow,  and  came  into  Staffordshire.  At 
Thomas  Hamersley's  we  had  a  general  men's  meeting ;  where  things 
were  well  settled  in  the  gospel  order,  and  the  monthly  meetings  establish- 
ed. I  was  so  exceeding  weak,  I  was  hardly  able  to  get  on  or  off  my 
horse's  back;  but  my  spirit  being  earnestly  engaged  in  the  work  the 
Lord  had  concerned  me  in  and  sent  me  forth  about,  I  travelled  on  there- 
in, notwithstanding  the  weakness  of  my  body,  having  confidence  in  the 
Lord,  that  he  would  carry  me  through,  as  he  did  by  his  power.  We 
came  into  Cheshire,  where  we  had  several  blessed  meetings,  and  a  gene- 
ral men's  meeting ;  wherein  all  the  monthly  meetings  for  that  county 
were  settled,  according  to  the  gospel  order,  in  and  by  the  power  of 
God.  After  the  meeting  I  passed  away.  But  when  the  justices  heard 
of  it,  they  were  very  much  troubled  that  they  had  not  come  and  broke 
it  up,  and  taken  me ;  but  the  Lord  prevented  them.  After  I  had  cleared 
myself  there  in  the  Lord's  service,  I  passed  into  Lancashire,  to  William 
Barnes's,  near  Warrington,  where  met  some  of  most  of  the  meetings 
in  that  county ;  and  there  all  the  monthly  meetings  were  established  in 
the  gospel  order.  From  thence  I  sent  papers  into  Westmoreland  by 
Leonard  Fell  and  Robert  Widders,  and  also  into  Bishoprick,  Cleveland, 
Northumberland,  Cumberland,  and  Scotland,  to  exhort  friends  to  settle 
the  monthly  meetings  in  the  Lord's  power  in  those  places ;  which  they 
did.  So  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  the  heirs  of  it  came  to 
inherit  it.     For  the  authority  of  our  meetings  is  the  power  of  God,  the 


406  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [166« 

gospel,  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light ;  that  all  might  see 
over  the  devil  that  darkened  them,  that  all  the  heirs  of  the  gospel  might 
walk  according  to  the  gospel,  and  glorify  God  with  their  bodies,  souls, 
and  spirits,  which  are  the  Lord's :  for  the  order  of  the  glorious  gospel 
is  not  of  man  nor  by  man.  To  this  meeting  in  Lancashire,  Margaret 
Fell,  being  a  prisoner,  got  liberty  to  come,  and  went  with  me  from 
thence  to  Jane  Milner's  in  Cheshire,  where  we  parted.  I  passed  into 
Shropshire,  and  from  thence  into  Wales,  and  had  a  large  general  men's 
meeting  at  Charles  Lloyd's,  where  some  opposers  came  in;  but  the 
Lord's  power  brought  them  down. 

Having  gone  through  Denbighshire  and  Montgomeryshire,  we  passed 
into  Merionethshire,  where  we  had  several  blessed  meetings ;  and  then 
to  the  sea-side,  where  we  had  a  precious  meeting.  We  left  Wales,  the 
monthly  meetings  being  settled  there  in  the  power  of  God,  and  returned 
into  Shropshire,  where  the  friends  of  the  county  gathering  together,  the 
monthly  meetings  were  established  there.  Coming  into  Worcestershire, 
after  many  meetings  amongst  friends  in  that  county,  we  had  a  general 
men's  meeting  at  Henry  Gibs's,  at  Pashur ;  where  also  the  monthly 
meetings  were  settled  in  the  gospel  order. 

The  sessions  being  held  that  day  in  the  town,  some  friends  were  con- 
cerned lest  they  should  send  officers  to  break  up  our  meeting ;  but  the 
power  of  the  Lord  restrained  them,  so  that  it  was  quiet ;  through  which 
power  we  had  dominion.  I  had  several  meetings  amongst  friends  in  that 
county,  till  I  came  to  Worcester ;  and  it  being  the  fair-time,  we  had  a 
precious  meeting.  There  was  then  in  Worcester  one  major  Wild,  a 
persecuting  man  ;  and  after  I  was  gone  some  of  his  soldiers  inquired 
after  me ;  but  having  left  the  friends  there  settled  in  good  order,  we  passed 
to  Droitwich,  and  from  thence  to  Shrewsbury,  where  also  we  had  a  very 
precious  meeting.  The  mayor,  hearing  I  was  in  town,  got  the  rest  of 
the  officers  together  to  consult  what  to  do  against  me ;  for  they  said, 
*  The  great  Quaker  of  England  is  come  to  town.'  But  when  they  were 
come  together,  the  Lord  confounded  their  councils,  so  that  some  were 
for  imprisoning  me,  others  opposed  it;  and  being  divided  amongst  them- 
selves, I  escaped  their  hands. 

We  went  into  Radnorshire,  where  we  had  many  precious  meetings, 
and  the  monthly  meetings  were  settled  in  the  Lord's  power.  As  we  came 
out  of  that  county,  staying  a  little  at  a  market-town,  a  justice's  clerk  and 
other  rude  fellows  combined  together  to  do  us  a  mischief  upon  the  road. 
Accordingly  they  followed  us  out  of  town,  and  soon  overtook  us ;  but 
there  being  many  market  people  on  the  way,  they  were  somewhat  hin- 
dered from  doing  what  they  intended.  Yet  observing  two  of  our  com- 
pany ride  at  some  distance  behind,  they  set  upon  them  two,  and  one  of 
them  drew  his  sword,  and  cut  Richard  Moor,  the  surgeon  of  Shrews- 
bury. Meanwhile  another  of  these  rude  fellows  came  galloping  after 
me  and  the  other  friend  with  me ;  and  we  being  to  pass  over  a  bridge, 
somewhat  of  the  narrowest  for  him  to  pass  by  us,  he,  in  his  eagerness  to 
get  before  us,  rode  into  the  brook,  and  plunged  his  horse  into  a  deep  hole 
in  the  water.  I  saw  the  design,  stopped,  and  desired  friends  to  be  pa- 
tient, and  give  them  no  occasion.  In  this  time  came  Richard  Moor  up 
to  us,  with  the  other  friend,  who  knew  the  men  and  their  names.  Then 
we  rode  on,  and  a  little  further  met  another  man  on  foot,  much  in  liquor, 
with  a  naked  sword  in  his  hand,  and  not  far  beyond  him  two  men  and 
two  women,  one  of  which  men  had  his  thumb  cut  off  by  the  drunken 


1666]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  4fff 

man ;  for  being  in  drink  he  attempted  rudeness  to  one  of  the  women,  and 
this  man  withstanding  him,  and  rescuing  her,  he  whipped  out  his  sword 
and  cut  oft'  his  thumb.  This  mischievous  man  had  a  horse,  that,  being 
loose,  followed  him  a  pretty  way  behind.  I  rode  after  the  horse,  caught 
him,  and  brought  him  to  the  man  who  had  his  thumb  cut  off;  and  bid 
him  take  the  horse  to  the  next  justice  of  peace,  by  which  means  they 
might  find  out  and  pursue  the  man  that  had  wounded  him, 

Upon  this  occasion  I  wrote  a  letter  to  the  justices,  and  the  judge  of  assize, 
which  was  then  at  hand.  I  employed  some  friends  to  carry  it  to  the  jus- 
tices first.  The  justice,  to  whom  the  clerk  belonged,  rebuked  him  and 
the  others  also,  for  abusing  us  upon  the  highway ;  so  that  they  were  glad 
to  come  and  intreat  friends  not  to  appear  against  them  at  the  assize ; 
which,  upon  their  submission  and  acknowledgment,  was  granted.  This 
was  of  good  service  in  the  country ;  for  it  stopped  many  rude  people, 
who  had  been  forward  to  abuse  friends. 

r  We  passed  into  Herefordshire,  where  we  had  several  blessed  meet- 
ings. We  had  a  general  men's  meeting  also,  where  all  the  monthly 
meetings  were  settled.  There  was  about  this  time  a  proclamation  against 
meetings ;  and  as  we  came  through  Herefordshire,  we  were  told  of  a 
great  meeting  there  of  the  Presbyterians,  who  had  engaged  themselves 
to  stand,  and  give  up  all,  rather  than  forsake  their  meetings.  When  they 
heard  of  this  proclamation,  the  people  came,  but  the  priest  was  gone, 
and  left  them  at  a  loss.  Then  they  met  in  Leominster  privately,  and  pro- 
vided bread,  cheese,  and  drink,  in  readiness,  that  if  the  officers  should 
come,  they  might  put  up  their  bibles  and  fall  to  eating.  The  bailiff  found 
them  out,  came  in  among  them,  and  said, '  Their  bread  and  cheese  should 
'  not  cover  them,  he  would  have  their  speakers.'  They  cried,  '  What 
'  then  would  become  of  their  wives  and  children  V  But  he  took  their 
speakers  and  kept  them  awhile.  This  the  bailiff  told  Peter  Young,  and 
said,  '  They  were  the  veriest  hypocrites  that  ever  made  a  profession  of 

*  religion.' 

The  like  contrivance  they  had  in  other  places.  For  there  was  one 
Pocock  at  London,  that  married  Abigail  Darcy,  who  was  called  a  lady; 
and  she  being  convinced  of  truth,  I  went  to  his  house  to  see  her.  This 
Pocock  had  been  one  of  the  triers  of  the  priests ;  and,  being  an  high 
Presbyterian,  and  envious  against  us,  he  used  to  call  our  friends  house- 
creepers.  He  being  present,  she  said  to  me,  *  I  have  something  to  speak 
'  to  thee  against  my  husband.'  '  Nay,'  said  I,  '  thou  must  not  speak 
'  against  thy  husband.'     '  Yes,'  said  she,  '  but  I  must  in  this  case.     The 

*  last  first-day,'  said  she,  '  he,  his  priests  and  people,  the  Presbyterians, 
'  met ;  they  had  candles,  tobacco-pipes,  bread,  cheese,  and  cold  meat  on 

*  the  table ;  and  they  agreed  beforehand,  if  the  officers  should  come  in 
'  upon  them,  they  would  leave  their  preaching  and  praying,  and  fall  to 

*  their  cold  meat.'  '  Oh,'  said  I  to  him,  '  is  not  this  a  shame  to  you  who 
'  imprisoned  us,  and  spoiled  our  goods,  because  we  would  not  join  you 

*  in  your  religion,  and  called  us  house-creepers,  that  ye  do  not  stand  to 
'  your  own  religion  yourselves  ?  Did  ye  ever  find  our  meetings  stuffed 
'  with  bread  and  cheese  and  tobacco-pipes  ?  Or  did  ye  ever  read  in  the 

*  scriptures  of  any  such  practice  among  the  saints  V  '  Why,'  said  the  old 
man,  '  we  must  be  as  wise  as  serpents.'  I  answered,  *  This  is  the  ser- 
'  pent's  wisdom  indeed.     But  who  would  have  thought  that  you  Presby- 

*  terians  and  Independents,  who  persecuted,  imprisoned  others,  spoiled 
their  goods,  and  whipped  such  as  would  not  follow  your  religion,  should 


408  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

'  now  flinch  yourselves,  and  not  dare  to  stand  to  your  own  religion,  but 
'  cover  it  with  tobacco-pipes,  flagons  of  drink,  cold  meat,  and  bread  and 
*  cheese  !'  But  this,  and  such-like  deceitful  practices,  I  understood  after- 
wards, were  too  common  amongst  them  in  times  of  persecution. 

After  we  had  travelled  through  Herefordshire,  and  meetings  were  well 
settled  there,  we  passed  into  Monmouthshire,  where  I  had  several  blessed 
meetings ;  and  at  Walter  Jenkins's,  who  had  been  a  justice  of  peace,  we 
had  a  large  meeting,  where  some  were  convinced :  this  meeting  was 
quiet.  But  to  a  meeting  before  this  came  the  bailiff"  of  the  hundred,  al- 
most drunk,  pretending  he  was  to  take  up  the  speakers.  There  was  a 
mighty  ppwer  of  God  in  the  meeting ;  so  that,  although  he  raged,  it  lim- 
ited him,  that  he  could  not  break  up  the  meeting.  When  it  was  over,  I 
staid  awhile,  and  he  staid  also.  After  some  time  I  spoke  to  him,  and  so 
passed  quietly  away.  At  night  some  rude  people  came,  and  shot  off"  a 
musket  against  the  house  ;  but  did  not  hurt  any  body.  Thus  the  Lord's 
power  came  over  all,  and  chained  down  the  unruly  spirits,  so  that  we 
escaped  them.  We  came  to  Ross  that  night,  and  had  a  meeting  at  James 
Merrick's. 

After  this  we  came  into  Gloucestershire,  and  had  a  general  men's 
meeting  at  Nathaniel  Crips's,  where  all  the  monthly  meetings  were  set- 
tled in  the  Lord's  everlasting  power ;  and  the  heirs  of  salvation  were  ex- 
horted to  take  their  possessions  in  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which 
was  and  is  the  authority  of  their  meetings.  Many  blessed  meetings  we 
had  in  that  county,  before  we  came  to  Bristol.  An^  after  several  pow- 
erful seasons,  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  were  settled  there  also. 

As  I  was  in  bed  at  Bristol,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  that  I 
must  go  back  to  London.  Next  morning  Alexander  Parker  and  several 
others  came  to  me.  I  asked  them.  What  they  felt?  They  asked  me.  What 
was  upon  me  ?  I  told  them,  I  felt  I  must  return  to  London.  They  said, 
The  same  was  upon  them.  So  we  gave  up  to  return  to  London ;  for 
which  way  the  Lord  moved  and  led  us,  thither  we  went  in  his  power. 
Leaving  Bristol,  we  passed  into  Wiltshire,  and  established  the  men's 
monthly  meetings  in  the  Lord's  power  there ;  and  visited  friends  till  we 
came  to  London. 

After  we  had  visited  friends  in  the  city,  I  was  moved  to  exhort  them 
to  bring  all  their  marriages  to  the  men's  and  women's  meetings,  that 
they  might  lay  them  before  the  faithful ;  that  care  might  be  taken  to  pre- 
vent such  disorders  as  had  been  committed  by  some.  For  many  had 
gone  together  in  marriage  contrary  to  their  relations'  minds ;  and  some 
young,  raw  people,  that  came  among  us,  had  mixed  with  the  world. 
Widows  had  married  without  making  provision  for  their  children  by 
their  former  husbands,  before  their  second  marriage.  Yet  I  had  given 
forth  a  paper  concerning  marriages  about  the  year  16-53,  when  truth 
was  but  little  spread,  advising  friends,  who  might  be  concerned  in  that 
case,  '  That  they  might  lay  it  before  the  faithful  in  time,  before  any  thing 
'  was  concluded ;  and  afterwards  pubhsh  it  in  the  end  of  a  meeting,  or  in  a 
'  market,  as  they  were  moved  thereto.  And  when  all  things  were  found 
*  clear,  being  free  from  all  others,  and  their  relations  satisfied,  they  might 
'  appoint  a  meeting  on  purpose,  for  the  taking  of  each  other ;  in  the  pres- 
'  ence  of  at  least  twelve  faithful  witnesses.'  Yet  these  directions  not  be- 
ing observed,  and  truth  being  now  more  spread  over  the  nation,  it  was 
ordered  by  the  same  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  '  That  marriages  should 
'  be  laid  before  the  men's  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings,  or  as  the 


16671  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

*  meetings  were  then  established ;  that  friends  might  see,  that  the  rela- 

*  tions  of  those  who  proceeded  to  marriage  were  satisfied ;  that  the  par- 

*  ties  were  clear  from  all  others ;  and  that  widows  had  made  provision 

*  for  their  first  husband's  children,  before  they  married  again ;  and  what 

*  else  was  needful  to  be  inquired  into ;  that  all  things  might  be  kept  clean 
and  pure,  and  be  done  in  righteousness  to  the  glory  of  God.'     After- 
wards it  was  ordered  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  '  That  if  either  of  the  par- 

*  ties  intending  to  marry  came  out  of  another  nation,  county,  or  monthly 

*  meeting,  they  should  bring  a  certificate  from  the  monthly  meeting  to 

*  which  they  belonged ;  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  monthly  meeting  be- 

*  fore  which  they  came  to  lay  their  intentions  of  marriage.' 

After  these  things,  with  many  other  services  for  God,  were  set  in 
order,  and  settled  in  the  city,  I  passed  out  of  London,  in  the  leadings  of 
the  Lord's  power,  into  Hertfordshire.  After  I  had  visited  friends  there, 
and  the  men's  monthly  meetings  were  settled,  I  had  a  great  meeting  at 
Baldock  of  many  sorts  of  people.  Then  returning  towards  London  by 
Waltham,  I  advised  the  setting  up  of  a  school  there  for  teaching  boys  ; 
and  also  a  woman's  school  to  be  opened  at  Shacklewell  for  instructing 
girls  and  young  maidens,  in  whatsoever  things  were  civil  and  useful  in 
the  creation. 

Thus,  after  several  precious  meetings  in  the  country,  I  came  to  Lon- 
don again,  where  I  staid  awhile  in  the  work  and  service  of  the  Lord ; 
and  then  w^ent  into  Buckinghamshire,  where  I  had  many  precious  meet- 
ings. At  John  Brown's  of  Weston  near  Aylesbury  some  of  the  men 
friends  of  each  meeting  being  gathered  together,  the  meo's  monthly 
meetings  for  that  county  were  established,  in  the  order  of  the  gospel,  the 
power  of  God  ;  which  confirmed  it  in  all  that  felt  it,  who  came  thereby 
to  see  and  feel  that  the  power  of  God  was  the  authority  of  their  meet- 
ings. I  then  went  to  Nathaniel  Ball's,  at  North  Newton  near  Banbury, 
Oxfordshire,  who  was  a  friend  in  the  ministry.  And  there  being  a  gen- 
eral meeting,  where  some  of  all  the  meetings  were  present,  the  monthly 
meetings  for  that  county  were  settled  in  the  power  of  God ;  and  friends 
were  very  glad  of  them ;  for  they  came  into  their  services  in  the  church, 
to  take  care  for  God's  glory.  After  this,  we  came  into  Gloucestershire, 
visiting  friends  till  we  came  into  Monmouthshire,  to  Richard  Hambery's ; 
where  meeting  with  some  of  all  the  meetings  of  that  county,  the  monthly 
meetings  were  settled  there  in  the  Lord's  power,  that  all  in  it  might  take 
care  of  God's  glory,  and  admonish  and  exhort  such  as  did  not  walk  as 
became  the  gospel.  And  indeed  these  meetings  made  a  great  reforma- 
tion amongst  people,  insomuch  that  the  justices  took  notice  of  their  use- 
fulness. 

Richard  Hambery  and  his  wife  accompanied  us  a  day's  journey,  visit- 
ing friends,  till  we  came  to  a  widow's,  where  we  lay  that  night.  From 
thence  we  passed  over  the  hills,  visiting  friends,  and  declaring  the  truth 
to  people,  till  we  came  to  another  widow's,  where  we  had  a  meeting. 
The  woman  could  not  speak  English ;  yet  she  praised  the  Lord  for  send- 
ing us  to  visit  them. 

We  travelled  till  we  came  to  Swansey,  where  on  the  first-day  we 
had  a  large  and  precious  meeting,  the  Lord's  presence  being  eminently 
amongst  us.  On  a  week  day  afterwards  we  had  a  general  meeting  be- 
yond Swansey,  of  men  friends  from  Swansey,  Tenby,  Haverfordwest, 
and  other  places ;  and  the  monthly  meetings  were  settled  in  the  gospel 

3B 


410  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

order,  and  received  by  friends  in  the  power  of  the  Lord ;  whose  truth 
was  over  all. 

From  hence  we  endeavoured  to  get  over  the  water  into  Cornwall :  and 
in  order  thereunto  went  back  through  Swansey  to  Mumbles,  thinking  to 
have  got  passage  there ;  but  the  master  deceived  us ;  for  though  he  had 
promised  to  carry  us,  when  we  came  he  would  not.  We  went  to  an- 
other place,  where  was  a  passage-boat,  into  which  we  got  our  horses  ; 
but  some  rude  men  in  the  boat,  though  called  gentlemen,  threatened  to 
pistol  the  master  if  he  took  us  in ;  who,  being  afraid  of  them,  turned  our 
horses  out  again ;  which  put  us  out  of  hopes  of  getting  over  that  way. 
Wherefore  turning  back  into  the  country,  we  staid  up  all  night ;  and 
about  the  second  hour  in  the  morning  took  horse,  and  travelled  till  we 
came  near  Cardiff,  where  we  staid  one  night.  The  next  day  we  came 
to  Newport,  and  it  being  market-day  there,  several  friends  came  to  us, 
with  whom  we  sat  awhile ;  and  after  a  fine  refreshing  season  together, 
we  parted  from  them,  and  went  forward. 

Beyond  this  market-town  we  overtook  a  man  who  lingered  on  the 
way,  as  if  he  staid  for  somebody ;  but  when  we  came  up  to  him,  he  rode 
along  with  us,  and  asked  us  many  questions.  At  length  meeting  with 
two,  who  seemed  to  be  pages  to  some  great  persons,  he  took  acquaint- 
ance with  them ;  and  I  heard  him  tell  them  he  would  stop  us,  and  take 
us  up.  We  rode  on ;  and  when  he  came  to  us,  and  would  have  stopped 
us,  I  told  him,  '  None  ought  to  stop  us  on  the  king's  highway,  for  it  was 
'  as  free  for  us  as  for  them ;'  and  I  was  moved  to  exhort  him  to  fear  the 
Lord.  Then  he  galloped  away  before  us ;  and  I  perceived  his  intent 
was  to  stop  us  at  Shipton  in  Wales,  a  garrison-town,  through  which  we 
were  to  pass.  When  we  were  come  to  Shipton,  John-ap-John  being 
with  me,  we  walked  down  the  hill  into  the  town,  leading  our  horses.  It 
being  market-day  there,  several  friends  met  us,  and  would  have  had  us 
to  an  inn.  But  we  were  not  to  go  into  any  inn,  so  we  walked  directly 
through  the  town  over  the  bridge,  and  then  were  out  of  the  limits  of  that 
town.  Thus  the  Lord's  everlasting  arm  and  power  preserved  us,  and 
carried  us  over  in  his  work  and  service. 

The  next  first-day  we  had  a  large  meeting  in  the  Forest  of  Dean ;  and 
all  was  quiet.  Next  day  we  passed  over  the  water  to  Oldstone ;  where 
after  we  had  visited  friends,  we  came  again  to  William  Yeomans's,  at 
Jubb's  Court  in  Somersetshire.  From  thence  we  went  to  a  meeting  at 
Posset,  whither  several  friends  of  Bristol  came  to  us.  After  which  we 
went  further  into  the  country,  and  had  several  large  meetings.  The 
Lord's  living  presence  was  with  us,  supporting  and  refreshing  us  in  our 
labour  and  travel  in  his  service. 

We  came  to  a  place  near  Minehead,  where  we  had  a  general  meeting 
of  the  men  friends  in  Somersetshire.  There  came  also  a  cheat,  whom 
some  friendly  people  would  have  had  me  to  have  taken  along  with  me. 
I  saw  he  was  a  cheat ;  therefore  bid  them  bring  him  to  me,  and  see 
whether  he  would  look  me  in  the  face.  Some  were  ready  to  think  I 
was  too  hard  towards  him,  because  I  would  not  let  him  go  along  with 
me ;  but  when  they  brought  him  to  me,  he  was  not  able  to  look  me  in 
the  face,  but  looked  hither  and  thither ;  for  he  was  indeed  a  cheat,  and 
had  cheated  a  priest ;  by  pretending  himself  to  be  a  minister,  he  had  got 
a  priest's  suit,  and  went  away  with  it. 

After  the  meeting  we  passed  to  Minehead,  where  we  tarried  that 
night.     In  the  night  I  had  an  exercise  upon  me,  from  a  sense  I  had  of  a 


UGS)  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  411 

dark  spirit  working  and  striving  to  get  up  to  disturb  the  church  of  Christ. 
Next  morning  I  was  moved  to  write  a  few  Unes  to  friends,  as  a  warning 
thereof,  as  follows : 

'  Dear  Friends, 
'  Live  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  God,  in  his  Seed  that  is  set  over  all, 
'  and  is  over  all  trials  that  you  may  have  from  the  dark  spirit,  which 
'  would  be  owned  in  its  actings,  and  thrust  itself  amongst  you ;  which  is 

*  not  come  as  yet:  but  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  God,  and  his  Seed, 
'  keep  over  it,  and  bring  it  to  condemnation.  For  I  felt  a  kind  of  dark 
'  spirit  thrusting  itself  up  towards  you,  and  heaving  up  last  night ;  but 
'  you  may  keep  it  down  with  the  power  of  God ;  that  the  witness  may 

*  arise  to  condemn  its  actings,  so  far  as  it  hath  spread  its  dark  works,  be- 

*  fore  it  have  any  admittance.     So  no  more,  but  my  love  in  the  Seed  of 

*  God,  which  changeth  not.  G.  F.' 

'  Minehead  in  Somersetshire,  the 
'  22d  of  the  4th  month,  1668.' 

The  next  day  several  friends  of  Minehead  accompanied  us  as  far  as 
Barnstable  and  Appledon  in  Devonshire,  where  we  had  a  meeting.  Barn- 
stable had  been  a  bloody  persecuting  town.  There  were  two  men  friends 
of  that  town,  who  had  been  a  great  while  at  sea ;  and  coming  home  to 
visit  their  relations,  one  of  them  having  a  wife  and  children,  the  mayor 
of  the  town  sent  for  them,  under  pretence  of  discourse  with  them ;  and 
put  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy  to  them.  Because  they  could 
not  swear,  he  sent  them  to  Exeter  gaol,  where  judge  Archer  premunired 
them,  and  kept  them  till  one  of  them  died  in  prison.  When  I  heard  of 
this,  I  was  moved  to  write  a  letter  to  judge  Archer,  and  another  to  that 
mayor  of  Barnstable,  laying  their  wicked  and  unchristian  actions  upon 
their  heads ;  and  letting  them  know,  that  the  '  blood  of  that  man  would 

*  be  required  at  their  hands.' 

After  a  precious  meeting  at  Appledon  among  some  faithful  friends 
there,  we  passed  to  Stratton,  and  staid  at  an  inn  all  night.  Next  day  we 
rode  to  Humphrey  Lower's,  where  we  had  a  very  precious  meeting ;  the 
next  day  to  Truro ;  so  visiting  friends  till  we  came  to  the  Land's  End. 
Then  coming  by  the  south  part  of  that  county,  we  visited  friends  till 
we  came  to  Tregangeeves,  where  at  Loveday  Hambley's  we  had  a  gen- 
eral meeting  for  all  the  county ;  in  which  the  monthly  meetings  were 
settled  in  the  Lord's  power,  and  in  the  blessed  order  of  the  gospel ;  that 
all  who  were  faithful  might  admonish  and  exhort  such  as  walked  not  ac- 
cording to  the  gospel ;  that  the  house  of  God  might  be  kept  clean,  right- 
eousness might  run  down,  and  all  unrighteousness  be  swept  away.  Sev- 
eral, who  had  run  out,  were  brought  to  condemn  what  they  had  done 
amiss ;  and  through  repentance  came  in  again. 

Being  clear  of  that  county,  we  came  into  Devonshire,  and  had  a 
meeting  amongst  friends  at  Plymouth.  Whence  passing  to  Richard 
Brown's,  we  came  to  the  widow  Philips's,  where  we  had  some  men  friends 
from  all  the  meetings  together ;  and  there  the  men's  monthly  meetings 
were  settled  in  the  heavenly  order  of  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God ; 
which  answered  the  witness  of  God  in  all  There  was  a  great  noise  of 
a  troop  of  horse  coming  to  disturb  our  meeting ;  but  the  Lord's  power 
prevented  it,  and  preserved  us  in  peace  and  safety. 

After  things  were  well  settled,  and  the  meeting  done,  we  came  to 
King's  Bridge,  and  visited  frieixds.     Then,  leaving  friends  in  those  parts 


412  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1669 

well  settled  in  the  power  of  God,  we  passed  to  Topsham  and  Membury, 
visiting  friends,  and  having  many  meetings  in  the  way,  till  we  came  to 
Ilchester  in  Somersetshire.  Here  we  had  a  general  men's  meeting,  and 
therein  settled  the  men's  monthly  meetings  for  that  county  in  the  Lord's 
everlasting  power,  the  order  of  the  gospel.  After  the  meetings  were  set- 
tled, and  friends  refreshed,  comforted  in  the  Lord's  power,  and  estab- 
lished upon  Christ,  their  rock  and  foundation,  we  passed  to  Puddimore ; 
where,  at  William  Beaton's,  we  had  a  blessed  meeting,  and  all  was  quiet : 
though  the  constables  had  threatened  before. 

When  we  had  visited  most  of  the  meetings  in  Somersetshire,  we  pass- 
ed into  Dorsetshire  to  George  Harris's,  where  we  had  a  large  men's 
meeting.  There  all  the  men's  monthly  meetings  for  that  county  were 
settled  in  the  glorious  order  of  the  gospel ;  that  all  in  the  power  of  God 
might  '  seek  that  which  was  lost,  bring  again  that  which  was  driven 

*  away ;  cherish  the  good,  and  reprove  the  evil.' 

Then  we  came  to  Southampton,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting  on  the 
first-day.  From  thence  we  went  to  Capt.  Reeves's,  where  the  general 
men's  meeting  for  Hampshire  was  appointed ;  to  which  some  from  all 
parts  of  the  county  came,  and  a  blessed  meeting  we  had.  The  men's 
monthly  meetings  for  that  county  were  settled  in  the  order  of  the  gos- 
pel, which  had  brought  life  and  immortahty  to  light  in  them. 

But  there  came  a  rude  company  of  Ranters,  who  had  opposed  and 
disturbed  our  meetings  much.  One  of  the  women  had  lain  with  a  man, 
who  had  declared  it  at  the  Market-cross,  and  gloried  in  his  wickedness 
A  company  of  these  lewd  people  lived  together,  at  a  house  hard  by  the 
place  of  our  meeting.  I  went  to  the  house,  and  told  them  of  their  wick- 
edness.    The  man  of  the  house  asked,  '  Why !  did  I  make  so  strange  of 

*  that  V  Another  of  them  said,  '  It  was  to  stumble  me.'  I  told  them, 
'  Their  wickedness  should  not  stumble  me ;  for  I  was  above  it.'  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  tell  them,  '  The  plagues  and  judgments  of  God 
'  would  overtake  them,  and  come  upon  them.'  Afterwards  they  went 
up  and  down  the  country,  till  at  last  they  were  cast  into  Winchester 
gaol ;  where  the  man  that  had  lain  with  the  woman  stabbed  the  gaoler, 
but  not  mortally.  After  they  were  let  out  of  gaol,  this  fellow  that  stabbed 
the  gaoler  hanged  himself.  The  woman  also  had  like  to  have  cut  a  child's 
throat,  as  we  were  informed.  These  people  had  formerly  lived  about 
London ;  and,  when  the  city  was  fired,  they  prophesied,  '  That  all  the 

*  rest  of  London  should  be  burnt  within  fourteen  days,'  and  hasted  out  of 
town.  Though  they  were  Ranters,  great  opposers  of  friends,  and  dis- 
turbers of  our  meetings,  yet  in  the  country,  where  they  came,  some  would 
be  apt  to  say  they  were  Quakers.  Wherefore  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord 
to  write  a  paper,  to  be  dispersed  amongst  the  magistrates  and  people 
of  Hampshire,  to  clear  friends  and  truth  of  them  and  their  wicked  ac- 
tions. 

After  the  men's  monthly  meetings  in  those  parts  were  settled,  and  the 
Lord's  blessed  power  was  over  all,  we  went  to  a  town,  where  we  had  a 
meeting  with  friends.  From  thence  we  came  to  Farnham,  where  we 
met  many  friends,  it  being  the  market-day.  We  had  precious  meetings 
up  and  down  that  country.  Friends  in  those  parts  had  formerly  been 
plundered,  and  their  goods  much  spoiled,  on  account  of  tythes,  and  for 
going  to  meetings ;  but  the  Lord's  power  at  this  time  preserved  both 
them  and  us  from  falling  into  the  persecutors'  hands. 

We  had  a  general  men's  meeting  at  a  friend's  house  in  Surry ;  who 


1«68]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  413 

had  been  plundered  so  extremely,  that  he  had  scarce  a  cow,  horse,  or 
swine  left.  The  constables  threatened  to  come  and  break  up  our  meet- 
ing ;  but  the  Lord  restrained  them.  At  this  meeting  the  men's  monthly 
meetings  were  settled  in  the  authority  of  the  heavenly  power.  After  we 
had  visited  friends  in  that  county,  and  had  many  large  and  precious 
meetings,  we  passed  to  a  friend's  house  in  Sussex,  where  the  general 
meeting  for  the  men  friends  of  that  county  was  appointed  to  be  held ; 
and  thither  came  several  from  London  to  visit  us.  We  had  a  blessed 
meeting ;  and  the  men's  monthly  meetings  for  that  county  were  then 
settled  in  the  Lord's  eternal  power,  the  gospel  of  salvation ;  that  all  in  it 
might  keep  to  the  order  of  the  gospel.  There  were  at  that  time  great 
threatenings  of  disturbance ;  but  the  meeting  was  quiet.  We  had  several 
large  meetings  in  that  county ;  though  friends  were  in  great  sufferings 
there,  and  many  in  prison.  I  was  sent  for  to  visit  a  friend  that  was  sick, 
and  went  to  see  friends  that  were  prisoners.  There  was  danger  of  my 
being  apprehended ;  but  I  went  in  the  faith  of  God's  power,  and  thereby 
the  Lord  preserved  me  in  safety. 

We  passed  into  Kent ;  where,  after  we  had  been  at  several  meetings, 
we  had  a  general  one  for  the  men  friends  of  that  county.  There  also 
the  men's  monthly  meetings  for  that  county  were  settled  in  the  power 
of  God,  and  established  in  the  order  of  the  gospel,  for  all  the  heirs  of  it 
to  enter  into  their  services  and  care  in  the  church  for  the  glory  of  God. 
Friends  rejoiced  in  the  order  of  the  gospel,  and  were  glad  of  the  settle- 
ment thereof. 

After  this  I  visited  the  meetings  in  Kent ;  and  when  I  had  cleared  my- 
self of  the  Lord's  service  in  that  county,  I  came  to  London.  Thus 
were  the  men's  monthly  meetings  settled  through  the  nation ;  for  I  had 
been  in  Berkshire  before,  where  most  of  the  ancient  friends  of  that  coun- 
ty were  in  prison ;  and  when  I  had  informed  them  of  the  service  of  these 
monthly  meetings,  they  were  settled  amongst  them  also.  The  quarterly 
meetings  were  generally  settled  before.  I  wrote  also  into  Ireland,  Scot- 
land, Holland,  Barbadoes,  and  several  parts  of  America,  advising  friends 
to  settle  their  men's  monthly  meetings  in  those  countries.  For  they  had 
their  general  quarterly  meetings  before ;  but  now  that  truth  was  increased 
amongst  them,  they  should  settle  monthly  meetings  in  the  power  and 
Spirit  of  God  which  first  convinced  them.  Since  these  meetings  have 
been  settled,  many  mouths  have  been  opened  in  thanksgivings  and  praise, 
and  many  have  blessed  the  Lord,  that  he  sent  me  forth  in  this  service ; 
yea,  with  tears  have  many  praised  him.  For  all  coming  to  have  a  con- 
cern and  care  for  God's  honour  and  glory,  that  his  name  be  not  blas- 
phemed, which  they  profess ;  and  to  see  that  all  who  profess  the  truth, 
walk  in  the  truth,  in  righteousness  and  holiness,  which  becomes  the  house 
of  God,  and  that  all  order  their  conversation  aright,  that  they  may  see 
the  salvation  of  God ;  all  having  this  care  upon  them  for  God's  glory,  and 
being  exercised  in  his  holy  power  and  Spirit,  in  the  order  of  the  heavenly 
life  and  gospel  of  Jesus,  they  may  all  see  and  know,  possess  and  partake 
of  the  government  of  Christ,  of  the  increase  of  which  there  is  to  be  no 
end.  Thus  the  Lord's  everlasting  renown  and  praise  is  set  up  in  every 
one's  heart  that  is  faithful ;  so  that  we  can  say  the  gospel  order  estab- 
lished amongst  us  is  not  of  man,  nor  by  man,  but  of  and  by  Jesus  Christ, 
in  and  through  the  Holy  Ghost.  This  order  of  the  gospel,  which  is  from 
Christ  the  heavenly  man,  is  above  all  the  orders  of  men  in  the  fall,  whether 
Jews,  Gentiles,  or  apostatized  Christians,  and  will  remain  when  they  are 


414  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1608 

gone.  For  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the  everlasting  gospel,  was  be- 
fore the  devil  was,  and  will  be  and  remain  for  ever.  And  as  the  ever- 
lasting gospel  was  preached  in  the  apostles'  days  to  all  nations,  that  all 
might  come  into  the  order  thereof,  through  the  divine  power,  which 
brings  life  and  immortality  to  light,  that  they  who  were  heirs  of  it,  might 
inherit  the  power  and  authority  of  it ;  so  now,  since  all  nations  have  drunk 
the  whore's  cup,  and  all  the  world  hath  worshipped  the  beast,  but  they, 
whose  names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  who  have  worshipped  God  in  spirit  and  truth,  as  Christ  command- 
ed, the  everlasting  gospel  is  to  be  and  is  preached  again,  as  John  the  di- 
vine foresaw  it  should,  to  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people.  This 
everlasting  gospel  torments  the  whore,  and  makes  her  and  the  beast  to 
rage,  even  the  beast  that  hath  power  over  the  tongues,  which  are  called 
the  original,  to  order  them,  by  which  they  make  divines,  as  they  call 
them.  But  all  that  receive  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which  brings 
life  and  immortality  to  light,  come  to  see  over  the  beast,  devil,  whore, 
and  false  prophet,  that  darkened  them  and  all  their  worships  and  orders, 
and  come  to  be  heirs  of  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which  was  before 
the  beast,  whore,  false  prophet,  and  devil  were,  and  will  be  when  they 
are  all  gone  and  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire.  And  they  that  are  heirs  of 
this  power  and  of  this  gospel  inherit  the  power  which  is  the  authority  of 
this  order,  and  of  our  meetings.  These  come  to  possess  the  joyful  order 
of  the  joyful  gospel,  the  comfortable  order  of  the  comfortable  gospel,  the 
glorious  order  of  the  glorious  gospel,  and  the  everlasting  order  of  the 
everlasting  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which  will  last  for  ever,  and  will 
outlast  all  the  orders  of  the  devil,  and  that  which  is  of  men  or  by  men. 
These  shall  see  the  government  of  Christ,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven 
and  earth  given  to  him ;  and  of  the  increase  of  his  glorious,  righteous, 
holy,  just  government  there  is  no  end ;  but  his  government  and  his  order 
will  remain :  for  he  who  is  the  author  of  it  is  the  first  and  the  last,  the 
beginning  and  ending,  the  foundation  of  God,  which  over  all  stands  sure, 
Christ  Jesus,  the  Amen. 

Being  returned  to  London,  I  staid  some  time,  visiting  friends'  meetings 
in  and  about  the  city.  While  I  was  in  London,  I  went  one  day  to  visit 
'squire  Marsh,  who  had  shewed  much  kindness  both  to  me  and  friends.  I 
happened  to  go  when  he  was  at  dinner.  He  no  sooner  heard  of  my  name, 
but  he  sent  for  me  up,  and  would  have  had  me  sit  down  with  him  to  din- 
ner ;  but  I  had  not  freedom  to  do  so.  Several  great  persons  were  at 
dinner  with  him ;  and  he  said  to  one  of  them  who  was  a  great  Papist, 

*  Here  is  a  Quaker,  which  you  have  not  seen  before.'  The  Papist  asked 
me,  '  Whether  I  did  own  the  christening  of  children  V  I  told  him,  '  There 
'  was  no  scripture  for  any  such  practice.'     '  What !'  said  he,  '  not  for 

*  christening  children !'     I  said,  '  Nay.'     I  told  him,  '  The  one  baptism 

*  by  the  one  spirit  into  one  body  we  owned ;  but  to  throw  a  little  water 

*  on  a  child's  face,  and  say,  that  was  baptizing  and  christening  it,  there 
'  was  no  scripture  for  that.'     He  asked  me,  '  Whether  I  did  own  the 

*  Catholic  faith  V  I  said,  '  Yes ;'  but  added,  '  That  neither  the  pope  nor 

*  the  papists  were  in  the  Catholic  faith ;  for  the  true  faith  works  by  love, 

*  and  purifies  the  heart ;  and  if  they  were  in  that  faith  that  gives  victory, 

*  by  which  they  might  have  access  to  God,  they  would  not  tell  the  peo- 

*  pie  of  a  purgatory  after  they  were  dead.  So  I  undertook  to  prove, 
**  That  neither  pope  nor  papists,  that  held  a  purgatory  hereafter,  were  in 
"  the  true  faith."     For  the  true,  precious,  divine  faith,  which  Christ  is 


1668]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  41^ 

'  the  author  of,  gives  victory  over  the  devil  and  sin,  that  separated  man 
'  and  woman  from  God.  And  if  they  (the  Papists)  w^ere  in  the  true  faith, 

*  they  would  never  use  racks,  prisons,  and  fines  to  persecute  and  force 
'  others  to  their  religion,  that  were  not  of  their  faith.  This  was  not  the 
'  practice  of  the  apostles  and  primitive  Christians,  who  witnessed  and 

*  enjoyed  the  true  faith  of  Christ ;  but  it  was  the  practice  of  the  faithless 

*  Jews  and  heathens  so  to  do.  But,'  said  I,  *  seeing  thou  art  a  great  lead- 

*  ing  man  among  the  Papists,  and  hast  been  taught  and  bred  up  under 
'  the  pope,  and  seeing  thou  sayest,  "  There  is  no  salvation  but  in  your 
"  church ;"  I  desire  to  know  of  thee,  "  What  it  is  that  doth  bring  salva- 
"  tion  in  your  church  1"  He  answered,  "  A  good  life."  '  And  nothing 
'  else  V  said  I.  '  Yes,'  said  he,  '  good  works !'  '  Is  this  it  that  brings  sal- 
'  vation  in  your  church,  a  good  life  and  good  works  1  Is  this  your  doc- 

*  trine  and  principle  V  said  1.  '  Yes,'  said  he.   '  Then,  said  I,  neither  thou, 

*  nor  the  pope,  nor  any  of  the  Papists  know  what  it  is  that  brings  salva- 

*  tion.'  He  asked  me,  '  What  brought  salvation  in  our  church  V  I  told 
him,  '  That  which  brought  salvation  to  the  church  in  the  apostles'  days, 

*  the  same  brought  salvation  to  us,  and  not  another ;  namely,  "  The  grace 
"  of  God,  which,"  the  scripture  says,  "  brings  salvation,  and  hath  ap- 
"  peared  to  all  men,"  which  taught  the  saints  then,  and  teaches  us  now. 
'  This  grace,  which  brings  salvation,  teaches,  "  To  deny  ungodliness  and 
"  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  godly,  righteously,  and  soberly."    So  it  is  not 

*  the  good  works,  nor  the  good  life  that  brings  salvation,  but  the  grace.' 

*  What !'  said  the  Papist,  '  doth  this  grace,  that  brings  salvation,  appear 

*  unto  all  men  V  '  Yes,'  said  I.  '  Then,'  said  he,  '  I  deny  that.'  I  replied, 
'  All  that  deny  that  are  sect-makers,  and  are  not  in  the  universal  faith, 
'  grace,  and  truth,  which  the  apostles  were  in.'     Then  he  spoke  to  me 

*  about  the  mother-church.  I  told  him.  The  several  sects  in  Christendom 
'  had  accused  us,  and  said,  "  We  forsook  our  mother-church."  The  Pa- 
'  pists  charged  us  with  forsaking  their  church,  saying,  "  Rome  was  the 
"  only  mother-church."  The  Episcopalians  taxed  us  with  forsaking  the 
'  old  Protestant  religion,  alleging,  "  Theirs  was  the  reformed  mother- 
"  church."     The  Presbyterians  and  Independents  blamed  us  for  leaving 

*  them,  each  of  them  pretending  "  Theirs  was  the  right-reformed  church." 
'  But  I  said,  if  we  could  own  any  outvs^ard  place  to  be  the  mother-church, 
'  we  should  own  Jerusalem,  where  the  gospel  was  first  preached  by  Christ 
'  himself  and  the  apostles,  where  Christ  suffered,  where  the  great  con- 
'  version  to  Christianity  by  Peter  was,  where  were  the  types,  figures,  and 

*  shadows,  which  Christ  ended,  and  where  Christ  commanded  his  "  dis- 
*'  ciples  to  wait  until  they  were  endued  with  power  from  on  high."  If 
'  any  outward  place  deserved  to  be  called  the  mother,  that  was  the  place 
'  where  the  first  great  conversion  to  Christianity  was.     But  the  apostle 

*  saith.  Gal.  iv.  2.5,  26,  "  Jerusalem,  which  now  is,  is  in  bondage  with  her 
"  children ;  but  Jerusalem,  which  is  above,  is  free,  which  is  the  mother 
"  of  us  all.  For  it  is  written.  Rejoice,  thou  barren,  that  bearest  not ; 
"  break  forth  and  cry,  thou  that  travailest  not ;  for  the  desolate  hath 
*'  many  more  children  than  she  that  hath  an  husband,"  ver.  27.     The 

*  apostle  doth  not  say,  outward  Jerusalem  was  the  mother,  though  the 

*  first  and  great  conversion  to  Christianity  was  there ;  and  there  is  less 

*  reason  for  the  title  [mother]  to  be  given  to  Rome,  or  to  any  other  out- 

*  ward  place  or  city,  by  the  children  of  Jerusalem,  that  is  above  and  free: 
'  neither  are  they  Jerusalem's  children  that  is  above  and  free,  who  give 

*  the  title  of  mother  either  to  outward  Jerusalem,  to  Rome,  or  to  any 


416  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1668 

*  Other  place  or  sect  of  people.    And  though  this  title  [mother]  hath  been 

*  given  to  places  and  sects  by  the  degenerate  Christians,  yet  we  say  still, 
'  as  the  apostle  said  of  old,  "  Jerusalem  that  is  above,  is  the  mother  of 
"  us  all."  We  can  own  no  other,  neither  outward  Jerusalem,  nor  Rome, 
'  nor  any  sect  of  people  for  our  mother,  but  Jerusalem  which  is  above ; 
'  which  is  free,  the  mother  of  all  that  are  born  again,  become  true  be- 
'  lie  vers  in  the  light,  and  are  grafted  into  Christ,  the  heavenly  vine.   For 

*  all  who  are  born  again  of  the  immortal  seed,  by  the  word  of  God  which 
'  lives  and  abides  for  ever,  feed  upon  the  milk  of  the  word,  the  breast  of 
'  life,  grow  by  it  in  life ;  and  cannot  acknowledge  any  other  to  be  their 
'  mother,  but  Jerusalem  which  is  above.'  '  Oh !'  said  'squire  Marsh  to 
the  Papist,  '  You  do  not  know  this  man.  If  he  would  but  come  to  church 
'  now  and  then,  he  would  be  a  brave  man.' 

After  some  other  discourse,  I  went  aside  with  justice  Marsh  to  an- 
other room,  to  speak  with  him  concerning  friends;  for  he  was  a  justice 
of  peace  for  Middlesex,  and  being  a  courtier,  the  other  justices  put  much 
of  the  management  of  affairs  upon  him.  He  told  me, '  He  was  in  a  strait 

*  how  to  act  between  us  and  some  other  Dissenters.  For,'  said  he,  '  you 
'  cannot  swear,  and  the  Independents,  Baptists,  and  Fifth-monarchy-peo- 

*  pie  say  also,  They  cannot  swear ;  therefore,'  said  he,  *  how  shall  I  dis- 

*  tinguish  betwixt  you  and  them,  seeing  they  and  you  all  say,  It  is  for 

*  conscience-sake  that  you  cannot  swear?  I  answered,  '  I  will  shew  thee 
'  how  to  distinguish.  They,  or  most  of  them,  thou  speakest  of,  can  and 
'  do  swear  in  some  cases,  but  we  cannot  swear  in  any  case.     If  a  man 

*  should  steal  their  cows  and  horses,  and  thou  shouldest  ask  them  whether 
'  they  would  swear  they  were  theirs  1  many  of  them  would  readily  do 
'  it ;  but  if  thou  try  our  friends,  they  cannot  swear  for  their  own  goods. 

*  Therefore,  when  thou  puttest  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  any  of  them, 

*  ask  them,  "  Whether  they  can  swear  in  any  other  case,  as  for  their 
"  cow  or  horse  ?"  Which,  if  they  be  really  of  us,  they  cannot  do,  though 

*  they  can  bear  witness  to  the  truth.'  I  gave  him  a  relation  of  a  trial  in 
Berkshire,  which  was  thus :  '  A  thief  stole  two  beasts  from  a  friend  of 
'  ours.  The  thief  was  taken  and  cast  into  prison,  and  the  friend  appeared 
'  against  him  at  the  assizes.     But  somebody  having  informed  the  judge, 

*  that  the  prosecutor  was  a  Quaker  and  could  not  swear,  the  judge,  be- 
'  fore  he  heard  the  friend,  said,  "  Is  he  a  Quaker  1  And  will  he  not  swear  ? 
"  Then  tender  him  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy."  So  he  cast 
'  the  friend  into  prison,  and  premunired  him,  and  set  the  thief  at  liberty.' 
Justice  Marsh  said,  '  That  judge  was  a  wicked  man.'  '  But,'  said  I,  '  If 
'  we  could  swear  in  any  case,  we  would  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 

*  the  king,  who  is  to  preserve  the  laws  that  are  to  support  every  man  in 

*  his  estate.    Whereas  others,  that  can  swear  in  some  cases,  to  preserve 

*  a  part  of  their  estates  if  they  be  robbed,  will  not  take  this  oath  to  the  king, 
'  who  is  to  preserve  them  in  their  whole  estates  and  bodies  also.  So  that 
'  thou  mayest  easily  distinguish  and  put  a  difference  betwixt  us  and  those 

*  people.'  Justice  Marsh  was  afterwards  very  serviceable  to  friends  in 
this  and  other  cases ;  for  he  kept  several,  both  friends  and  others,  from 
being  premunired :  and  when  friends  were  brought  before  him,  in  time 
of  persecution,  he  set  many  of  them  at  liberty.  When  he  could  not  avoid 
sending  to  prison,  he  sent  some  for  a  few  hours,  or  a  night.  At  length  he 
went  to  the  king,  and  told  him,  '  He  had  sent  some  of  us  to  prison  con- 

*  trary  to  his  conscience,  and  he  could  not  do  so  any  more.'  Therefore 
he  removed  his  family  from  Limehouse,  where  he  lived,  and  took  lodg- 


1669]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  417 

ings  near  James's  Park.  He  told  the  king,  '  If  he  would  be  pleased  to 
'  give  liberty  of  conscience,  that  would  quiet  and  settle  all ;  for  then  none 
'  could  have  any  pretence  to  be  uneasy.'  And  indeed  he  was  a  very  ser- 
viceable man  to  truth  and  friends  in  his  day. 

We  had  great  service  at  London  this  year ;  the  Lord's  truth  came 
over  all.  Many  who  had  gone  out  came  in  again  this  year,  confessing 
and  condemning  their  outgoings. 

After  I  had  staid  some  time  in  London,  I  visited  friends  in  Surry,  Sus- 
sex, and  other  places  that  way,  and  then  travelled  northward,  having 
Leonard  Fell  with  me.  We  visited  friends  till  we  came  to  Warwick, 
where  many  were  in  prison.  We  had  a  meeting  in  the  town.  I  passed 
from  thence  to  Birmingham  and  Badgely.  At  Badgely  I  had  a  large 
meeting.  After  which  I  passed  to  Nottingham,  where  on  the  first-day 
we  had  a  precious  meeting,  but  not  without  danger  of  being  apprehend- 
ed ;  the  constables  having  threatened  friends. 

I  passed  from  thence,  visiting  friends,  till  I  came  to  Balby,  and  so  to 
York  quarterly-meeting.  A  blessed  meeting  we  had.  Friends  had  in 
Yorkshire  seven  monthly  meetings  before,  and  they  were  so  sensible  of 
the  service  of  them,  that  they  desired  to  have  seven  more  added ;  for 
truth  was  much  spread  in  that  county.  Accordingly  in  that  quarterly 
meeting  they  were  settled :  so  now  they  have  fourteen  monthly  meetings. 

It  being  the  assize-time  at  York,  I  met  with  justice  Hotham,  a  well- 
wisher  to  friends,  who  had  been  tender  and  very  kind  to  me  from  the 
first. 

After  I  had  finished  my  service  in  York,  I  passed  into  the  country. 
As  I  went,  a  great  burden  fell  upon  me ;  but  I  did  not  presently  know 
the  reason  of  it.  I  came  to  a  meeting  on  first-day  at  Richard  Shipton's, 
which  was  very  large.  There  being  a  meeting  the  same  day  at  another 
place,  and  the  priest  of  that  place,  being  misinformed  that  I  was  to  be 
there,  got  a  warrant,  and  made  great  disturbance  at  that  meeting ;  of 
which  Isaac  Lindley  gave  me  an  account  by  the  following  letter : 

'  G.  F. 
*  When  thou  went'st  from  York,  the  first-day  after  thou  wast  at  Rich- 
'  ard  Shipton's,  that  day  I  had  appointed  a  meeting  ten  miles  from  York, 
'  where  there  had  not  been  a  meeting  before.     But  the  priest  and  the 

*  constable  got  a  warrant  on  the  seventh-day,  and  put  thy  name  only  in 
'  the  warrant ;  for  they  had  heard  thou  wast  to  be  there.  They  came 
'  with  weapons  and  staves,  and  cried,  "  Where  is  Mr.  Fox  ?"  over  and 
'  over ;  many  friends  being  there,  they  concluded  thou  wast  among  them. 
'  But  those  raveners,  being  disappointed,  plucked  me  down,  abused  me, 
'  beat  some  friends,  and  then  took  me  before  a  magistrate ;  but  he  set 

*  me  at  liberty. 

'  Isaac  Lindley.' 

I  then  visited  friends  at  Whitby  and  Scarborough.  When  I  was  at 
Scarborough,  the  governor,  hearing  I  was  come,  sent  to  invite  me  to  his 
house,  saying,  '  Surely,  I  would  not  be  so  unkind,  as  not  to  come  and  see 
'  him  and  his  wife.'  After  the  meeting  I  went  to  visit  him,  and  he  re- 
ceived me  very  courteously  and  lovingly. 

Having  visited  most  of  the  meetings  in  Yorkshire,  the  Woulds,  and 
Holderness,  I  carhe  to  Henry  Jackson's,  where  I  had  a  great  meeting. 
From  thence  to  Thomas  Taylor's,  and  to  John  Moor's  at  Eldreth,  where 
we  had  a  very  large  meeting :  the  Lord's  power  and  presence  was  emi- 

3  C 


418  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1669 

nently  amongst  us.    Not  far  from  this  place  lay  colonel  Kirby,  lame  of 
the  gout,  who  had  threatened,  '  If  ever  I  came  near,  he  would  send  me 

*  to  prison  again ;  and  had  bid  forty  pounds  to  any  man  that  could  take 

*  me,'  as  I  was  credibly  informed. 

After  this  I  came  into  Staffordshire  and  Cheshire,  where  we  had  many 
large  and  precious  meetings.  I  had  a  very  large  one  at  William  Barnes's, 
about  two  miles  from  Warrington ;  and  though  colonel  Kirby  was  now 
got  abroad  again,  as  violent  in  breaking  up  meetings  as  before,  and  was 
then  at  Warrington,  the  Lord  did  not  suffer  him  to  come  to  this  meet- 
ing :  so  we  were  preserved  out  of  his  hands. 

Now  was  I  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  over  into  Ireland,  to  visit  the 
seed  of  God  in  that  nation.  There  went  with  me  Robert  Lodge,  James 
Lancaster,  Thomas  Briggs,  and  John  Stubbs.  We  waited  near  Liver- 
pool for  shipping  and  wind.  After  we  had  waited  some  days,  we  sent 
James  Lancaster,  who  took  passage,  and  brought  word  the  ship  was 
ready,  and  would  take  us  in  at  Black-rock.  We  went  thither  on  foot. 
It  being  pretty  fair,  and  the  weather  very  hot,  I  was  much  spent  with 
walking.  When  we  arrived  the  ship  was  not  there,  so  we  were  obliged 
to  go  to  the  town  and  take  shipping.  When  we  were  got  on  board,  I 
said  to  the  rest  of  the  company,  '  Come,  ye  will  triumph  in  the  Lord ;  for 
'  we  shall  have  fair  wind  and  weather.'  There  were  many  passengers 
in  the  ship  sick,  but  not  one  of  our  company.  The  master  and  many  of 
the  passengers  were  very  loving ;  and  being  at  sea  on  a  first-day,  I  was 
moved  to  declare  truth  among  them :  whereupon  the  master  said  to  the 
passengers,  *  Come,  here  are  things  that  you  never  heard  in  your  lives.' 
When  we  came  before  Dublin,  we  took  boat,  and  went  ashore ;  and  the 
earth  and  air  smelt,  methought,  with  the  corruption  of  the  nation,  so  that 
it  yielded  another  smell  to  me  than  England  did ;  which  I  imputed  to  the 
popish  massacres  that  had  been  committed,  and  the  blood  that  had  been 
spilt  in  it,  from  which  a  foulness  ascended.  We  passed  through  among 
the  officers  of  the  customs  four  times,  yet  they  did  not  search  us ;  for 
they  perceived  what  we  were.  Some  of  them  were  so  envious,  they  did 
not  care  to  look  at  us.  We  did  not  presently  find  friends ;  but  went  to 
an  inn,  and  sent  to  inquire  for  some,  who  were  exceeding  glad  of  our 
coming,  and  received  us  with  great  joy.  We  staid  there  the  weekly 
meeting,  which  was  a  large  one,  and  the  power  and  life  of  God  appeared 
greatly  in  it.  Afterwards  we  passed  to  a  province-meeting,  which  lasted 
two  days,  there  being  both  a  men's  meeting  about  the  poor,  and  another 
more  general,  in  which  a  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  appeared.  Truth 
was  livingly  declared,  and  friends  were  much  refreshed  therein. 

Passing  from  thence  about  twenty-four  miles,  we  came  to  another 
place,  where  we  had  a  very  good  refreshing  meeting ;  after  which  some 
Papists  were  angry,  and  raged  very  much.  When  I  heard  of  it,  I  sent 
for  one  of  them,  a  schoolmaster ;  but  he  would  not  come.  Whereupon 
I  sent  a  challenge  to  him,  with  all  the  friars,  monks,  priests,  and  Jesuits, 
to  come  forth,  and  '  try  their  God  and  their  Christ,  which  they  made  of 
'  bread  and  wine ;'  but  no  answer  could  I  get  from  them.  Wherefore  I 
told  them,  *  They  were  worse  than  the  priests  of  Baal ;  for  Baal's  priests 

*  tried  their  wooden  god,  but  these  durst  not  try  their  god  of  bread  and 
'  wine ;  and  Baal's  priests  and  people  did  not  eat  their  god,  as  these  did, 

*  and  then  make  another.' 

We  went  on  to  New-garden,  where  was  a  great  meeting.  From 
thence  we  travelled  to  Bandon-bridge  and  the  Land's-end,  having  many 


1669]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  419 

meetings  as  we  went ;  in  which  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  was  man- 
ifested, friends  were  well  refreshed,  and  many  people  wei'e  affected  with 
the  truth.  At  Bandon,  the  mayor's  wife,  being  convinced,  desired  her 
husband  to  come  to  the  meeting ;  but  he  bid  her  for  her  life  she  should 
not  make  known  that  I  was  at  a  meeting  there. 

He  that  was  then  mayor  of  Cork,  being  very  envious  against  truth 
and  friends,  had  many  friends  in  prison ;  and  knowing  I  was  in  the  coun- 
try, he  sent  four  warrants  to  take  me ;  therefore  friends  were  desirous 
that  I  might  not  ride  through  Cork.  But  being  at  Bandon,  there  appear- 
ed to  me  in  a  vision,  '  A  very  ugly-visaged  man,  of  a  black  and  dark 

*  look.  My  spirit  struck  at  him  in  the  power  of  God,  and  it  seemed  to 
'  me  that  I  rode  over  him  with  my  horse,  and  my  horse  set  his  foot  on 

*  the  side  of  his  face.'  When  I  came  down  in  the  morning,  I  told  a 
friend,  the  command  of  the  Lord  was  to  me  to  ride  through  Cork ;  but 
bid  him  tell  no  man.  So  we  took  horse,  many  friends  being  with  me. 
When  we  came  near  the  town,  friends  would  have  shewed  me  a  way  on 
the  backside  of  it;  but  I  told  them,  my  way  was  through  the  streets. 
Taking  Paul  Morrice  to  guide  me  through  the  town,  I  rode  on ;  and  as 
we  rode  through  the  market-place,  and  by  the  mayor's  door,  he,  seeing 
me,  said, '  There  goes  George  Fox ;'  but  he  had  not  power  to  stop  me. 
When  we  had  passed  through  the  sentinels,  and  were  come  over  the 
bridge,  we  went  to  a  friend's  house,  and  alighted.  There  the  friends  told 
me,  what  a  rage  was  in  the  town,  and  how  many  warrants  were  grant- 
ed to  take  me.  While  I  was  sitting  there  with  friends,  I  felt  the  evil 
spirit  at  work  in  the  town,  stirring  up  mischief  against  me ;  and  I  felt  the 
power  of  the  liOrd  strike  at  that  evil  spirit.  By-and-by  some  other 
friends  coming  in,  told  me,  '  It  was  over  the  tov^^n,  and  amongst  the  ma- 
'  gistrates,  that  I  was  in  the  town.'  I  said,  '  Let  the  devil  do  his  worst.' 
After  awhile  that  friends  were  refreshed  one  in  another,  and  we  travel- 
lers had  refreshed  ourselves,  I  called  for  my  horse,  and  having  a  friend 
to  guide  me,  we  went  on  our  way.  But  great  was  the  rage  that  the 
mayor  and  others  of  Cork  were  in,  that  they  had  missed  me,  and  great 
pains  they  afterwards  took  to  have  taken  me,  having  their  scouts  abroad 
upon  the  roads,  as  I  understood,  to  observe  which  way  I  went.  After- 
wards, scarce  a  public  meeting  I  came  to,  but  spies  came  to  watch  if  I 
was  there.  And  the  envious  magistrates  and  priests  sent  informations 
one  to  another  concerning  me,  describing  me  by  my  hair,  hat,  clothes, 
and  horse ;  so  that  when  I  was  near  an  hundred  miles  from  Cork  they 
had  an  account  concerning  me,  and  description  of  me,  before  I  came 
amongst  them.  One  very  envious  magistrate,  who  was  both  a  priest 
and  a  justice,  got  a  warrant  from  the  judge  of  assize  to  apprehend  me ; 
the  warrant  was  to  go  over  all  his  circuit,  which  reached  near  an  hun- 
dred miles.  Yet  the  Lord  disappointed  all  their  councils,  defeated  all 
their  designs  against  me,  and  by  his  good  hand  of  Providence  preserved 
me  out  of  all  their  snares,  and  gave  us  many  sweet  and  blessed  oppor- 
tunities to  visit  friends,  and  spread  truth  through  that  nation.  For 
meetings  were  very  large,  friends  coming  to  them  far  and  near ;  and 
other  people  flocking  in.  The  powerful  presence  of  the  Lord  was  pre- 
ciously felt  with  and  amongst  us ;  whereby  many  of  the  world  were 
reached,  convinced,  gathered  to  the  truth,  and  the  Lord's  flock  was  in- 
creased ;  and  friends  were  greatly  refreshed  and  comforted  in  feeling  the 
love  of  God.  Oh !  the  brokenness  that  was  amongst  them  in  the  Row- 
ings of  life !     So  that,  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  many  to- 


420  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1669 

gether  broke  out  into  singing,  even  with  audible  voices,  making  melody 
in  their  hearts. 

At  which  time  I  was  moved  to  declare  to  friends  there  in  the  ministry, 
as  tblloweth: 

'  Sound,  sound  abroad,  you  faithful  servants  of  the  Lord,  witnesses  in 
his  name,  faithful  servants,  prophets  of  the  Highest,  and  angels  of  the 
Lord !  Sound  ye  all  abroad  in  the  world,  to  the  awakening  and  rais- 
ing of  the  dead,  that  they  may  be  awakened  and  raised  up  out  of  the 
grave,  to  hear  the  voice  that  is  hving.  For  the  dead  have  long  heard 
the  dead,  the  blind  have  long  wandered  among  the  blind,  and  the  deaf 
amongst  the  deaf.  Therefore  sound,  ye  servants,  prophets,  and  angels 
of  the  Lord,  ye  trumpets  of  the  Lord,  that  you  may  awaken  the  dead, 
awaken  them  that  are  asleep  in  their  graves  of  sin,  death,  and  hell,  sea 
and  earth,  and  who  lie  in  the  tombs.  Sound  abroad,  ye  trumpets,  and 
raise  up  the  dead,  that  they  may  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God,  the 
voice  of  the  Second  Adam  that  never  fell,  the  voice  of  the  Light,  the 
voice  of  the  Life,  the  voice  of  the  Power,  the  voice  of  the  Truth,  the 
voice  of  the'  Righteous,  and  the  voice  of  the  Just.  Sound  ye  the  trum- 
pets, the  melodious  sound  abroad,  that  all  the  deaf  ears  may  be  opened 
to  hear  the  pleasant  sound  of  the  trumpet  to  judgment  and  life,  to  con- 
demnation and  light.  Sound  your  trumpets  all  abroad,  you  angels  of 
the  Lord,  sons  and  daughters,  prophets  of  the  Highest,  that  all  that 
are  dead  and  asleep  in  the  graves,  who  have  been  long  dreaming  and 
slumbering,  may  be  awakened  and  hear  the  voice  of  the  Lamb,  who 
have  long  heard  the  voice  of  the  beast,  that  now  they  may  hear  the 
voice  of  the  Bridegroom,  the  voice  of  the  Bride,  the  voice  of  the 
Great  Prophet,  the  voice  of  the  Great  King,  the  voice  of  the  Great 
Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  their  souls.  Sound  it  all  abroad,  ye  trumpets, 
among  the  dead  in  Adam ;  for  Christ  is  come,  the  second  Adam,  that 
they  might  have  life,  yea  have  it  abundantly.  Awaken  the  dead, 
awaken  the  slumberers,  awaken  the  dreamers,  awaken  them  that  are 
asleep,  awaken  them  out  of  their  graves,  out  of  their  tombs,  out  of 
their  sepulchres,  out  of  the  seas !  Sound  abroad,  ye  trumpets,  that 
awaken  the  dead,  that  they  may  all  hear  the  sound  of  it  in  the  graves, 
and  they  that  hear  may  live  and  come  to  the  Life,  that  is,  the  Son  of 
God.  He  is  risen  from  the  dead,  the  grave  could  not  hold  nor  contain 
him,  neither  could  all  the  watchers  of  the  earth,  with  all  their  guards, 
keep  him  therein.  Sound,  ye  trumpets  of  the  Lord,  to  all  the  seekers 
of  the  living  among  the  dead,  that  he  is  risen  from  the  dead ;  to  all  the 
seekers  of  the  living  among  the  dead,  and  in  the  graves  that  the  watch- 
ers keep ;  he  is  not  in  the  grave,  he  is  risen ;  and  there  is  that  under  the 
grave  of  the  watchers  of  the  outward  grave,  which  must  be  awakened 
and  come  to  hear  his  voice,  who  is  risen  from  the  dead,  that  they 
might  come  to  live.  Therefore  sound  abroad,  you  trumpets  of  the 
Lord,  that  the  grave  might  give  up  her  dead,  and  hell  and  the  sea 
might  give  up  their  dead  ;  and  all  might  come  forth  to  judgment,  to  the 
judgment  of  the  Lord  before  his  throne,  and  have  their  sentence  and 
reward  according  to  their  works. 

'  Away  with  all  the  chaff  and  the  husks,  and  contentions  and  strife, 
that  the  swine  feed  upon  in  the  mire,  and  in  the  fall ;  and  the  keepers 
of  them  of  Adam  and  Eve's  house  in  the  fall ;  that  lies  in  the  mire, 
out  of  light  and  life.  G.  F.' 


J669]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  421 

To  James  Hutchinson's  in  Ireland  came  many  great  persons,  desiring 
to  discourse  with  me  about  Election  and  Reprobation.  I  told  them, 
'  Though  they  judged  our  principle  foolish,  it  was  too  high  for  them, 

*  they  could  not  with  their  wisdom  comprehend  it ;  therefore  I  would 

*  discourse  with  them  according  to  their  capacities.     You  say,'  said  I, 

*  that  God  hath  ordained  the  greatest  part  of  men  for  hell,  and  that  they 

*  were  ordained  so  before  the  world  began ;  for  which  your  proof  is  in 
*Jude.     You  say,  Esau  was  reprobated,  and  the  Egyptians,  and  the 

*  stock  of  Ham.  But  Christ  saith  to  his  disciples,  "  Go,  teach  all  nations ;" 

*  and,  "  Go  into  all  nations,  and  preach  the  gospel  of  life  and  salvation." 

*  If  they  were  to  go  to  all  nations,  were  they  not  to  go  to  Ham's  stock, 

*  and  Esau's  stock  ?  Did  not  Christ  die  for  all  ?  Then  for  the  stock  of 
•*  Ham,  of  Esau,  and  the  Egyptians.  Doth  not  the  scripture  say,  "  God 
''  would  have  all  men  to  be  saved  ?"  Mark,  "  All  men ;"  then  the  stock  of 
'  Esau,  and  of  Ham  also.     Doth  not  God  say,  "  Egypt  my  people '?"  and 

*  that  he  would  have  an  altar  in  Egypt  1  Isa.  xix.    Were  there  not  many 

*  Christians  formerly  in  Egypt  ?     And  doth  not  history  say,  that  the 

*  bishop  of  Alexandria  would  formerly  have  been  pope  '?     And  had  not 

*  God  a  church  in  Babylon  ?  I  confess,  "  The  word  came  to  Jacob,  and 
"  the  statutes  to  Israel ;  the  like  was  not  to  other  nations."     For  the  law 

*  of  God  was  given  to  Israel ;  but  the  gospel  was  to  be  preached  to  all 
'  nations,  and  is  to  be  preached.     The  gospel  of  peace  and  glad-tidings 

*  to  all  nations.  "  He  that  believes  is  saved,  but  he  that  doth  not  believe 
"  is  condemned  already ;"  so  the  condemnation  comes  through  unbelief. 
'  And  whereas  Jude  speaks  of  some  that  were  of  old  ordained  (or  writ- 

*  ten  of  before)  to  condemnation,  he  doth  not  say,  before  the  world  be- 

*  gan  ;  but,  "  written  of  old ;"  which  may  be  referred  to  Moses's  writings, 
^  who  wrote  of  those  whom  Jude  mentions,  namely  Cain,  Corah,  Balaam, 

*  and  the  angels  that  kept  not  their  first  estate ;  and  such  Christians  as 

*  followed  them  in  their  way,  and  apostatized  from  the  first  state  of 

*  Christianity,  were  and  are  ordained  for  condemnation  by  the  light  and 
'  truth,  which  they  are  gone  from.  And  though  the  apostle  speaks  of 
'  God's  loving  Jacob  and  hating  Esau,  yet  he  tells  the  believers,  "  We 
"  all  were  by  nature  children  of  wrath,  as  well  as  others."     This  in- 

*  eludes  the  stock  of  Jacob,  of  which  the  apostle  himself  and  all  believ- 

*  ing  Jews  were.     Thus  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  were  all  concluded  un- 

*  der  sin,  and  so  under  condemnation,  that  God  might  have  mercy  upon 

*  all  through  Jesus  Christ.  The  election  and  choice  stands  in  Christ : 
*'  gtnd  he  that  believes  is  saved,  and  he  that  believes  not  is  condemned 
"  already."     Jacob  typifies  the    second   birth,  which  God  loved ;    and 

*  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  must  be  born  again,  before  they  can  enter  the 
'  kingdom  of  God.     When  you  are  born  again,  ye  will  know  election 

*  and  reprobation;  for  the  election  stands  in  "Christ,  the  seed,  before  the 

*  world  began;  but  the  reprobation  lies  in  the  evil  seed  since  the  world 
«  began.'  After  this  manner,  but  somewhat  more  largely,  I  discoursed 
with  those  great  persons  about  this  matter,  and  they  confessed  they  had 
never  heard  so  much  before. 

After  I  had  travelled  over  Ireland,  and  visited  friends  in  their  meet- 
ings, as  well  for  business  as  worship,  and  answered  several  papers  and 
writings  from  monks,  friars,  and  Protestant  priests  (for  they  all  were  in 
a  rage  against  us,  and  endeavoured  to  stop  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and 
some  Jesuits  swore  in  some  of  our  hearing,  that  we  came  to  spread  our 
principles  in  that  nation,  but  we  should  not  do  it)  I  returned  to  Dublin, 


423  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  p66f 

in  order  to  take  passage  for  England.  When  I  had  staid  the  first-day's 
meeting  there,  which  was  very  large  and  precious,  there  being  a  ship 
ready,  and  the  wind  serving,  we  took  our  leave  of  friends ;  parting  in 
much  tenderness  and  brokenness,  in  the  sense  of  the  heavenly  life  and 
power,  manifested  amongst  us.  Having  put  our  horses  and  necessaries 
on  board  in  the  morning,  we  went  ourselves  in  the  afternoon,  many 
friends  accompanying  us  to  the  ship ;  and  divers  friends  and  friendly 
people  followed  us  in  boats,  when  we  were  near  a  league  at  sea,  their 
love  drawing  them,  though  not  without  dangei'.  A  good,  weighty,  and 
true  people  there  is  in  that  nation,  sensible  of  the  power  of  the  Lord 
God,  tender  of  his  tnath,  and  very  good  order  they  have  in  their  meet- 
ings ;  for  they  stand  up  for  righteousness  and  holiness,  which  dams  up 
the  way  of  wickedness.  A  precious  visitation  they  had,  and  there  is  an 
excellent  spirit  in  them,  worthy  to  be  visited.  Many  things  more  I  could 
write  of  that  nation,  and  of  my  travels  in  it,  which  would  be  large  to  men- 
tion particularly;  but  thus  much  I  thought  good  to  signify,  that  the 
righteous  may  rejoice  in  the  prosperity  of  truth. 

James  Lancaster,  Robert  Lodge,  and  Thomas  Briggs  came  back 
with  me ;  John  Stubbs,  having  further  service  there,  staid  behind.  We 
were  two  nights  at  sea ;  in  one  of  which  a  mighty  storm  arose  that  put 
the  vessel  in  great  danger ;  but  I  saw  the  power  of  God  went  over  the 
winds  and  storms,  he  had  them  in  his  hand,  and  his  power  bound  them. 
And  the  same  power  of  the  Lord  God,  which  carried  us  over,  brought 
us  back  again ;  and  in  his  life  gave  us  dominion  over  all  the  evil  spirits 
that  opposed  us  there. 

We  landed  at  Liverpool,  and  went  to  Richard  Johnson's,  William 
Barnes's,  and  to  WilHam  Gaudy's,  visiting  friends,  and  having  many 
precious  meetings  in  Lancashire  and  Cheshire.  We  came  into  Glouces- 
tershire, and  met  with  a  report  at  Nailsworth,  which  was  spread  in  that 
country,  '  That  George  Fox  was  turned  Presbyterian,  that  a  pulpit  was 
'  prepared  for  him  and  set  in  a  yard,  and  that  there  would  be  a  thousand 

*  people  there  the  next  day  to  hear  him,'  I  thought  it  strange  that  such 
a  report  should  be  raised  of  me ;  yet  as  we  went  further  from  one 
friend's  house  to  another,  we  met  with  the  same.  We  passed  by  the 
yard  where  the  pulpit  was,  and  saw  it,  and  went  to  the  place  where 
friends'  meeting  was  to  be  next  day,  where  we  staid  that  night.  Next 
day,  being  the  first-day,  we  had  a  very  large  meeting,  and  the  Lord's 
power  and  presence  was  amongst  us. 

The  occasion  of  this  strange  report,  as  I  was  informed,  was  tiiis. 
There  was  one  John  Fox,  a  Presbyterian  priest,  who  used  to  go  about 
preaching;  and  some,  changing  his  name  from  John  to  George,  gave  out 
that  George  Fox  was  turned  from  a  Quaker  to  be  a  Presbyterian,  and 
would  preach  at  such  a  place  such  a  day.  This  begat  such  curiosity  in 
the  people,  that  they  went  thither  to  hear  this  Quaker  turned  Presbyte- 
rian, who  would  not  have  gone  to  have  heard  John  Fox  himself  By 
this  means  it  was  reported  they  had  got  together  above  a  thousand  peo- 
ple. But  when  they  came  there,  and  perceived  they  had  a  trick  put 
upon  them,  that  he  was  but  a  counterfeit  George  Fox,  and  understood 
that  the  real  George  Fox  was  hard  by,  several  liundreds  came  to  our 
meeting,  and  were  sober  and  attentive.     '  I  directed  them  to  the  grace 

*  of  God  in  themselves,  which  would  teach  them,  and  bring  them  salva- 
'  tion.'     When  the  meeting  was  over,  some  of  the  people  said,  '  They 

*  liked  George  Fox  the  Quaker's  preaching  better  than  George  Fox  the 


1669]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  423 

♦  Presbyterian's.'  Thus,  by  my  providential  coming  into  those  parts  at 
that  time,  this  false  report  was  discovered,  and  shame  came  over  the 
contrivers  of  it. 

Not  long  after  this  John  Fox  vv^as  complained  of  in  the  house  of  com- 
mons, for  'having  a  tumultuous  meeting,  in  vi^hich  treasonable  words 
'  were  spoken ;'  which,  according  to  the  best  information  I  could  get, 
was  thus.  John  Fox  had  formerly  been  priest  of  Mansfield  in  Wiltshire ; 
and,  being  put  out  of  that  place,  was  afterwards  permitted  by  a  Com- 
mon-prayer priest  to  preach  sometimes  in  his  steeple-house.  At  length 
this  Presbyterian  priest,  presuming  too  far  upon  the  parish  priest's  for- 
mer grant,  began  to  be  more  bold  than  welcome,  and  attempted  to 
preach  there  whether  the  parish  priest  would  or  no.  This  caused  a 
great  bustle  and  contest  in  the  steeple-house  between  the  two  priests, 
and  their  hearers  on  either  side ;  in  which  contest  the  Common-prayer- 
book  was  cut  to  pieces,  and  some  treasonable  words  spoken  by  some  of 
the  followers  of  John  Fox.  This  was  quickly  put  in  the  news,  and 
some  malicious  Presbyterians  caused  it  to  be  so  worded  as  if  it  had  pro- 
ceeded from  George  Fox  the  Quaker,  though  I  was  above  two  hundred 
miles  from  the  place  when  this  bustle  happened.  When  I  heard  of  it, 
I  soon  procured  certificates  from  some  of  the  members  of  the  house  of 
commons,  who  knew  this  man,  and  gave  it  under  their  hands,  that  it 
was  J.  Fox,  who  had  formerly  been  parson  of  Mansfield  in  Wiltshire, 
that  was  complained  of  to  the  house  of  commons,  to  be  the  chief  ring- 
leader in  that  unlawful  assembly. 

And  indeed  this  John  Fox  discovered  himself  to  be  an  ill  man  ;  for 
some  who  had  been  his  followers  came  to  be  convinced  of  truth,  and 
thereupon  left  him ;  upon  which  he  came  to  some  of  their  houses  to  talk 
with  them ;  and  they  telling  him,  •  He  was  in  the  steps  of  the  false 
'  prophets,  preaching  for  hire  and  filthy  lucre,  like  those  whom  Christ 
'  cried  wo  against,  and  the  apostles  declared  against,  such  as  served  not 

•  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  but  their  own  bellies,  and  telling  him,  Christ  said, 
'  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give,  and  therefore  he  should  not  take 
'  money  of  people  for  preaching,  especially  now  times  were  so  hard  ;' 
he  replied,  '  God  bless  preaching,  that  brings  in  money,  let  times  go  how 
'  they  will.    Fill  my  belly  with  good  victuals ;  then  call  me  false  prophet, 

*  or  what  you  will,  and  kick  me  about  the  house  when  ye  have  done,  if 
'  ye  will.'  This  relation  I  had  from  a  man  and  his  wife,  who  had  been 
formerly  his  hearers,  and  whom  John  Fox,  with  others,  caused  deeply 
to  suffer.  For  he,  and  some  other  Presbyterian  priests,  resorting  to  a 
widow  woman's  who  had  the  impropriation,  and  took  the  tythes  of  the 
parish,  she  told  them,  '  There  was  a  Quaker  in  that  parish  that  would 
'  not  pay  her  tythes ;'  and  asked,  what  she  should  do  with  him.  They 
advised  her,  '  To  send  workmen  to  cut  down  and  carry  away  his  corn :' 
which  she  did,  and  thereby  impoverished  the  man.    But  to  proceed. 

After  this  meeting  in  Gloucestershire,  we  travelled  till  we  came  to 
Bristol ;  where  I  met  with  Margaret  Fell,  who  was  come  to  visit  her 
daughter  Yeomans.  I  had  seen  from  the  Lord  a  considerable  time  be- 
fore, that  I  should  take  Margaret  Fell  to  be  my  wife ;  and  when  I  first 
mentioned  it  to  her,  she  felt  the  answer  of  Life  from  God  thereunto.  But 
though  the  Lord  had  opened  this  thing  to  me,  yet  I  had  not  received  a 
command  from  him  for  the  accomplishing  of  it  then.  Wherefore  I  let 
the  thing  rest,  and  went  on  in  the  work  and  service  of  the  Lord,  accord- 
ing as  he  led  me ;  travelhng  in  this  nation,  and  through  Ireland.     But 


424  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1669 

now  being  at  Bristol,  and  finding  Margaret  Fell  there,  it  opened  in  me 
from  the  Lord  that  the  thing  should  be  accomplished.  After  we  had  dis- 
coursed the  matter  together,  I  told  her,  '  If  she  also  was  satisfied  with 

*  the  accomplishing  of  it  now,  she  should  first  send  for  her  children :' 
which  she  did.  When  the  rest  of  her  daughters  were  come,  I  asked  both 
them  and  her  sons-in-law,  *  If  they  had  any  thing  against  it,  or  for  it  V 
and  they  all  severally  expressed  their  satisfaction  therewith.  Then  I 
asked  Margaret, '  If  she  had  fulfilled  her  husband's  will  to  her  children  V 
She  replied,  '  The  children  knew  she  had.'    Whereupon  I  asked  them, 

*  Whether,  if  their  mother  married,  they  should  not  lose  by  it  V  I  asked 
Margaret,  '  Whether  she  had  done  any  thing  in  lieu  of  it,  which  might 

*  answer  it  to  the  children?     The  children  said,  '  She  had  answered  it 

*  to  them,  and  desired  me  to  speak  no  more  of  it.'     I  told  them,  '  I  was 

*  plain,  and  would  have  all  things  done  plainly :  for  I  sought  not  any  out- 
'  ward  advantage  to  myseli.'  So  our  intention  of  marriage  was  laid  be- 
fore friends  both  privately  and  publickly,  to  their  full  satisfaction,  many 
of  whom  gave  testimony  that  it  was  of  God.  Afterwards,  a  meeting 
being  appointed  on  purpose  for  the  accomplishing  thereof,  in  the  publick 
meeting-house  at  Broad  Mead  in  Bristol,  we  took  each  other  in  mar- 
riage ;  the  Lord  joining  us  together  in  the  honourable  marriage,  in  the 
everlasting  covenant  and  immortal  Seed  of  life.  In  the  sense  whereof, 
living  and  weighty  testimonies  were  borne  thereunto  by  friends  in  the 
movings  of  the  heavenly  power,  which  united  us  together.  Then  was  a 
certificate,  relating  both  the  proceedings  and  the  marriage,  openly  read, 
and  signed  by  the  relations,  and  by  most  of  the  ancient  friends  of  that 
city;  besides  many  others  from  divers  parts  of  the  nation. 

We  staid  about  a  week  in  Bristol,  and  then  went  together  to  Old- 
stone  :  where,  taking  leave  of  each  other  in  the  Lord,  we  parted,  betak- 
ing ourselves  each  to  our  several  service ;  Margaret  returning  home- 
wards to  the  north,  and  I  passing  on  in  tl»e  work  of  the  Lord  as  before. 
I  travelled  through  Wiltshire,  Berkshire,  Oxfordshire,  Buckinghamshire, 
and  so  to  London,  visiting  friends :  in  all  which  counties  I  had  many 
large  and  precious  meetings. 

Being  in  London,  it  came  upon  me  to  write  to  friends  throughout  the 
nation,  about  '  putting  out  poor  children  to  trades.'  Wherefore  I  sent 
the  following  epistle  to  the  quarterly  meetings  of  friends  in  all  the  coun- 
ties. 

'  My  dear  Friends, 

'  Let  every  quarterly  meeting  make  inquiry  through  all  the  monthly 
'  and  other  meetings,  to  know  all  friends  that  are  widows,  or  others,  that 
'  have  children  fit  to  put  out  to  apprenticeships ;  so  that  once  a  quarter 

*  you  may  set  forth  an  apprentice  from  your  quarterly  meeting ;  so  you 
'  may  set  forth  four  in  a  year,  in  each  county,  or  more,  if  there  be  occa- 

*  sion.     This  apprentice,  when  out  of  his  time,  may  help  his  father  or 

*  mother,  and  support  the  family  that  is  decayed ;  and,  in  so  doing,  all 
'  may  come  to  live  comfortably.  This  being  done  in  your  quarterly 
'  meetings,  ye  will  have  knowledge  through  the  county,  in  the  monthly 
'  and  particular  meetings,  of  masters  fit  for  them ;  and  of  such  trades  as 
'  their  parents  or  you  desire,  or  the  children  are  most  inclinable  to.  Thus 
'  being  placed  out  to  friends,  they  may  be  trained  up  in  truth ;  and  by 
'  this  means  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  you  may  preserve  friends'  children 
'  in  the  truth,  and  enable  them  to  be  a  strength  and  help  to  their  families, 
'  and  nursers  and  preservers  of  their  relations  in  their  ancient  days. 


K69]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  425 

'  Thus  also,  things  being  ordered  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  you  will  take 

*  off  a  continual  maintenance,  and  free  yourselves  from  much  cumber. 
'  For  in  the  country,  ye  know,  ye  may  set  forth  an  apprentice  for  a  lit- 
'  tie  to  several  trades,  as  bricklayers,  masons,  carpenters,  wheelwrights, 
'  ploughwrights,  taylors,  tanners,  curriers,  blacksmiths,  shoemakers,  nail- 
'  ers,  butchers,  weavers  of  Unen  and  woollen,  stuffs  and  serges,  &c.    And 

*  you  may  do  well  to  have  a  stock  in  your  quarterly  meetings  for  that 
'  purpose.     All  that  is  given  by  any  friends  at  their  decease,  except  it 

*  be  given  to  some  particular  use,  person,  or  meeting,  may  be  brought 

*  to  the  publick  stock  for  that  purpose.  This  will  be  a  way  for  the  pre- 
'  serving  of  many  that  are  poor  among  you ;  and  it  will  be  a  way  of 
'  making  up  poor  families.  In  several  counties  it  is  practised  already. 
'  Some  quarterly  meetings  set  forth  two  apprentices ;  and  sometimes  the 
'  children  of  others  that  are  laid  on  the  parish.  You  may  bind  them  for 
'  fewer  or  more  years,  according  to  their  capacities.  In  all  things  the 
'  wisdom  of  God  will  teach  you ;  by  which  ye  may  help  the  children  of 
'  poor  friends,  that  they  may  come  to  support  their  families,  and  pre- 
^  serve  them  in  the  fear  of  God.     So  no  more,  but  my  love  in  the  ever- 

*  lasting  Seed,  by  which  ye  will  have  wisdom  to  order  all  things  to  the 
'  glory  of  God.  G.  F.' 

*  London,  the  first  of  the 
'11th  month,  1669.' 

I  staid  not  long  in  London ;  but  having  visited  friends,  and  finding 
things  there  quiet  and  well,  the  Lord's  power  being  over  all,  I  passed 
into  Essex  and  Hertfordshire,  where  I  had  many  precious  meetings.  In- 
tending to  go  as  far  as  Leicestershire,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  my  wife,  to 
acquaint  her  therewith ;  that,  if  she  found  it  convenient,  she  might  meet 
me  there.  From  Hertfordshire  I  turned  into  Cambridgeshire ;  thence 
into  Huntingdonshire,  and  so  into  Leicestershire;  where,  instead  of 
meeting  my  wife,  I  heard  she  was  haled  out  of  her  house  to  Lancaster 
prison,  by  an  order  got  from  the  king  and  council,  to  fetch  her  back  to 
prison  upon  the  old  premunire ;  though  she  had  been  discharged  from 
that  imprisonment  by  an  order  from  the  king  and  council  the  year  be- 
fore. Wherefore,  having  visited  friends  as  far  as  Leicestershire,  I  re- 
turned by  Derbyshire  and  Warwickshire  to  London ;  having  had  many 
large  and  blessed  meetings  in  the  several  counties  I  passed  through,  and 
been  sweetly  refreshed  amongst  friends  in  my  travels. 

As  soon  as  I  was  got  to  London,  I  hastened  Mary  Lower  and  Sarah 
Fell  (two  of  my  wife's  daughters)  to  the  king,  to  acquaint  him  how  their 
mother  was  dealt  with,  and  see  if  they  could  get  a  full  discharge  for 
her,  that  she  might  enjoy  her  estate  and  liberty  without  molestation. 
This  was  somewhat  difficult,  but  by  diligent  attendance  they  at  length 
obtained  it ;  the  king  giving  command  to  Sir  John  Otway  to  signify  his 
pleasure  therein  by  letter  to  the  sheriflf,  and  others  concerned  in  the 
country.  Which  letter  Sarah  Fell,  going  down  with  her  brother  and 
sister  Rous,  carried  with  her  to  Lancaster ;  and  by  them  I  wrote  to  my 
wife,  as  followeth: 

«  My  dear  heart  in  the  truth  and  life,  that  changeth  not, 
'  It  was  upon  me  that  Mary  Lower  and  Sarah  should  go  to  the  king 
'concerning  thy  imprisonment;  and  to  Kirby,  that  the  power  of  the 
'  Lord  might  appear  over  them  all  in  thy  deliverance.     They  went ;  and 

*  then  thought  to  have  come  down ;  but  it  was  upon  me  to  stay  them  a 

3D 


426  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1670 

*  little  longer,  that  they  might  follow  the  business  till  it  was  effected 

'  which  it  now  is,  and  is  here  sent.     The  late  declaration  of  mine  hath 

*  been  very  serviceable,  people  being  generally  satisfied  with  it.     So  no 

*  more  but  my  love  in  the  holy  Seed.  G.  F.' 

The  declaration  here  mentioned  was  a  printed  sheet,  written  upon  oc- 
casion of  a  new  persecution  stirred  up.  For  by  that  time  I  was  got  to 
London,  a  fresh  storm  was  risen,  occasioned,  it  was  thought,  by  that  tu- 
multuous meeting  in  a  steeple-house  in  Wiltshire  or  Gloucestershire,  men- 
tioned a  little  before,  from  which,  as  it  was  said,  some  members  of  par- 
liament took  advantage  to  get  an  act  passed  against  seditious  conventi- 
cles ;  which  soon  after  came  forth,  and  was  turned  against  us,  who  of 
all  people  were  free  from  sedition  and  tumult.  Whereupon  I  wrote  a 
declaration,  shewing  from  the  preamble  and  terms  of  the  act  that  we 
were  not  such  a  people,  nor  our  meetings  such  as  were  described  in  that 
act.  Besides  that  declaration,  I  wrote  also  another  short  paper,  on  the 
occasion  of  that  act  against  meetings ;  opening  our  case  to  the  magis- 
trates, as  followeth : 

'  O  Friends,  consider  this  act,  which  limits  our  meetings  to  five.     Is 

*  this,  '  to  do  as  ye  would  be  done  by  V    Would  ye  be  so  served  your- 

*  selves  1     We  own  Christ  Jesus  as  well  as  you,  his  coming,  death,  and 

*  resurrection ;  and  if  we  be  contrary  minded  to  you  in  some  things,  is 

*  not  this  the  apostle's  exhortation,  to  "  wait  till  God  hath  revealed  it?" 
'  Doth  not  he  say,  '  What  is  not  of  faith,  is  sin?'     Seeing  we  have  not 

*  faith  in  things  which  ye  would  have  us  to  do,  would  it  not  be  sin  in  us 

*  if  we  should  act  contrary  to  our  faith  1     Why  should  any  man  have 

*  power  over  any  other  man's  faith,  seeing  Christ  is  the  author  of  it  1 
'  When  the  apostles  preached  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  great  multitudes 
'  heard  them,  and  the  rulers  forbad  them  to  speak  any  more  in  that  name, 

*  did  not  they  bid  them  judge  whether  it  were  better  to  obey  God  or 
'  man  1  Would  not  this  act  have  taken  hold  of  the  twelve  apostles  and 
'  seventy  disciples;  for  they  met  often  together?  If  there  had  been  a  law 
'  made  then,  that  not  above  five  should  have  met  with  Christ,  would  not 
'  that  have  been  an  hindering  him  from  meeting  with  his  disciples?  Do 
'  ye  think  that  he,  who  is  the  wisdom  of  God,  or  his  disciples,  would 
'  have  obeyed  it  ?  If  such  a  law  had  been  made  in  the  apostles'  days, 
'  that  not  above  five  might  have  met  together,  who  had  been  different 
'  minded  from  either  the  Jews  or  the  Gentiles,  do  ye  think  the  churches 
'  of  Christ  at  Corinth,  Philippi,  Ephesus,  Thessalonica,  or  the  rest  of  the 
'  gathered  churches,  would  have  obeyed  it  ?  O  therefore  consider !  for 
'  we  are  Christians,  and  partake  of  the  nature  and  Hfe  of  Christ.  Strive 
'  not  to  limit  the  Holy  One ;  for  God's  power  cannot  be  limited,  and  is 
'  not  to  be  quenched.  "  Do  unto  all  men  as  ye  would  have  them  do  unto 
"  you ;  for  that  is  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

'  This  is  from  those  who  wish  you  all  well,  and  desire  your  ever- 
*  lasting  good  and  prosperity,  called  Quakers ;  who  seek  the  peace 
'  and  good  of  all  people,  though  they  afflict  us,  and  cause  us  to 
'  sufler.  G.  F.' 

As  I  had  endeavoured  to  soften  the  magistrates,  and  to  take  off  the 
sharpness  of  their  edge  in  the  execution  of  the  act,  so  it  was  upon  me  to 

*  write  a  few  lines  to  friends,  to  strengthen  and  encourage  them  to  stand 
'  fast  in  their  testimony,  and  bear,  with  Christian  patience  and  content, 

*  the  suffering  that  was  coming  upon  them.' 


1670]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  421' 

•  My  dear  friends,  Keep  in  the  faith  of  God  above  all  outward  things, 

*  and  in  his  power,  that  hath  given  you  dominion  over  all.     The  same 

*  power  of  God  is  still  with  you  to  deliver  you  as  formerly :  for  God  and 

*  his  power  is  the  same ;  his  seed  is  over  all,  and  before  all ;  and  will  be, 

*  when  that  which  makes  to  suffer  is  gone.  Be  of  good  faith  in  that  which 

*  changeth  not ;  for  whatsoever  any  doth  against  the  truth  it  will  come 

*  upon  themselves,  and  fall  as  a  mill-stone  on  their  heads.     If  the  Lord 

*  suffer  you  to  be  tried,  let  all  be  given  up ;  look  at  the  Lord  and  his 
'  power,  which  is  over  the  whole  world,  and  will  remain  when  the  world 

*  is  gone.  In  the  Lord's  power  and  truth  rejoice,  friends,  over  that  which 

*  makes  to  suffer,  in  the  Seed,  which  was  before  it  was ;  for  the  life,  truth, 

*  and  power  of  God  is  over  all.  All  keep  in  that ;  and  if  ye  suffer  in  that 

*  it  is  to  the  Lord. 

'  Friends,  the  Lord  hath  blessed  you  in  outward  things ;  and  now  he 

*  may  try  you,  whether  your  minds  be  in  outward  things,  or  with  the 
'  Lord  that  gave  you  them  1     Therefore  keep  in  the  Seed,  by  which  all 

*  outward  things  were  made,  and  which  is  over  them  all.  What !  shall 
'  not  I  pray,  and  speak  to  God,  with  my  face  towards  heavenly  Jerusa- 
'  lem,  according  to  my  wonted  time  1     Let  not  any  one's  Delilah  shave 

*  his  head,  lest  such  lose  their  strength ;  neither  rest  in  its  lap,  lest  the 
'  Philistines  be  upon  you.  For  your  rest  is  in  Christ  Jesus ;  therefore  rest 

*  not  in  any  thing  else.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  12th  of  the 
'  2d  Month,  1670.' 

On  the  next  first-day  after  the  act  came  in  force,  I  went  to  the  meet- 
ing-house at  Gracechurch-street,  where  I  expected  the  storm  was  most 
likely  to  begin.  When  I  came  there,  I  found  the  street  full  of  people, 
and  a  guard  set  to  keep  friends  out  of  their  meeting-house.  I  went  to  the 
other  passage,  out  of  Lombard-street,  where  also  I  found  a  guard ;  but 
the  court  was  full  of  people,  and  a  friend  was  speaking  amongst  them  : 
but  spoke  not  long.  When  he  had  done,  I  stood  up,  and  was  moved  to 
say,  '  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  1     It  is  hard  for  thee  to  kick 

*  against  that  which  pricks  thee.    Then  I  shewed,  it  is  Saul's  nature  that 

*  persecutes    still ;  and  that  they,  who  persecute  Christ  in  his  members 

*  now,  where  he  is  made  manifest,  kick  against  that  which  pricks  them. 

*  That  it  was  the  birth  of  the  flesh  that  persecuted  the  birth  born  of  the 

*  Spirit ;  and  that  it  was  the  nature  of  dogs  to  tear  and  devour  the  sheep ; 

*  but  that  we  suffered  as  sheep  that  bite  not  again ;  for  we  were  a  peace- 

*  able  people,  and  loved  them  that  persecuted  us.'  After  I  had  spoken 
awhile  to  this  effect,  the  constable  came  with  an  informer  and  soldiers; 
and  as  they  plucked  me  down,  I  said,  '  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers.* 
The  commander  of  the  soldiers  put  me  among  the  soldiers,  and  bid  them 
secure  me,  saying  to  me,  '  You  are  the  man  I  looked  for.'  They  took 
also  John  Burneyate,  with  another  friend,  and  had  us  away  first  to  the 
Exchange,  and  afterwards  towards  ]\Ioorfields.  As  we  went  along  the 
streets  the  people  were  very  moderate.  Some  of  them  laughed  at  the 
constable,  and  told  him,  '  We  would  not  run  away.'  The  informer  went 
with  us  unknown ;  till  falling  into  discourse  with  one  of  the  company,  he 
said,  '  It  would  never  be  a  good  world  till  all  people  came  to  the  good 

*  old  religion  that  was  two  hundred  years  ago.'  Whereupon  I  asked  him, 

*  Art  thou  a  Papist  ?     What !  a  Papist  informer  ?  for  two  hundred  years 

*  ago  there  was  no  other  religion  but  that  of  the  Papists.'  He  saw  he  had 


428  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1670 

ensnared  himself,  and  was  vexed  at  it;  for  as  he  went  along  the  streets 
I  spoke  often  to  him,  and  manifested  what  he  was.  When  we  were  come 
to  the  mayor's  house,  and  were  in  the  court-yard,  several  asked  me, 
'  How  and  for  what  I  was  taken  V  I  desired  them  to  ask  the  informer ; 
and  also  know  what  his  name  was :  but  he  refused  to  tell  his  name. 
Whereupon  one  of  the  mayor's  officers  looking  out  at  a  window,  told 
him,  '  He  should  tell  his  name  before  he  went  away :  for  the  lord-mayor 
'  would  know  by  what  authority  he  intruded  himself  with  soldiers  into 
'  the  execution  of  those  laws  which  belonged  to  the  civil  magistrate  to 

*  execute,  and  not  to  the  military.'  After  this,  he  was  eager  to  be  gone ; 
and  went  to  the  porter  to  be  let  out.  One  of  the  officers  called  to  him, 
saying,  '  Have  you  brought  people  here  to  inform  against,  and  now  will 
'  you  go  away  before  my  lord-mayor  comes  V  Some  called  to  the  porter 
not  to  let  him  out;  whereupon  he  forcibly  pulled  open  the  door  and 
slipped  out.  No  sooner  was  he  come  into  the  street  but  the  people  gave 
a  shout,  that  made  the  street  ring  agam,  crying  out,  '  A  Papist  informer ! 
'  A  Papist  informer!'  We  desired  the  constable  and  soldiers  to  go  and 
rescue  him  out  of  the  people's  hands,  lest  they  should  do  him  a  mischief. 
They  went,  and  brought  him  into  the  mayor's  entry,  where  we  staid 
awhile :  but  when  he  went  out  again,  the  people  received  him  with  such 
another  shout.  Whereupon  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to  rescue  him  once 
more ;  and  then  they  had  him  into  an  house  in  an  alley,  where  they  per- 
suaded him  to  change  his  periwig,  so  he  got  away  unknown. 

When  the  mayor  came,  we  were  brought  into  the  room  where  he 
was,  and  some  of  his  ofhcers  would  have  taken  off  our  hats ;  which  he 
perceiving,  bid  them,  '  let  us  alone,  and  not  meddle  with  our  hats ;  for,' 
'  said  he,  '  they  are  not  yet  brought  before  me  in  judicature.'  So  we  stood 
by,  while  he  examined  some  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  teachers ;  with 
whom  he  was  somewhat  sharp,  and  convicted  them.  After  he  had  done 
■with  them,  I  was  brought  to  the  table  where  he  sat;  and  then  the  offi- 
cers took  off  my  hat.  The  mayor  said  mildly  to  me, '  Mr.  Fox,  you  are 
'  an  eminent  man  amongst  those  of  your  profession ;  pray,  will  you  be 
'  instrumental  to  dissuade  them  from  meeting  in  such  great  numbers  ?  for, 
'  seeing  Christ  hath  promised,  that  where  two  or  three  are  met  in  his 
'  name,  he  will  be  in  the  midst  of  them ;  and  the  king  and  parliament  are 
'  graciously  pleased  to  allow  of  four  to  meet  together  to  worship  God ; 
'  why  will  not  you  be  content  to  partake  both  of  Christ's  promise  to  two 
'  or  three  and  the  king's  indulgence  to  four  V  I  answered  to  this  purpose : 

*  Christ's  promise  was  not  to  discourage  many  from  meeting  together  in 

*  his  name ;  but  to  encourage  the  few,  that  the  fewest  might  not  forbear 

*  to  meet,  because  of  their  fewness.  But  if  Christ  hath  promised  to  mani- 

*  fest  his  presence  in  the  midst  of  so  small  an  assembly,  where  but  two 

*  or  three  were  gathered  in  his  name,  how  much  more  would  his  presence 
'  abound,  where  two  or  thi'ee  hundred  are  gathered  in  his  name  ?  I 
'  wished  him  to  consider  whether  this  act  would  not  have  taken  hold  of 

*  Christ,  with  his  twelve  apostles  and  seventy  disciples  (if  it  had  been  in 
'  their  time)  who  used  to  meet  often  together,  and  that  in  great  numbers  ? 
'  However,  I  told  him  this  act  did  not  concern  us ;  for  it  was  made 

*  against  seditious  meetings,  of  such  as  met,  under  colour  and  pretence 

*  of  religion,  to  contrive  insurrections,  as  the  act  says,  late  experience 
'  had  shewn ;  but  we  had  been  sufficiently  tried  and  proved,  and  always 
'  found  peaceable ;  therefore  he  should  do  well  to  put  a  difference  between 

the  innocent  and  the  guilty.'     He  said,  '  The  act  was  made  against 


WTO]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  429 

« meetings,  and  a  worship  not  according  to  the  liturgy.'     I  told  him, 

*  [According  to]  was  not  the  very  same  thing ;  and  asked  him,  whether 

*  the  liturgy  was  according  to  the  scriptures  1     And  whether  we  might 

*  not  read  scriptures,  and  speak  scriptures  V     He  said,  Yes.    I  told  him, 

*  This  act  took  hold  only  of  such  as  met  to  plot  and  contrive  insurrec- 

*  tions,  as  late  experience  had  shewn ;  but  they  had  never  experienced 
'  that  by  us.  Because  thieves  are  sometimes  on  the  road,  must  not  honest 
'  men  travel  1     And  because  plotters  and  contrivers  have  met  to  do  mis;- 

*  chief,  must  not  an  honest,  peaceable  people  meet  to  do  good  ?  If  we  had 
'  been  a  people  that  met  to  plot  and  contrive  insurrections,  &c.  we  might 
'  have  drawn  ourselves  into  fours ;  for  four  might  do  more  mischief  in 
'  plotting  than  if  there  were  four  hundred,  because  four  might  speak  out 
'  their  minds  more  freely  to  one  another  than  four  hundred  could.  There- 

*  fore  we  being  innocent,  and  not  the  people  this  act  concerns,  we  keep 

*  our  meetings  as  we  used  to  do ;  and  I  said,  I  believed  that  he  knew  in  his 
'  conscience  we  were  innocent.'  After  some  more  discourse  he  took  our 
names,  and  the  places  where  we  lodged,  and  at  length,  as  the  informer 
was  gone,  set  us  at  liberty. 

Being  at  liberty,  the  friends  with  me  asked,  '  Whither  I  would  go  V  I 
told  them,  '  To  Gracechurch-street  meeting  again,  if  it  was  not  over.' 
When  we  came  there,  the  people  were  generally  gone ;  only  some  few 
stood  at  the  gate.  We  went  into  Gerrard  Roberts's.  From  thence  I 
sent  to  know  how  the  other  meetings  in  the  city  were  1  And  understood, 
that  at  some  of  the  meeting-places  friends  were  kept  out ;  at  others  they 
were  taken,  but  set  at  liberty  again  a  few  days  after.  A  glorious  time 
it  was ;  for  the  Lord's  power  came  over  all,  and  his  everlasting  truth  got 
renown.  For  as  fast  as  some,  that  were  speaking,  were  taken  down, 
others  were  moved  of  the  Lord  to  stand  up  and  speak,  to  the  admira- 
tion of  the  people ;  and  the  more,  because  many  Baptists  and  other  secta- 
ries left  their  publick  meetings,  and  came  to  see  how  the  Quakers  would 
stand.  As  for  the  informer  afoi'esaid,  he  was  so  frighted,  that  there  durst 
hardly  any  informer  appear  publickly  again  in  London  for  some  time 
after.  But  the  mayor,  whose  name  was  Samuel  Starling,  though  he  car- 
ried himself  smoothly  towards  us,  proved  afterwards  a  very  great  per- 
secutor of  our  friends,  many  of  whom  he  cast  into  prison,  as  may  be 
seen  in  the  trials  of  W.  Penn,  W.  Mead,  and  others  at  the  Old  Bailey 
this  year. 

After  somg  time  the  heat  of  persecution  in  the  city  began  to  abate, 
and  meetings  were  quieter  there.  I  being  then  clear  of  the  city,  went 
to  visit  friends  in  the  country ;  and  attended  several  meetings  in  Mid- 
dlesex, Buckinghamshire,  and  Oxfordshire,  which  were  quiet,  though  in 
some  places  there  was  much  threatening.  At  Reading  most  of  the  friends 
were  in  prison ;  and  I  went  to  visit  them.  When  I  had  been  awhile  with 
them,  the  friends  that  were  prisoners  gathered  together,  and  several 
other  persons  came  in ;  so  I  had  a  fine  opportunity  amongst  them,  and 
'  declared  the  word  of  life,  encouraging  them  in  the  truth ;  and  they 

*  were  refreshed  in  feeling  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Lord  amongst 

*  them.'  When  the  meeting  was  ended,  the  gaoler  understanding  I  was 
there,  friends  were  concerned  how  to  get  me  safe  out  again ;  for  they 
feared  he  should  stop  me.  After  I  had  staid  awhile,  and  eat  with  them, 
I  went  dow-n  stairs,  and  the  gaoler  being  at  the  door,  I  put  my  hand  in 
my  pocket,  which  he  had  such  an  eye  to,  hoping  to  get  something  of  me, 
that  he  asked  me  no  question.     So  I  gave  him  something,  and  bad  him 


430  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [167C 

'  be  kind  and  civil  to  my  friends  in  prison,  whom  I  came  to  visit ;'  and 
he  let  me  pass  out  w^ithout  interruption.  But  soon  after  Isaac  Penington 
coming  to  visit  them,  he  stopped  him,  and  caused  him  to  be  made  a  pris- 
oner. 

Next  morning  I  rode  to  a  meeting  at  Baghurst  in  Hampshire,  Thomas 
Briggs  being  with  me.  When  we  came  into  the  parish,  some  sober  peo- 
ple told  us,  '  The  priest  of  the  town  was  an  envious  man,  and  did  threaten 

*  us.'  We  went  to  the  meeting,  which  was  large,  and  after  some  time 
Thomas  Briggs  stood  up  and  spoke.  It  seems  the  priest  had  got  a  war- 
rant, and  sent  the  constables  and  other  officers  with  it.  They  came  to 
the  house,  staid  awhile,  and  then  went  away,  but  did  not  come  into  the 
meeting ;  so  we  in  the  meeting  did  not  know  of  their  being  there.  After 
Thomas  Briggs  had  done  speaking,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  stand 
up,  and  declare  the  word  of  life  to  the  people ;  and  a  precious  meeting 
we  had.  When  the  meeting  was  ended  and  risen,  I  heard  a  great  clut- 
ter in  the  yard ;  and  when  we  came  out,  the  man  of  the  house  told  us, 
'  The  officers  had  been  in  the  house  before,  and  did  not  come  into  the 

*  meeting,  but  went  away  without  doing  any  thing.     And  that  now  the 

*  priest  in  a  great  rage  had  sent  them  again,  and  his  own  servant  with 

*  them.'  But  the  meeting  being  ended  before  they  came,  they  could  do 
nothing.  Thus  the  good  providence  of  the  Lord  preserved  us  from  the 
wicked  design  of  the  envious  priest. 

From  thence  we  went  to  a  friend's  on  the  edge  of  Berkshire,  where 
several  friends  came  to  visit  us.  Afterwards  we  passed  into  Surry,  and 
had  many  precious  meetings,  till  we  came  to  Stephen  Smith's  near  Guild- 
ford, where  great  persecution  had  been ;  and  much  goods  had  been  ta- 
ken away  from  friends  for  their  meetings,  and  under  great  threatenings 
they  were  at  that  time;  yet  we  had  several  blessed  meetings  there- 
abouts ;  and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  in  and  by  which  we  were 
preserved. 

We  went  into  Sussex,  by  Richard  Baxe's,  where  we  had  a  large,  pre- 
cious, quiet  meeting,  though  the  constables  had  given  out  threatenings 
before.  I  had  many  more  meetings  in  that  county ;  and  though  there 
were  some  threatenings,  meetings  were  peaceable ;  and  friends  refreshed, 
and  estabUshed  upon  the  foundation  of  God  that  stands  sure.  When  I 
had  thoroughly  visited  Sussex,  I  went  into  Kent,  and  had  many  glorious 
and  precious  meetings  in  several  parts  of  that  county.  I  went  to  a  meet- 
ing near  Deal,  which  was  very  large ;  and  returning  from  tlience  to  Can- 
terbury, visited  friends  there  ;  then  passed  into  the  Isle  of  Sheppy,  where 
I  staid  two  or  three  days :  and  thither  came  Alexander  Parker,  George 
Whitehead,  and  John  Rouse. 

The  next  day,  finding  my  service  for  the  Lord  finished  there,  we  passed 
towards  Rochester.  As  I  was  walking  down  a  hill,  a  great  weight  and 
oppression  fell  upon  my  spirit.  I  got  on  my  horse  again ;  but  the  weight 
remained  so,  that  I  was  hardly  able  to  ride.  At  length  we  came  to  Ro- 
chester, but  I  was  much  spent,  being  so  extremely  loaden  and  burdened 
with  the  world's  spirits,  that  my  life  was  oppressed  under  them.  I  got 
with  difficulty  to  Gravesend,  and  lay  at  an  inn  there  ;  but  could  hardly 
either  eat  or  sleep.  The  next  day  John  Rouse  and  Alexander  Parker 
went  for  London.  John  Stubbs  and  I  went  over  the  Ferry  into  Essex. 
We  came  to  Horn-church,  where  was  a  meeting  on  the  first-day.  After 
the  meeting  I  rode  with  great  uneasiness  to  Stratford,  to  a  friend's  whose 
name  was  WilUams ;  he  had  formerly  been  a  captain.     Here  I  lay  ex- 


1G701  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

ceeding  weak,  and  at  last  lost  both  hearing  and  sight.  Several  friends 
came  to  me  from  London.     I  told  them,   '  I  should  be  as  a  sign  to 

*  such  as  would  not  see,  and  such  as  would  not  hear  the  truth.'  In  this 
condition  I  continued  a  pretty  while.  Several  came  about  me;  and 
though  I  could  not  see  their  persons,  I  felt  and  discerned  their  spirits, 
who  of  them  was  honest-iiearted,  and  who  was  not.  Divers  friends,  who 
practised  physick,  would  have  given  me  medicines,  but  I  was  not  to 
meddle  with  any ;  for  I  was  sensible  I  had  a  travail  to  go  through ;  and 
therefore  desired  none  but  solid,  weighty  friends  might  be  about  me. 
Under  great  sufferings,  sorrows,  and  oppressions  I  lay  for  several  weeks ; 
whereby  I  was  brought  so  low  and  weak  in  body,  that  few  thought  I 
could  live.  Some  of  those  with  me  went  away,  saying,  '  They  would 
'  not  see  me  die ;'  and  it  was  reported  both  in  London  and  in  the  coun- 
try that  I  was  deceased ;  but  I  felt  the  Lord's  power  inwardly  support- 
ing me.  When  those  about  me  had  given  me  up  to  die,  I  spoke  to  them 
to-  get  a  coach  to  carry  me  to  Gerrard  Roberts's,  about  twelve  miles  off; 
for  I  found  it  was  my  place  to  go  thither.  I  had  now  recovered  a  little 
glimmering  sight,  so  that  I  could  discern  the  people  and  fields  as  I  went, 
and  that  was  all.  When  I  came  to  Gerrard's,  he  was  very  weak.  I  was 
moved  to  speak  to  him,  and  encourage  him.  After  I  had  staid  about 
three  weeks  there,  it  was  with  me  to  go  to  Enfield.  Friends  were  afraid 
of  my  removing ;  but  I  told  them  I  might  safely  go.  When  I  had  taken 
my  leave  of  Gerrard,  and  was  come  to  Enfield,  I  went  first  to  visit  Amor 
Stoddart,  who  lay  very  weak,  and  almost  speechless.  I  was  moved  to 
tell  him,  '  He  had  been  faithful  as  a  man,  and  faithful  to  God  ;  and  that 
'  the  immortal  Seed  of  life  was  his  crown.'  Many  more  words  I  was 
moved  to  speak  to  him;  though  I  was  then  so  weak,  I  was  hardly  able 
to  stand ;  and  within  a  few  days  after  Amor  died.  I  went  to  the  widow 
Dry's  at  Enfield,  where  I  lay  all  that  winter ;  warring  in  spirit  with  the 
evil  spirits  of  the  world,  that  warred  against  truth  and  friends.  For 
there  were  great  persecutions  at  this  time.  Some  meeting-houses  were 
pulled  down,  and  many  were  broken  up  by  soldiers.  Sometimes  a  troop 
of  horse  or  a  company  of  foot  came ;  and  some  broke  their  swords,  car- 
bines, muskets,  and  pikes  with  beating  friends.  Many  they  wounded,  so 
that  their  blood  lay  in  the  streets.  Amongst  others,  that  were  active  in 
this  cruel  persecution  at  London,  my  old  adversary  colonel  Kirby  was 
one ;  who,  with  a  company  of  foot,  went  to  break  up  several  meetings ; 
and  would  often  inquire  for  me  at  the  meetings  he  broke  up.  One  time, 
as  he  went  over  the  water  to  Horslydown,  there  happening  some  scuffle 
between  some  of  his  soldiers  and  some  of  the  watermen,  he  bid  his  men 

*  Fire  at  them ;'  which  they  did,  and  killed  some. 

I  was  under  great  sufferings  at  this  time,  beyond  what  I  have  words 
to  declare.  For  I  was  brought  into  the  deep,  and  saw  all  the  religions 
of  the  world,  and  people  that  lived  in  them,  and  the  priests  that  held 
them  up ;  who  were  as  a  company  of  men-eaters,  eating  up  the  people 
like  bread,  and  gnawing  the  flesh  from  off  their  bones.  But  as  for  true 
religion  and  worship,  and  ministers  of  God,  alack  !  I  saw  there  was  none 
amongst  those  of  the  world  that  pretended  to  it.  For  they  that  pre- 
tended to  be  the  church,  were  but  a  company  of  men-eaters,  men  of 
cruel  visages,  and  of  long  teeth;  who,  though  they  had  cried  against  the 
men-eaters  in  America,  I  saw  they  were  in  the  same  nature.  And  as 
the  great  professing  Jews  did  '  eat  up  God's  people  hke  bread,'  and  the 
false  prophets  and  priests  then  preached  peace  to  people,  so  long  as  they 


432  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1670 

put  into  their  mouths  and  fed  them ;'  but  if  they  fed  them  not,  they  pre- 
pared war  against  tiiem ;  '  they  ate  their  flesh  off  their  bones,  and  chop- 
'  ped  them  for  the  caldron ;'  so  these  that  profess  themselves  christians 
now,  both  priests  and  professors,  and  are  not  in  the  same  power  and 
Spirit  that  Christ  and  the  holy  prophets  and  apostles  were  in,  are  in  the 
same  nature  that  the  old  professing  Jews  were  in,  and  are  men-eaters  as 
well  as  they.  These  stirred  up  persecution,  and  set  the  wicked  inform- 
ers on  work;  so  that  a  friend  could  hardly  speak  a  few  words  in  a  pri- 
vate family,  before  they  sat  down  to  eat,  but  some  were  ready  to  in- 
form against  them.  A  particular  instance  of  which  I  have  heard,  as 
foUoweth : 

At  Droitwich,  J.  Cartwright  came  to  a  friend's  house;  and  being 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  speak  a  few  words  before  he  sat  down  to  supper, 
there  came  an  informer,  and  stood  hearkening  under  the  window.  When 
he  had  heard  the  friend  speak,  hoping  to  get  some  gain  to  himself,  he 
went  and  informed ;  and  got  a  warrant  to  distrain  the  friend's  goods, 
under  pretence  that  there  was  a  meeting  at  his  house :  whereas  there 
was  none  in  the  house  at  that  time  but  the  friend,  the  man  of  the  house, 
his  wife,  and  their  maid-servant.  But  this  evil-minded  man,  as  he  came 
back  with  his  warrant  in  the  night,  fell  off  his  horse,  and  broke  his  neck. 
So  there  was  a  wretched  end  of  a  wicked  informer,  who  hoped  to  have 
enriched  himself  by  spoiling  friends ;  but  the  Lord  prevented  him,  and 
cut  him  off  in  his  wickedness. 

Though  it  was  a  cruel,  bloody,  persecuting  time,  yet  the  Lord's  power 
went  over  all,  his  everlasting  Seed  prevailed;  and  friends  were  made  to 
stand  firm  and  faithful  in  the  Lord's  power.  Some  sober  people  of  other 
professions  would  say,  '  If  friends  did  not  stand,  the  nation  would  run 
'  into  debaucher3^' 

Though  by  reason  of  my  weakness  I  could  not  travel  amongst  friends 
as  I  used  to  do ;  yet  in  the  motion  of  life  I  sent  the  following  lines,  as  an 
encouraging  testimony  to  them : 

'  My  dear  friends, 

*  The  Seed  is  above  all.     In  it  walk ;  in  which  ye  all  have  life.     Be 

'  not  amazed  at  the  weather;  for  always  the  just  suffered  by  the  unjust, 

'  but  the  just  had  the  dominion.     All  along  ye  may  see,  by  faith  the 

'  mountains  were  subdued ;  and  the  rage  of  the  wicked,  with  his  fiery 

*  darts,  were  quenched.  Though  the  waves  and  storms  be  high,  yet  your 
'  faith  will  keep  you,  so  as  to  swim  above  them;  for  they  are  but  for  a 
'  time,  and  the  truth  is  without  time.  Therefore  keep  on  the  mountain 
'  of  holiness,  ye  who  are  led  to  it  by  the  light,  where  nothing  shall  hurt. 
'  Do  not  think  that  any  thing  will  outlast  the  truth,  which  standeth  sure; 
'  and  is  over  that  which  is  out  of  the  truth.     For  the  good  will  overcome 

*  the  evil,  the  fight  darkness,  the  life  death,  virtue  vice,  and  righteousness 

*  unrighteousness.  The  false  prophet  cannot  overcome  the  true ;  but  the 
'  true  prophet,  Christ,  will  overcome  all  the  false.  So  be  faithful,  and 
'  live  in  that  which  doth  not  think  the  time  long.  G.  F.' 

After  some  time  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  allay  the  heat  of  this  violent 
persecution ;  and  I  felt  in  spirit  an  overcoming  of  the  spirits  of  those  men- 
eaters  that  had  stirred  it  up,  and  carried  it  on  to  that  height  of  cruelty, 
though  I  was  outwardly  very  weak.  I  plainly  felt,  and  those  friends 
that  were  with  me,  and  that  came  to  visit  me,  took  notice,  that,  as  the 
persecution  ceased,  I  came  from  under  the  travails  and  sufierings  which 


1670]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  433 

had  laid  with  such  weight  upon  me :  so  that  towards  the  spring  I  began 
to  recover,  and  to  walk  up  and  down,  beyond  the  expectation  of  many ; 
who  did  not  think  I  could  ever  have  gone  abroad  again. 

Whilst  I  was  under  this  spiritual  suflering,  the  state  of  the  New  Jeru- 
salem, which  comes  down  out  of  heaven,  was  opened  to  me ;  which  some 
carnal-minded  people  had  looked  upon  to  be  like  an  outward  city,  drop- 
ped out  of  the  elements.  I  saw  the  beauty  and  glory  of  it,  the  length, 
the  breadth,  and  the  height  thereof,  all  in  complete  proportion.  I  saw 
that  all,  who  are  within  the  light  of  Christ,  in  his  faith,  which  he  is  the 
author  of,  in  the  Spirit,  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  Christ,  the  holy  Prophets 
and  Apostles  were  in,  and  within  the  grace,  truth,  and  power  of  God, 
which  are  the  walls  of  the  city,  such  are  within  the  city,  are  members 
of  this  city,  and  have  right  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  yields  her 
fruit  every  month,  and  whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 
But  they  that  are  out  of  the  grace,  truth,  light.  Spirit  and  power  of  God, 
such  as  resist  the  Holy  Ghost,  quench,  vex,  and  grieve  the  Spirit  of  God, 
who  hate  the  Light,  turn  from  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  and  do 
despite  to  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  such  as  have  erred  from  the  faith,  made 
shipwreck  of  it  and  of  a  good  conscience,  who  abuse  the  power  of  God, 
and  despise  prophesying,  revelation,  and  inspiration,  these  are  the  dogs 
and  unbelievers  that  are  without  the  city.  These  make  up  the  great  city 
Babylon,  confusion,  and  her  cage,  the  power  of  darkness ;  and  the  evil 
spirit  of  error  surrounds  and  covers  them  over.  In  this  great  city  Baby- 
lon are  the  false  prophets,  in  the  false  power  and  false  spirit ;  the  beast 
in  the  dragon's  power,  and  the  whore  that  is  gone  a  whoring  from  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  from  Christ  her  husband.  But  the  Lord's  power  is 
over  all  this  power  of  darkness,  cage,  whore,  beast,  dragon,  falise  pro- 
phets and  their  worshippers,  who  are  for  the  lake  which  burns  with  fire. 
Many  things  more  did  I  see  concerning  the  heavenly  city,  the  New  Jeru- 
salem, which  are  hard  to  be  uttered,  and  would  be  hard  to  be  received. 
But,  in  short,  this  holy  city  is  within  the  light ;  and  all  that  are  within 
the  light  are  within  the  city ;  the  gates  whereof  stand  open  all  the  day 
(for  there  is  no  night  there)  that  all  may  come  in.  Christ's  blood  being 
shed  for  every  man,  he  tasted  death  for  every  man,  and  enlighteneth 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world ;  and  his  grace,  that  brings  salva- 
tion, having  appeared  to  all  men,  there  is  no  place  or  language  where 
his  voice  may  not  be  heard.  The  christians  in  the  primitive  times  were 
called  by  Christ  '  A  city  set  upon  an  hill ;'  they  were  also  called  '  The 
'  light  of  the  world,'  and,  '  The  salt  of  the  earth ;'  but  when  christians 
lost  the  light,  salt,  and  power  of  God,  they  came  to  be  trodden  under 
foot,  like  unsavourj^  salt.  Even  as  the  Jews,  who  while  they  kept  the 
law  of  God  were  preserved  above  all  nations,  but  when  they  turned 
their  backs  on  God  and  his  law  they  were  trodden  under  foot  of  other 
nations;  so  Adam  and  Eve,  while  they  obeyed  God,  were  kept  in  his 
image  and  in  the  paradise  of  God,  in  dominion  over  all  the  works  of  his 
hands ;  but  when  they  disobeyed  God,  they  lost  the  image  of  God,  the 
righteousness  and  the  holiness  in  which  they  were  made ;  they  lost  their 
dominion,  were  driven  out  of  paradise,  fell  under  the  dark  power  of  Sa- 
tan, and  came  under  the  chains  of  darkness.  But  the  promise  of  God 
was,  '  That  the  Seed  of  the  woman,  Christ  Jesus,  should  bruise  the  ser- 
'  pent's  head,'  should  break  his  power  and  authority,  which  had  led  into 
captivity,  and  had  held  man  therein.  So  Christ,  who  is  the  first  and  last, 
sets  man  free,  and  is  the  resurrection  of  the  just  and  unjust,  the  Judge 

3  E 


434  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1670 

of  quick  and  dead ;  and  they  that  are  in  him  are  invested  with  everlast- 
ing rest  and  peace,  out  of  all  the  labours,  travails,  and  miseries  of  Adam 
in  the  fall.  So  he  is  sufficient  and  of  ability  to  restore  man  up  into  the 
state  that  he  was  in  before  he  fell ;  and  not  into  that  state  only,  but  up 
into  that  state  also  that  never  fell,  even  to  himself. 

I  had  also  in  this  time  a  great  exercise  and  travail  of  spirit  upon  me, 
concerning  the  powers  and  rulers  of  these  nations,  from  the  sense  I  had 
of  the  many  tender  visitations  and  faithful  warnings  given  them,  and  of 
their  great  abuse  thereof,  who  had  refused  to  hear,  and  rejected  the  coun- 
sel of  the  Lord.  And  though  I  knew  friends  would  be  clear  of  their 
blood,  yet  I  could  not  but  mourn  over  them,  and  give  forth  these  few 
lines  concerning  them : 

'  We  have  given  them  a  visitation,  have  faithfully  warned  them,  have 

*  declared  to  them  our  innocency  and  uprightness,  and  that  we  never 

*  did  any  hurt  to  the  king,  nor  to  any  of  his  people.  We  have  nothing 
'  in  our  hearts  but  love  and  good-will  to  him  and  his  people,  and  desire 

*  their  eternal  welfare.  But  if  they  will  not  hear,  the  day  of  judgment, 
'  sorrow,  torment,  misery,  and  sudden  destruction  will  come  from  the 
'  Lord  upon  them,  that  have  been  the  cause  of  the  sufferings  of  many 

*  thousands  of  simple,  innocent,  harmless  people,  that  have  done  them  no 

*  hurt,  nor  have  had  any  ill-will  towards  him  or  them ;  but  have  desired 
'  their  eternal  good,  for  the  eternal  truth's  sake.  Destruction  will  come 
'  upon  them  that  turn  the  sword  backward.  Therefore  do  not  bhnd  your 
'  eyes,  the  Lord  will  bring  swift  destruction  and  misery  upon  you.  Sure- 
'  ly  he  will  do  it,  and  relieve  his  innocent  people,  who  have  groaned  for 
'  deliverance  from  under  your  oppression,  and  have  also  groaned  for 
'  your  deliverance  out  of  wickedness.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  that 
'  he  hath  a  people  in  this  nation  that  seek  the  good  of  all  men  upon  the 
'  face  of  the  earth ;  for  we  have  the  mind  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
'  desires  not  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  the  salvation  and  good  of  all. 
'  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  our  God  for  ever !  G.  F.' 

While  I  continued  at  Enfield,  a  sense  came  upon  me  of  an  hurt,  that 
sometimes  happened  by  persons  coming  under  the  profession  of  truth 
out  of  one  country  into  another,  to  take  an  husband  or  wife  amongst 
friends,  where  they  were  strangers,  and  it  was  not  known  whether  they 
were  clear  and  orderly  or  no.  And  it  opened  in  me  to  recommend  the 
following  method  to  friends,  for  preventing  such  inconveniencies. 

'  All  friends  that  marry,  whether  men  or  women,  if  they  come  out 
'  of  another  nation,  island,  plantation,  or  county,  let  them  bring  a  certifi- 
'  cate  from  the  men's  meeting  of  that  county,  nation,  island,  or  plantation 
'  from  which  they  come,  to  the  men's  meeting  where  they  propose  their 
'  intention  of  marriage.  For  the  men's  meeting  being  made  up  of  the  faith- 
'  ful,  this  will  stop  all  bad  and  raw  spirits  from  roving  up  and  dov/n. 
'  When  any  come  with  a  certificate  or  letter  of  recommendation  from  one 

*  men's  meeting  to  another,  one  is  refreshed  by  another,  and  can  set 
'  their  hands  and  hearts  to  the  thing.     This  will  prevent  a  great  deal  of 

*  trouble.  And  then,  when  ye  have  to  say  to  them  in  the  power  of  God, 
'  in  admonishing  and  instructing  them,  ye  are  left  to  the  power  and 

*  Spirit  of  God  to  do  it,  and  to  let  them  know  the  duty  of  marriage,  and 
<  what  it  is ;   that  there  may  be  unity  and  concord  in  the  Spirit,  and 

*  power,  light,  and  wisdom  of  God,  throughout  all  the  men's  meetings  in 


1871]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  435' 

*  the  whole  world,  in  one,  in  the  life.  Let  copies  of  this  be  sent  to  every 
<  county,  nation,  and  island,  where  friends  are,  that  all  things  may  be 
« kept  holy,  pure,  and  righteous,  in  unity  and  peace,  and  God  over  all 
'  may  be  glorified  among  you,  his  lot,  his  people,  and  inheritance,  his 
'  adopted  sons  and  daughters,  and  heirs  of  his  life.     So  no  more,  but  my 

*  love  in  that  which  changeth  not.  G.  F.' 

*  The  14th  of  the  1st  month  1670-1.' 

When  I  had  recovered,  so  that  I  could  walk  a  little  up  and  down,  I 
went  from  Enfield  to  Gerrard  Roberts's  again,  and  from  thence  to  the 
women's  school  at  Shacklewell,  and  so  to  the  meeting  at  Gracechurch- 
street,  London ;  where,  though  I  was  yet  but  weak,  the  Lord's  power 
upheld  and  enabled  me  to  declare  his  eternal  word  of  life. 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  pray  to  the  Lord,  as  followeth : 

"  O  Lord  God  Almighty !  prosper  Truth,  and  preserve  justice  and 
"  equity  in  the  land !  Bring  down  all  injustice,  iniquity,  oppression, 
"falsehood,  cruelty,  and  unmercifulness  in  the  land,  that  mercy  and 
"  righteousness  may  flourish ! 

"O  Lord  God!  set  up  and  establish  verity,  and  preserve  it  in  the 
"  land  !  Bring  down  in  the  land  all  debauchery,  vice,  whoredoms,  for- 
"  nication,  and  this  raping  spirit,  which  causeth  and  leadeth  people  to 
"  have  no  esteem  of  thee,  O  God !  nor  their  own  souls  or  bodies,  nor  of 
"  Christianity,  modesty,  or  humanity  ! 

"  O  Lord !  put  it  in  the  magistrates'  hearts  to  bring  down  all  this  un- 
"  godliness,  violence,  cruelty,  prophaneness,  cursing  and  swearing !  and 
"  to  put  down  all  those  whore-houses  and  play-houses,  which  corrupt 
"  youth  and  people,  and  lead  them  from  thy  kingdom,  where  no  unclean 
"  thing  can  enter,  neither  shall  come  !  Such  works  lead  people  to  hell. 
"  Lord,  in  mercy  bring  down  all  these  things  in  the  nation,  to  stop  thy 
"  wrath,  O  God  !  from  coming  on  the  land !  G.  F." 

"  This  prayer  was  wrote  the  17th 
"  of  the  2d  month,  1671." 

I  mentioned  before,  that,  upon  notice  received  of  my  wife's  being  had 
to  prison  again,  I  sent  two  of  her  daughters  to  the  king,  and  they  pro- 
cured his  order  to  the  sheriflf  of  Lancashire  for  her  discharge.  But 
though  I  expected  she  would  have  been  set  at  Uberty,  yet  this  violent 
storm  of  persecution  coming  suddenly  on,  the  persecutors  there  found 
means  to  hold  her  still  in  prison.  But  now  the  persecution  a  little  ceas- 
ing, I  was  moved  to  speak  to  Martha  Fisher,  and  another  woman  friend, 
to  go  to  the  king  about  her  liberty.  They  went  in  the  faith,  and  in  the 
Lord's  power ;  and  he  gave  them  favour  with  the  king,  so  that  he  grant- 
ed a  discharge  under  the  broad  seal,  to  clear  both  her  and  her  estate 
after  she  had  been  ten  years  a  prisoner,  and  premunired ;  the  like 
whereof  was  scarce  to  be  heard  in  England.  I  sent  down  the  discharge 
forthwith  by  a  friend ;  by  whom  also  I  wrote  to  her,  to  inform  her  how 
to  get  it  delivered  to  the  justices,  and  also  to  acquaint  her,  that  it  was 
upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  go  beyond  sea,  to  visit  the  plantations  in 
America,  and  tlierefore  desired  her  to  hasten  to  London,  as  soon  as  she 
could  conveniently  after  she  had  obtained  her  liberty,  because  the  ship 
was  then  fitting  for  the  voyage.     In  the  meantime  I  got  to  Kingston, 


436  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1671 

and  staid  at  John  Rous's  till  my  wile  came  up,  and  then  began  to  pre- 
pare for  the  voyage.  But  the  yearly  meeting  being  near  at  hand,  I  tar- 
ried till  that  was  over.  Many  friends  came  up  to  it  from  all  parts  of 
the  nation,  and  a  very  large  and  precious  meeting  it  was  ;  for  the  Lord's 
power  was  over  all,  and  his  glorious,  everlastingly-renowned  seed  of 
life  was  exalted  above  all. 

After  this  meeting  was  over,  and  I  had  finished  my  services  for  the 
Lord  in  England,  the  ship,  and  the  friends  that  intended  to  go  with  me, 
being  ready,  I  went  to  Gravesend  the  12th  of  the  6th  month.  The 
friends  that  were  bound  for  the  voyage  with  me  went  down  to  the  ship 
the  night  before.  Their  names  were,  Thomas  Briggs,  William  Edmund- 
son,  John  Rous,  John  Stubbs,  Solomon  Eccles,  James  Lancaster,  John 
Cartwright,  Robert  Widders,  George  Pattison,  John  Hull,  Elizabeth 
Hooton,  and  Ehzabeth  Miers.  The  vessel  we  were  to  go  in  was  a 
yacht,  called  the  Industry,  the  master's  name  Thomas  Forster,  and  the 
number  of  passengers  about  fifty.  I  lay  that  night  on  board  ;  but  most 
of  the  friends  lay  at  Gravesend.  Early  next  morning,  the  passengers, 
and  those  friends  that  intended  to  accompany  us  to  the  Downs,  being 
come  on  board,  we  took  our  leave  in  great  tenderness  of  those  that 
came  with  us  to  Gravesend  only,  and  set  sail  about  six  in  the  morning 
for  the  downs.  Having  a  fair  wind,  we  outsailed  all  the  ships  that 
were  outward-bound,  and  got  thither  by  the  evening.  Some  of  us  went 
ashore  that  night,  and  lodged  at  Deal ;  where  we  understood  an  officer 
had  orders  from  the  governor  to  take  our  names  in  writing,  which  he 
did  the  next  morning,  though  we  told  him  they  had  been  taken  at  Graves- 
end. In  the  afternoon,  the  wind  serving,  I  took  leave  of  my  wife  and 
the  other  friends,  and  went  on  board.  Before  we  could  set  sail,  there 
being  two  of  the  king's  frigates  riding  in  the  Downs,  the  captain  of  one 
of  them  sent  his  press-master  on  board  us,  who  took  three  of  our  sea- 
men. This  had  certainly  delayed,  if  not  wholly  prevented  our  voyage, 
had  not  the  captain  of  the  other  frigate,  being  informed  of  the  leakiness 
of  our  vessel,  and  the  length  of  our  voyage,  in  compassion  and  much 
civility,  spared  us  two  of  his  men.  Before  this  was  over,  an  officer  of 
the  custom-house  came  on  board  to  peruse  packets  and  get  fees,  so  that 
we  were  kept  from  sailing  till  about  sun-set ;  during  which  stop,  a  very 
considerable  number  of  merchantmen,  outward-bound,  were  got  several 
leagues  before  us.  Being  clear  we  set  sail  in  the  evening,  and  by  next 
morning  overtook  part  of  that  fleet  about  the  height  of  Dover.  We 
soon  reached  the  I'est,  and  in  a  little  time  left  them  all  behind  us ;  for 
our  yacht  was  counted  a  very  swift  sailer.  But  she  was  very  leaky,  so 
that  the  seamen  and  some  of  the  passengers  did  for  the  most  part  pump 
day  and  night.  One  day  they  observed  that  in  two  hours'  time  she 
sucked  in  sixteen  inches  of  water  in  the  well. 

When  we  had  been  about  three  weeks  at  sea,  one  afternoon  we  spied 
a  vessel  about  four  leagues  astern  of  us.  Our  master  said.  It  was  a 
Sallee  man  of  war  who  seemed  to  give  us  chase.  Our  master  said, 
'  Come,  let  us  go  to  supper,  and  when  it  grows  dark,  we  shall  lose  him.' 
This  he  spoke  to  pacify  the  passengers,  some  of  whom  began  to  be  very 
apprehensive  of  the  danger.  But  friends  were  well  satisfied,  having  faith 
in  God,  and  no  fear  upon  tlieir  spirits.  When  the  sun  was  down,  I  saw 
the  ship  out  of  my  cabin  making  towards  us.  When  it  grew  dark,  we 
altered  our  course  to  miss  her;  but  she  altered  also,  and  gained  upon 
us.     At  night  tlie  )Tiaster  and  others  came  into  my  cabin,  and  asked  me, 


1671]  GHEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  43T. 

*  What  they  should  do  V  I  told  them,  '  I  was  no  mariner ;'  and  asked 
them,  '  What  they  thought  was  best  to  do  V  They  said,  '  There  were 
'  but  two  ways,  either  to  out-run  him,  or  tack  about  and  hold  the  same 

*  course  we  were  going  before.'     I  told  them,  '  If  he  were  a  thief,  they 

*  might  be  sure  he  would  tack  about  too ;  and  as  for  out-running  him,  it 

*  was  to  no  purpose  to  talk  of  that,  for  they  saw  he  sailed  faster  than 

*  we.'     They  asked  me  again,  '  What  they  should  do  V  '  For,'  they  said, 

*  if  the  mariners  had  taken  Paul's  counsel,  they  had  not  come  to  the 

*  damage  they  did.'  I  answered,  '  It  was  a  trial  of  faith,  therefore  the 
'  Lord  was  to  be  waited  on  for  counsel.'  So  retiring  in  spirit,  the  Lord 
shewed  me,  '  That  his  life  and  power  was  placed  between  us  and  the 

*  ship  that  pursued  us.'  I  told  this  to  the  master  and  the  rest,  and  that 
the  best  way  v/as  to  tack  about  and  steer  our  right  course.  I  wished 
them  also  to  put  out  all  their  candles,  but  that  they  steered  by,  and  to 
speak  to  all  the  passengers  to  be  still  and  quiet.  About  the  11th  hour 
in  the  night  the  watch  called,  and  said,  '  They  were  just  upon  us.' 
That  disquieted  some  of  the  passengers;  whereupon  I  sat  up  in  my 
cabin,  and  looking  through  the  port-hole,  the  moon  being  not  quite  down, 
I  saw  them  very  near  us.  I  was  getting  up  to  go  out  of  the  cabin ; 
but  remembering  the  word  of  the  Lord,  '  That  his  hfe  and  power  was 

*  placed  between  us  and  them,'  I  lay  down  again.  The  master  and  some 
of  the  seamen  came  again,  and  asked  me,  '  If  they  might  not  steer  such 

*  a  point?  I  told  them,  '  They  might  do  as  they  would.'  By  this  time 
the  moon  was  gone  quite  down,  a  fresh  gale  arose,  and  the  Lord  hid  us 
from  them ;  and  we  sailed  briskly  on,  and  saw  them  no  more.  The  next 
day,  being  the  first  day  of  the  week,  we  had  a  publick  meeting  in  the 
ship,  as  we  usually  had  on  that  day  throughout  the  voyage,  and  the 
Lord's  presence  was  greatly  among  us.  I  desired  the  people,  '  To  mind 
'  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  who  had  delivered  them ;  for  they  might  have 
'  been  all  in  the  Turks'  hands  by  that  time,  had  not  the  Lord's  hand  saved 

*  them.'  About  a  week  after,  the  master  and  some  of  the  seamen  endeav- 
oured to  persuade  the  passengers,  it  was  not  a  Turkish  pirate  that  chased 
us,  but  a  merchant-man  going  to  the  Canaries.  When  I  heard  of  it,  I 
asked  them,  '  Why  then  did  they  speak  so  to  me  1  Why  did  they  trouble 
'  the  passengers  1     And  why  did  they  tack  about  from  him,  and  alter 

*  their  course  V     I  told  them,  '  They  should  take  heed  of  slighting  the 

*  mercies  of  God.' 

Afterwards,  while  we  were  at  Barbadoes,  came  in  a  merchant  from 
Sallee,  and  told  the  people,  '  That  one  of  the  Sallee  men  of  war  saw  a 

*  monstrous  yacht  at  sea,  the  greatest  that  ever  he  saw,  had  her  in  chace, 

*  and  was  just  upon  her ;  but  there  was  a  Spirit  in  her  that  he  could  not 

*  take.'  This  confirmed  us  in  the  belief,  that  it  was  a  Sallee-man  we  saw 
make  after  us ;  and  that  it  was  the  Lord  that  delivered  us  out  of  his 
hands. 

I  was  not  sea-sick  during  the  voyage,  as  many  of  the  friends  and 
other  passengers  were  ;  but  the  many  hurts  and  bruises  I  had  formerly 
received,  and  the  infirmities  I  had  contracted  in  England  by  extreme 
cold  and  hardships,  that  I  had  undergone  in  many  long  and  sore  impris- 
onments, returned  upon  me  at  sea ;  so  that  I  was  very  ill  in  my  stomach, 
and  full  of  violent  pains  in  my  bones  and  limbs.  This  was  after  I  had  been 
at  sea  about  a  month ;  for  about  three  weeks  after  I  came  first  to  sea,  I 
sweat  abundantly,  chiefly  my  head ;  and  my  body  broke  out  in  pimples, 
and  my  legs  and  feet  swelled  extremely,  so  that  my  stockings  and  slip- 


438  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1671 

pers  could  not  be  drawn  on  without  difficulty  and  great  pain.  On  a  sud- 
den the  sweating  ceased,  so  that  when  I  came  into  the  hot  climate, 
where  others  sweat  most  freely,  I  could  not  sweat  at  all ;  but  my  flesh 
was  hot,  dry,  and  burning,  and  that  which  before  broke  out  in  pimples 
struck  in  again  to  my  stomach  and  heart ;  so  that  I  was  very  ill,  and 
weak  beyond  expression.  Thus  I  continued  during  the  rest  of  the  voy- 
age, which  was  about  a  month ;  for  we  were  seven  weeks  and  some  odd 
days  at  sea. 

The  third  of  the  eighth  month,  early  in  the  morning,  we  discovered 
the  island  of  Barbadoes ;  but  it  was  between  nine  and  ten  at  night  ere 
we  came  to  anchor  in  Carlisle-bay.  We  got  on  shore  as  soon  as  we 
could,  and  I  with  some  others  walked  to  a  friend's  house,  a  merchant, 
whose  name  was  Richard  Forstall,  above  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
bridge.  But  being  very  ill  and  weak,  I  was  so  tired,  that  I  was  in  a 
manner  spent  by  that  time  I  got  thither.  There  I  abode  very  ill  several 
days,  and  though  they  several  times  gave  me  things  to  make  me  sweat, 
they  could  not  effect  it.  What  they  gave  me  did  rather  parch  and  dry 
up  my  body,  and  made  me  probably  worse  than  otherwise  I  might  have 
been.  Thus  I  continued  about  three  weeks  after  I  landed,  having  much 
pain  in  my  bones,  joints,  and  whole  body,  so  that  I  could  hardly  get  any 
rest ;  yet  I  was  pretty  cheery,  and  my  spirit  kept  above  it  all.  Neither 
did  my  illness  take  me  off  from  the  service  of  truth ;  but  both  while  I 
was  at  sea,  and  after  I  came  to  Barbadoes,  before  I  was  able  to  travel 
about,  I  gave  forth  several  papers  (having  a  friend  to  write  for  me) 
some  of  which  I  sent  by  the  first  conveyance  for  England  to  be  printed. 
After  I  had  rested  three  or  four  days  at  Richard  Forstall's,  where 
many  friends  came  to  visit  me,  John  Rous,  having  borrowed  a  coach  of 
colonel  Chamberlain,  came  to  fetch  me  to  his  father  Thomas  Rous's. 
But  it  was  late  ere  we  could  get  thither,  and  little  or  no  rest  could  I  take 
that  night.  A  few  days  after,  colonel  Chamberlain,  who  had  so  kindly 
lent  his  coach,  came  to  give  me  a  visit,  and  carried  himself  very  cour- 
teously towards  me. 

Soon  after  I  came  into  the  island,  I  was  informed  of  a  remarkable 
passage,  wherein  the  justice  of  God  did  eminently  appear:  It  was  thus. 
There  was  a  young  man  of  Barbadoes,  whose  name  was  John  Drakes 
a  person  of  some  note  in  the  world's  account,  but  a  common  swearer 
and  a  bad  man,  who,  when  he  was  in  London,  had  a  mind  to  marry  a 
friend's  daughter,  left  by  her  mother  very  young,  with  a  consider- 
able portion,  to  the  care  and  government  of  several  friends,  whereof  I 
was  one.  He  made  application  to  me,  that  he  might  have  my  consent 
to  marry  this  young  maid.  I  told  him,  '  I  was  one  of  her  overseers  ap- 
'  pointed  by  her  mother,  who  was  a  widow,  to  take  care  of  her ;  that  if 
'  her  mother  had  intended  her  for  a  match  to  any  man  of  another  pro- 
'  fession,  she  would  have  disposed  her  accordingly ;  but  she  committed 
'  her  to  us,  that  she  might  be  trained  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ;  and 
'  therefore  I  should  betray  the  trust  reposed  in  me,  if  I  should  con- 
'  sent  that  he,  who  was  out  of  the  fear  of  God,  should  marry  her;  which 
*  I  would  not  do.'  When  he  saw  that  he  could  not  obtain  his  desire,  he 
returned  to  Barbadoes  with  great  offence  of  mind  against  me,  but  with- 
out a  just  cause.  Afterwards,  when  he  heard  I  was  coming  to  Barba- 
does, he  swore  desperately,  and  threatened,  '  if  he  could  possibly  procure 
'  it,  he  would  have  me  burned  to  death  when  I  came  there.'  Which  a 
friend  hearing,  asked  him,  '  What  I  had  done  to  him,  that  he  was  so 


1671]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  439 

*  violent  against  me  V    He  would  not  answer,  but  said  again,  '  I'll  have 

*  him  burned  V  Whereupon  the  friend  replied,  '  Do  not  march  on  too 
'  furiously,  lest  thou  come  too  soon  to  thy  journey's  end.'  About  ten 
days  after,  he  was  struck  with  a  violent  burning  fever,  of  which  he  died ; 
by  which  his  body  was  so  scorched,  that  the  people  said,  '  It  was  as 

*  black  as  a  coal ;'  and  three  days  before  I  landed,  his  body  was  laid  in 
the  dust.     This  was  taken  notice  of  as  a  sad  example. 

While  I  continued  so  weak  that  I  could  not  go  abroad  to  meetings, 
the  other  friends  that  came  over  with  me  bestirred  themselves  in  the 
Lord's  work.  The  next  day  but  one  after  we  came  on  shore,  they  had 
a  great  meeting  at  the  Bridge,  and  after  that  several  meetings  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  island ;  which  alarmed  the  people  of  all  sorts,  so  that 
many  came  to  our  meetings,  and  some  of  the  chiefest  rank.  For  they 
had  got  my  name,  understanding  I  was  come  upon  the  island,  and  ex- 
pected to  have  seen  me,  not  knowing  I  was  unable  to  go  abroad.  And 
indeed  my  weakness  continued  the  longer  on  me,  by  reason  that  my 
spirit  was  much  pressed  down  at  the  first  with  the  filth  and  dirt,  the  un- 
righteousness of  the  people,  which  lay  as  an  heavy  weight  and  load  upon 
me.  But  after  I  had  been  above  a  month  upon  the  island,  my  spirit  be- 
came somewhat  easier,  I  began  to  recover  my  health  and  strength,  and 
get  abroad  among  friends.  In  the  meantime,  having  an  opportunity  to 
send  to  England,  I  wrote  to  friends  there,  to  let  them  know  how  it  was 
with  me. 

'  Dear  friends, 

'  I  HAVE  been  very  weak  these  seven  weeks  past,  and  not  able  to  write 

*  myself     My  desire  is  to  you,  and  for  you  all,  that  ye  may  live  in  the 

*  fear  of  God,  and  in  love  one  unto  another,  and  be  subject  one  to  an- 

*  other  in  the  fear  of  God.  I  have  been  weaker  in  my  body  than  ever  I 
'  was  in  my  life  that  I  remember,  yea,  my  pains  have  been  such  as  I 
'  cannot  express ;  yet  my  heart  and  spirit  are  strong.     I  have  hardly 

*  sweated  these  seven  weeks  past,  though  I  am  in  a  very  hot  climate, 
'  where  hardly  any  but  are  well  nigh  continually  sweating ;  but  as  for 
'  me,  my  old  bruises,  colds,  numbness,  and  pains  struck  inwardly,  even 

*  to  my  very  heart.  So  that  httle  rest  I  have  taken,  and  the  chiefest 
'  things  that  were  comfortable  to  my  stomach  were  a  little  water  and 
'  powdered  ginger ;  but  now  I  begin  to  drink  a  little  beer  as  well  as 
'  water,  and  sometimes  a  httle  wine  and  water  mixed.     Great  pains  and 

*  travails  I  have  felt,  and  in  measure  am  under ;  but  it  is  well,  my  fife  is 

*  over  all.  This  island  was  to  me  as  all  on  a  fire  ere  I  came  to  it,  but 
'  now  it  is  somewhat  quenched  and  abated.  I  came  in  weakness  amongst 
'  those  that  are  strong,  and  have  so  continued ;  but  now  I  am  got  a  lit- 

*  tie  cheer}^,  and  over  it.     Many  friends,  and  some  considerable  persons 

*  of  the  world,  have  been  with  me.     I  tired  out  my  body  much  when 

*  amongst  you  in  England  ;  it  is  the  Lord's  power  that  helps  me ;  there- 
'  fore  I  desire  you  all  to  prize  the  power  of  the  Lord  and  his  truth.  I  was 
'  but  weak  in  body  when  I  left  you,  after  I  had  been  in  my  great  travail 

*  amongst  you ;  but  after  that  it  struck  all  back  again  into  my  body, 
'  which  was  not  well  settled  after  such  sore  travails  in  England.  Then 
'  I  was  so  tired  at  sea,  that  I  could  not  rest,  and  have  had  little  or  no 
'  stomach  a  long  time.  Since  I  came  into  this  island,  my  life  hath  been 
'  very  much  burdened ;  but  I  hope,  if  the  Lord  gives  me  strength  to 

*  manage  his  work,  I  shall  work  thoroughly,  and  bring  things  that  have 

*  been  out  of  course  into  better  order.    So,  dear  friends,  live  all  in  the 


440  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1671 

*  peaceable  truth,  and  in  the  love  of  it,  serving  the  Lord  in  nevi^ness  of 

*  life ;  for  glorious  things  and  precious  truths  have  been  manifested 
'  among  you  plentifully,  to  you  the  riches  of  the  kingdom  have  been 

*  reached.     I  have  been  almost  a  month  in  this  island,  but  have  not  been 

*  able  to  go  abroad  or  ride  out ;  only  very  lately  I  rode  out  twice,  a 

*  quarter  of  a  mile  at  a  time,  which  wearied  me  much.  My  love  in  the 
'  truth  is  to  you  all.  G.  F.' 

Because  I  was  not  well  able  to  travel,  the  friends  of  the  island  con- 
cluded to  have  their  men's  and  women's  meeting  for  the  service  of  the 
church  at  Thomas  Rous's,  where  I  lay ;  by  which  means  I  was  present 
at  each  of  their  meetings,  and  had  very  good  service  for  the  Lord  in 
both.  For  they  had  need  of  information  in  many  things,  divers  disor- 
ders being  crept  in  for  want  of  care  and  watchfulness.  '  I  exhorted 
'  them,  more  especially  at  the  men's  miceting,  to  be  careful  with  respect 

*  to  marriages,  to  prevent  friends  marrying  in  near  kindreds,  and  also  to 
'prevent  over-hasty  proceedings  towards  second  marriages  after  the 

*  death  of  -a  former  husband  or  wife ;  advising  that  a  decent  regard  be 
'  had  in  such  cases  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  husband  or  wife.    As 

*  to  friends'  children  marrying  too  young,  at  thirteen  or  fourteen  years 
'  of  age,  I  shewed  the  unfitness  thereof,  and  the  inconveniencies  and  hurts 
'  that  attend  such  childish  marriages.     I  admonished  them  to  purge  the 

*  floor  thoroughly,  and  to  sweep  their  houses  very  clean,  that  nothing  might 

*  remain  that  w^ould  defile ;  and  that  all  should  take  care,  that  nothing  be 

*  spoken  out  of  their  meetings  to  the  blemishing  or  defaming  one  of  an- 
'  other.  Concerning  registering  of  marriages,  births,  and  burials,  I  ad- 
'  vised  them  to  keep  exact  records  of  each  in  distinct  books  for  that  only 
'  use ;  and  also  to  record  in  a  book  for  that  purpose,  the  condemnations 

*  of  such  as  went  out  from  truth  into  disorderly  practices,  and  the  re- 

*  pentance  and  restoration  of  such  as  returned  again.     I  recommended 

*  to  their  care  the  providing  of  convenient  burying-places  for  friends, 
'  which  in  some  parts  were  yet  wanting.  Some  directions  also  I  gave 
'  them  concerning  wills,  and  the  ordering  of  legacies  left  by  friends  for 
'pubUck  uses,  and  other  things  relating  to  the  affairs  of  the  church.  Re- 
'specting  their  negroes,  I  desired  them  to  endeavour  to  train  them  up  in 

*  the  fear  of  God,  as  well  those  that  were  bought  with  their  money,  as 
'  them  that  were  born  in  their  families,  that  all  might  come  to  the  know- 

*  ledge  of  the  Lord ;  that  so,  with  Joshua,  every  master  of  a  family  might 
'  say,  "  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  I  desired 
'  also,  that  they  would  cause  their  overseers  to  deal  mildly  and  gently 

*  with  their  negroes,  and  not  use  cruelty  towards  them,  as  the  manner  of 
'  some  hath  been  and  is ;  and  that  after  certain  years  of  servitude  they 
'  should  make  them  free.'  Many  sweet  and  precious  things  were  opened 
in  these  meetings,  by  the  Spirit  and  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  to  the  edi- 
fying, confirming,  and  building  up  of  friends  in  the  faith  and  holy  order 
of  tiie  gospel. 

After  these  meetings,  the  vessel  bound  for  England  not  being  gone,  I 
was  moved  to  write  another  epistle  to  friends  there  ;  the  copy  whereof 
follows : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  to  whom  is  my  love  in  that  which  never 
'  changeth,  but  remains  in  glory,  which  is  over  all,  the  top  and  corner- 
'  stone.  In  this  all  have  peace  and  life,  as  ye  dwell  in  the  blessed  seed, 
'wherein  all  is  blessed,  over  that  which  brought  the  curse;  where  all 


16711  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  441 

«  shortness,  narrowness  of  spirit,  brittleness,  and  peevishness  is.     There- 

*  fore  keep  the  holy  order  of  the  gospel.  Keep  in  this  blessed  seed,  where 
'  all  may  be  kept  ui  temperance,  in  patience,  in  love,  in  meekness,  in 

*  righteousness  and  holiness,  and  in  peace ;  in  which  the  Lord  may  be 
'  seen  amongst  you,  and  no  way  dishonoured,  but  glorified  by  you  all. 

*  In  all  your°  meetings,  in  cities,  towns,  and  countries,  men's  meetings, 

*  women's  meetings,  and  others,  let  righteousness  flow  among  you,  the 
«  holy  truth  be  uppermost,  the  pure  Spirit  your  guide  and  leader,  and  the 
'  holy  wisdom  from  above  your  orderer,  that  is  pure,  gentle,  and  easy  to 

*  be  intreated.     Keep  in  the  religion  that  preserves  from  the  spots  of  the 

*  world,  which  is  pure  and  undefiled  in  God's  sight.     Keep  in  the  pure 

*  and  holy  worship,  in  w-'iich  the  pure  and  holy  God  is  worshipped,  viz. 

*  in  the  Spirit,  and  in  tte  truth,  which  the  devil  is  out  of,  who  is  the  au- 

*  thor  of  all  unholincjs,  and  of  that  which  dishonours  God.  Be  tender 
'  of  God's  o"lory,  a  his  honour,  and  of  his  blessed  and  holy  name,  in 
'  which  ye  are  o-iidiered.     All  who  profess  the  truth,  see  that  ye  walk  in 

it,  in  righteousness,  holiness,  and  godliness ;  for  "  holiness  becomes  the 
"  house  of  G^d,  the  household  of  faith."     That  w^hich  becomes  God's 

*  house,  GM  loves.  He  loves  righteousness.  That  is  the  ornament  which 
i  becomif^  his  house  and  all  his  family.  Therefore  see  that  righteousness 
<  run  ^'own  in  all  your  assemblies,  that  it  flow,  to  drive  away  all  unright- 
«  ervisness.  This  preserves  your  peace  with  God  ;  for  in  righteousness 
«ye  all  have  peace  with  the  righteous  God  of  peace,  and  one  with  an- 

*  other.     Every  one  that  bears  the  name  of  the  Anointed,  that  high  title 

*  of  being  a  Christian,  named  after  the  Heavenly  Man,  see  that  ye  be  in 
'  the  divine  nature  made  conformable  unto  his  image,  even  the  image  of 

*  the  Heavenly  Divine  Man,  who  w^as  before  that  image  which  Adam 

*  and  Eve  got  from  Satan  in  the  fall ;  so  that  in  none  of  you  that  fallen 

*  image  may  appear,  but  his  image,  and  you  made  conformable  unto  him. 

*  Here  translation  is  shewed  forth  in  life  and  conversation,  not  in  words 
'  only ;  yea,  and  conversion  and  repentance,  which  is  a  change  of  the 

*  nature,  of  the  mind,  and  of  the  heart,  of  the  spirit  and  affections,  which 

*  have  been  below,  and  come  to  be  set  above ;  and  so  receive  the  things 

*  that  are  from  above,  and  have  the  conversation  in  heaven,  not  that 
'  conversation  which  is  according  to  the  power  of  the  prince  of  the  air, 

*  that  now  rules  in  the  disobedient.  So  be  faithful ;  this  is  the  word  of 
'  the  Lord  God  unto  you  all.  See,  that  godhness,  holiness,  righteousness, 
'  truth,  and  virtue,  the  fruits  of  the  good  Spirit,  flow  over  the  bad  and 
'  its  fruits,  that  ye  may  answer  that  which  is  of  God  in  all ;  for  your 
'  Heavenly  Father  is  glorified,  in  that  you  bring  forth  much  fruit.  There- 

*  fore  ye,  who  are  plants  of  his  planting,  his  trees  of  righteousness,  see 
'  that  every  tree  be  full  of  fruit.  Keep  in  true  humility,  and  in  the  true 
'  love  of  God,  which  doth  edify  his  body,  that  the  true  nourishment  from 
'  the  head,  the  refreshings,  springs,  and  rivers  of  water,  and  bread  of 

*  life  may  be  plenteously  known  and  felt  amongst  you,  that  so  praises 
'  may  ascend  to  God.  Be  faithful  to  the  Lord  God,  and  just  and  true  in 
'  all  your  dealings  and  doings  with  and  towards  men.  Be  not  negligent 
'  in  your  men's  meetings  to  admonish,  exhort,  and  reprove,  in  the  spirit 
'  of  love  and  of  meekness,  and  to  seek  that  which  is  lost,  and  to  bring 
'  back  again  that  which  hath  been  driven  away.     Let  all  minds,  spirits, 

*  souls,  and  hearts,  be  bended  down  under  the  yoke  of  Christ  Jesus,  the 
'  power  of  God.  Much  I  could  write,  but  am  weak,  and  have  been  mostly 
'  since  I  left  you.     Burdens  and  travails  I  have  been  under,  and  gone 

3F 


442  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [16TI 

« through  many  ways  ;  but  it  is  well.     The  Lord  Ahuighty  knows  my 

*  work,  which  he  hath  sent  me  forth  to  do  by  his  everlasting  arm  and 

*  power,  which  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting.     Blessed  be  his  holy 

*  name,  which  I  am  in,  and  in  which  my  love  is  to  you  all.  G.  F.' 

After  I  was  able  to  go  abroad,  and  had  been  a  little  amongst  friends,. 
I  went  to  visit  the  governor ;  Lewis  Morrlce,  Thomas  Rouse,  and  some 
other  friends  being  with  me.  He  received  us  very  civilly,  and  treated 
us  very  kindly ;  making  us  dine  with  him,  and  keeping  us  most  part  of 
the  day  before  he  let  us  go  away. 

The  same  week  I  went  to  Bridge  Town.  There  was  to  be  a  general 
meeting  of  friends  that  week ;  and  the  visit  I  he^l  made  to  the  governor^ 
and  the  kind  reception  I  had  with  him,  being  generally  known  to  the  offi- 
cers, civil  and  military,  many  came  to  this  meeting  ^om  most  parts  of 
the  island,  and  those  not  of  the  meanest  rank ;  divtrs  of  them  beino- 
judges  or  justices,  colonels  or  captains ;  so  that  a  very  great  meeting 
we  had  of  friends  and  others.  The  Lord's  blessed  powei  was  plentifully 
with  us,  and  though  I  was  somewhat  straitened  for  time,  three  other 
friends  having  spoken  before  me,  the  Lord  opened  things  thrtv^gh  me  tc 
the  general  and  great  satisfaction  of  those  present.  Colonel  Le\iis  Mor- 
rice  came  to  this  meeting,  and  with  him  a  judge  in  the  country,  vhose 
name  was  Ralph  Fretwell ;  who  was  well  satisfied,  and  received  ♦he 
truth. 

Paul  Gwin,  a  jangling  Baptist,  came  into  the  meeting,  and  asked  me, 

*  How  I  spelt  Cain  1  and  whether  I  had  the  same  spirit  as  the  apostles 

*  had  V  I  told  him,  Yes.     And  he  bade  the  judge  take  notice  of  it.    I  told 
him,  '  He  that  had  not  a  measure  of  the  same  Holy  Ghost  as  the  apos- 

*  ties  had,  was  possessed  with  an  unclean  spirit.'     And  then  he  went 
his  way. 

I  went  home  with  Lewis  Morrice  that  night,  being  about  nine  or  ten 
miles ;  going  part  of  the  way  by  boat,  the  rest  on  horseback.  The  place 
where  his  plantation  was  I  thought  to  be  the  finest  air  of  the  island. 
Next  day  Thomas  Briggs  and  William  Edmundson  came  to  see  me,  they 
intending  to  leave  the  island  the  day  following,  and  to  go  upon  the  Lord's 
service  to  Antigua  and  Nevis.  Lewis  Morrice  went  with  them.  At 
Antigua  they  had  several  good  meetings,  to  which  there  was  a  great  re- 
sort of.  people ;  and  many  were  convinced.  But  when  they  went  to  Ne- 
vis, the  governor,  an  old  persecutor,  sent  soldiers  on  board  the  vessel,  to 
stop  them,  and  would  not  suffer  them  to  land.  Wherefore,  after  friends 
of  the  place  had  been  on  board  the  vessel  with  them,  and  they  had  been 
sweetly  refreshed  together,  in  feeling  the  Lord's  power  and  presence 
amongst  them,  they  returned  to  Antigua^  where  having  staid  awhile 
longer,  they  came  again  to  Barbadoes ;  Thomas  Briggs  being  very  weak 
and  ill. 

Of  the  other  friends  that  came  over  with  me,  James  Lancaster,  John 
Cartwright,  and  George  Pattison,  were  gone  some  time  before  to  Ja- 
maica, and  others  to  other  places ;  so  that  few  remained  in  Barbadoes 
with  me.  We  had  many  great  and  precious  meetings,  both  for  worship, 
and  for  the  affairs  of  the  church  ;  to  the  former  of  which  many  of  other 
societies  came.  At  one  of  these  meetings,  colonel  Lyne,  a  sober  per- 
son, was  so  well  satisfied  with  what  I  declared,  that  he  said,  '  Now  I 

*  can  gainsay  such  as  I  have  heard  speak  evil  of  you ;  who  say  you 
'  do  not  own  Christ,  nor  that  he  died :  whereas  I  perceive  you  exalt 


1671]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  443 

*  Christ  in  all  his  offices,  beyond  what  I  have  ever  heard  before.'  This 
man,  observing  one  to  take  in  writing  the  heads  of  what  I  delivered,  de- 
sired him  to  let  him  have  a  copy  of  it ;  and  staid  another  day  with  us 
before  he  went  away ;  so  great  a  love  was  raised  in  him  to  the  truth.  A 
very  great  convincement  there  was  in  most  parts  of  the  island ;  whicl» 
made  the  priest  and  some  professors  fret  and  rage.  Our  meetings  w^ere 
very  large,  and  free  from  disturbance  from  the  government ;  though  the 
envious  priests  and  some  professors  endeavoured  to  stir  up  the  magis- 
trates against  us.  When  they  found  they  could  not  prevail  that  way, 
some  Baptists  came  to  the  meeting  at  the  town,  which  was  full  of  people 
of  several  ranks  and  qualities.  A  great  company  came  with  them ;  and 
they  brought  a  slanderous  paper  written  by  John  Pennyman,  with  which 
they  made  a  great  noise.  But  the  Lord  gave  me  wisdom  and  utterance 
to  answer  their  cavils ;  so  that  the  auditory  generally  received  satisfac- 
tion, and  those  quarrelsome  professors  lost  ground.  When  they  had 
wearied  themselves  with  clamour,  they  went  away ;  but  the  people  stay- 
ing, the  meeting  was  continued ;  the  things  they  cavilled  about  were 
further  opened  and  cleared,  and  the  life  and  power  of  God  came  over 
all.  But  the  rage  and  envy  in  our  adversaries  did  not  cease ;  they  en- 
deavoured to  defame  friends  with  many  false  and  scandalous  reports, 
which  they  spread  through  the  island.  Whereupon  I,  with  some  other 
friends,  drew  up  a  paper,  to  go  forth  in  the  name  of  the  people  called 
Quakers,  for  the  clearing  truth  and  friends  from  those  false  reports.  It 
was  after  this  manner : 

'  For  the  governor  of  Barbadoes,  with  his  council  and  assembly,  and 
'  all  others  in  power,  both  civil  and  mihtary,  in  this  island ;  from  the 
'  people  called  Quakers. 

'  Whereas  many  scandalous  lies  and  slanders  have  been  cast  upon  us, 
'  to  render  us  odious ;  as  that  "  We  deny  God,  Christ  Jesus,  and  the 
"  scriptures  of  truth,"  &c.  This  is  to  inform  you.  That  all  our  books 
'  and  declarations,  which  for  these  many  years  have  been  pubhshed  to 

*  the  world,  clearly  testify  the  contrary.     Yet,  for  your  satisfaction,  we 

*  now  plainly  and  sincerely  declare.  That  we  own  and  believe  in  the  only 
'  Wise,  Omnipotent,  and  Everlasting  God,  the  Creator  of  all  things  in 
'  heaven  and  earth,  and  the  Preserver  of  all  that  he  hath  made ;  who  is 

*  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever ;  to  whom  be  all  honour,  glory,  dominion, 
'  praise  and  thanksgiving,  both  now  and  for  evermore  !  And  we  own  and 

*  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  beloved  and  only  begotten  Son,  in  whom  he 
'  is  well  pleased ;  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  born  of 

*  the  Virgin  Mary ;  in  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
'  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins ;  who  is  the  express  image  of  the  Invisible 
'  God,  the  first-born  of  every  creature,  by  whom  were  all  things  created 
'  that  are  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be 
'  thrones,  dominions,  principalities,  or  powers;  all  things  were"  created 
'  by  him.  And  we  own  and  believe  that  he  was  made  a  sacrifice  for 
'  sin,  who  knew  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth ;  that  he 
'  was  crucified  for  us  in  the  flesh,  without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem ;  and 
'  that  he  was  buried,  and  rose  again  the  third  day  by  the  power  of  his 
'  Father,  for  our  justification;  and  that  he  ascended  up  into  heaven,  and 
'  now  sitteth  at  tlie  right  hand  of  God.     This  Jesus,  who  was  the  found- 

*  ation  of  the  holy  prophets  and  apostles,  is  our  foundation ;  and  we  be- 

*  lieve  there  is  no  other  foundation  to  be  laid  but  that  which  is  laid,  even 


444  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [K7J 

*  Christ  Jesus :  who  tasted  death  for  every  man,  shed  his  blood  for  all 

*  men,  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for 
'  the  sins  of  the  whole  world :  according  as  John  the  Baptist  testified  of 

*  him,  when  he  said,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the 

*  sins  of  the  world,"  John  i.  29.  We  believe  that  he  alone  is  our  Re- 
'  deemer  and  Saviour,  the  captain  of  our  salvation,  who  saves  us  from 
'  sin,  as  well  as  from  hell  and  the  wrath  to  come,  and  destroys  the  devil 

*  and  his  works ;  he  is  the  Seed  of  the  woman  that  bruises  the  serpent's 
'  head,  to  wit,  Christ  Jesus,  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  First  and  the  Last. 
'  He  is  (as  the  scriptures  of  truth  say  of  him)  our  wisdom,  righteousness, 
'justification,  and  redemption;  neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other, 
'  for  there  is  no  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby 
'  we  may  be  saved.  He  alone  is  the  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  our  souls  : 
'  he  is  our  Prophet,  whom  Moses  long  since  testified  of,  saying,  "  A  pro- 
*'  phet  shall  the  Lord  your  God  raise  up  unto  you  of  your  brethren,  like 
*'  unto  me ;  him  shall  ye  hear  in  all  things,  whatsoever  he  shall  say  unto 
"  you:  and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  every  soul  that  will  not  hear  that 
"  prophet  shall  be  destroyed  from  among  the  people,"  Acts  ii.  22,  23.  He 

*  is  now  come  in  Spirit,  "  and  hath  given  us  an  understanding,  that  we 
"  know  him  that  is  true."  He  rules  in  our  hearts  by  his  law  of  love  and 
'  life,  and  makes  us  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  We  have  no 
'  life,  but  by  him ;  for  he  is  the  quickening  Spirit,  the  second  Adam,  the 

*  Lord  from  heaven,  by  whose  blood  we  are  cleansed,  and  our  conscien- 
'  ces  sprinkled  from  dead  works,  to  serve  the  living  God.  He  is  our  Me- 
'  diator,  who  makes  peace  and  reconciliation  between  God  offended  and 

*  us  oflending ;  he  being  the  Oath  of  God,  the  new  covenant  of  light,  life, 
'  grace,  and  peace,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.  This  Lord  Jesus 
'  Christ,  the  heavenly  man,  the  Emanuel,  God  Avith  us,  we  all  own  and 
'  believe  in ;  he  whom  the  high-priest  raged  against,  and  said,  he  had 

*  spoken  blasphemy ;  whom  the  priests  and  elders  of  the  Jews  took  coun- 

*  sel  together  against,  and  put  to  death ;  the  same  whom  Judas  betrayed 
'  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver,  which  the  priests  gave  him  as  a  reward  for 
'his  treason;  who  also  gave  large  money  to  the  soldiers  to  broach  an 

*  horrible  lie,  namely,  "  That  his  disciples  came  and  stole  him  away  by 
"  night  whilst  they  slept."  After  he  w^as  risen  from  the  dead,  the  history 
'  of  the  Acts  of  the  apostles  sets  forth  how  the  chief  priests  and  elders 
'  persecuted  the  disciples  of  this  Jesus,  for  preaching  Christ  and  his  re- 

*  surrection.     This,  we  say,  is  that  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  we  own  to 

*  be  our  life  and  salvation. 

'  Concerning  the  holy  scriptures,  we  believe  they  were  given  forth  by 
'  the  holy  Spirit  of  God,  through  the  holy  men  of  God,  who  (as  the  scrip- 
'  ture  itself  declares,  2  Pet.  i.  21,)  "spoke  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
"  Holy  Ghost."  We  believe  they  are  to  be  read,  believed,  and  fulfilled 
'  (he  that  fulfils  them  is  Christ) :  and  they  are  "  profitable  for  reproof,  for 
"  correction,  and  for  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God 
"  may  be  perfect,  throughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works,"  2  Tim.  3.  19. 

*  and  are  able  to-  "  make  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  in  Christ 
"Jesus."     We  believe  the  holy  scriptures  are  the  words  of  God;  for  it 

*  is  said  in  Exodus  20.  1.  "  God  spake  all  these  words,  saying,"  &c. 
'  meaning  the  ten  commandments  given  forth  upon  mount  Sinai.  And  in 
'  Rev.  xxii.  18.  saith  John,  "  I  testify  to  every  man  that  heareth  the  words 
"  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book,  if  any  man  addeth  unto  these,  and  if  any 
"  man  shall  take  away  from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this  prophecy" 


1671]  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  445 

(not  the  Word)  &c.  So  in  Luke  1.  20.  "  Because  thou  believest  not 
"  my  words."     And  in  John  v.  47.  xv.  7.  xiv.  23.  xii.  47.     So  that  we 

*  call  the  holy  scriptures,  as  Christ,  the  apostles,  and  holy  men  of  God 
'  called  them,  viz.  the  words  of  God. 

'  Another  slander  they  have  cast  upon  us,  is,  "  That  we  teach  the  ne- 
"  groes  to  rebel :"  a  thing  we  utterly  abhor  in  our  hearts,  the  Lord  knows 
'  it,  who  is  the  searcher  of  all  hearts,  and  knows  alf  things,  and  can  tes- 
'  tify  for  us,  that  this  is  a  most  abominable  untruth.  That  which  we  have 
'  spoken  to  them,  is  To  exhort  and  admonish  them  to  be  sober,  to  fear 

*  God,  to  love  their  masters  and  mistresses,  to  be  faithful  and  diligent  in 
'  their  service  and  business,  and  then  their  masters  and  overseers  would 

*  love  them,  and  deal  kindly  and  gently  with  them ;  also  that  they  should 
'  not  beat  their  wives,  nor  the  wives  their  husbands ;  neither  should  the 
'  men  have  many  wives ;  that  they  should  not  steal,  nor  be  drunk,  nor 
'  commit  adultery,  nor  fornication,  nor  curse,  swear,  nor  lie,  nor  give 
'  bad  words  to  one  another,  nor  to  any  one  else ;  for  there  is  something 
'  in  them  that  tells  them  they  should  not  practise  these  nor  any  other 
'  evils.     But  if  they  notwithstanding  should  do  them,  then  we  let  them 

*  know  there  are  but  two  ways,  the  one  that  leads  to  heaven,  where  the 
'  righteous  go ;  and  the  other  that  leads  to  hell,  where  the  wicked  and 
'  debauched,  whoremongers,  adulterers,  murderers,  and  liars  go.  To  the 

*  one  the  Lord  will  say,  "  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the 
*'  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  to  the 
'  other,  "  Depart,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil 
"  and  his  angels :"  so  the  wicked  go  into  "  everlasting  punishment,  but 
"  the  righteous  into  life  eternal,"  Mat.  xxv.  Consider,  friends,  it  is  no 
'  transgression  for  a  master  of  a  family  to  instruct  his  family  himself,  or 

*  for  others  to  do  it  in  his  behalf;  but  rather  it  is  a  very  great  duty  in- 
'  cumbent  upon  them.  Abraham  and  Joshua  did  so :  of  the  first,  the  Lord 
'  said.  Gen.  xviii.  19,  "  I  know  that  Abraham  will  command  his  children, 
"  and  his  household  after  him  ;  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
"  to  do  justice  and  judgment,  that  the  Lord  may  bring  upon  Abi'aham 
"  the  things  that  he  hath  spoken  of  him."  And  the  latter  said.  Josh.  xxiv. 
'15,  "  Choose  ye  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve — But  as  for  me  and  my 
"  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  We  declare,  that  we  esteem  it  a  duty 
'  incumbent  on  us  to  pray  with  and  for,  to  teach,  instruct,  and  admonish 

*  those  in  and  belonging  to  our  families ;  this  being  a  command  of  the 
'  Lord,  disobedience  thereunto  will  provoke  his  displeasure ;  as  may  be 
'  seen  in  Jer.  x.  25.  "  Pour  out  thy  fury  upon  the  heathen  that  know  thee 
"  not,  and  upon  the  families  that  call  not  upon  thy  name."  Negroes, 
'  Tawnies,  Indians,  make  up  a  very  great  part  of  the  families  in  this 
'  island ;  for  whom  an  account  will  be  required  by  him  who  comes  to 
'judge  both  quick  and  dead  at  the  great  day  of  judgment,  when  every 

*  one  shall  be  "  rewarded  accoi'ding  to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body, 
*'  whether  they  be  good,  or  whether  they  be  evil :"  at  that  day,  we  say, 
'  of  the  resurrection  both  of  the  good  and  of  the  bad,  and  of  the  just  and 

*  the  unjust,  when  "  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with 
"  his  mighty  angels,  in  flaming  fire,  taking  vengeance  on  them  that  knovv^ 
"  not  God,  and  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
"  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
"  and  from  the  glory  of  his  power,  when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in 
"  his  saints,  and  admired  in  all  them  that  believe  in  that  day,"  2  Thess:. 
'  i.  8,  &c.     See  also  2  Pet.  iii.  3,  &c,' 


446  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1671 

This  wicked  slander,  of  our  endeavouring  to  make  the  Negroes  rebel, 
our  adversaries  took  occasion  to  raise,  from  our  having  some  m.eetings 
amongst  the  Negroes ;  for  we  had  several  meetings  with  them  in  divers 
plantations,  wherein  we  exhorted  them  to  justice,  sobriety,  temperance, 
chastity,  and  piety,  and  to  be  subject  to  their  masters  and  governors. 
Which  was  altogether  contrary  to  what  our  envious  adversaries  mali- 
ciously suggested  against  us. 

As  I  had  been  to  visit  the  governor,  as  soon  as  I  was  well  able,  after 
I  came  thither ;  so  when  I  was  at  Thomas  Rouse's,  the  governor  came 
to  see  me,  carrying  himself  very  courteously. 

Having  been  three  months  or  more  in  Barbadoes,  and  having  visited 
friends,  thoroughly  settled  meetings,  and  dispatched  the  service  for  which 
the  Lord  brought  me  thither ;  I  felt  my  spirit  clear  of  that  island,  and 
found  drawings  to  Jamaica.  Which  when  I  had  communicated  to  friends, 
I  acquainted  the  governor  also,  and  divers  of  his  council,  with  my  inten- 
tion ;  which  I  did,  that  as  my  coming  thither  was  open  and  pubHck,  so 
my  departure  also  might  be.  Before  I  left  the  island,  I  wrote  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  my  wife ;  that  she  might  understand  both  how  it  was  with 
me,  and  how  I  proceeded  in  my  travels. 

*  My  dear  Heart, 
'  To  whom  is  my  love,  and  to  all  the  children  in  the  Seed  of  life  that 

*  changeth  not,  but  is  over  all ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  for  ever !   I  have  un- 

*  dergone  great  sufferings  in  my  body  and  spirit,  beyond  words ;  but  the 

*  God  of  Heaven  be  praised,  his  truth  is  over  all.     I  am  now  well;  and, 

*  if  the  Lord  permit,  within  a  few  days  I  pass  from  Barbadoes  towards 

*  Jamaica ;  and  think  to  stay  but  little  there.     I  desire  that  ye  may  be  all 

*  kept  free  in  the  Seed  of  life,  out  of  all  cumbrances.     Friends  are  gen- 

*  erally  well.     Remember  me  to  friends  that  inquire  after  me.     So  no 

*  more,  but  my  love  in  the  Seed  and  Life,  that  changeth  not.       G.  F.' 

'  Barbadoes,  the  6th  of  the 
'  11th  month,  1671.' 

I  set  sail  from  Barbadoes  to  Jamaica  the  eighth  of  the  eleventh  month, 
1671,  Robert  Widders,  William  Edmundson,  Solomon  Eccles,  andEhza- 
beth  Hooton  going  with  me.  Thomas  Briggs  and  John  Stubbs  remained 
in  Barbadoes ;  with  whom  were  John  Rouse  and  WiUiam  Baily.  We 
had  a  quick  and  easy  passage  to  Jamaica ;  where  we  met  with  James 
Lancaster,  John  Cartwright,  and  George  Pattison  again,  who  had  been 
labouring  there  in  the  service  of  truth ;  into  which  we  forthwith  entered 
with  them,  traveUing  up  and  down  through  the  island,  which  is  large; 
and  a  brave  country  it  is,  though  the  people  are  many  of  them  debauch- 
ed and  wicked.  We  had  much  service.  There  was  a  great  convince- 
ment,  and  many  received  the  truth ;  some  of  which  were  people  of  ac- 
count in  the  world.  We  had  many  meetings  there,  which  were  large, 
and  very  quiet.  The  people  were  civil  to  us,  so  that  not  a  mouth  was 
opened  against  us.  I  was  twice  with  the  governor,  and  some  other 
magistrates,  who  all  carried  themselves  kindly  towards  me. 

About  a  week  after  we  landed  in  Jamaica,  Elizabeth  Hooton,  a  woman 
of  great  age,  who  had  travelled  much  in  truth's  service,  and  suffered 
much  for  it,  departed  this  life.  She  was  well  the  day  befoi'e  she  died; 
and  departed  in  peace,  like  a  lamb,  bearing  testimony  to  truth  at  her  de- 
parture. 


1671]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  44t 

When  "we  had  been  about  seven  weeks  in  Jamaica,  had  brought 
friends  into  pretty  good  order,  and  settled  several  meetings  amongst 
them,  we  left  Solomon  Eccles  there ;  the  rest  of  us  embarked  for  Mary- 
land ;  leaving  friends  and  truth  prosperous  in  Jamaica,  the  Lord's  power 
being  over  all,  and  his  blessed  Seed  reigning. 

Before  I  left  Jamaica,  I  wrote  another  letter  to  my  wife,  as  followeth: 

*  My  dear  Heart, 
'  To  whom  is  my  love,  and  to  the  children,  in  that  which  changeth 

*  not,  but  is  over  all ;  and  to  all  friends  in  those  parts.     I  have  been  at 

*  Jamaica  about  five  weeks.  Friends  are  generally  well ;  and  here  is  a 
'  convincement ;  but  things  would  be  too  large  to  write  of.  Sufferings 
'  in  every  place  attend  me ;  but  the  blessed  Seed  is  over  all :  the  great 

*  Lord  be  praised,  who  is  Lord  of  sea  and  land,  and  of  all  things  therein. 

*  We  intend  to  pass  from  hence  about  the  beginning  of  the  next  month, 
'  towards  Maryland,  if  the  Lord  please.  Dwell  all  of  you  in  the  Seed  of 

*  God.     In  his  truth  I  rest  in  love  to  you  all. 

'  Jamaica,  23d  of  the 
'  12th  month,  167  L 

We  went  on  board  the  8th  of  the  first  month  1671-2 ;  and  having  con- 
trary winds,  were  a  full  week  sailing  forwards  and  backwards,  before 
we  could  get  out  of  sight  of  Jamaica.  A  diflicult  voyage  this  proved, 
and  pretty  dangerous,  especially  in  our  passing  through  the  gulph  of 
Florida,  where  we  met  with  many  winds  and  storms.  But  the  great 
God,  who  is  Lord  of  sea  and  land,  and  who  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the 
wind,  did  by  his  power  preserve  us  through  many  and  great  dangers, 
when  by  extreme  stress  of  weather  our  vessel  was  divers  times  like  to 
be  overset,  and  much  of  her  tackling  broken.  And  indeed  we  were  sen- 
sible that  the  Lord  was  a  God  at  hand,  and  that  his  ear  was  open  to  the 
supplications  of  his  people.  For  when  the  winds  were  so  strong  and  bois- 
terous, and  the  storms  and  tempests  so  great,  that  the  sailors  knew  hot 
what  to  do,  but  let  the  ship  go  which  way  she  would ;  then  did  we  pray 
unto  the  Lord ;  who  did  graciously  hear  and  accept  us,  and  did  calm  the 
winds  and  seas,  gave  us  seasonable  weather,  and  made  us  to  rejoice  in 
his  salvation ;  blessed  and  praised  be  the  holy  name  of  the  Lord,  whose 
power  hath  dominion  over  all,  and  whom  the  winds  and  seas  obey ! 

We  were  between  six  and  seven  weeks  in  this  passage  from  Jamaica 
to  Maryland.  Some  days  before  we  came  to  land,  after  we  had  entered 
the  bay  of  Patuxent  river,  a  great  storm  arose,  which  cast  a  boat  upon 
us  for  shelter ;  in  which  were  divers  men  and  women  of  account  in  the 
world.  We  took  them  in ;  but  the  boat  was  lost,  with  five  hundred 
pounds  worth  of  goods  in  it,  as  they  said.  They  continued  on  board  us 
several  days,  not  having  any  means  to  get  off;  and  we  had  a  very  good 
meeting  with  them  in  the  ship.  But  provisions  grew  short,  for  they 
brought  none  in  with  them  ;  and  ours,  by  reason  of  the  length  of  our  voy- 
age, were  well  nigh  spent  when  they  came  to  us :  so  that  with  their 
hving  upon  it  too,  we  had  now  little  or  none  left.  Whereupon  George 
Pattison  took  a  boat,  and  ventured  his  life  to  get  to  shore ;  the  hazard 
was  so  great,  that  all  but  friends  concluded  he  would  be  cast  away.  Yet 
it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bring  him  safe  to  land ;  and  in  a  short  time  after 
the  friends  of  the  place  came  to  fetch  us  to  land  also,  in  a  seasonable 
time,  for  our  provisions  were  quite  spent. 


448  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1672 

We  partook  also  of  another  great  deliverance  in  this  voyage,  through 
the  good  providence  of  the  Lord,  which  we  understood  afterwards. 
When  we  were  determined  to  come  from  Jamaica,  we  had  our  choice 
of  two  vessels,  both  bound  for  the  same  coast.  One  was  a  frigate,  the 
other  a  yacht.  The  master  of  the  frigate,  we  thought,  asked  unreason- 
ably for  our  passage ;  which  made  us  agree  with  the  master  of  the  yacht, 
who  ofiered  to  carry  us  ten  shillings  a  piece  cheaper  than  the  other. 
We  went  on  board  the  yacht,  and  the  frigate  came  out  together  with  us, 
intending  to  be  consorts  during  the  voyage-;  and  for  several  days  we 
sailed  together :  but  what  with  calms  and  contrary  winds,  we  were  in 
awhile  separated.  After  which,  the  frigate,  losing  her  way,  fell  among 
the  Spaniards;  by  whom  she  was  plundered  and  robbed,  and  the  master 
and  mate  made  prisoners :  aftervt'ards,  being  retaken  by  the  English,  she 
was  sent  home  to  her  owners  in  Virginia.  Which  when  we  came  to 
understand,  we  saw  and  admired  the  Providence  of  God,  who  preserved 
us  out  of  our  enemies'  hands ;  and  he  that  was  covetous  fell  among  the 
covetous. 

Here  we  found  Burnyeate,  intending  shortly  to  sail  for  Old  England ; 
but  upon  our  arrival  he  altered  his  purpose,  and  joined  us  in  the  Lord's 
service.  He  had  appointed  a  general  meeting  for  all  the  friends  in  the 
province  of  Maryland,  that  he  might  see  them  together,  and  take  his  leave 
of  them,  before  he  departed  out  of  the  country ;  and  it  was  so  order- 
ed by  the  good  Providence  of  God,  that  we  landed  just  time  enough  to 
reach  that  meeting ;  by  which  means  we  had  a  very  seasonable  oppor- 
tunity of  taking  the  friends  of  the  province  together.  A  very  large 
meeting  this  was,  and  held  four  days ;  to  which,  besides  friends,  came 
many  other  people,  divers  of  whom  were  of  considerable  quality  in  the 
world's  account:  for  there  were  five  or  six  justices  of  the  peace,  the 
speaker  of  their  assembly,  one  of  their  council,  and  others  of  note,  who 
seemed  well  satisfied  with  the  meeting.  After  the  publick  meetings  were 
over,  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  began ;  wherein  I  opened  to  friends 
the  service  thereof,  to  their  great  satisfaction.  After  this  we  went  to  the 
Cliffs,  where  another  general  meeting  was  appointed.  We  went  some 
of  the  way  by  land,  the  rest  by  water;  and  a  storm  arising,  our  boat 
was  run  aground,  in  danger  to  be  beaten  to  pieces,  and  the  water  come 
in  upon  us.  I  was  in  a  great  sweat,  having  come  very  hot  out  of  a 
meeting  before,  and  now  was  wet  with  the  water  besides :  yet  having 
faith  in  the  divine  power,  I  was  preserved  from  taking  hurt,  blessed  be  the 
Lord  !  To  this  meeting  many  came,  who  received  the  truth  with  rever- 
ence. We  had  also  a  men's  meeting  and  a  women's  meeting.'  Most  of 
the  backsliders  came  in  again;  and  several  of  those  meetings  were 
established  for  taking  care  of  the  affairs  of  the  church. 

After  these  two  general  meetings,  we  parted  company,  dividing  our- 
selves unto  several  coasts,  for  the  service  of  truth.  James  Lancaster 
and  John  Cartwright  went  by  sea  for  New-England ;  William  Edmund- 
son  and  three  friends  more  sailed  for  Virginia,  where  things  were  much 
out  of  order;  John  Burnyeate,  Robert  Widders,  George  Pattison,  and  I, 
with  several  friends  of  the  province,  went  over  by  boat  to  the  eastern 
shore,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  the  first-day ;  where  many  people 
received  the  truth  with  gladness,  and  friends  were  greatly  refreshed 
A  very  large  and  heavenly  meeting  it  was.  Several  persons  of  quality 
in  that  country  were  at  it,  two  of  whom  were  justices  of  the  peace.  It 
was  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  send  to  the  Indian  emperor  and  his 


1672]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  449 

kings,  to  come  to  that  meeting ;  the  emperor  came,  and  was  at  the  meet- 
ing;  but  his  kings,  lying  further  off,  could  not  reach  thither  time  enough; 
yet  they  came  after  with  their  cockarooses.  I  had  in  the  evening  two 
good  opportunities  with  them ;  they  heard  the  word  of  the  Lord  willing- 
ly, and  confessed  to  it.  '  What  I  spoke  to  them,  I  desired  them  to  speak 
'  to  their  people ;  and  let  them  know,  that  God  was  raising  up  his  taber- 
'  nacle  of  witness  in  their  wilderness-country,  and  was  setting  up  his 
'  standard  and  glorious  ensign  of  righteousness.'  They  carried  them- 
selves very  courteously  and  lovingly ;  and  inquired,  '  Where  the  next 
'  meeting  would  be,  and  they  would  come  to  it'  Yet  they  said,  '  They 
'  had  a  great  debate  with  their  council  about  their  coming,  before  they 
*  came  now.' 

The  next  day  we  began  our  journey  by  land  to  New-England ;  a  te- 
dious journey  through  the  woods  and  wilderness,  over  bogs  and  great 
rivers.  We  took  horse  at  the  head  of  Tredaven  Creek,  and  travelled 
through  the  woods  till  we  came  a  little  above  the  head  of  Miles  River ;  by 
which  we  passed,  and  rode  to  the  head  of  Wye  River ;  and  so  to  the  head 
of  Chester  River ;  where,  making  a  fire,  we  took  up  our  lodging  in  the 
woods.  Next  morning  we  travelled  the  woods  till  we  came  to  Sassafras 
River,  which  we  went  over  in  canoes  (or  Indian  boats)  causing  our  horses 
to  swim  by.  Then  we  rode  to  Bohemia  River ;  where  in  hke  manner 
swimming  our  horses,  we  ourselves  went  over  in  canoes.  We  rested  a 
little  at  a  plantation  by  the  way,  but  not  long,  for  we  had  thirty  miles  to 
ride  that  afternoon,  if  we  would  reach  a  town ;  which  we  were  willing  to 
do,  and  therefore  rode  hard  for  it.  I,  with  some  others,  whose  horses 
were  strong,  got  to  the  town  that  night,  exceedingly  tired,  and  wet  to  the 
skin ;  but  George  Pattison  and  Robert  Widders,  being  weaker-horsed, 
were  obliged  to  lay  in  the  woods  that  night  also.  The  town  we  went  to 
was  a  Dutch  town,  called  Newcastle;  whither  Robert  Widders  and 
George  Pattison  came  to  us  next  morning.  We  departed  thence,  and 
got  over  the  river  Delaware,  not  without  great  danger  of  some  of  our 
lives.  When  we  were  over,  we  were  troubled  to  procure  guides ;  which 
were  hard  to  get,  and  very  chargeable.  Then  had  we  that  wilderness 
country  to  pass  through,  since  called  West  Jersey,  not  then  inhabited  by 
English ;  so  that  we  have  travelled  a  whole  day  together  without  seeing 
man  or  woman,  house  or  dwelling-place.  Sometimes  we  lay  in  the  woods 
by  a  fire,  and  sometimes  in  the  Indians'  wigwams  or  houses.  We  camp 
one  night  to  an  Indian  town,  and  lay  at  the  king's  house,  who  was  a  very 
pretty  man.  Both  he  and  his  wife  received  us  very  lovingly,  and  his  at- 
tendants (such  as  they  were)  were  very  respectful  to  us.  They  laid  us 
mats  to  lie  on ;  but  provision  was  very  short  with  them,  having  caught 
but  little  that  day.  At  another  Indian  town,  where  we  staid,  the 
king  came  to  us,  and  he  could  speak  some  English.  I  spoke  to  him 
much,  and  also  to  his  people ;  and  they  were  very  loving  to  us.  At 
length  we  came  to  Middletown,  an  English  plantation  in  East  Jersey ;  and 
there  were  some  friends :  but  we  could  not  stay  to  have  a  meeting  at 
that  time,  being  earnestly  pressed  in  our  spirits  to  get  to  the  half-year's 
meeting  of  friends  at  Oyster-Bay  in  Long-Island,  which  was  near  at 
hand.  We  went  with  a  friend,  Richard  Hartshorn,  brother  to  Hugh  Harts- 
horn, the  upholsterer  in  London,  who  received  us  gladly  to  his  house, 
where  we  refreshed  ourselves,  and  then  he  carried  us  and  our  horses  in 
his  own  boat  over  a  great  water,  which  held  us  most  part  of  the  day  in 
getting  over,  and  set  us  upon  Long-Island.    We  got  that  evening  to 

3G 


450  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1672 

friends  at  Gravesend,  with  whom  we  tarried  that  night.  Next  day  we 
got  to  Fkishing.  The  day  following  we  reached  Oyster-Bay ;  several 
friends  both  of  Gravesend  and  Flushing  accompanying  us.  The  half- 
year's  meeting  began  next  day,  which  lasted  four  days.  The  first  and 
second  days  we  had  publick  meetings  for  worship,  to  which  people  of 
all  sorts  might  and  did  come.  On  third-day  were  the  men's  and  wo- 
men's meetings,  wherein  the  affairs  of  the  church  were  taken  care  of 
Here  we  met  with  some  bad  spirits,  who  were  run  out  from  truth  into 
prejudice,  contention,  and  opposition  to  the  order  of  truth,  and  to  friends 
therein.  These  had  been  very  troublesome  to  friends  in  their  meetings 
there  and  thereabouts  formerly,  and  it  is  like  would  have  been  so  now ; 
but  I  would  not  suffer  the  service  of  our  men's  and  women's  meetings 
to  be  interrupted  and  hindered  by  their  cavils.  I  let  them  know,  '  If 
'  they  had  any  thing  to  object  against  the  order  of  truth  which  we  were 
'  in,  we  would  give  them  a  meeting  another  day  on  purpose.'  And  in- 
deed I  laboured  the  more,  and  travelled  the  harder  to  get  to  this  meet- 
ing, where  it  was  expected  many  of  these  contentious  people  would  be ; 
because  I  understood  they  had  reflected  much  upon  me  when  I  was  far 
from  them.  The  men's  and  women's  meetings  being  over,  on  the  fourth  day 
we  had  a  meeting  with  those  discontented  people,  to  which  as  many  of 
them  as  would  did  come,  and  as  many  friends  as  had  a  desire  were 
present  also ;  and  the  Lord's  power  broke  forth  gloriously,  to  the  con- 
founding of  the  gainsayers.  Then  some,  that  had  been  chief  in  the 
mischievous  work  of  contention  and  opposition  against  the  truth,  began 
to  fawn  upon  me,  and  cast  the  blame  upon  others;  but  the  deceitful 
spirit  was  judged  down  and  condemned,  and  the  glorious  truth  of  God 
was  exalted  and  set  over  all ;  and  they  were  all  brought  down  and  bow- 
ed under.  Which  was  of  great  service  to  truth,  and  great  satisfaction 
and  comfort  to  friends ;  glory  to  the  Lord  for  ever ! 

After  friends  were  gone  to  their  several  habitations,  we  staid  some 
days  upon  the  island,  had  meetings  in  several  parts  thereof,  and  good 
service  for  the  Lord.  When  we  were  clear  of  the  island,  we  returned 
to  Oyster-Bay,  waiting  for  a  wind  to  carry  us  to  Rhode-Island,  com- 
puted to  be  about  two  hundred  miles.  As  soon  as  the  wind  served  we 
set  sail,  and  arrived  in  Rhode-Island  the  thirtieth  of  the  third  month ; 
where  we  were  gladly  received  by  friends.  We  went  to  Nicholas  East- 
on's,  who  was  governor  of  the  Island ;  where  we  lay,  being  weary  with 
travelling.  On  first-day  following  we  had  a  large  meeting ;  to  which  the 
deputy-governor  and  several  justices  came,  and  were  mightily  affected 
with  the  truth.  The  week  following,  the  yearly  meeting  for  friends  of 
New-England,  and  other  colonies  adjacent,  was  held  in  this  island  ;  to 
which,  besides  many  friends  who  lived  in  those  parts,  came  John  Stubbs 
from  Barbadoes,  and  James  Lancaster  and  John  Cartwright  from  an- 
other way.  This  meeting  lasted  six  days.  The  first  four  were  spent  in 
general  publick  meetings  for  worship ;  to  which  abundance  of  other  peo- 
ple came.  For  having  no  priests  in  the  island,  and  no  restriction  to  any 
particular  way  of  worship ;  and  the  governor  and  deputy-governor,  with 
several  justices  of  the  peace,  daily  frequenting  meetings ;  it  so  encour- 
aged the  people,  that  they  flocked  in  from  all  parts  of  the  island.  Very 
good  service  we  had  amongst  them,  and  truth  had  good  reception.  I 
have  rarely  observed  a  people,  in  the  state  wherein  they  stood,  to  hear 
with  more  attention,  diligence,  and  affection,  than  generally  they  did, 
during  the  four  days ;  which  was  also  taken  notice  of  by  other  friends. 


16721  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  451 

These  publick  meetings  over,  the  men's  meeting  began,  which  was 
large,  precious,  and  weighty.  The  day  following  was  the  women's 
meeting,  which  also  was  large  and  very  solemn.  These  two  meetings 
being  for  ordering  the  affairs  of  the  church,  many  weighty  things  were 
opened,  and  communicated  to  them,  by  way  of  advice,  information,  and 
instruction  in  the  services  relating  thereunto;  that  all  might  be  kept 
clean,  sweet,  and  savoury  amongst  them.  In  these,  several  men's  and 
women's  meetings  for  other  parts  were  agreed  and  settled,  to  take  care 
of  the  poor,  and  other  affairs  of  the  church,  and  to  see  that  all  who  pro- 
fess truth  walk  according  to  the  glorious  gospel  of  God.  When  this 
great  general  meeting  was  ended,  it  was  somewhat  hard  for  friends  to 
part;  for  the  glorious  power  of  the  Lord,  which  was  over  all,  and  his 
blessed  truth  and  life  flowing  amongst  them,  had  so  knit  and  united  them 
together,  that  they  spent  two  days  in  taking  leave  one  of  another,  and 
of  the  friends  of  the  island  ;  and  then,  being  mightily  filled  with  the 
presence  and  power  of  the  Lord,  they  went  away  with  joyful  hearts  to 
their  several  habitations,  in  the  several  colonies  where  they  lived. 

When  friends  had  taken  their  leave  one  of  another,  we,  who  travelled 
amongst  them,  dispersed  ourselves  into  our  several  services,  as  the  Lord 
ordered  us.  John  Burnyeate,  John  Cartwright,  and  George  Pattison 
went  into  the  eastern  parts  of  New-England,  in  company  with  the  friends 
that  came  from  thence,  to  visit  the  particular  meetings  there  ;  whom 
John  Stubbs  and  James  Lancaster  intended  to  follow  awhile  after,  in  the 
same  service ;  but  they  were  not  yet  clear  of  this  island.  Robert  Wid- 
ders  and  I  staid  longer  upon  this  island ;  finding  service  still  here  for  the 
Lord,  through  the  great  openness,  and  the  daily  coming  in  of  fresh  peo- 
ple from  other  colonies,  for  some  time,  after  the  general  meeting ;  so 
that  we  had  many  large  and  serviceable  meetings  among  them. 

During  this  time,  a  marriage  was  celebrated  amongst  friends  in  this 
island,  and  we  were  present.  It  was  at  a  friend's  house,  who  had  for- 
merly been  govei'nor  of  the  island  :  and  three  justirps  of  the  peace,  with 
many  others  not  in  profession  with  us,  and  friends  also  said,  'i'hey  nnver 
saw  such  a  solemn  assembly  on  such  an  occasion,  so  weighty  a  mar- 
riage, and  so  comely  an  order.  Thus  truth  was  set  over  all.  This  might 
serve  for  an  example  to  others ;  for  there  were  some  present  from  many 
other  places. 

After  this  I  had  a  great  travail  in  spirit  concerning  the  Ranters  in 
those  parts,  who  had  been  rude  at  a  meeting  which  I  was  not  at.  Where- 
fore I  appointed  a  meeting  amongst  them,  believing  the  Lord  would  give 
me  power  over  them  ;  which  he  did,  to  his  praise  and  glory ;  blessed  be 
his  name  for  ever !  There  were  at  this  meeting  many  friends,  and  divers 
other  people ;  some  of  whom  were  justices  of  the  peace,  and  officers, 
who  were  generally  well  affected  with  the  truth.  One,  who  had  been  a 
justice  twenty  years,  was  convinced,  spoke  highly  of  the  truth,  and  more 
highly  of  me  than  is  fit  for  me  to  mention  or  take  notice  of. 

We  had  a  meeting  at  Providence,  which  was  very  large,  consisting 
of  many  sorts  of  people :  I  had  a  great  travail  upon  my  spirit,  that  it 
might  be  preserved  quiet,  and  that  truth  might  be  brought  over  the  peo- 
ple, and  might  gain  entrance  and  have  place  in  them ;  for  they  were 
generally  above  the  priests,  in  high  notions  ;  and  some  came  on  purpose 
to  dispute.  But  the  Lord,  whom  we  waited  upon,  was  with  us,  his  power 
went  over  them  all;  and  his  blessed  Seed  was  exalted  and  set  above  all. 
The   disputers  were   silent,   and  the  meeting  quiet,   and   ended    well; 


452  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  p67S 

praised  be  the  Lord !  The  people  went  away  mightily  satisfied,  much 
desiring  another  meeting.  This  place  (called  Providence)  \yas  about 
thirty  miles  from  Rhode-Island ;  we  went  to  it  by  water.  The  governor 
of  Rhode-Island,  and  many  others,  went  with  me  thither ;  and  we  had 
the  meeting  in  a  great  barn,  which  was  thronged  with  people,  so  that  I 
was  exceeding  hot,  and  in  a  great  sweat;  but  all  was  well;  the  glo- 
rious power  of  the  Lord  shined  over  all,  glory  to  the  great  God  for 
ever ! 

After  this  we  went  to  Narraganset,  about  twenty  miles  from  Rhode- 
Island  ;  and  the  governor  went  with  us.  We  had  a  meeting  at  a  justice's, 
where  friends  never  had  any  before.  The  meeting  was  very  large,  for 
the  country  generally  came  in ;  and  people  from  Connecticut,  and  other 
parts  round  about.  There  were  four  justices  of  peace.  Most  of  these 
people  were  such  as  had  never  heard  friends  before;  but  they  were 
mightily  affected,  and  a  great  desire  there  is  after  the  truth  amongst 
them.  So  that  meeting  was  of  very  good  service  ;  blessed  be  the  Lord 
for  ever !  The  justice,  at  whose  house  it  was,  and  another  justice  of 
that  country,  invited  me  to  come  again ;  but  I  was  then  clear  of  those 
parts,  and  was  going  towards  Shelter-island.  John  Burnyeate  and  John 
Cartwright,  being  come  out  of  New-England  into  Rhode-Island  before  I 
was  gone,  I  laid  this  place  before  them,  and  they  felt  drawings  thither, 
and  went  to  visit  them.  At  another  place,  I  heard  some  of  the  magis- 
trates said  among  themselves,  '  If  they  had  money  enough,  they  would 
'  hire  me  to  be  their  minister.'  This  was,  where  they  did  not  well  un- 
derstand us,  and  our  principles :  but  when  I  heard  of  it,  I  said,  *  It  was 
'  time  for  me  to  be  gone  ;  for  if  their  eye  was  so  much  to  me,  or  any  of 
*  us,  they  would  not  come  to  their  own  teacher.'  For  this  thing  (hiring 
ministers)  had  spoiled  many,  by  hindering  them  from  improving  their 
own  talents ;  whereas  our  labour  is,  to  bring  every  one  to  their  own 
teacher  in  themselves. 

I  went  from  hence  towards  Shelter-Island,  having  with  me  Robert 
Widders,  James  Lancaster,  Geoige  Pattison,  and  John  Jay,  a  planter  in 
Barbadoes.  We  went  off  in  a  sloop  ;  and  passing  by  Point  Juda  and 
Block-Island,  we  came  to  Fisher's-lsland,  where  at  night  we  went  on 
shore,  but  were  not  able  to  stay  for  the  musquetoes,  a  sort  of  gnats,  or 
little  flies,  which  abound  there,  and  are  very  troublesome.  Wherefore 
we  went  into  our  sloop  again,  put  off  from  the  shore,  cast  anchor,  and 
lay  in  our  sloop  that  night.  Next  day  we  went  into  the  Sound,  but  find- 
ing our  sloop  was  not  able  to  live  in  that  water,  we  returned  again,  and 
came  to  anchor  before  Fisher's-lsland,  where  we  lay  in  our  sloop  that 
night  also.  There  fell  abundance  of  rain,  and  our  sloop  being  open,  we 
were  exceeding  wet.  Next  day  we  passed  over  the  waters  called  the 
Two  Horse  Races,  and  then  by  Garner's-island ;  after  which  we  passed 
by  Gull's-island,  and  got  at  length  to  Shelter-island,  which  though  it  was 
but  about  twenty-seven  leagues  from  Rhode-island,  through  the  difUculty 
of  passage,  we  were  three  days  in  getting  thither.  The  day  after,  being 
first-day,  we  had  a  meeting  there.  In  the  same  week,  I  had  a  meeting 
among  the  Indians,  at  which  were  their  king,  with  his  council,  and  about 
an  hundred  Indians  more.  They  sat  down  like  friends,  and  heard  very 
attentively,  while  I  spoke  to  them  by  an  interpreter,  an  Indian  that  could 
speak  English  well.  After  the  meeting  they  a])peared  very  loving,  and 
confessed  what  was  said  to  them  was  truth.  The  next  first-day  we  had 
a  great  meeting  on  the  island,  to  which  many  people  came  who  had 


1572]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  -  453 

never  heard  friends  before.  They  were  well  satisfied  with  the  meeting, 
and  would  not  go  away  when  it  was  done  till  they  had  spoke  with  me. 
1  went  amongst  them,  and  found  they  were  much  taken  with  the  truth ; 
good  desires  were  raised  in  them,  and  great  love.  Blessed  be  the  Lord, 
his  name  spreads,  and  will  be  great  among  the  nations,  and  dreadful 
among  the  heathen. 

While  we  were  in  Shelter-island,  William  Edmundson  came  to  us, 
w^ho  had  been  labouring  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  in  Virginia.  From 
whence  he  travelled  through  the  Desert-country,  through  difficulties  and 
many  trials,  till  he  came  to  Roan-oak,  where  he  met  with  a  tender  peo- 
ple. After  seven  weeks'  service  in  those  parts,  sailing  to  Maryland, 
and  so  to  New-York,  he  came  from  thence  to  Long-island ;  where  we 
met  with  him,  and  were  very  glad  to  hear  from  him  the  good  service  he 
had  for  the  Lord  in  the  several  places  where  he  had  travelled  since  he 
parted  from  us. 

We  staid  not  long  in  Shelter-island,  but  entering  our  sloop  again,  put 
to  sea  for  Long-island.  We  had  a  very  rough  passage ;  the  tide  run  so 
strong  for  several  hours,  that  I  have  not  seen  the  like ;  and  being  against 
us,  we  could  hardly  get  forward  though  we  had  a  gale.  We  were  upon 
the  w^ater  all  that  day  and  the  night  following,  but  found  ourselves  next 
day  driven  back  near  Fisher's-island.  For  there  was  a  great  fog,  and 
towards  day  it  was  very  dark,  so  that  we  could  not  see  what  way  we 
made.  Besides,  it  rained  much  in  the  night,  which  in  our  open  sloop 
made  us  very  wet.  Next  day  a  great  storm  arose,  so  that  we  were  fain 
to  go  over  the  Sound,  and  did  get  over  with  much  ado.  We  passed  by 
Faulcon-island,  and  came  to  the  Main,  where  we  cast  anchor  till  the 
storm  was  over.  Then  we  crossed  the  Sound,  all  very  wet,  and  much 
difficulty  we  had  to  get  to  land,  the  wind  being  strong  against  us.  But 
blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  of  the  seas  and  waters, 
all  was  well.  We  got  safe  to  Oyster-bay,  in  Long-Island,  the  seventh 
of  the  sixth  month,  very  early  in  the  morning,  which,  they  say,  is  about 
two  hundred  miles  from  Rhode-Island.  At  Oyster-bay  we  had  a  very 
large  lucetiug.  The  same  day  James  Lancaster  and  Christopher  Holder 
went  over  the  bay  to  Rye,  on  the  continent,  in  governor  Winthrop's 
government,  and  had  a  meeting  there.  From  Oyster-bay,  we  passed 
about  thirty  miles  to  Flushing,  where  we  had  a  very  large  meeting, 
many  hundreds  of  people  being  there ;  some  of  whom  came  about  thirty 
miles  to  it.  A  glorious  and  heavenly  meeting  it  was  (praised  be  the 
Lord  God !)  and  the  people  were  much  satisfied.  Meanwhile  Christo- 
pher Holder  and  some  other  friends  went  to  a  town  in  Long-Island,  call- 
ed Jamaica,  and  had  a  meeting  there.  We  passed  from  Flushing  to 
Gravesend,  about  twenty  miles,  and  there  had  three  precious  meetings; 
to  which  many  would  have  come  from  New-York,  but  that  the  weather 
hindered  them.  Being  clear  of  this  place,  we  hired  a  sloop,  and,  the 
wind  serving,  set  out  for  the  new  country  now  called  Jersey.  Passing 
down  the  bay  by  Conny-island,  Natton-island,  and  Stratton-island,  we 
came  to  Richard  Hartshorn's  at  Middletown-harbour,  about  break  of 
day,  the  twenty-seventh  of  the  sixth  month.  Next  day  we  rode  about 
thirty  miles  into  that  country,  through  the  woods,  and  over  very  bad 
bogs,  one  worse  than  all  the  rest ;  the  descent  into  which  was  so  steep 
that  we  were  fain  to  slide  down  with  our  horses,  and  then  let  them  he 
and  breathe  themselves  before  they  could  go  on.  This  place  the  people 
of  the  country  called  Purgatory.     We  got  at  length  to  Shrewsbury,  in 


454  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

East-Jersey,  and  on  first-day  had  a  precious  meeting  there ;  to  which 
friends  and  other  people  came  far,  and  the  blessed  presence  of  the  Lord 
was  with  us.  The  same  week  we  had  a  men's  and  women's  meeting 
out  of  most  parts  of  New-Jersey.  They  are  building  a  meeting-place  in 
the  midst  of  them,  and  there  is  a  monthly  and  general  meeting  set  up, 
.  which  will  be  of  great  service  in  those  parts,  in  '  keeping  up  the  gospel- 
'  order,  and  government  of  Christ  Jesus,  of  the  increase  of  which  there 

*  is  no  end,  that  they  who  are  faithful  may  see  that  all  who  profess  the 

•  holy  truth  live  in  the  pure  religion,  and  walk  as  becometh  the  gospel.' 

While  we  were  at  Shrewsbury,  an  accident  befel,  which  for  the  time 
was  a  great  exercise  to  us ;  John  Jay,  a  friend  of  Barbadoes,  who  came 
with  us  from  Rhode-Island,  and  intended  to  accompany  us  through  the 
woods  to  Maryland,  being  to  try  a  horse,  got  upon  his  back,  and  the 
horse  fell  a  running,  cast  him  down  upon  his  head,  and  broke  his  neck, 
as  the  people  said.  Those  that  were  near  him  took  him  up  as  dead,  car- 
ried him  a  good  way,  and  laid  him  on  a  tree.  I  got  to  him  as  soon  as  I 
could ;  and,  feeling  him,  concluded  he  was  dead.  As  I  stood  pitying  him 
and  his  family,  I  took  hold  of  his  hair,  and  his  head  turned  any  way,  his 
neck  was  so  limber.  Whereupon  I  took  his  head  in  both  my  hands,  and 
setting  my  knees  against  the  tree,  I  raised  his  head,  and  perceived  there 
was  nothing  out  or  broken  that  way.  Then  I  put  one  hand  under  his 
chin,  and  the  other  behind  his  head,  and  raised  his  head  two  or  three 
times  with  all  my  strength,  and  brought  it  in.  I  soon  perceived  his  neck 
began  to  grow  stiff  again,  and  then  he  began  to  rattle  in  his  throat,  and 
quickly  after  to  breathe.  The  people  were  amazed ;  but  I  bade  them 
have  a  good  heart,  be  of  good  faith,  and  carry  him  into  the  house. 
They  did  so,  and  set  him  by  the  fire.  I  bid  them  get  him  something 
warm  to  drink,  and  put  him  to  bed.  After  he  had  been  in  the  house 
awhile,  he  began  to  speak ;  but  did  not  know  where  he  had  been.  The 
next  day  we  passed  away,  and  he  with  us,  pretty  well,  about  six- 
teen miles,  to  a  meeting  at  Middletown,  through  woods  and  bogs,  and 
over  a  river ;  where  we  swain  our  horses,  and  got  over  ourselves  upon  a 
hollow  tree.     Many  hundred  miles  Hid  he  travel  with  us  aftei  this. 

To  this  meeting  came  most  of  the  people  of  the  town.  A  glorious 
meeting  we  had,  and  the  truth  was  over  all ;  blessed  be  the  great  Lord 
God  for  ever !  After  the  meeting  we  went  to  Middle-town-harbour,  about 
five  miles,  in  order  to  take  our  long  journey  next  morning,  through  the 
woods  towards  Maryland,  having  hired  Indians  for  our  guides.  I  deter- 
mined to  pass  through  the  woods,  on  the  other  side  of  Delaware-bay, 
that  we  might  head  the  creeks  and  rivers  as  much  as  possible.  The 
ninth  of  the  seventh  month  we  set  forward,  passed  through  man}-  Indian 
towns,  and  over  some  rivers  and  bogs.  When  we  had  rid  about  forty 
miles,  we  made  a  fire  at  night,  and  lay  by  it.  As  we  came  among  the 
Indians,  M'e  declared  the  day  of  the  Lord  to  them.  Next  day  we  travel- 
led fifty  miles,  as  we  computed ;  and  at  night  finding  an  old  house,  which 
the  Indians  had  forced  the  people  to  leave,  we  made  a  fire,  and  lay  there, 
at  the  head  of  Delaware-bay.  The  next  day  we  swam  our  horses  over 
a  river  about  a  mile,  at  twice,  first  to  an  island  called  Upper-Dinidock, 
and  then  to  the  main  land,  having  hired  Indians  to  help  us  over  in  their 
canoes.  This  day  we  could  reach  but  about  thirty  miles,  and  came  to  a 
Swede's  house,  where  we  got  a  little  straw,  and  lay  that  night.  Next 
day,  having  hired  another  guide,  we  travelled  about  forty  miles  through 
the  woods,  and  made  a  fire  at  night,  by  which  we  lay,  and  dried  our- 


1672]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  455 

selves ;  for  we  were  often  wet  in  our  travels.  Next  day  we  passed  over 
a  desperate  river,  which  had  in  it  many  rocks  and  broad  stones,  very 
hazardous  to  us  and  our  horses.  From  thence  we  came  to  Christian- 
river,  where  we  swam  our  horses  over,  and  went  ourselves  in  canoes ; 
but  the  sides  of  the  river  were  so  miry,  that  some  of  the  horses  had  like 
to  have  been  laid  up.  From  thence  we  came  to  New-Castle,  heretofore 
called  New- Amsterdam ;  and  being  very  weary,  and  inquiring  in  the  town 
where  we  might  buy  some  corn  for  our  horses,  the  governor  came  and 
invited  me  to  his  house,  and  afterwards  desired  me  to  lodge  there ;  tell- 
ing me,  he  had  a  bed  for  me,  and  I  should  be  welcome.  So  I  staid,  the 
other  friends  being  taken  care  of  also.  This  was  on  a  seventh-day,  and 
he  offering  his  house  for  a  meeting,  we  had  the  next  day  a  pretty  large 
one ;  for  most  of  the  town  were  at  it.  Here  had  never  been  a  meeting 
before,  nor  any  within  a  great  way ;  but  this  was  a  very  precious  one, 
many  were  tender,  and  confessed  to  the  truth,  and  some  received  it ; 
blessed  be  the  Lord  for  ever ! 

The  sixteenth  of  the  seventh  month  we  set  forward,  and  travelled,  as 
near  as  we  could  compute,  about  fifty  miles,  through  the  woods  and  over 
the  bogs,  heading  Bohemia-river  and  Sassafras-river.  At  night  we  made 
a  fire  in  the  woods,  and  lay  there  all  night.  It  being  rainy  weather,  we 
got  under  some  thick  trees  for  shelter,  and  afterwards  dried  ourselves 
again  by  the  fire.  Next  day  we  waded  through  Chester-river,  a  very 
broad  water,  and  afterwards  passing  through  many  bad  bogs,  lay  that 
night  also  in  the  woods  by  a  fire,  not  having  gone  above  thirty  miles  that 
day.  The  day  following  we  travelled  hard,  though  we  had  some  trouble- 
some bogs  in  our  way ;  we  rode  about  fifty  miles,  and  got  safe  that  night 
to  Robert  Harwood's,  at  Miles-river  in  Maryland.  This  was  the  eigh- 
teenth of  the  seventh  month ;  and  though  we  were  very  weary,  and 
much  dirtied  with  the  bogs,  yet  hearing  of  a  meeting  next  day,  we  went 
to  it,  and  from  it  to  John  Edmundson's ;  from  whence  we  went  three  or 
four  miles  by  water  to  a  meeting  on  the  first-day  following.  Here  was 
a  judge's  wife,  who  had  never  been  at  any  of  our  meetings  before,  who 
was  reached,  and  said  after  the  meeting,  '  She  had  rather  hear  us  once, 
'  than  the  priests  a  thousand  times.'  Many  others  also  were  well  satis- 
fied ;  for  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  eminently  with  us.  Blessed  for 
ever  be  his  holy  name !  We  passed  from  thence  about  twenty-two  miles, 
and  had  a  good  meeting  upon  the  Kentish  shore,  to  which  one  of  the 
judges  came.  After  another  good  meeting  hard-by  at  William  Wil- 
cock's,  where  we  had  good  service  for  the  Lord,  we  went  by  water 
about  twenty  miles  to  a  very  large  meeting,  where  were  some  hundreds 
of  people,  and  four  justices  of  peace,  the  high-sheriff"  of  Delaware,  and 
others  from  thence ;  there  was  an  Indian  emperor  or  governor,  and  two 
others  of  the  chief  men  among  the  Indians.  With  these  Indians  I  had  a 
good  opportunity.  I  spoke  to  them  by  an  interpreter :  they  heard  the 
truth  attentively,  and  were  very  loving.  A  blessed  meeting  this  was,  of 
great  service  both  for  convincing,  and  establishing  in  the  truth  those  that 
were  convinced  of  it.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  causeth  his  blessed 
truth  to  spread !  After  the  meeting  a  woman  came  to  me,  whose  husband 
was  one  of  the  judges  of  that  country,  and  a  member  of  the  assembly 
there.  She  told  me,  '  Her  husband  was  sick,  not  likely  to  live,  and  de- 
*  sired  me  to  go  home  with  her  to  see  him.'  It  was  three  miles  to  her 
house,  and  I  being  just  come  hot  out  of  the  meeting,  it  was  hard  for  me 
then  to  go ;  yet  considering  the  service,  I  got  an  horse,  went  with  her, 


456  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1672 

visited  her  husband,  and  spoke  what  the  Lord  gave  me  to  him.  The 
man  was  much  refreshed,  and  finely  raised  up  by  the  power  of  the  Lord ; 
and  afterwards  came  to  our  meetings.  I  went  back  to  the  friends  that 
night,  and  next  day  we  departed  thence  about  nineteen  or  twenty  miles 
to  Tredhaven-creek,  to  John  Edmundson's  again ;  from  whence,  the  third 
of  the  eighth  month,  we  went  to  the  general  meeting  for  all  Maryland 
friends. 

This  meeting  held  five  days.  The  first  three  we  had  meetings  for  pub- 
lick  worship,  to  which  people  of  all  sorts  came ;  the  other  two  were 
spent  in  the  men's  and  women's  meetings.  To  those  publick  meetings 
came  many  Protestants  of  divers  sorts,  and  some  Papists ;  amongst 
whom  were  several  magistrates  and  their  wives,  with  other  persons  of 
chief 'account  in  the  country.  Of  the  common  people,  it  w^as  thought 
there  were  sometimes  a  thousand  at  one  of  those  meetings;  so  that 
though  they  had  enlarged  their  meeting-place,  and  made  it  as  big  again 
as  it  was  before,  it  could  not  contain  the  people.  I  went  by  boat  every 
day  four  or  five  miles  to  the  meeting,  and  there  were  so  many  boats  at 
that  time  passing  upon  the  river,  that  it  was  almost  like  the  Thames. 
The  people  said,  '  There  were  never  so  many  boats  seen  there  together 
'  before ;'  and  one  of  the  justices  said,  '  He  never  saw  so  many  people 
'  together  in  that  country.'  It  was  a  very  heavenly  meeting,  wherein 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  was  gloriously  manifested,  friends  were  sweetly 
refreshed,  the  people  generally  satisfied,  and  many  convinced ;  for  the 
blessed  power  of  the  Lord  was  over  all :  everlasting  praises  to  his  holy 
name  for  ever !  After  the  publick  meetings  were  over,  the  men's  and 
women's  began,  and  were  held  the  other  two  days ;  for  I  had  something 
to  impart  to  them,  which  concerned  the  glory  of  God,  the  order  of  the 
gospel,  and  the  government  of  Christ  Jesus.  When  these  meetings  were 
over,  we  took  our  leave  of  friends  in  those  parts,  whom  we  left  well  es- 
tablished in  the  truth.  The  tenth  of  the  eighth  month  we  went  about 
thirty  miles  by  water,  passing  by  Cranes-island,  Swan-island,  and  Kent- 
island,  in  very  foul  weather  and  much  rain ;  whereby,  our  boat  being 
open,  we  were  not  only  very  much  wetted,  but  in  great  danger  of  being 
overset ;  insomuch  that  some  thought  we  could  not  have  escaped  being 
cast  away,  till  they  saw  us  come  to  shore  next  morning.  But  blessed  be 
God,  we  were  very  well.  Having  got  to  a  little  house,  dried  our  clothes 
by  the  fire,  and  refreshed  ourselves  a  little,  we  took  to  our  boat  again, 
and  put  off  from  land,  sometimes  sailing,  and  sometimes  rowing ;  but 
having  very  foul  weather,  we  could  not  get  above  twelve  miles  forward. 
At  night  we  got  to  land,  made  us  a  fire,  by  which  some  lay,  and  others 
by  a  fire  at  a  house  a  little  way  off.  Next  morning  we  passed  over  the 
Great-bay,  and  sailed  about  forty  miles  that  day.  Making  to  shore  at 
night,  we  lay  there,  some  in  the  boat,  and  some  at  an  alehouse.  Next 
morning,  being  first-day,  we  went  six  or  seven  miles  to  a  friend's  house, 
a  justice  of  the  peace ;  where  we  had  a  meeting.  This  was  a  little  above 
the  head  of  the  Great-bay.  We  were  almost  four  days  upon  water, 
weary  with  rowing,  yet  all  was  very  well ;  blessed  and  praised  be  the 
Lord !  We  went  next  day  to  another  friend's  over  the  head  of  Hatton's- 
island,  where  we  had  good  service  ;  as  we  had  also  the  day  following  at 
George  Wilson's,  a  friend,  that  Hved  about  three  miles  further,  where  we 
had  a  very  precious  meeting,  there  being  great  tenderness  amongst  the 
people. 

After  this  we  sailed  about  ten  miles  to  James  Frizby's,  a  justice  of 


KTSU  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  467 

peace ;  where,  the  sixteenth  of  the  eighth  month,  we  had  a  very  large 
meeting,  at  whicli,  besides  friends,  were  some  hundreds  of  people,  as  it 
was  supposed.     Amongst  them  were  several  justices,  captains,  and  the 
sheriff,  with  other  persons  of  note.     A  blessed  heavenly  meeting  this 
was ;  a  powerful,  thundering  testimony  for  truth  was  borne  therein ;  a 
great  sense  there  was  upon  the  people,  and  much  brokenness  and  ten- 
derness amongst  them.  We  staid  till  about  the  eleventh  hour  in  the  night, 
that  the  tide  turned  for  us;  then  taking  boat,  we  passed  that  night  and 
the  next  day  about  fifty  miles  to  another  friend's  house.     The  two  next 
days  we  made  short  journies,  visiting  friends.     The  twentieth  we  had  a 
great  meeting  at  a  place  called  Severn,  where  there  was  a  meeting-place, 
but  not  large  enough  to  hold  the  people.    Divers  chief  magistrates  were 
at  it,  with  many  other  considerable  people,  and  it  gave  them  generally 
great  satisfaction.     Two  days  after  we  had  a  meeting  with  some  that 
walked  disorderly,  and  had  good  service  in  it.     Then  spending  a  day  or 
two  in  visiting  friends,  we  passed  to  the  Western-shore,  and  the  twenty- 
fifth  had  a  large  and  precious  meeting  at  William  Coale's,  where  the 
speaker  of  their  assembly,  with  his  wife,  a  justice  of  peace,  and  several 
people  of  quality,  were  present.     Next  day  we  had  a  meeting,  six  or 
seven  miles  further,  at  Abraham  Birkhead's,  w^here  many  of  the  magis- 
trates and  upper  sort  were ;  and  the  speaker  of  the  assembly  for  that 
country  was  convinced.  A  blessed  meeting  it  was ;  praised  be  the  Lord  ! 
We  travelled  next  day ;  and  the  day  following,  the  twenty-eighth,  of  the 
eighth  month,  had  a  large  and  very  precious  meeting  at  Peter  Sharp's, 
on  the  Clifts,  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  distant  from  the  former. 
Many  of  the  magistrates  and  upper  rank  of  people  were  present,  and  a 
heavenly  meeting  it  was.     One  of  the  governor's  council's  wives  was 
convinced ;  and  her  husband  was  very  loving  to  friends.     A  justice  of 
peace  from  Virginia  was  convinced,  and  hath  a  meeting  since  at  his 
house.     Some  Papists  were  at  this  meeting,  one  of  whom  threatened, 
before  he  came,  to  dispute  with  me ;  but  he  was  reached,  and  could  not 
oppose.     Blessed  be  the  Lord,  the  truth  reached  into  the  hearts  of  peo- 
ple beyond  words,  and  it  is  of  a  good  savour  amongst  them !  After  the 
meeting  we  went  about  eighteen  miles  to  James  Preston's,  a  friend  that 
lived  on  Patuxent  River.  Thither  came  an  Indian  king,  with  his  brother, 
to  whom  I  spoke,  and  I  found  they  understood  the  thing  I  spoke  of  Hav- 
ing finished  our  service  in  Maryland,  and  intending  for  Virginia,  we  had 
a  meeting  at  Patux-ent  the  fourth  of  the  ninth  month,  to  take  our  leave 
of  friends.    Many  people  of  all  sorts  were  at  it,  and  a  powerful  meeting 
it  was. 

The  fifth  of  the  ninth  month  we  set  sail  for  Virginia,  and  in  three  days 
came  to  Nancemum,  about  two  hundred  miles  from  Maryland.  In  this 
voyage  we  met  with  foul  weather,  storms,  and  rain,  and  lay  in  the  woods 
by  a  fire  in  the  night.  Here  lived  a  friend,  called  the  widow  Wright. 
Next  day  we  had  a  great  meeting  at  Nancemum,  of  friends  and  others. 
There  came  to  this  meeting  colonel  Dewes,  w^ith  several  other  ofiicers 
and  magistrates,  who  were  much  taken  with  the  declaration  of  truth. 
After  the  meeting,  we  hastened  towards  Carolina ;  yet  had  several  meet- 
ings by  the  way,  wherein  we  had  good  service  for  the  Lord :  one  about 
four  miles  from  Nancemum  Water,  which  was  very  precious ;  and  there 
was  a  men's  and  a  women's  meeting  settled,  for  the  affairs  of  the  church. 
Another  very  good  meeting  wo  had  at  William  Yarrow's,  at  Pagan 
Creek ;  which  was  so  large  that  we  were  fain  to  be  abroad,  the  house 

3H 


458  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1672 

not  being  big  enough  to  contain  the  people.  A  great  openness  there  was, 
the  sound  of  truth  spread  abroad,  and  had  a  good  savour  in  the  hearts 
of  people :  the  Lord  have  the  glory  for  ever ! 

After  this,  our  way  to  Carolina  grew  worse,  being  much  of  it  plashy, 
and  pretty  full  of  great  bogs  and  swamps ;  so  that  we  were  commonly 
wet  to  the  knees,  and  lay  abroad  a-nights  in  the  woods  by  a  fire :  saving 
one  of  the  nights  we  got  to  a  poor  house  at  Sommertown,  and  lay  by 
the  fire.  The  woman  of  the  house  had  a  sense  of  God  upon  her.  The 
report  of  our  travel  had  reached  thither,  and  drawn  some  that  lived  be- 
yond Sommertown  to  that  house,  in  expectation  to  have  seen  and  heard 
us ;  but  they  missed  us.  Next  day,  the  twenty-first  of  the  ninth  month, 
having  travelled  hard  through  the  woods,  and  over  many  bogs  and 
swamps,  we  i-eached  Bonner's  Creek ;  there  we  lay  that  night  by  the  fire- 
side, the  woman  lending  us  a  mat  to  lie  on. 

This  was  the  first  house  we  came  to  in  Carolina :  here  we  left  our 
horses,  over- wearied  with  travel.  From  hence  we  went  down  the  creek 
in  a  canoe  to  Macocomocock  River,  and  came  to  Hugh  Smith's,  where 
people  of  other  professions  came  to  see  us  (no  friends  inhabiting  that 
part  of  the  country)  and  many  of  them  received  us  gladly.  Amongst 
others,  came  Nathaniel  Batts,  who  had  been  governor  of  Roan-oak.  He 
went  by  the  name  of  captain  Batts,  and  had  been  a  rude,  desperate  man. 
He  asked  me  about  a  woman  in  Cumberland,  who,  he  said,  he  was  told, 
had  been  healed  by  our  prayers  and  laying  on  of  hands,  after  she  had 
been  long  sick,  and  given  over  by  the  physicians :  he  desired  to  know 
the  certainty  of  it.  I  told  him,  we  did  not  glory  in  such  things,  but  many 
such  things  had  been  done  by  the  power  of  Christ. 

Not  far  from  hence  we  had  a  meeting  among  the  people,  and  they 
were  taken  with  the  truth ;  blessed  be  the  Lord !  Then  passing  down  the 
river  Maratick  in  a  canoe,  we  went  down  the  bay  Connie-oak,  to  a  cap- 
tain's, who  was  loving  to  us,  and  lent  us  his  boat,  for  we  were  much 
wetted  in  the  canoe,  the  water  flashing  in  upon  us.  With  this  boat  we 
went  to  the  governor's ;  but  the  water  in  some  places  was  so  shallow, 
that  the  boat,  being  loaden,  could  not  swim ;  so  that  we  put  off  our  shoes 
and  stockings,  and  waded  through  the  water  a  pretty  way.  The  gov- 
ernor, with  his  wife,  received  us  lovingly ;  but  a  doctor  there  would  needs 
dispute  with  us.  And  truly  his  opposing  us  was  of  good  service,  giving 
occasion  for  the  opening  of  many  things  to  the  people  concerning  the 
Light  and  Spirit  of  God,  which  he  denied  to  be  in  every  one ;  and  af- 
firmed it  was  not  in  the  Indians.  Whereupon  I  called  an  Indian  to  us, 
and  asked  him,  '  Whether  or  no,  when  he  did  lie,  or  do  wrong  to  any 
'  one,  there  was  not  something  in  him,  that  did  reprove  him  for  it  V  He 
said,  '  There  was  such  a  thing  in  him  that  did  so  reprove  him ;  and  he 
'  was  ashamed  when  he  had  done  wrong,  or  spoken  wrong.'  So  we 
shamed  the  doctor  before  the  governor  and  people ;  insomuch  that  the 
poor  man  ran  out  so  far,  that  at  length  he  would  not  own  the  scriptures. 
We  tarried  at  the  governor's  that  night;  and  next  morning  he  very 
courteously  walked  with  us  himself  about  two  miles  through  the  woods, 
to  a  place  whither  he  had  sent  our  boat  about  to  meet  us.  Taking  leave 
of  him,  we  entered  our  boat,  and  went  about  thirty  miles  to  Joseph  Scot's, 
one  of  the  representatives  of  the  country.  There  we  had  a  sound,  pre- 
cious meeting ;  the  people  were  tender,  and  much  desired  after  meetings. 
Wherefore  at  an  house  about  four  miles  further,  we  had  another  meet- 


1672]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  459 

ing;  to  which  the  governor's  secretary  came,  who  was  chief  secretary 
of  the  province,  and  had  been  formerly  convinced. 

I  went  from  this  place  among  the  Indians,  and  spoke  to  them  by  an 
interpreter,  shewing  them,  '  That  God  made  all  things  in  six  days,  and 
'  made  but  one  woman  for  one  man ;  and  that  God  did  drown  the  old 
'  world  because  of  their  wickedness.     Afterwards  I  spoke  to  them  con- 

*  cerning  Christ,  shewing  them,  that  he  died  for  all  men,  for  their  sins,  as 

*  well  as  for  others ;  and  had  enlightened  them  as  well  as  others ;  and 

*  that  if  they  did  that  which  was  evil  he  would  burn  them ;  but  if  they 
'  did  well  they  should  not  be  burned.'  There  was  among  them  their 
young  king  and  others  of  their  chief  men,  who  seemed  to  receive  kindly 
what  I  said  to  them. 

Having  visited  the  north  part  of  Carolina,  and  made  a  little  entrance 
for  truth  upon  the  people  there,  we  began  to  return  again  towards  Vir- 
ginia, having  several  meetings  in  our  way,  wherein  we  had  good  service 
for  the  Lord,  the  people  being  generally  tender  and  open ;  blessed  be  the 
Lord !  We  lay  one  night  at  the  secretary's,  to  which  we  had  much  ado 
to  get ;  for  the  water  being  shallow,  we  could  not  bring  our  boat  to  shore. 
But  the  secretary's  wife,  seeing  our  strait,  came  herself  in  a  canoe,  her 
husband  being  from  home,  and  brought  us  to  land.  By  next  morning 
our  boat  was  sunk,  and  full  of  water ;  but  w^e  got  her  up,  mended  her, 
and  went  away  in  her  that  day  about  twenty-four  miles,  the  water  being 
rough,  and  the  winds  high :  but  the  great  power  of  God  was  seen,  in 
carrying  us  safe  in  that  rotten  boat.  In  our  return  we  had  a  very  pre- 
cious meeting  at  Hugh  Smith's ;  praised  be  the  Lord  for  ever !  The  peo- 
ple were  very  tender,  and  very  good  service  we  had  amongst  them. 
There  was  at  this  meeting  an  Indian  captain,  who  was  very  loving ;  and 
acknowledged  it  to  be  truth  that  was  spoken.  There  was  also  one  of  the 
Indian  priests,  whom  they  called  a  Pauwaw,  who  sat  soberly  among  the 
people.  The  ninth  of  the  tenth  month  we  got  back  to  Bonner's-Creek, 
where  we  had  left  our  horses ;  having  spent  about  eighteen  days  in  the 
north  of  Carolina. 

Our  horses  having  rested,  we  set  forward  for  Virginia  again,  travel- 
ling through  the  woods  and  bogs  as  far  as  we  could  well  reach  that  day, 
and  at  night  lay  by  a  fire  in  the  woods.  Next  day  we  had  a  tedious  jour- 
ney through  bogs  and  swamps,  and  were  exceeding  wet  and  dirty  all 
the  day,  but  dried  ourselves  at  night  by  a  fire.  We  got  that  night  to 
Sommertown.  When  we  came  near  the  house,  the  woman  of  the  house 
seeing  us,  spoke  to  her  son  to  keep  up  their  dogs,  for  both  in  Virginia 
and  Carolina  they  generally  keep  great  dogs  to  guard  their  houses,  living 
lonely  in  the  woods,  but  the  son  said,  '  He  need  not,  for  their  dogs  did 

*  not  use  to  meddle  with  these  people.'  Whereupon,  when  we  were  come 
into  the  house,  she  told  us,  '  We  were  like  the  children  of  Israel,  whom 
'  the  dogs  did  not  move  their  tongues  against.'  Here  we  lay  in  our 
clothes  by  the  fire,  as  we  had  done  many  a  night  before.  Next  day  we 
had  a  meeting ;  for  the  people,  having  been  informed  of  us,  had  a  great 
desire  to  hear  us ;  and  a  very  good  meeting  we  had  among  them,  where 
w^e  never  had  one  before :  praised  be  the  Lord  for  ever !  After  the  meet- 
ing we  hasted  away.  When  we  had  rid  about  twenty  miles,  calling  at 
a  house  to  enquire  the  way,  the  people  desired  us  to  tarry  all  night  with 
them ;  which  we  did.  Next  day  we  came  among  friends,  after  w^e  had 
travelled  about  an  hundred  miles  from  Carolina  into  Virginia :  in  which 
time  we  observed  great  variety  of  climates,  having  passed  in  a  few  days 


460  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1672 

from  a  very  cold  to  a  warm  and  spring-like  country.  But  the  power  of 
the  Lord  is  the  same  in  all ;  is  over  all,  and  doth  reach  the  good  in  all ; 
praised  be  the  Lord  for  ever ! 

We  spent  about  three  weeks  in  travelling  through  Virginia,  mostly 
amongst  friends,  having  large  and  precious  meetings  in  several  parts  of 
the  country ;  as  at  the  widow  Wright's,  where  many  of  the  magistrates, 
officers,  and  other  high  people  came.  A  most  heavenly  meeting  we  had  ; 
wherein  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  so  great,  that  it  struck  a  dread  upon 
the  assembly,  chained  all  down,  and  brought  reverence  upon  the  people's 
minds.  Among  the  officers  was  a  major,  kinsman  to  the  priest,  who  told 
me,  '  The  priest  threatened  to  come  and  oppose  us.'  But  the  Lord's 
power  was  too  strong  for  him,  and  stopped  him,  and  we  were  quiet  ana 
peaceable.  The  people  were  wonderfully  affected  with  the  testimony  of 
truth ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  for  ever !  Another  very  good  meeting  we  had 
at  Crickatrough,  at  which  many  considerable  people  w^ere,  who  had 
never  heard  a  friend  before ;  and  they  were  greatly  satisfied,  praised  be 
the  Lord !  We  had  also  a  very  good  and  serviceable  meeting  at  John 
Porter's,  which  consisted  mostly  of  other  people,  in  which  the  power  of 
the  Lord  was  gloriously  seen  and  felt,  and  it  brought  the  truth  over  all 
the  bad  walkers  and  talkers ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  !  Divers  other  meet- 
ings we  had,  and  many  opportunities  of  service  for  the  Lord  amongst 
the  people  where  we  came.  The  last  week  that  we  staid  we  spent  some 
time  and  pains  among  friends,  sweeping  away  that  which  was  to  be 
swept  out,  and  working  down  a  bad  spirit  that  was  got  up  in  some :  and 
blessed  for  ever  be  the  name  of  the  Lord !  he  it  is  that  gives  victory 
over  all. 

Having  finished  what  service  lay  upon  us  at  Virginia,  the  thirtieth  of 
the  tenth  month  we  set  sail  in  an  open  sloop  for  Maryland.  But  having 
a  great  storm,  and  being  much  wetted,  we  were  glad  to  get  to  shore  be- 
fore night ;  and,  walking  to  an  house  at  Willoughby-Point,  we  got  lodg- 
ing there  that  night.  The  woman  of  the  house  was  a  widow,  a  very 
tender  person.  She  had  never  received  friends  before ;  but  she  received 
us  very  kindly,  with  tears  in  her  eyes.  We  returned  to  our  boat  in  the 
morning,  and  hoisted  sail,  getting  forward  as  fast  as  we  could ;  but  to- 
wards evening  a  storm  rising,  the  wind  being  high,  we  had  much  ado  to 
get  to  shore ;  and  our  boat  being  open,  the  water  flashed  often  in,  and 
sometimes  over  us,  so  that  we  were  sufficiently  wetted.  Being  got  to 
land,  we  made  a  fire  in  the  woods,  to  warm  and  dry  us ;  and  there  we 
lay  all  that  night,  the  wolves  howling  about  us.  The  first  of  the  eleventh 
month  we  sailed  again,  but  the  wind  being  against  us,  we  made  but  little 
way ;  and  were  fain  to  get  to  shore  at  Point-Comfort,  where  yet  we  found 
but  small  comfort ;  for  the  weather  was  so  cold,  that  though  we  made  a 
good  fire  in  the  woods  to  lie  by,  our  water  that  we  had  got  for  use  was 
frozen  near  the  fire-side.  We  made  to  sea  next  day ;  but  the  wind  being 
strong  against  us,  we  advanced  but  little ;  and  were  glad  to  get  to  land 
again,  and  travel  about  to  find  some  house  where  we  might  buy  pro- 
visions, for  our  store  was  spent.  That  night  also  we  lay  in  the  woods ; 
so  extreme  cold  was  the  weather,  the  wind  blowing  high,  and  the  frost 
and  snow  great,  that  it  was  hard  for  some  to  abide  it.  The  third 
of  the  eleventh  month,  the  wind  setting  pretty  fair,  we  fetched  it  up 
by  sailing  and  rowing,  and  got  to  Milford-Haven,  where  we  lay  at 
Richard  Long's  near  Quince's-Island.  Next  day  we  passed  by  Rappa- 
hannock-river,  where  dwell  much  people;  and  friends  had  a  meeting 


1672]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  461 

there-away  at  a  justice's,  who  had  formerly  been  at  a  meeting  where  I 
was.  We  passed  over  Powtomack-river  also,  the  winds  being  high,  the 
water  very  rough,  the  weather  extreme  cold ;  and  having  a  meeting 
there-away,  some  were  convinced ;  and  when  we  parted  thence,  some 
of  our  company  went  amongst  them.  We  steered  our  course  for  Patux- 
ent-river.  I  sat  at  the  helm  most  part  of  the  day,  and  some  of  the  night. 
About  the  first  hour  in  the  morning  we  reached  James  Preston's  on  Pa- 
tuxent  river,  which  is  accounted  about  tw^o  hundred  miles  from  JXance- 
mum  in  Virginia.  We  were  very  weary ;  yet  the  next  day,  being  the 
first  of  the  week,  we  went  to  the  meeting  not  far  from  thence.  The  same 
week  we  went  to  an  Indian  king's  cabin,  where  several  Indians  were, 
with  whom  we  had  a  pretty  opportunity  to  discourse,  and  they  carried 
themselves  very  lovingly.  We  went  also  that  week  to  a  general  meet- 
ing ;  from  thence  about  eighteen  miles  further  to  John  Geary's,  where 
w^e  had  a  very  precious  meeting ;  praised  be  the  Lord  God  for  ever ! 
After  this  the  cold  grew  so  exceeding  shai-p,  such  extreme  frost  and 
snowy  weather  beyond  what  was  usual  in  that  country,  that  we  could 
hardly  endure  to  be  in  it.  Neither  was  it  easy  or  safe  to  stir  abroad : 
yet  we  got  with  some  difficulty  six  miles  through  the  snow  to  John  May- 
or's, where  we  met  with  some  friends  that  were  come  from  New-Eng- 
land, whom  we  had  left  there  when  we  came  away ;  and  glad  we  were 
to  see  each  other,  after  such  long  and  tedious  travels.  By  these  friends 
M-e  understood  William  Edmundson,  having  been  at  Rhode-Island,  and 
New-England,  was  gone  from  thence  for  Ireland ;  that  Solomon  Eccles 
coming  from  Jamaica,  and  landing  at  Boston  in  New-England,  was  taken 
at  a  meeting  there,  and  banished  to  Barbadoes ;  that  John  Stubbs  and 
another  friend  were  gone  into  New-Jersey,  and  several  other  friends  to 
Barbadoes,  Jamaica,  and  the  Leeward  Islands,  It  was  matter  of  joy  to 
us  to  understand  the  work  of  the  Lord  went  on  and  prospered,  and  that 
friends  were  unwearied  and  diligent  in  the  service. 

The  twenty-seventh  of  the  eleventh  month  we  had  a  very  precious 
meeting  in  a  tobacco-house.  The  next  day  we  returned  to  James  Pres- 
ton's, about  eighteen  miles  distant.  When  we  came  there,  we  found  his 
house  was  burnt  down  to  the  ground  the  night  before,  through  the  care- 
lessness of  a  maid-servant ;  so  we  lay  three  nights  on  the  ground  by  the 
fire,  the  weather  being  very  cold.  We  made  an  observation  which  was 
somewhat  strange,  but  certainly  true ;  that  one  day  in  the  midst  of  this 
cold  weather,  the  wind  turning  into  the  south,  it  grew  so  hot,  that  we 
could  hardly  bear  the  heat ;  and  the  next  day  and  night,  the  wind  chop- 
ping back  into  the  north,  we  could  hardly  endure  the  cold. 

The  second  of  the  twelfth  month  we  had  a  glorious  meeting  at  Pa- 
tuxent ;  and  after  it  went  to  John  Geary's  again,  where  we  waited  for  a 
boat  to  carry  us  to  the  monthly  meeting  at  the  Clifts ;  to  which  we  went, 
and  a  living  meeting  it  was ;  praised  be  the  Lord !  This  was  on  the 
sixth  of  the  twelfth  month.  Another  meeting  we  had  on  the  ninth, 
wherein  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shined  over  all ;  blessed  and  magnified 
be  his  holy  name  for  ever ! 

The  twelfth  of  the  twelfth  month  we  set  forward  in  our  boat,  and, 
travelling  by  night,  we  run  our  boat  on  ground  in  a  creek  near  Manaco 
River.  There  we  were  fain  to  stay  till  morning,  that  the  tide  came  and 
lifted  her  off.  In  the  meantime  sitting  in  an  open  boat,  and  the  weather 
being  bitter  cold,  some  had  like  to  have  lost  the  use  of  their  hands,  they 
were  so  frozen  and  benumbed.     In  the  morning,  when  the  tide  set  our 


462  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [l&tfi-S 

boat  a-float,  we  got  to  land,  and  made  a  good  fire,  at  which  we  warmed 
ourselves  well,  and  then  took  boat  and  passed  about  ten  miles  farther  to 
a  friend's  house,  where  next  day  we  had  a  very  precious  meeting,  at 
which  some  of  the  chief  of  the  place  were.  I  went  after  the  meeting  to 
a  friend's  about  four  miles  off,  at  the  head  of  Anamessy  River,  where 
the  day  following  the  judge  of  the  country  and  a  justice  with  him  came 
to  me,  and  were  very  loving,  and  much  satisfied  with  friends'  order. 
The  next  day  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  the  justice's  in  his  barn,  for  his 
house  could  not  hold  the  company.  There  were  several  of  the  great  folks 
of  that  country,  and  among  the  rest  an  opposer ;  but  all  was  preserved 
quiet  and  well.  A  precious  meeting  it  was ;  the  people  were  much  af- 
fected with  the  truth ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  !  We  went  next  day  to  see 
captain  Colburn,  a  justice  of  peace,  and  there  we  had  some  service. 
Then  returning  again,  we  had  a  very  glorious  meeting  at  the  justice's 
where  we  met  before,  to  which  came  many  people  of  account  in  the 
world,  magistrates,  officers,  and  others.  It  was  a  large  meeting,  and 
the  power  of  the  Lord  was  much  felt,  so  that  the  people  were  generally 
well  satisfied  and  taken  with  the  truth ;  and  there  being  several  mer- 
chants and  masters  of  ships  from  New-England,  the  truth  was  spread 
abroad ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  ! 

A  day  or  two  after  we  travelled  about  sixteen  miles  through  the 
woods  and  bogs  heading  Anamessy  River  and  Amoroca  River,  part  of 
which  we  went  over  in  a  canoe,  and  came  to  Manaoke,  to  a  friendly 
woman's  house,  where  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  the  twelfth  month  we 
had  a  large  meeting  in  a  barn.  The  Lord's  living  presence  was  with 
us  and  among  the  people;  blessed  be  his  holy  name  for  evermore! 
Friends  never  had  a  meeting  in  those  parts  before.  After  this,  we  pass- 
ed over  the  river  Wicocomaco,  and  through  many  bad  watery  swainps 
and  marshy  way,  and  came  to  James  Jones's,  a  friend  and  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  where  we  had  a  large  and  very  glorious  meeting;  praised  be 
the  Lord  God  !  Then  passing  over  the  water  in  a  boat,  we  took  horse, 
and  travelled  about  twenty-four  miles  through  woods  and  troublesome 
swamps,  and  came  to  another  justice's  house,  where  we  had  a  very  large 
meeting,  much  people  and  many  of  considerable  account  being  present ; 
and  the  living  presence  of  the  Lord  was  amongst  us ;  praised  for  ever 
be  his  holy  name  !  This  was  the  third  of  the  first  month  1 672-3.  The 
fifth  of  the  same  we  had  another  hving  and  heavenly  meeting,  at  which 
divers  justices  with  their  wives  and  many  others  were ;  amongst  whom 
we  had  very  good  service  for  the  Lord;  blessed  be  his  holy  name!  At 
this  meeting  was  a  woman  that  lived  at  Anamessy,  who  had  been  many 
years  in  trouble  of  mind,  and  sometimes  would  sit  moping  near  two 
months  together,  and  hardly  speak  or  mind  any  thing.  When  I  heard 
of  her,  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  go  to  her,  and  tell  her,  '  That  sal- 
*  vation  was  come  to  her  house.'  After  I  had  spoken  the  word  of  life 
to  her,  and  entreated  the  Lord  for  her,  she  mended,  went  up  and  down 
with  us  to  meetings,  and  is  since  well ;  blessed  be  the  Lord ! 

We  left  Anamessy  the  seventh  of  the  first  month;  and  passing  by 
water  about  fifty  miles,  came  to  a  friendly  woman's  house  at  Hunger 
River.  We  had  very  rough  weather  in  our  passage  to  this  place,  and 
were  in  great  danger,  for  the  boat  had  like  to  have  been  turned  over. 
But  through  the  good  providence  of  God  we  got  safe  thither:  praised 
be  his  name !  At  this  place  we  had  a  meeting.  Amongst  the  people 
were  two  Papists,  a  man  and  a  woman  ;  the  man  was  very  tender,  and 


1672-3]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  463 

the  woman  confessed  to  the  truth.  I  had  no  friend  with  me  but  Robert 
Widders,  the  rest  having  dispersed  themselves  into  several  parts  of  the 
country  in  the  service  of  truth. 

So  soon  as  the  wind  would  permit,  we  passed  from  hence  about  forty 
miles  by  water,  rowing  most  part  of  the  way,  and  came  to  the  head  of 
Little  Choptank  River,  to  Dr.  Winsmore's  a  justice  of  peace,  lately  con 
vinced.  Here  we  met  with  some  friends,  with  whom  we  staid  awhile, 
and  then  went  on  by  land  and  water,  and  had  a  large  meeting  abroad, 
for  the  house  we  were  at  could  not  receive  the  people.  Divers  of  the 
magistrates  and  their  wives  were  present ;  and  a  good  meeting  it  was ; 
blessed  be  the  Lord,  who  is  making  his  name  known  in  that  wilderness 
country  !  We  went  from  thence  to  William  Stephens's,  where  we  met 
with  those  friends  that  had  been  travelling  in  other  parts ;  and  were 
much  refreshed  in  the  Lord  together,  when  we  imparted  to  each  other 
the  good  success  we  had  in  the  Lord's  work,  and  the  prosperity  and 
spreading  of  truth  in  the  places  where  we  travelled.  John  Cartwright 
and  another  friend  had  been  at  Virginia,  where  were  great  desires  in 
people  after  the  truth ;  and  being  now  returned,  they  staid  a  little  with 
us  here,  and  then  set  forward  for  Barbadoes.  Before  we  left  this  place, 
we  had  a  very  glorious  meeting,  at  which  were  many  people ;  amongst 
others,  the  judge  of  that  country,  three  justices  of  the  peace,  and  the 
high-sheriff,  with  their  wives.  Of  the  Indians,  was  one  called  their  em- 
peror, an  Lidian  king,  and  their  speaker,  who  sat  very  attentive,  and 
carried  themselves  very  lovingly.  An  establishing,  settUng  meeting  it 
was.     This  was  the  twenty- third  of  the  first  month. 

The  twenty-fourth  we  went  by  water  ten  miles  to  the  Indian  town 
where  this  emperor  dwelt;  whom  I  had  acquainted  before  with  my 
coming,  and  desired  to  get  their  kings  and  councils  together.  In  the 
morning  the  emperor  came  himself,  and  had  m_e  to  the  town;  where 
they  were  generally  come  together,  their  speaker  and  other  officers  be- 
ing with  them,  and  the  old  empress  sat  among  them.  They  sat  very 
grave  and  sober,  and  were  all  very  attentive,  beyond  many  called  Chris- 
tians. I  had  some  with  me  that  could  interpret  to  them.  We  had  a 
very  good  meeting  with  them,  and  of  considerable  service  it  was ;  for 
it  gave  them  a  good  esteem  of  truth  and  friends ;  blessed  be  the  Lord ! 

After  this  we  had  meetings  in  several  parts  of  that  country ;  one  at 
William  Stephens's,  w^hich  was  a  general  meeting  once  a  month ;  an- 
other at  Tredhaven  Creek,  another  at  Wye,  another  at  Reconow  Creek, 
and  another  at  Thomas  Taylor's  in  the  island  of  Kent.  Most  of  these 
were  large,  there  being  many  people  at  them,  and  divers  of  the  most 
considerable,  in  the  world's  account.  The  Lord's  power  and  living 
presence  was  with  us,  and  plenteously  manifested  amongst  the  people, 
by  which  their  hearts  were  tendered,  and  opened  to  receive  the  truth, 
which  had  a  good  savour  amongst  them ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  God 
over  all  for  ever !  Being  clear  of  that  side,  we  passed  over  the  bay 
about  fourteen  miles  to  a  friend's  house,  where  we  met  with  several 
friends.  I  sent  for  Thomas  Thurston  thither,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
him,  to  bring  the  truth  over  his'  bad  actions. 

Having  travelled  through  most  parts  of  that  country,  and  visited 
most  of  the  plantations,  having  alarmed  people  of  all  sorts  where  we 
came,  and  proclaimed  the  day  of  God's  salvation  amongst  them,  we 
found  our  spirits  began  to  be  clear  of  those  parts  of  the  world,  and  to 
draw  towards  Old  England  again.     Yet  we  were  desirous  and  felt 


464  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1673 

freedom  from  the  Lord  to  stay  till  the  general  meeting  for  the  province 
of  Maryland  was  over  (which  drew  nigh)  that  we  might  see  friends 
generally  together  before  we  departed.  Wherefore  spending  our  time 
in  the  interim  in  visiting  friends  and  friendly  people,  in  attending  meet- 
ings about  the  Clifts  and  Patuxent,  in  writing  answers  to  some  cavilling 
objections  which  adversaries  had  raised  and  spread  abroad  to  hinder 
people  from  receiving  the  truth;  we  were  not  idle,  but  laboured  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord  until  that  general  provincial  meeting,  which  began  the 
seventeenth  of  the  third  month,  and  lasted  four  days.  The  first  of  these 
days  the  men  and  women  had  their  meetings  for  business,  wherein  the 
afiairs  of  the  church  were  taken  care  of,  and  many  things  relating  there- 
to were  opened  to  their  edification  and  comfort.  The  other  three  days 
were  spent  in  publick  meetings  for  the  worship  of  God,  at  which  divers 
of  considerable  account  in  the  government,  and  many  others  were  pres- 
ent; who  were  generally  satisfied,  and  many  of  them  reached;  for  it 
was  a  wonderful  glorious  meeting,  and  the  mighty  presence  of  the  Lord 
was  seen  and  felt  over  all ;  blessed  and  praised  be  his  holy  name  for  ever, 
who  over  all  giveth  dominion ! 

After  this  meeting  we  took  our  leave  of  friends,  parting  in  great  ten- 
derness, in  the  sense  of  the  heavenly  life  and  virtuous  power  of  the  Lord 
that  was  livingly  felt  amongst  us,  and  went  by  v/ater  to  the  place  where 
we  were  to  take  shipping ;  many  friends  accompanying  us  thither  and 
tarrying  with  us  that  night.  Next  day,  the  twenty-first  of  the  third 
month,  1673,  we  set  sail  for  England :  the  same  day  Richard  Covell 
came  on  board  our  ship,  his  own  being  taken  from  him  by  the  Dutch. 
We  had  foul  weather  and  contrary  winds,  which  caused  us  to  cast  an- 
chor often,  so  that  we  were  till  the  thirty -first  of  the  third  month  ere  we 
passed  the  capes  of  Virginia  into  the  main  sea.  But  after  this  we  made 
good  speed,  and  the  twenty-eighth  of  the  fourth  month  cast  anchor  at 
King's  Road,  the  harbour  for  Bristol.  We  had  in  our  passage  very  high 
winds  and  tempestuous  weather,  which  made  the  sea  exceeding  rough, 
the  waves  rising  like  mountains,  so  that  the  masters  and  sailors  wonder- 
ed, and  said,  '  They  never  saw  the  like  before.'  But  though  the  wind 
was  strong,  it  sat  for  the  most  part  with  us,  so  that  we  sailed  before  it ; 
and  the  great  God  who  commands  the  winds,  who  is  Lord  of  heaven, 
earth,  and  the  seas,  and  whose  wonders  are  seen  in  the  deep,  steered  our 
course,  and  preserved  us  from  many  imminent  dangers.  The  same  good 
hand  of  Providence  that  went  with  us,  and  carried  us  safely  over,  watch- 
ed over  us  in  our  return,  and  brought  us  safely  back  again.  Thanks- 
givings and  praises  be  to  his  holy  name  for  ever!  Many  sweet  and  pre- 
cious meetings  we  had  on  board  the  ship  during  this  voyage  (commonly 
two  a  week)  wherein  the  blessed  presence  of  the  Lord  did  greatly  re- 
fresh us,  and  often  break  in  upon  and  tender  the  company.  When  we 
came  into  Bristol  harbour,  there  lay  a  man  of  war,  and  the  press-master 
came  on  board  to  impress  our  men.  We  had  a  meeting  at  that  time  in 
the  ship  with  the  seamen,  before  we  went  to  shore ;  and  the  press-master 
sat  down  with  us,  staid  the  meeting,  and  was  well  satisfied  with  it.  After 
the  meeting  I  spoke  to  him  to  leave  two  of  the  men  he  had  impressed  in 
our  ship  (for  he  had  impressed  four)  one  of  which  was  a  lame  man ;  he 
said,  '  At  my  request  he  would.' 

We  went  on  shore  that  afternoon,  and  got  to  Shearhampton.  We 
procured  horses,  and  rode  to  Bristol  that  night,  where  friends  received 


1673]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  465 

US  with  great  joy.  In  the  evening  I  wrote  a  letter  to  my  wife,  to  give 
her  notice  of  my  landing. 

'  Dear  heart, 
'  Tms  day  we  came  into  Bristol,  near  night,  from  the  sea ;  glory  to 
'  the  Lord  God  over  all  for  ever,  who  was  our  convoy,  and  steered  our 

*  course !  who  is  the  God  of  the  whole  earth,  of  the  seas  and  winds,  and 
'  made  the  clouds  his  chariots,  beyond  all  words,  blessed  be  his  name  for 
'  ever !  He  is  over  all  in  his  great  power  and  wisdom.  Amen.  Robert 
'  Widders  and  James  Lancaster,  are  with  me,  and  we  are  well.  Glory  to 
'  the  Lord  for  ever,  who  hath  carried  us  through  many  perils,  perils  by 

*  water,  and  in  storms,  perils  by  pirates  and  robbers,  perils  in  the  wilder 

*  ness,  and  amongst  false  professors ;  praises  to  him  whose  glory  is  over 
'  all  for  ever,  Amen !  Therefore  mind  the  fresh  life,  and  all  live  to  God 

*  in  it.  I  intend  (if  the  Lord  will)  to  stay  awhile  this  way.  It  may  be 
'  till  the  fair.     So  no  more,  but  my  love  to  all  friends.  G.  F.' 

'  Bristol,  the  28th  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1673.' 

Between  this  and  the  fair  my  wife  came  out  of  the  north  to  Bristol, 
and  her  son-in-law  Thomas  Lower  with  two  of  her  daughters  with  her. 
Her  other  son-in-law  John  Rouse,  W.  Penn  and  his  wife,  and  Gerrard 
Roberts  came  from  London,  and  many  friends  from  several  parts  of  the 
nation  to  the  fair,  and  glorious  powerful  meetings  we  had  there ;  for  the 
Lord's  infinite  power  and  life  was  over  all.  In  the  fresh  openings  where- 
of I  was  moved  to  declare  of  Three  Estates  and  Three  Teachers,  viz. 
God  was  the  first  teacher  of  man  and  woman  in  paradise ;  and  as  long 
as  they  kept  to  and  under  his  teaching,  they  kept  in  the  image  of  God, 
in  his  hkeness,  in  righteousness  and  holiness,  and  in  dominion  over  all 
that  God  had  made ;  in  the  blessed  state,  in  the  paradise  of  God.  But 
when  they  hearkened  to  the  serpent's  false  teaching  (who  was  out  of 
truth)  disobeyed  God,  and  obeyed  the  serpent,  in  feeding  upon  that 
which  God  forbad ;  they  lost  the  image  of  God,  the  righteousness  and 
holiness,  came  under  the  power  of  Satan,  and  were  turned  out  of  par- 
adise, out  of  the  blessed  into  the  cursed  state.  Then  the  promise  of 
God  was,  "  That  the  Seed  of  the  woman  should  bruise  the  serpent's 
'  head,"  break  his  power  that  man  and  woman  were  under,  and  destroy 
his  works.  So  here  were  Three  States  and  Three  Teachers.  God 
was  the  First  Teacher  in  paradise;  and  whilst  man  kept  under  his 
teaching,  he  was  happy.  The  serpent  was  the  second  teacher ;  and 
Avhen  man  followed  his  teaching,  he  fell  into  misery,  into  the  fall  from 
the  image  of  God,  righteousness,  and  holiness,  and  from  the  powder  that 
he  had  over  all  that  God  had  made ;  and  came  under  the  serpent  whom 
he  had  power  over  before.  Christ  Jesus  was  the  Third  Teacher ;  of 
whom  God  saith,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased, 
'  hear  ye  him :"  and  who  himself  saith,  "  Learn  of  me."  This  is  the  true 
gospel-teacher,  who  bruises  the  head  of  the  serpent  the  false  teacher, 
and  the  head  of  all  false  teachers  and  false  religions,  false  ways,  false 
worships,  and  false  churches.  Christ,  who  said,  "  Learn  of  me,"  and 
of  whom  the  Father  said,  "  Hear  ye  him,"  said,  "  I  am  the  way  to  God, 
'  I  am  the  truth,  I  am  the  life,  and  the  true  light."  So  as  man  and  wo- 
man come  to  God,  and  are  renewed  up  into  his  image,  righteousness, 
and  holiness  by  Christ,  thereby  they  come  into  the  paradise  of  God,  the 
state  which  man  was  in  before  he  fell ;  and  into  an  higher  state  than 

3  I 


466  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1673 

*  that,  to  sit  down  in  Christ  who  never  fell.     Therefore  the  Son  of  God 

*  is  to  be  heard  in  all  things,  who  is  the  Saviour  and  the  Redeemer ;  who 

*  hath  laid  down  his  life,  and  bought  his  sheep  with  his  precious  blood. 
'  We  can  challenge  all  the  world.     Who  hath  any  thing  to  say  against 

*  our  way  ?  our  Saviour  1  our  Redeemer  ?  our  Prophet,  whom  God  hath 
'raised  up  that  we  may  hear,  and  whom  we  must  hear  in  all  things? 

*  Who  hath  any  thing  against  our  Shepherd,  Christ  Jesus,  who  leads  and 
'  feeds  us,  and  we  know  his  heavenly  voice  1  Who  hath  any  thing  against 
'  our  Bishop,  in  whose  mouth  was  never  guile  found,  who  doth  oversee 

*  us  in  his  pasture  of  hfe,  that  we  do  not  go  astray  out  of  his  fold  1  Who 
'  hath  any  thing  against  our  Priest,  Christ  Jesus,  made  higher  than  the 
'  heavens,  who  gives  us  freely,  and  commands  us  to  give  freely  ?  Who 
'  hath  any  thing  to  say  against  our  Leader  and  Counsellor,  Christ  Jesus, 

*  who  never  sinned,  but  is  holy,  harmless,  and  separate  from  sinners  ? 
'  God  hath  commanded  us  to  hear  him,  and  he  saith,  "  Learn  of  me ;" 
'  and  if  we  should  disobey  God's  and  Christ's  command,  we  should  be 
'  Hke  our  father  Adam  and  mother  Eve,  who  disobeyed  God's  command, 

*  and  hearkened  to  the  serpent's  teaching.     Man  commands,  and  would 

*  force  us  to  hear  the  hirelings,  who  plead  for  sin  and  the  body  of  death 
'  to  the  grave ;  which  doctrine  savours  of  the  devil's  teaching,  not  of 
'  Christ's ;  but  we  resolve  to  hear  the  Son,  as  both  the  Father  and  he 

*  command ;  and  in  hearing  the  Son,  we  hear  the  Father  also,  as  the 

*  scripture  testifies.  For  the  author  to  the  Hebrews  says,  "  God,  who  at 
"  sundry  times  and  in  divers  manners  spake  in  time  past  unto  the  fathers 
"  by  the  prophets,  hath  in  these  last  days  spoken  unto  us  by  his  Son :" 
'  Mark  that,  God  hath  spoken  unto  us  (his  apostles,  disciples,  and  church) 
'  by  his  Son.  And  whereas  some  have  objected,  "  That  although  Christ 
"  did  speak  both  to  his  disciples  and  to  the  Jews  in  the  days  of  his  flesh, 
"  yet  since  his  resurrection  and  ascension  he  doth  not  speak  now ;"  the  an- 

*  swer  is,  as  God  did  then  speak  by  his  Son  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  so 
'  the  Son,  Christ  Jesus,  doth  now  speak  by  his  Spirit.  Wherefore  John 
'  saith  in  the  Revelations,  "  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the 
"  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches,"  Rev.  ii.  And  Christ  is  said  to  "  speak 
"  from  heaven,"  Heb.  xii.  25.  '*  See  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that  speak- 
"  eth ;  for  if  they  escaped  not  who  refused  him  that  spake  on  earth,  much 
"  more  shall  not  we  escape  if  we  turn  away  from  him  that  speaketh  from 
"  heaven."  *  They  that  resisted  Moses's  law  (who  spake  on  earth)  died 
'  for  it  without  mercy,  which  was  a  natural  death ;  but  they  that  refuse 
'  him  that  speaks  from  heaven,  neglect  and  slight  their  own  salvation, 
'  and  so  die  a  spiritual  death,  through  unbelief  and  hardness  of  heart. 
'  Therefore  was  the  exhortation  given  of  old,  "  To-day,  if  ye  will  hear 
"  his  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts,  as  in  the  provocation,"  &c.  Heb.  iii. 
'  15,  &c.  They,  who  neglect  or  refuse  to  hear  the  voice  of  Christ  now 
'  speaking  from  heaven  in  this  his  gospel-day,  harden  their  hearts.  There- 
'  fore  let  all  mark  well  these  three  states  and  teachers :  the  God  of  truth 

*  was  the  first  teacher,  while  man  was  in  paradise  and  in  innocence. 
'  The  serpent  was  the  second  teacher,  the  false  teacher,  who  by  his  false 
'  teaching  came  to  be  the  god  of  the  world  which  lies  in  wickedness. 
'  Christ  Jesus,  that  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  is  the  third  teacher,  who 
'  saith,  "  Learn  of  me ;"  of  whom  God  saith,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son, 
"  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear  ye  him  ;"  and  of  whom  the  testimony 
'  of  the  saints  of  old  was,  "  That  God  hath  in  these  last  days  spoken 
*'  unto  us  by  his  Son."     Thus  they,  that  come  to  be  renewed  up  again 


1673]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  467 

'  into  the  divine  heavenly  image  in  which  man  was  at  first  made,  will 
'  know  the  same  God,  that  was  the  first  teacher  of  Adam  and  Eve  in 
'  paradise,  to  speak  to  them  now  by  his  Son,  who  changes  not ;  glory  be 
'  to  his  name  for  ever !' 

Many  deep  and  precious  things  were  opened  in  those  meetings  by  the 
eternal  Spirit  which  searcheth  and  revealeth  the  deep  things  of  God. 
After  I  Jiad  finished  my  service  for  the  Lord  in  that  city,  I  departed  into 
Gloucestershire,  where  we  had  many  large  and  precious  meetings ;  and 
the  Lord's  everlasting  power  flowed  over  all.  From  Gloucestershire  I 
passed  into  Wiltshire,  where  also  we  had  many  blessed  meetings.  At 
Slattenford  in  Wiltshire  we  had  a  very  good  meeting,  though  we  met 
with  much  opposition  from  some,  who  had  set  themselves  against 
women's  meetings ;  which  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  recommend  to 
friends,  for  the  benefit  of  the  church  of  Christ.     '  That  faithful  women, 

*  called  to  the  belief  of  the  truth,  made  partakers  of  the  same  precious 
'  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  same  everlasting  gospel  of  Hfe  and  salvation  as 
'  the  men  are,  might  in  like  manner  come  into  the  possession  and  practice 
'  of  the  gospel-order,  and  therein  be  meet  helps  unto  the  men  in  the  resto- 
'  ration,  in  the  service  of  truth,  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  as  they  are 
'  outwardly  in  civil  or  temporal  things.     That  so  all  the  family  of  God, 

*  women  as  well  as  men,  might  know,  possess,  perform,  and  discharge 
'  their  offices  and  services  in  the  house  of  God,  whereby  the  poor  might 
'  be  the  better  taken  care  of;  the  younger  sort  instructed,  informed,  and 
'  taught  in  the  way  of  God ;  the  loose  and  disorderly  reproved  and  ad- 
'  monished  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  the  clearness  of  persons  proposing 

*  marriage,  more  closely  and  strictly  inquired  into  in  the  wisdom  of  God ; 
'  and  all  the  members  of  the  spiritual  body  the  church  might  watch  over 
'  and  be  helpful  to  each  other  in  love.'  After  these  opposers  had  run  into 
much  contention  and  wrangling,  the  power  of  the  Lord  struck  down  one 
of  the  chief  of  them,  so  that  his  spirit  sunk,  and  he  came  to  be  sensible 
of  the  evil  he  had  done,  in  opposing  God's  heavenly  power,  confessed  his 
error  before  friends,  and  afterwards  gave  forth  a  paper  of  condemnation, 
wherein  he  declared,  '  That  he  did  wilfully  oppose  (although  I  often 
'  warned  him  to  take  heed)  until  the  fire  of  the  Lord  did  burn  within  him, 

*  and  he  saw  the  angel  of  the  Lord  v;^ith  his  sword  drawn  in  his  hand, 

*  ready  to  cut  him  oftV  &;c. 

Notwithstanding  the  opposition  was  made  at  the  meeting,  yet  a  very 
good  and  serviceable  meeting  it  was ;  for  occasion  was  thereby  admin- 
istered to  answer  their  objections  and  cavils,  and  to  open  the  services  of 
women  in  and  for  the  church.  At  this  meeting  the  women's  meetings 
for  that  county  were  established  in  the  blessed  power  of  God. 

After  this  I  w^ent  to  Marlborough,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  to  which 
some  of  the  magistrates  came,  and  were  civil  and  moderate.  Then  pass- 
ing to  Bartholomew  Maylin's,  I  had  a  very  precious  meeting  there. 
From  thence  went  a  little  beyond  Ore,  where  we  had  a  blessed  meeting, 
and  very  large,  as  we  had  also  soon  after  upon  the  border  of  Hamn- 
shire.  Then  turning  into  Oxfordshire,  we  visited  friends  there ;  then 
went  to  Reading  where  we  iiad  a  large  meeting.  From  thence  passing 
into  Buckinghamshire,  we  had  many  precious  meetings  in  that  county. 
After  which  we  visited  friends  till  we  came  to  Kingston  upon  Thames, 
where  my  wife  and  her  daughter  Rachel  met  me. 

I  made  no  long  stay  at  Kingston,  but  went  to  London,  where  I  found 
the  Baptists  and  Socinians,  with  some  old  apostates,  grown  very  rude. 


468  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1673 

having  printed  many  books  against  us :  so  I  had  a  great  travail  in  the 
Lord's  power,  before  I  could  get  clear  of  that  city.  But  blessed  be  the 
Lord,  his  power  came  over  them,  and  all  their  lying,  wicked,  scandalous 
books  were  answered.  I  made  a  short  journey  into  some  parts  of  Essex 
and  Middlesex,  visiting  friends  at  their  meetings,  and  their  children  at 
the  schools,  and  returned  soon  to  London.  After  some  service  there 
among  friends,  I  went  to  Kingston,  and  from  thence  to  Stephen  Smith's, 
in  Surry,  where  was  a  very  large  meeting,  many  hundreds  of  people 
attending  it.  I  staid  in  those  parts  till  I  had  cleared  myself  of  the  service 
the  Lord  had  given  me  to  do  there,  and  then  returned  by  Kingston  to 
London,  whither  I  felt  my  spirit  drawn ;  having  heard  that  many  friends 
were  taken  before  the  magistrates,  and  divers  imprisoned,  both  in  Lon- 
don and  in  other  parts  of  the  nation,  for  opening  their  shop-windows  upon 
holy-days  and  fast-days  (as  they  were  called)  and  for  bearing  testimony 
against  all  such  observation  of  days.  Which  friends  could  not  but  do, 
knowing  that  the  true  Christians  did  not  observe  the  Jews'  holy-days  in 
the  apostles'  times,  neither  could  we  observe  the  Heathens'  and  Papists' 
holy-days  (so  called)  which  have  been  set  up  amongst  those  called  Chris- 
tians since  the  apostles'  days.  For  we  were  redeemed  out  of  days  by 
Christ  Jesus,  and  brought  into  the  day  which  hath  sprung  from  on  high, 
and  are  come  into  him,  who  is  Lord  of  the  Jewish  sabbath,  and  the  sub- 
stance of  the  Jews'  signs. 

After  I  had  staid  some  time  in  London,  labouring  for  some  relief  and 
ease  to  friends  in  this  case,  I  went  wdth  my  wife,  and  her  daughter 
Rachel,  to  Hendon,  in  Middlesex,  and  from  thence  to  WiUiam  Penn's  at 
Rickmansworth,  in  Hertfordshire,  whither  Thomas  Lower,  who  married 
another  of  my  wife's  daughters,  came  the  next  day  to  accompany  us  in 
our  journey  northward.  After  we  had  visited  friends  tiiereabouts,  we 
passed  to  a  friend's  house  near  Aylesbury ;  and  from  thence  to  Bray 
Doily's  at  Adderbury,  in  Oxfordshire,  where,  on  first-day,  we  had  a  large 
and  precious  meeting.  Truth  being  well  spread,  and  friends  in  those 
parts  much  increased  in  number,  two  or  three  new  meetings  were  then 
set  up  thereabouts. 

At  night,  as  I  was  sitting  at  supper,  I  felt  I  was  taken ;  yet  I  said 
nothing  to  any  body  of  it  then.  But  getting  out  next  morning,  we  trav- 
elled into  Worcestershire,  and  went  to  John  Halford's  at  Armscot,  in 
Tredington  parish ;  where  we  had  a  very  large  and  precious  meeting  in 
his  barn,  the  Lord's  powerful  presence  being  eminently  with  and  amongst 
us.  After  the  meeting,  friends  being  most  of  them  gone,  as  I  was  sitting 
in  the  parlour,  discoursing  with  some  friends,  Plenry  Parker,  a  justice, 
came  to  the  house,  and  with  him  Rowland  Hains,  a  priest  of  Hunniton, 
in  Warwickshire.  This  justice  came  to  know  of  the  meeting  by  means 
of  a  woman-friend,  who,  being  nurse  to  a  child  of  his,  asked  leave  of  her 
mistress  to  go  to  the  meeting  to  see  me ;  and  she  speaking  of  it  to  her 
husband,  he  and  the  priest  plotted  together  to  break  up  the  meeting,  and 
apprehend  me.  But  by  means  of  their  sitting  long  at  dinner,  it  being 
the  day  on  which  his  child  was  sprinkled,  they  came  not  till  the  meet- 
ing was  over,  and  friends  mostly  gone.  But  though  there  was  no  meet- 
ing when  they  came,  yet  I  being  in  the  house,  who  was  the  person  they 
aimed  at,  Henry  Parker  took  me,  and  Thomas  Lower  for  company  with 
me,  and  though  he  had  nothing  to  lay  to  our  charge,  sent  us  both  to 
Worcester  gaol,  by  a  strange  sort  of  mittimus ;  a  copy  of  which  here 
followeth : 


1673]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  469 

'  To  the  constables  of  Tredington,  in  the  said  county  of  Worcester, 
'  and  to  all  constables  and  tything-men  of  the  several  townships  and 
'  villages  within  the  said  parish  of  Tredington,  and  to  the  keeper  of 
*  the  gaol  for  the  county  of  Worcester. 

*  Complaint  being  made  to  me,  being  one  of  his  majesty's  justices  of 

*  the  peace  for  the  said  county  of  Worcester,  that  within  the  said  parish 

*  of  Tredington,  in  the  said  county,  there  has  of  late  been  several  rneet- 
'  ings  of  divers  persons,  to  the  number  of  four  hundred  persons  and  up- 

*  wards  at  a  time,  upon  pretence  of  exercise  of  rehgion,  otherwise  than 
'  what  is  estabhshed  by  the  laws  of  England.  And  many  of  the  said 
'  persons,  some  of  them  were  teachers,  and  came  from  the  north,  and 

*  others  from  the  remote  parts  of  the  kingdom,  which  tends  to  the  preju- 
'  dice  of  the  reformed  and  established  religion,  and  may  prove  prejudi- 
'  cial  to  the  publick  peace.  And  it  appearing  to  me,  that  there  was  this 
'  present  day  such  a  meeting  as  aforesaid,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred 

*  or  thereabouts,  at  Armscot,  in  the  said  Parish  of  Tredington ;  and  that 
'  George  Fox,  of  London,  and  Thomas  Lower,  of  the  parish  of  Creed, 
'  in  the  county  of  Cornwall,  were  present  at  the  said  meeting ;  and  the 
'  said  George  Fox  was  teacher  or  speaker  of  the  said  meeting ;  and  no 
'  satisfactory  account  of  their  settlement  or  place  of  habitation  appearing 

*  to  me ;  and  forasmuch  as  the  said  George  Fox  and  Thomas  Lower  re- 
'  fused  to  give  sureties  to  appear  at  the  next  sessions  of  the  peace  to  be 
'  holden  for  the  said  county,  to  answer  the  breach  of  the  common  laws 
'  of  England,  and  what  other  matters  should  be  objected  against  them : 
'  These  are  therefore,  in  his  majesty's  name,  to  will  and  require  you  or 
'  either  of  you  forthwith  to  convey  the  bodies  of  the  said  George  Fox 
'  and  Thomas  Lower  to  the  county  gaol  of  Worcester  aforesaid,  and 
'  there  safely  to  be  kept  until  they  shall  be  from  thence  delivered  by  due 
'  course  of  law:  for  which  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant  in  that 
'behalf.  Dated  the  17th  day  of  December,  in  the  25th  year  of  his 
'  majesty's  reign  over  England,  &c.  '  Henry  Parker.' 

Being  thus  made  prisoners,  without  any  probable  appearance  of  being 
released  before  the  quarter-sessions  at  soonest,  we  got  some  friends  to 
accompany  my  wife  and  her  daughter  into  the  north,  and  we  were  con- 
veyed to  Worcester  gaol.  From  whence,  by  that  time  I  thought  my  wife 
could  be  got  home,  I  wrote  her  the  following  letter. 

'  Dear  heart, 

'  Thou  seemedst  to  be  a  little  grieved  when  I  was  speaking  of  prisons, 

'  and  when  I  was  taken.  Be  content  with  the  will  of  the  Lord  God.  For 

"  when  I  was  at  John  Rouse's  at  Kingston,  I  had  a  sight  of  my  being  ta- 

'  ken  prisoner ;  and  when  I  was  at  Bray  Doily's,  in  Oxfordshire,  as  I  sat 

*  at  supper,  I  saw  I  was  taken,  and  I  saw  I  had  a  suffering  to  undergo. 
'  But  the  Lord's  power  is  over  all ;  blessed  be  his  holy  name  for  ever  ! 

'  G.  F.' 

When  we  had  been  some  time  in  the  gaol,  we  thought  fit  to  lay  our 
case  before  the  lord  Windsor,  lord-lieutenant  of  Worcestershire,  and  be- 
fore the  deputy-lieutenants,  and  other  magistrates ;  which  we  did  by  the 
following  letter : 

'  These  are  to  inform  you,  the  lord-lieutenant  (so  called)  the  deputy- 

*  lieutenants,  and  the  justices  of  tlie  county  of  Worcestershire,  how  un- 

*  christianly  and  inhumanly  we  have  been  dealt  withal  by  Henry  Parker, 


470  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  flSTS 

*  a  justice  (so  called)  in  our  journey  towards  the  north.     We  coming  to 

*  our  friend  John  Halford's,  the   17th  of  the  10th  month,  1673,  some 

*  friends  bringing  us  on  the  way,  and  others  coming  to  visit  us  there ; 

*  towards  night  came  the  aforesaid  justice,  and  a  priest  called  Row- 

*  land  Hains,  of  Hunniton,  in  Warwickshire,  and  demanded  our  names 

*  and   places   of  abode.     And   though   we  were   not   in   any  meeting, 

*  but  were  discoursing  together  when  they  came  in,  he  made  a  mittimus 

*  to  send  us  to  Worcester  gaol.  Now  whereas  he  says  in  his  mittimus, 
"  That  complaint  had  been  made  to  him  of  several  by-past  meetings  of 
"  many  hundreds  at  a  time ;"  we  know  nothing  of  that,  nor  do  we  think 
'  that  concerns  us.  And  whereas  he  says  further,  "  That  no  satisfactory 
"  account  of  our  settlement  or  place  of  habitation  appeared  unto  him  ;" 

*  this  he  contradicts  in  his  own  mittimus,  mentioning  therein  the  places 

*  of  our  abode  and  habitation;  the  account  of  which  we  satisfactorily  and 

*  fully  gave  him.    And  one  of  us  (Thomas  Lower)  told  him,  that  he  was 

*  going  down  with  his  mother-in-law  (who  is  George  Fox's  wife)  and 

*  with  his  sister,  to  fetch  up  his  own  wife  and  child  out  of  the  north  into 

*  his  own  country.  And  the  other  of  us  (George  Fox)  told  him,  that  he 
'  was  bringing  forward  his  wife  on  her  journey  towards  the  north,  who 

•  *  had  been  at  London  to  visit  one  of  her  daughters,  who  had  lately  lain 

*  in.  And  having  received  a  message  from  his  mother,  an  ancient  woman 

*  in  Leicestershire,  that  she  earnestly  desired  to  see  him  before  she  died, 

*  he  intended,  as  soon  as  he  had  brought  his  wife  on  her  journey  as  far 

*  as  Causal,  in  Warwickshire,  to  turn  into  Leicestershire,  to  visit  his 

*  mother  and  relations  there,  and  then  to  have  returned  to  London.     But 

*  by  his  interrupting  us  in  our  journey,  taking  the  husband  from  his  wife, 
'  the  son  from  his  mother  and  sister,  and  stopping  him  from  visiting  his 

*  wife  and  child  so  remote,  we  were  forced  to  get  strangers,  or  whom 
'  we  could,  to  help  them  on  their  journey,  to  our  great  damage  and  their 

*  hindrance.  We  asked  the  priest,  "  whether  this  was  his  gospel,  and 
"  their  way  of  entertaining  strangers?"  And  we  desired  the  justice  to 
'  consider,  whether  this  was  doing  "  as  he  would  be  done  by  ?"     But  he 

*  said,  "  He  had  said  it,  and  he  would  do  it."  And  whereas  he  says, 
"  We  refused  to  give  sureties."  He  asked  only  George  Fox  for  sureties ; 
'  who  rephed,  "  He  was  an  innocent  man,  and  knew  no  law  he  had 
"  broken ;"  but  he  did  not  ask  Thomas  Lower  for  any,  as  if  it  had  been 
'  crime  and  cause  enough  for  his  commitment  that  he  came  out  of  Corn- 

*  wall.     If  we  were  at  a  meeting,  as  he  says  in  his  mittimus,  he  might 

*  have  proceeded  otherwise,  than  by  sending  us  to  gaol,  to  answer  the 
'  breach  of  the  common  laws ;  though  he  shewed  us  no  breach  of  any, 

*  as  may  be  seen  in  the  mittimus.  We  thought  fit  to  lay  before  you  the 
'  substance  of  his  proceedings  against  us,  hoping  there  will  more  modera- 

*  tion  and  justice  appear  in  you  towards  us,  that  we  may  prosecute  our 

*  intended  journey. 

'  George  Fox, 
'  Thomas  Lower.' 

But  no  enlargement  did  we  receive  by  our  application  to  the  lord 
Windsor  (so  called.)  And  although  Thomas  Lower  received  several 
letters  from  his  brother  Dr.  Lower,  who  was  one  of  the  king's  physi- 
cians, concerning  his  liberty,  and  one,  by  his  procurement,  from  Henry 
Savil,  who  was  of  the  king's  bed-chamber,  to  his  brother  called  the  lord 
Windsor,  to  the  same  effect ;  yet  seeing  it  related  only  to  his  enlarge- 


16731  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  471 

ment,  not  mine,  so  great  was  his  love  and  regard  to  me,  that  he  would 
not  seek  his  own  liberty  singly,  but  kept  the  letter  by  him  unsent ;  so  we 
were  continued  prisoners  till  the  next  general  quarter  sessions  of  the 
peace.  At  which  time  divers  friends  from  several  places  being  in  town, 
did  speak  to  the  justices  concerning  us ;  who  spoke  fair,  and  said,  we 
should  be  discharged.  For  many  of  the  justices  seemed  to  dislike  the 
severity  of  Parker's  proceedings  against  us,  and  declared  an  averseness 
to  ensnai'e  us  by  the  tender  of  the  oaths.  Some  friends  also  had  spoken 
with  lord  Windsor,  who  likewise  spoke  them  fair ;  so  that  it  was  the 
general  discourse  we  should  be  discharged.  We  heard  also,  that  Dr. 
Lower  had  procured  a  letter  from  colonel  Sands  at  London,  to  some  of 
the  justices  in  our  favour.  Some  of  the  justices  also  spoke  to  some 
friends,  to  acquaint  us,  that  they  would  have  us  speak  but  little  in  the 
court,  lest  we  should  provoke  any  of  the  bench,  and  they  would  warrant 
we  should  be  discharged. 

We  were  not  called  till  the  last  day  of  the  sessions,  which  was  the 
twenty-first  of  the  eleventh  month,  1673.  When  we  came  in,  they 
were  struck  with  paleness  in  their  faces,  and  it  was  some  time  before 
any  thing  was  spoken ;  insomuch  that  a  butcher  in  the  hall  said, '  What ! 
'  are  they  afraid?  Dare  not  the  justices  speak  to  them?  At  length, 
before  they  spoke  to  us,  justice  Parker  made  a  long  speech  on  the  bench, 
much  to  the  same  effect  as  was  contained  in  the  mittimus,  often  men- 
tioning the  common  laws,  but  not  instancing  any  we  had  broken.  Add- 
ing, '  That  he  thought  it  a  milder  course  to  send  us  two  to  gaol,  than  to 
'  put  his  neighbours  to  the  loss  of  two  hundred  pounds,  which  they  must 

*  have  suffered  if  he  had  put  the  law  in  execution  against  conventicles.' 
But  in  this  he  was  either  very  ignorant,  or  very  deceitful ;  for  there  be- 
ing no  meeting  when  he  came,  nor  any  to  inform,  he  had  no  evidence  to 
convict  us,  or  his  neighbours  by. 

When  Parker  had  ended  his  speech,  the  justices  began  with  Thomas 
Lower,  whom  they  examined  of  the  cause  of  his  coming  into  that  coun- 
try ;  of  which  he  gave  them  a  full  and  plain  account.  Sometimes  I  put 
in  a  word  while  they  were  examining  him,  and  then  they  told  me, 
'  They  were  upon  his  examination,  when  it  came  to  my  turn,  I  should 
'  have  free  liberty  to  speak,  for  they  would  not  hinder  me ;  but  I  should 

*  have  full  time,  and  they  would  not  ensnare  us.'  When  they  had  done 
with  him,  they  asked  me  an  account  of  my  travel,  which  I  gave  them, 
as  is  mentioned  before,  but  more  largely.  And  whereas  justice  Parker, 
to  aggravate  the  case,  had  made  a  great  noise  of  '  there  being  some 
'  from  London,  some  from  the  north,  some  from  Cornwall,  and  some 
'  from  Bristol,  at  the  house  when  T  was  taken.'  I  told  him,  '  This  was 
'  in  a  manner  all  but  one  family.  For  there  was  none  from  London,  but 
'myself;  none  from  the  north,  but  my  wife  and  her  daughter;  none 
'  from  Cornwall,  but  my  son-in-law  Thomas  Lower ;  nor  any  from  Bris- 

*  tol,  but  one  friend,  a  merchant  there,  who  met  us,  as  it  were,  provi- 
'  dentially,  to  assist  my  wife  and  her  daughter  in  their  journey  home- 
'  wards,  when  by  our  imprisonment  they  were  deprived  of  our  company 
'  and  help.'  When  I  had  spoken,  the  chairman,  whose  name  was  Simp- 
son,, an  old  Presbyterian,  said,  '  Your  relation  or  account  is  very  inno- 

*  cent.'  Then  he  and  Parker  v/hispered  awhile  together,  and  after  that 
the  chairman  stood  up,  and  said:  '  You,  Mr.  Fox,  are  a  famous  man, 

*  and  all  this  may  be  true  which  you  have  said ;  but  that  we  may  be  the 

*  better  satisfied,  will  you  take  the  oaths  'of  allegiance  and  supremacy  V 


472  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1673 

I  told  them,  *  They  had  said,  "  They  would  not  ensnare  us ;"  but  this  was 

*  a  plain  snare :  for  they  knew  we  could  not  take  any  oath.'  However, 
they  caused  the  oath  to  be  read ;  and  when  they  had  done,  I  told  them, 
'  I  never  took  an  oath  in  nay  life,  but  I  had  always  been  true  to  the  gov- 

*  ernment :  that  I  was  cast  into  prison  at  Derby,  and  kept  a  prisoner  six 
'  months  there,  because  T  would  not  take  up  arms  against  king  Charles 

*  at  Worcester-fight ;  and  for  going  to  meetings,  was  carried  up  out  of 
'  Leicestershire,  and  brought  before  Oliver  Cromwell,  as   a  plotter  to 

*  bring  in  king  Charles.  And  ye  know,'  said  I,  '  in  your  own  con- 
'  sciences,  that  we,  the  people  called  Quakers,  cannot  take  an  oath,  nor 

*  swear  in  any  case,  because  Christ  hath  forbidden  it.     But  as  to   the 

*  matter  or  substance  contained  in  the  oaths,  this  I  can  and  do  say,  that 
'  I  do  own  and  acknowledge  the  king  of  England  to  be  lawful  heir  and 

*  successor  to  the  realm  of  England,  an>i  do  abhor  all  plots  and  plotters, 

*  and  contrivances  against  him  ;  and  I  have  nothing  in  my  heart,  but 
'  love  and  good- will  to  him  and  all  men,  and  desire  his  and  their  pros- 

*  perity ;  the  Lord  knows  it,  before  whom  I   stand  an  innocent  man. 

*  And  as  to  the  oath  of  supremacy,  I  deny  the  pope,  his  power,  and  his 
'  religion,  and  abhor  it  with  my  heart'  While  I  was  speaking  they 
cried,  '  Give  him  the  book.'  I  said,  '  The  book  saith,  "  Swear  "not  at 
"  all."  Then  they  cried,  '  Take  him  away,  gaoler  ;'  and  I  still  speaking 
on,  they  were  urgent  upon  the  gaoler,  crying, '  Take  him  away,  we  shall 
'  have  a  meeting  here.     Why  do  you  not  take  him  away?     That  fellow 

*  (meaning  the  gaoler)  loves  to  hear  him  preach.'  Then  the  gaoler 
drew  me  away ;  and  as  I  was  turning  from  them,  I  stretched  out  my 
arm,  and  said,  '  The  Lord  forgive  you,  who  cast  me  into  prison  for 
'  obeying  the  doctrine  of  Christ.'  Thus  they  apparently  broke  their 
promise  in  the  face  of  the  country ;  for  they  promised  I  should  have 
free  liberty  to  speak,  but  now  they  would  not  give  it  me ;  and  they 
promised  they  would  not  ensnare  us,  yet  now  they  tendered  me  the  oaths 
on  purpose  to  ensnare  me. 

After  I  was  had  away,  Thomas  Lower  was  stayed  behind  in  the 
court ;  and  they  told  him, '  He  was  at  liberty.'  Then  he  would  have 
reasoned  with  them,  asking  them, '  Why  I  might  not  be  set  at  liberty  as  well 
'  as  he,  seeing  we  were  both  taken  together,  and  our  case  was  alike  V  But 
they  told  lam,  '  They  would  not  hear  him  ;'  saying,  '  You  may  be  gone 

*  about  your  business,  for  we  have  nothing  more  to  say  to  you,  seeing 

*  you  are  discharged.'  This  was  all  he  could  get  from  them.  Where- 
fore, after  the  court  was  risen,  he  went  to  speak  with  them  at  their 
chamber,  desiring  to  know,  '  What  cause  they  had  to  detain  his  father, 
'  seeing  they  had  discharged  him  V  and  wishing  them  to  consider, 
whether  this  was  not  partiality,  and  would  be  a  blemish  to  them.  Where- 
upon Simpson  threatened  him,  saying,  '  If  you  be  not  content  we  will 
'  tender  you  the  oaths  also,  and  send  you  to  your  father.'  To  which  he 
replied, '  They  might  do  that,  if  they  thought  fit;  but  whether  they  sent 
him  or  no,  he  intended  to  go  and  wait  upon  his  father  in  prison ;  for  that 

*  was  now  his  business  in  that  country.'  Then  said  justice  Parker  to 
him,  '  Do  you  think,  Mr.  Lower,  that  I'had  not  cause  to  send  your  father 
'  and  you  to  prison,  when  you  had  such  a  great  meeting  that  the  parson 
'  of  the  parish  complained  to  me,  that  he  hath  lost  the  greatest  part  of 
'  his  parishioners ;  so  that  when  he  comes  amongst  them  he  has  scarce 

*  any  auditors  left?'     '  I  have  heard,'  replied  Thomas  Lower,  *  that  the 

*  priest  of  that  parish  comes  so  seldom  to  visit  his  flock  (but  once,  it  may 


1673]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  473 

*  be,  or  twice  in  a  year,  to  gather  up  his  tythes)  that  it  was  but  charity 

*  in  my  father  to  visit  such  a  forlorn  and  forsaken  flock ;  therefore  thou 

*  hadst  no  cause  to  send  my  father  to  prison  for  visiting  them,  or  for 

*  teaching,  instructing,  and  directing  them  to  Christ,  their  true  teacher, 

*  who  had  so  little  comfort  or  benefit  from  their  pretended  pastor,  who 

*  comes  amongst  them  only  to  seek  for  his  "  gain  from  his  quarter." 
Upon  this  the  justices  fell  a  laughing ;  for  it  seems  Dr.  Crowder,  the 
priest  they  spoke  of,  was  then  sitting  among  them,  though  Thomas 
Lower  did  not  know  him ;  and  he  had  the  wit  to  hold  his  tongue,  and 
not  undertake  to  vindicate  himself  in  a  matter  so  notoriously  known  to 
be  true.  But  when  Thomas  Lower  was  come  from  them,  the  justices 
did  so  play  upon  Dr.  Crowder,  that  he  was  pitifully  ashamed,  and  so 
nettled  with  it,  that  he  threatened  to  sue  Thomas  Lower  in  the  bishop's 
court,  upon  an  action  of  defamation.  Which  when  Thomas  Lower 
heard  of,  he  sent  him  word,  he  would  answer  his  suit,  let  him  begin  it 
when  he  would ;  and  would  bring  his  whole  parish  in  evidence  against 
him.  This  cooled  the  doctor.  Yet  some  time  after  he  came  to  the 
prison,  pretending  he  had  a  mind  to  dispute  with  me,  and  to  talk  with 
Thomas  Lower  about  that  business;  and  he  brought  another  with  him, 
he  himself  being  then  a  prebendary  at  Worcester. 

When  he  came  in,  he  asked  me,  '  What  I  was  in  prison  for  V    *  Dost 

*  not  thou  know  that  V  said  I.  '  Wast  not  thou  upon  the  bench,  when 
'justice  Simpson  and  Parker  tendered  the  oath  to  me  ?     And  hadst  not 

*  thou  an  hand  in  it  V     Then  he  said,  '  It  is  lawful  to  swear ;  and  Christ 

*  did  not  forbid  swearing  before  a  magistrate  ;  but  swearing  by  the  sun 

*  and  the  like.'  I  bid  him  prove  that  by  the  scriptures,  but  he  could  not. 
Then  he  brought  that  saying  of  Paul's,  '  All  things  are  lawful  unto  me,' 
1  Cor.  vi.  12.     '  And  if,'  said  he, '  all  things  were  lawful  unto  him,  then 

*  swearing  was  lawful  unto  him.'     '  By  this  argument,'  said  I,  '  thou 

*  mayest  also  affirm,  that  drunkenness,  adultery,  and  all  manner  of  sin 

*  and  wickedness  is  lawful  also,  as  well  as  swearing.'  '  Why,'  said  Dr. 
Crowder,  '  do  you  hold  that  adultery  is  unlawful  V     *  Yes,'  said  I, '  that 

*  I  do.'  '  Why  then,'  said  he,  '  this  contradicts  the  saying  of  St.  Paul.' 
Thereupon  I  called  to  the  prisoners  and  the  gaoler,  to  hear  what  doc- 
trine Dr.  Crowder  had  laid  down  for  orthodox,  viz.  '  that  drunkenness, 
'  swearing,  adultery,  and  such  like  things  were  lawful.'     Then  he  said, 

*  He  would  give  it  under  his  hand ;'.  and  took  a  pen,  but  wrote  another 
thing  than  what  he  had  spoken.  Then  turning  to  Thomas  Lower,  he 
asked  him,  '  Whether  he  would  answer  what  he  had  there  written  V 
Who  undertook  it.  Whereupon,  when  he  had  threatened  Thomas 
Lower  to  sue  him  in  the  bishop's  court  for  speaking  so  abusively  (as  he 
called  it)  of  him  before  the  justices,  and  Thomas  had  bid  him  begin 
when  he  pleased,  for  he  would  answer  him,  and  bring  his  parishioners 
in  evidence  against  him,  he  went  away  in  a  great  fret,  grumbling  to 
himself  as  he  went.  A  few  days  after  Thomas  Lower  sent  him  an 
answer  to  the  paper  he  had  wrote  and  left  with  him ;  which  answer  a 
friend  of  Worcester  carried  to  him,  and  he  read  it,  and  said, '  He  would 
'  reply  to  it ;'  but  he  never  did,  though  he  often  sent  him  word  he  would 
do  it. 

Soon  after  the  sessions,  the  term  coming  on,  an  Habeas  Corpus  was 
sent  to  Worcester  for  the  sheriff  to  bring  me  up  to  the  king's-bench-bar. 
Whereupon  the  under-sheriff,  having  made  Thomas  Lower  his  deputy  to 
convey  me  to  London,  we  set  out  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  eleventh 

3K 


474  GEORGE  rOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1673 

month,  1673,  and  came  to  London  the  second  of  the  twelfth  month;  the 
ways  being  very  deep,  and  the  waters  out.  Next  day,  notice  being 
given  that  I  was  brought  up,  the  sheriff  was  ordered  to  bring  me  into 
court.  I  went  accordingly,  and  did  appear  in  court  before  judge  Wild ; 
and  both  he  and  the  lawyers  were  pretty  fair,  so  that  I  had  time  to 
speak,  to  clear  my  innocency,  and  shew  my  wrong  imprisonment. 
After  the  return  of  the  writ  was  entered,  I  was  ordered  to  be  brought 
into  court  again  next  day :  the  order  of  court  being  as  foUoweth : 

<  Th    K'     *       1  Thursday,  next  after  the  morrow  of  the  Purification 
'  a  ainst"^        f     °^  ^^^  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  in  the  26th  Year  of 
<  r  F         I      ^^^"§  Charles  the  Second. 

*  The  defendant  being  brought  here  into  court,  upon  a  writ  of  Habeas 

*  Corpus  ad  subjiciend,  &c.  under  the  custody  of  the  sheriff  of  the  coun- 
'  ty  aforesaid ;  it  is  ordered,  That  the  Return  unto  the  Habeas  Corpus 

*  be  filed,  and  the  Defendant  is  committed  unto  the  marshal  of  this  court, 

*  be  safely  kept  until,  &c. 

'  By  motion  of  Mr.  G.  Stroudk. 
'  By  the  Court.' 

Accordingly  I  went  in  the  morning,  and  walked  in  the  hall  till  the 
sheriff  came  to  me  (for  he  trusted  me  to  go  whither  I  would)  and  it 
being  early,  we  went  into  the  court  of  King's-bench,  and  sat  among 
the  lawyers  almost  an  hour,  till  the  judges  came  in,  when  the  sheriff 
took  off  my  hat ;  and  after  awhile  I  was  called.  The  Lord's  presence 
was  with  me,  and  his  power  I  felt  was  over  all.  I  stood  and  heard  the 
king's  attorney,  whose  name  was  Jones,  who  indeed  spoke  notably  on 
my  behalf,  as  did  also  another  counsellor  after  him ;  and  the  judges, 
who  were  three,  were  all  very  moderate,  not  casting  any  reflecting 
words  at  me.  I  stood  still  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  seeing 
how  the  Lord  was  at  work,  and  the  earth  was  helping  the  woman.  But 
when  they  had  done,  I  applied  myself  to  the  chief  justice,  desiring, 
'  That  I  might  speak ;'  and  he  said,  I  might.     '  Then  I  related  the  cause 

*  of  our  journey,  the  manner  of  our  being  taken  and  committed,  and  the 
'  time  of  our  imprisonment  until  the  sessions ;  with  a  brief  account  of 

*  our  trial  at  the  sessions,  and  what  I  had  offered  to  the  justices  then,  as 

*  a  declaration  that  I  could  make  or  sign,  instead  of  the  oaths  of  allegi- 
'  ance  and  supremacy.'  When  I  had  done,  the  chief  justice  said,  '  I  was 
'  to  be  turned  over  to  the  King's-bench,  and  the  sheriff  of  Worcester  to 
'  be  discharged  of  me.'  He  said  also, '  That  they  would  consider  further 
'  of  it ;  and  if  they  found  any  error  in  the  record,  or  in  the  justices'  pro- 
'  ceedings,  I  should  be  set  at  liberty.'  So  a  tipstaff  was  called  to  take 
me  into  custody,  and  he  delivered  me  to  the  keeper  of  the  King's-bench, 
who  let  me  go  to  a  friend's  house,  where  I  lodged  and  appointed  to  meet 
me  at  Edward  Man's  in  Bishopgate-street  the  next  day.  But  after  this, 
justice  Parker,  or  some  other  of  my  adversaries,  moved  the  court,  that 
I  might  be  sent  back  to  Worcester.  Whereupon  another  day  was  ap- 
pointed for  another  hearing,  and  they  had  four  counsel  that  pleaded 
against  me.  George  Stroude,  a  counsellor,  pleaded  for  me,  and  was 
pleading  before  I  was  brought  into  the  court ;  but  they  bore  him  down, 
and  prevailed  with  the  judges  to  give  judgment,  '  That  I  should  be  sent 
'  down  to  Worcester  sessions.'  Only  they  told  me  I  might  put  in  bail  to 
appear  at  the  sessions,  and  to  be  of  good  behaviour  in  the  mean  time. 


1674]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  475 

I  told  them,  *  I  never  was  of  ill  behaviour  in  my  life ;  and  that  they,  the 

*  four  judges,  might  as  well  put  the  oath  to  me  there,  as  send  me  to 

*  Worcester  to  be  ensnared  by  the  justices,  in  their  putting  the  oath  to 
'■  me,  and  then  premuniring  me,  who  never  took  oath  in  my  life.  I  told 
'  them,  if  I  broke  my  Yea  or  Nay,  I  was  content  to  sutler  the  same  pen- 

*  alty  which  they  should  that  break  their  oaths.'  This  alteration  of  the 
judges'  minds  in  my  case  proceeded,  as  was  thought,  from  some  false  in- 
formations that  my  adversary  justice  Parker  had  given  against  me :  for 
between  the  times  of  my  former  appearance  and  this,  he  had  spread 
abroad  a  very  false  and  malicious  story,  viz.  '  That  there  were  many 

*  substantial  men  with  me  out  of  several  parts  of  the  nation  when  he  took 
'  me,  and  that  we  had  a  design  or  plot  in  hand ;  and  that  Thomas  Lower 

*  staid  with  me  in  prison  long  after  he  was  set  at  hberty,  to  carry  on  our 
'  design.'  This  was  spoken  in  the  parliament-house ;  insomuch  that  if  I 
had  not  been  brought  up  to  London  when  I  was,  I  had  been  stopped  at 
Worcester,  and  Thomas  had  been  re-committed  with  me.  But  although 
these  lies  were  easily  disproved  and  laid  open  to  Parker's  shame,  yet 
would  not  the  judges  alter  their  last  sentence,  but  remanded  me  to  Wor- 
cester gaol ;  only  this  favour  was  granted,  that  I  might  go  down  my  own 
way,  and  at  my  own  leisure ;  provided  I  would  be  without  fail  there  by 
the  assize,  which  was  to  begin  the  second  of  the  second  month  following. 

I  staid  in  and  about  London  till  towards  the  latter  end  of  the  first 
month,  1674,  and  then  went  down  leisurely  (for  I  was  not  able  to  abide 
hasty  and  hard  travelling)  and  came  into  Worcester  the  last  of  the  first 
month,  1674,  being  the  day  before  the  judges  came  to  town.  The  sec- 
ond day  of  the  second  month  I  was  brought  from  the  gaol  to  an  inn  near 
the  hall,  that  I  might  be  in  readiness  if  I  should  be  called.  But  not  being 
called  that  day,  the  gaoler  came  at  night,  and  told  me,  '  I  might  go  home,' 
meaning  to  the  gaol.  Gerrard  Roberts  of  London  being  with  me,  he 
and  I  walked  down  together  to  the  gaol  without  any  keeper.  Next  day 
being  brought  up  again,  they  set  a  little  boy  about  eleven  years  old  to  be 
my  keeper.  I  came  to  understand  justice  Parker  and  the  clerk  of  the 
peace  had  given  order  that  I  should  not  be  put  into  the  calendar,  that  I 
might  not  be  brought  before  the  judge ;  wherefore  I  got  the  judge's  son 
to  move  in  court,  '  That  I  might  be  called :'  whereupon  I  was  called  and 
brought  to  the  bar  before  judge  Turner,  my  old  adversary,  who  had  ten- 
dered me  the  oaths,  and  premunired  me  once  before  at  Lancaster.  After 
silence  made,  he  asked  me,  '  What  I  did  desire  V  I  answered,  '  My  liber- 
'  ty  according  to  justice.'  He  said,  *  I  lay  upon  the  oath ;'  and  asked, 
'  If  I  would  take  it ?'  'I  desired  he  would  hear  the  manner  of  my  being 
'  taken  and  committed ;'  and  being  silent,  I  gave  him  an  account  thereof 
at  large,  as  is  before  set  down,  letting  him  also  know,  '  That  since  my 

*  imprisonment  I  had  understood  my  mother,  who  was  an  ancient,  tender 

*  woman,  and  had  desired  to  see  me  before  she  died,  hearing  that  I  was 
'  stopped  and  imprisoned  in  my  journey,  so  that  I  was  not  likely  to  come 

*  to  see  her,  it  struck  her  so,  that  she  died  soon  after,  which  was  a  very 

*  hard  thing  to  me.'     When  I  had  done  speaking,  he  again  asked  me, 

*  To  take  the  oaths.'     I  told  him,  '  I  could  not  take  any  oath,  for  con- 

*  science-sake ;  and  I  did  believe  he  and  they  all  knew  in  their  consciences 

*  that  it  was  for  conscience-sake  I  could  not  swear  at  alL  I  declared 
'  amongst  them  what  I  could  say  and  what  I  could  sign,  in  owning  of  the 

*  king's  right  to  the  government,  and  in  denying  the  pope  and  his  pretend- 

*  ed  power,  and  all  plotters,  plots,  and  conspiracies  against  the  govern- 


476'  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1674 

*  ment.'  Some  thought  the  judge  had  a  mind  to  set  me  at  Hberty,  for  he 
saw  they  had  nothing  justly  against  me ;  but  Parker,  who  committed  me, 
endeavoured  to  incense  him,  teUing  him, '  That  I  was  a  ringleader ;  that 

*  many  of  the  nation  followed  me,  and  he  knew  not  what  it  might  come 
'  to;'  with  many  more  envious  words,  which  some  took  notice  of;  who 
also  observed,  that  the  judge  gave  him  never  a  word  in  answer.  How- 
ever, the  judge,  willing  to  ease  himself,  referred  me  and  my  case  to  the 
sessions  again,  bidding  the  justices  make  an  end  of  it  there,  and  not 
trouble  the  assizes  any  more  with  me.  So  I  was  continued  prisoner, 
chiefly  (as  it  seemed)  through  the  means  of  justice  Parker,  who  in  this 
case  was  as  false  as  envious ;  for  he  had  promised  Richard  Cannon  of 
London,  who  had  acquaintance  with  him,  '  That  he  would  endeavour  to 

*  have  me  set  at  liberty ;'  yet  he  was  the  worst  enemy  I  had  in  court,  as 
some  of  the  court  observed  and  reported.  Other  justices  were  very  lov- 
ing, and  promised,  '  That  I  should  have  the  liberty  of  the  town,  and  to 
'  lodge  at  a  friend's  house  till  the  sessions ;'  which  accordingly  I  had,  and 
the  people  were  very  civil  and  respectful  to  me. 

Between  this  time  and  the  sessions  I  had  some  service  for  the  Lord 
with  several  that  came  to  visit  me.  At  one  time  came  three  noncon- 
formist priests  and  two  lawyers  to  discourse  with  me ;  and  one  of  the 
priests  undertook  to  prove,  '  That  the  scriptures  are  the  only  rule  of  Ufe.' 
After  I  had  defeated  his  proof,  I  had  a  fit  opportunity  to  open  to  them, 
'  The  right  and  proper  use,  service,  and  excellency  of  the  scriptures ;  and 

*  also  to  shew,  that  the  Spirit  of  God  which  was  given  to  every  one  to 

*  profit  withal,  the  grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation,  and  which 
'  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  and  teacheth  them  that  obey  it  to  deny  un- 
'  godliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly 
'  in  this  present  world ;  that  this,  I  say,  is  the  most  fit,  proper,  and  uni- 

*  versal  rule  which  God  hath  given  to  all  mankind  to  rule,  direct,  govern, 

*  and  order  their  lives  by.' 

Another  time  came  a  common-prayer  priest,  and  some  people  with 
him.     He  asked  me,  '  If  I  was  grown  up  to  perfection  V    I  told  him, 

*  What  I  was,  I  was  by  the  grace  of  God.'     He  replied,  '  It  was  a  mod- 

*  est  and  civil  answer.'  Then  he  urged  the  words  of  John,  '  If  we  say 
'  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.' 
He  asked,  '  What  did  I  say  to  that  V  '  I  said  with  the  same  apostle,  "  If 
"  we  say  that  we  have  not  sinned,  we  make  him  a  liar,  and  his  word  is 
"  not  in  us ;"  who  came  to  destroy  sin,  and  to  take  away  sin.     So  there 

*  is  a  time  for  people  to  see  that  they  have  sinned,  and  there  is  a  time  for 

*  them  to  see  that  they  have  sin ;  and  there  is  a  time  for  them  to  confess 
'  their  sin,  and  to  forsake  it,  and  to  know  the  blood  of  Christ  to  cleanse 
'  from  all  sin.'     Then  the  priest  was  asked,  '  Whether  Adam  was  not 

*  perfect  before  he  fell  1  and  whether  all  God's  works  were  not  perfect  V 
The  priest  said,  '  There  might  be  a  perfection  as  Adam  had,  and  a  fall- 

*  ing  from  it.'  But  I  told  him,  '  There  is  a  perfection  in  Christ  above 
'  Adam,  and  beyond  falling;  and  that  it  was  the  work  of  the  ministers 

*  of  Christ  to  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ ;  for  the  perfecting  of 

*  whom  they  had  their  gifts  from  Christ ;  therefore  they  that  denied  per- 

*  fection,  denied  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  the  gifts  which  Christ  gave 

*  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints.'     The  priest  said,  '  We  must  always  be 

*  striving.'     I  answered,  '  It  was  a  sad  and  comfortless  sort  of  striving, 

*  to  strive  with  a  belief  that  we  should  never  overcome.'  I  told  him  also, 
that  '  Paul,  who  cried  out  of  the  body  of  death,  did  also  "  thank  God, 


1674]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  477 

"  who  gave  him  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  So  there 
'  was  a  time  of  crying  out  for  want  of  victory,  and  a  time  of  praising 
'  God  for  the  victory.  And  Paul  said,  "  There  is  no  condemnation  to 
"  them  tliat  are  in  Christ  Jesus."  The  priest  said,  '  Job  was  not  perfect.' 
I  told  him,  '  God  said  Job  was  a  perfect  man,  and  that  he  did  shun  evil ; 
'  and  the  devil  was  forced  to  confess,  that  "  God  had  set  an  hedge  about 
"  him ;"  which  was  not  an  outward  hedge,  but  the  invisible,  heavenly 

*  power.'  The  priest  said, '  Job  said,  "  He  chargeth  his  angels  with  folly, 
"  and  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  his  sight."  I  told  him,  '  That  was  his 
'  mistake,  it  was  not  Job  said  so,  but  Eliphaz,  who  contended  against 

*  Job.'  '  Well,  but,'  said  the  priest,  '  what  say  you  to  that  scripture, 
"  The  justest  man  that  is  sinneth  seven  times  a  day?  '  Why  truly,'  said 
I,  '  I  say  there  is  no  such  scripture ;'  and  with  that  the  priest's  mouth  was 
stopped.  Many  other  services  I  had  with  several  sorts  of  people  between 
the  assizes  and  the  sessions. 

The  next  quarter-sessions  began  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  second  month, 

and  I  was  called  before  the  justices.     The  chairman's  name  was 

Street,  he  was  a  judge  in  the  Welsh  circuit,  and  he  misrepresented  me 
and  my  case  to  the  country,  telling  them  '  That  we  had  a  meeting  at 

*  Tredington  from  all  parts  of  the  nation,  to  the  terrifying  of  the  king's 
'  subjects,  for  which  we  had  been  committed  to  prison :  that  for  the  trial 
'  of  my  fidelity  the  oaths  were  put  to  me ;  and,  having  had  time  to  con- 
'  sider  of  it,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  now  take  the  oatiis  V  '  I  desired  lib- 

*  erty  to  speak  for  myself;  and,  having  obtained  that,  began  first  to  clear 
'  myself  from  those  falsehoods  he  had  charged  on  me  and  friends ;  de- 
'  daring,  that  we  had  not  any  such  meeting  from  all  parts  of  the  nation, 
'  as  he  had  represented  it ;  but  that  (except  the  friend  from  whose  house 
'  we  came,  and  who  came  with  us  to  guide  us  thither,  and  one  friend  of 
'  Bristol,  who  came  accidentally,  or  rather  providentially,  to  assist  my 
'  wife  homewards,  after  we  were  taken)  they  that  were  with  me  were  in 

*  a  sense  part  of  my  own  family,  being  my  wife,  her  daughter,  and  her 
'  son-in-law.  And  we  did  not  meet  in  any  way  or  manner  that  would 
'  occasion  terror  to  any  of  the  king's  subjects ;  for  we  met  peaceably 
'  and  quietly,  without  arms ;  and  I  did  not  believe  there  could  be  any  one 
'  produced  that  could  truly  say  he  was  terrified  with  our  meeting.  Be- 
'  sides,  I  told  them  we  were  but  in  our  journey,  the  occasion  whereof  I 
'  now  related  as  before.  As  to  the  oaths,  I  shewed  why  I  could  not  take 
'  them  (seeing  Christ  hath  forbidden  all  swearing)  and  what  I  could  say 
'  or  sign  in  lieu  of  them,  as  I  had  done  before.  Yet  they  caused  the 
'  oaths  to  be  read  to  me,  and  afterwards  read  an  indictment,  which  they 
'  had  drawn  up  in  readiness,  having  a  jury  ready  also.'  When  the  in- 
dictment was  read,  the  judge  asked  me,  '  If  I  was  guilty?'  I  said,  'Nay; 
'  for  it  was  a  great  bundle  of  lies ;'  which  I  shewed  and  proved  to  the 
judge  in  several  particulars,  which  I  instanced;  asking  him,  if  he  did  not 
'  know  in  his  conscience  they  were  Hes  V  He  said,  '  It  was  their  form." 
I  said,  '  It  was  not  a  true  form.'  He  asked  me  again,  '  Whether  I  was 
'  guilty  V  I  told  him,  '  Nay,  I  was  not  guilty  of  the  matter,  nor  of  the 
'  form  ;  for  I  was  against  the  pope  and  popery,  and  did  acknowledge  and 

*  should  set  my  hand  to  that.'  Then  the  judge  told  the  jury  what  they 
should  say  and  do,  and  what  they  should  write  on  the  backside  of  the 
indictment;  and  as  he  said,  they  did.  But  before  the  jury  gave  in  their 
verdict,  I  told  them,  '  It  was  for  Chi'ist's  sake,  and  in  obedience  to  his 

*  and  his  apostle's  command,  that  I  could  not  swear ;  therefore,'  said  I, 


478  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1674 

*  take  heed  what  ye  do,  for  before  his  judgment- seat  ye  shall  all  be 
'  brought.'     The  judge  said,  '  This  is  canting.'     I  said,  '  If  to  confess 

*  Christ  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  to  obey  his  command,  be  called  cant- 

*  ing  by  a  judge  of  a  court,  it  is  to  little  purpose  for  me  to  say  more 

*  among  you ;  yet  ye  shalj  see  that  I  am  a  christian,  and  shall  shew  forth 

*  Christianity,  and  my  innocency  shall  be  manifest.'  So  the  gaoler  led 
me  out  of  the  court ;  and  the  people  were  generally  tender,  as  if  they 
had  been  in  a  meeting.  Soon  after  I  was  brought  in  again,  and  the  jury 
found  the  bill  against  me,  which  I  traversed.  Then  I  was  asked  to  put 
in  bail  till  the  next  sessions,  and  the  gaoler's  son  offered  to  be  bound  for 
me.  But  I  stopped  him,  and  warned  friends  not  to  meddle,  for  I  told 
them, '  There  was  a  snare  in  that ;'  yet  I  told  the  justices,  I  could  prom- 
ise to  appear  if  the  Lord  gave  health  and  strength,  and  I  was  at  liberty. 
Some  of  the  justices  were  loving,  and  would  have  stopped  the  rest  from 
indicting  me  or  putting  the  oath  to  me ;  but  judge  Street  the  chairman 
said,  *  He  must  go  according  to  law.'  So  I  was  sent  to  prison  again ; 
yet  within  two  hours  after,  through  the  moderation  of  some  of  the  jus- 
tices, I  had  liberty  given  me  till  next  quarter-sessions.  These  moderate 
justices,  as  it  was  said,  desired  justice  Parker  to  write  to  the  king  for 
my  liberty,  or  for  a  Noli  prosequi,  because  they  were  satisfied  I  was  not 
such  a  dangerous  person  as  I  had  been  represented.  This,  it  was  said, 
he  promised  to  do,  but  did  it  not. 

After  I  had  got  a  copy  of  the  indictment,  I  went  to  London,  visiting 
friends  as  I  went.  When  I  came  there,  some  that  were  earnest  to  get 
me  out  of  the  hands  of  those  envious  justices  that  sought  to  premunire 
me  at  Worcester,  would  needs  be  tampering  again,  to  bring  me  before 
the  judges  of  the  King's  Bench ;  whereupon  I  was  brought  again  by  an 
Habeas  Corpus  before  them.  I  tendered  them  a  paper,  in  which  was 
contained  what  I  could  say  instead  of  the  oaths  of  allegiance  and  su- 
premacy, as  folio weth : 

*  This  I  do  in  the  truth  and  in  the  presence  of  God  declare.  That  king 
Charles  the  Second  is  lawful  king  of  this  realm,  and  of  all  other  his  do- 

*  minions ;  that  he  was  brought  in  and  set  up  king  over  this  realm  by  the 

*  power  of  God ;  and  I  have  nothing  but  love  and  good  will  to  him  and 
'  all  his  subjects,  and  desire  his  prosperity  and  eternal  good.     I  do  utter- 

*  ly  abhor  and  deny  the  pope's  power  and  supremacy,  and  all  his  super- 

*  stitions  and  idolatrous  inventions ;  and  do  affirm,  that  he  hath  no  power 
'  to  absolve  sin.     I  do  abhor  and  detest  his  murdering  of  princes,  or  other 

*  people,  by  plots  or  contrivances.  And  likewise  I  do  deny  all  plots  and 
'  contrivances,  and  plotters  and  contrivers  against  the  king  and  his  sub- 
'  jects;  knowing  them  to  be  the  works  of  darkness,  the  fruits  of  an  evil 

*  spirit,  against  the  peace  of  the  kingdom,  and  not  from  the  Spirit  of  God, 

*  the  fruit  of  which  is  love.  I  dare  not  take  an  oath,  because  it  is  for- 
'  bidden  by  Christ  and  the  apostle ;  but  if  I  break  my  Yea  or  Nay,  let  me 
'  suffer  the  same  penalty  as  those  that  break  their  oaths. 

'  George  Fox.' 

But  the  business  being  so  far  proceeded  in  at  Worcester,  they  would 
not  meddle  in  it,  but  left  me  to  appear  again  before  the  justices  at  the 
next  general  quarter-sessions  at  Worcester. 

Meanwhile  the  yearly  meeting  of  friends  came  on,  at  which  I  was 
present ;  and  exceeding  glorious  the  meetings  were,  beyond  expression ; 
blessed  be  the  Lord ! 


1674]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  479 

After  the  yearly  meeting,  I  set  forward  for  Worcester,  the  sessions 
drawing  on,  which  were  held  in  the  fifth  month.  When  I  was  called  to 
the  bar,  and  the  indictment  read,  some  scruple  arising  among  the  jury 
concerning  it,  the  judge  of  the  court,  justice  Street,  caused  the  oaths  to 
be  read  and  tendered  to  me  again.  I  told  him,  '  I  came  now  to  try  the 
'  traverse  of  my  indictment ;  and  that  his  tendering  me  the  oaths  anew, 
'  was  a  new  snare.     I  desired  him  to  answer  me  a  question  or  two ;  and 

*  asked  him.  Whether  the  oaths  were  to  be  tendered  to  the  king's  sub- 

*  jects,  or  to  the  subjects  of  foreign  princes  V  He  said,  '  To  the  subjects 

*  of  this  realm.'  *  Then,'  said  I,  '  You  have  not  named  me  a  subject  in 
'  the  indictment,  and  therefore  have  not  brought  me  within  the  statute.' 
The  judge  cried,  '  Read  the  oath  to  him.'  I  said,  *  I  require  justice.' 
Again  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  the  sessions  ought  not  to  have  been  holden 

*  for  the  king,  and  the  body  of  the  county  V  He  said,  '  Yes.'  '  Then,' 
said  I,  '  you  have  there  left  the  king  out  of  the  indictment;  how  then  can 
'  you  proceed  upon  this  indictment  to  a  trial  between  the  king  and  me, 

*  seeing  the  king  is  left  out  V  He  said,  '  The  king  was  in  before.'  But  I 
told  him,  '  The  king's  name  being  left  out,  here  was  a  great  error  in  the 

*  indictment,  and  sufficient,  as  I  was  informed,  to  quash  it.  Besides,  I 
'  told  him  that  I  was  committed  by  the  name  of  George  Fox  of  London, 
'  but  now  I  was  indicted  by  the  name  of  George  Fox  of  Tredington  in 

*  the  county  of  Worcester.  I  wished  the  jury  to  consider  how  they  could 
'  find  me  guilty  upon  that  indictment,  seeing  I  was  not  of  the  place  the 
'  indictment  mentioned.'  The  judge  did  not  deny  but  there  were  errors 
in  the  indictment ;  but  said,  '  I  might  take  my  remedy  in  its  proper  place.' 
I  answered,  '  You  know  that  we  are  a  people  that  suflfer  all  things,  and 
'  bear  all  things ;  and  therefore  ye  thus  use  us,  because  we  cannot  re- 

*  venge  ourselves ;  but  we  leave  our  cause  to  the  Lord.'    The  judge  said, 

*  The  oath  hath  been  tendered  to  you  several  times,  and  we  will  have 
'  some  satisfaction  from  you  concerning  the  oath.'  I  offered  them  the 
same  declaration  instead  of  the  oath,  which  I  had  offered  to  the  judges 
above ;  but  it  would  not  be  accepted.  Then  I  desired  to  know,  seeing 
they  put  the  oath  anew  to  me,  whether  the  indictment  was  quashed  or 
no  1  Instead  of  answering  me,  the  judge  told  the  jury,  *  They  might  go 

*  out.'  Some  of  the  jury  were  not  satisfied ;  whereupon  the  judge  told 
them,  '  They  had  heard  a  man  swear  that  the  oath  was  tendered  to  me 
'  the  last  sessions ;'  and  then  directed  what  they  should  do.  I  told  him, 
'  He  should  leave  the  jury  to  their  own  consciences.'  However,  the  jury, 
being  put  on  by  him,  went  forth,  and  soon  after  came  in  again,  and  found 
me  guilty.  I  asked  them,  '  How  they  could  satisfy  themselves  to  find  me 
'  guilty  upon  that  indictment,  which  was  laid  so  false,  and  had  so  many 
'  errors  in  it?  They  could  make  but  little  answer;  yet  one  who  seemed 
to  be  the  worst  of  them,  would  have  taken  me  by  the  hand :  but  I  put 
hiin  by,  saying,  '  How  now,  Judas,  hast  thou  betrayed  me,  and  dost  thou 

*  now  come  with  a  kiss  V  So  I  bid  him  and  them  repent.  Then  the  judge 
began  to  tell  me, '  How  favourable  the  court  had  been  to  me.'  I  asked 
him,  '  How  he  could  say  so  ?  Was  ever  any  man  worse  dealt  by  than  I 

*  had  been  in  this  case,  who  was  stopped  in  my  journey  when  traveUing 

*  upon  my  lawful  occasions,  and  imprisoned  without  cause ;  and  now  had 

*  the  oaths  put  to  me  only  for  a  snare  ?   I  desired  him  to  answer  me  in 

*  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  in  whose  presence  we  all  are,  whether  this 

*  oath  was  not  tendered  to  me  in  envy  V  He  would  not  answer  that ;  but 
said,  *  Would  you  had  never  come  here,  to  trouble  us  and  the  country !' 


480  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [I«f74 

I  answered,  '  I  came  not  thither  of  myself,  but  was  brought,  being  stop- 
'  ped  in  my  journey.  I  did  not  trouble  them,  but  they  had  brought  trou- 
'  ble  upon  themselves.'  Then  the  judge  told  me,  '  What  a  sad  sentence 
'  he  had  to  tell  me.'  I  asked  him,  '  Whether  what  he  was  going  to  speak 
'  was  by  way  of  passing  sentence,  or  for  information?     For  I  told  him  I 

*  had  many  things  to  say,  and  more  errors  to  assign  in  the  indictment, 

*  besides  those  I  had  already  mentioned,  to  stop  him  from  giving  sentence 
'  against  me  upon  that  indictment.'  He  said,  '  He  was  going  to  shew  me 
'  the  danger  of  a  premunire,  which  was  the  loss  of  my  liberty  and  of  all 
'  my  goods  and  chattels,  and  to  suffer  imprisonment  during  life.'  But  he 
said,  '  He  did  not  deliver  this  as  the  sentence  of  the  court  upon  me,  but 
'  as  an  admonition  to  me.'  Then  he  bid  the  gaoler  '  Take  me  away.'  I 
expected  to  have  been  called  again  to  hear  the  sentence ;  but  when  I  was 
gone,  the  clerk  of  the  peace  (whose  name  was  Twittey)  asked  him,  as  I 
was  informed,  '  Whether  that  which  he  had  spoken  to  me  should  stand 
'  for  sentence  V  And  he,  consulting  with  some  of  the  justices,  told  him, 
'  Yes,  that  was  the  sentence,  and  should  stand.'  This  was  done  behind 
my  back,  to  save  himself  from  shame  in  the  face  of  the  country.  Many 
of  the  justices,  and  the  generality  of  the  people,  were  moderate  and  civil ; 
and  John  Ashley,  a  lawyer,  was  very  friendly  both  the  time  before  and 
now,  speaking  on  my  behalf,  and  pleading  the  errors  of  the  indictment 
for  me ;  but  justice  Street,  the  judge  of  the  court,  would  not  regard,  but 
over-ruled  all.  This  justice  Street  said  to  some  friends  in  the  morning 
Defore  my  trial,  *  That  if  he  had  been  upon  the  bench  the  first  sessions, 
'  he  would  not  have  tendered  me  the  oath ;  but  if  I  had  been  convicted 
■  of  being  at  a  conventicle,  he  would  have  proceeded  against  me  accord- 
'  ing  to  that  law ;  and  that  he  was  sorry  that  ever  I  came  before  him ;' 
yet  he  maliciously  tendered  the  oath  to  me  in  the  court  again,  when  J 
was  to  have  tried  my  traverse  upon  the  indictment.  But  the  Lord  plead- 
ed my  cause,  and  met  with  both  him  and  justice  Simpson,  who  first  en- 
snared me  with  the  oath  at  the  first  sessions ;  for  Simpson's  son  was  ar- 
raigned not  long  after  at  the  same  bar  for  murder.  And  Street,  who,  as 
he  came  down  from  London,  after  the  judges  had  returned  me  back  from 
the  King's-bench  to  Worcester,  said,  'Now  I  was  returned  to  them,  I  should 

*  lie  in  prison  and  rot ;'  had  his  daughter  (whom  he  so  doted  on  that  she 
was  called  his  idol)  brought  dead  from  London  in  an  herse  to  the  same 
inn  where  he  spoke  those  words,  and  brought  to  Worcester  to  be  buried 
within  a  few  days  after.  People  took  notice  of  the  hand  of  God,  how 
sudden  it  was  upon  him ;  but  it  rather  hardened  than  tendered  him,  as 
his  carriage  afterwards  shewed. 

After  I  was  returned  to  prison,  several  came  to  see  me;  amongst 
others,  the  earl  of  Salisbury's  son,  who  was  very  loving,  and  troubled 
that  they  had  dealt  so  wickedly  by  me.  He  staid  about  two  hours  with 
me,  and  took  a  copy  of  the  errors  of  the  indictment  in  writing. 

The  sessions  being  now  over,  and  I  fixed  in  prison  by  a  premunire, 
my  wife  came  out  of  the  north  to  be  with  me ;  and  the  assizes  coming 
on  in  the  sixth  month,  the  state  of  my  case  being  drawn  up  in  writing, 
she  and  Thomas  Lower  delivered  it  to  judge  Wild.  In  it  was  set  forth 
the  occasion  of  my  journey,  the  manner  of  my  being  taken  and  impris- 
oned, the  proceedings  of  the  several  sessions  against  me,  and  the  errors 
in  the  indictment  by  which  I  was  premunired.  When  the  judge  had  read 
it,  he  shook  his  head,  and  said,  '  We  might  try  the  validity  or  invalidity 

*  of  the  errors,  if  we  would ;'  which  was  all  they  could  get  from  him. 


1674]  •  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  481 

While  I  lay  in  prison,  it  came  upon  me  to  state  our  principle  to  the 
king  :  not  with  particular  relation  to  my  own  sufferings,  but  for  his  better 
information  concerning  our  principle,  and  us  as  a  people. 

'  To  the  KING. 

'  The  principle  of  the  Quakers  is  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  who  died  for  us, 
'  and  is  risen  for  our  justification;  by  which  we  know  we  are  his.  He 
'  dwelleth  in  us  by  his  Spirit,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ  we  are  led  out 
'  of  unrighteousness  and  ungodliness.  It  brings  us  to  deny  all  plottings 
'  and  contrivings  against  the  king,  or  any  man.  The  Spirit  of  Christ 
'  brings  us  to  deny  all  manner  of  ungodliness,  as  lying,  theft,  murder, 
'  adultery,  fornication,  all  uncleanness,  debauchery,  malice,  hatred,  de- 
'  ceit,  cozening  and  cheating  whatsoever,  and  the  devil  and  his  works. 
'  The  Spirit  of  Christ  brings  us  to  seek  the  peace  and  good  of  all  men, 
'  and  to  live  peaceably,  and  leads  us  from  such  evil  actions  as  the  magis- 
'  trate's  sword  takes  hold  upon.  Our  desire  and  labour  is,  that  all  who 
'  profess  themselves  Christians  may  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ ;  that 
'  they  through  the  Spirit  may  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  flesh,  and  by  the 
'  sword  of  the  Spirit  may  cut  down  sin  and  evil  in  themselves.  Then 
'  the  judges  and  other  magistrates  would  not  have  so  much  work  in  pun- 
'  ishing  sin  in  the  kingdom ;  neither  then  need  kings  or  princes  fear  any 
'  of  their  subjects,  if  they  all  walked  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  for  the  fruits 
'  of  the  Spirit  are  love,  righteousness,  goodness,  temperance,  &c.  If  all 
'  that  profess  themselves  Christians  did  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and 
'  by  it  did  mortify  sin  and  evil,  it  would  be  a  great  ease  to  the  magis- 
'  trates  and  rulers,  and  would  free  them  from  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  for 
'  it  would  lead  all  "  to  do  unto  others  as  they  would  have  others  do  unto 
"  them,"  and  so  the  royal  law  of  Hberty  would  be  fulfilled.  For  if  all 
'  called  Christians  did  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  by  it  to  have  the  evil 
'  spirit  and  its  fruits  mortified  and  cut  down  in  them,  then,  not  being  led 
'  by  the  evil  spirit,  but  by  the  good  Spirit  of  Christ,  the  fruits  of  the  good 
'  Spirit  would  appear  in  all.  For  as  people  are  led  by  the  good  Spirit 
'  of  Christ,  it  leads  them  out  of  sin  and  evil,  which  the  magistrate's  sword 
'  takes  hold  of,  and  so  would  be  an  ease  to  the  magistrates.  But  as  peo- 
'  pie  err  from  this  good  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  follow  the  evil  spirit,  which 
'  leads  them  into  sin  and  evil ;  that  spirit  brings  the  magistrate  into  a 
'  great  deal  of  trouble,  to  execute  the  law  upon  the  sinners  and  transgree- 
'  sors  of  the  good  Spirit.  That  Spirit,  which  leads  people  from  all  man- 
'  ner  of  sin  and  evil,  is  one  with  the  magistrate's  power,  and  with  the 
'  righteous  law ;  for  the  law  being  added  because  of  transgression,  that 
'  Spirit  which  leads  out  of  transgression  must  needs  be  one  with  that 
'  law  which  is  against  transgressors.  So  that  Spirit  which  leads  out  of 
'  transgression  is  the  good  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  is  one  wdth  the  magis- 
'  trates  in  the  higher  power,  and  owns  it  and  them ;  but  that  spirit  which 
'  leads  into  transgression  is  the  bad  spirit,  is  against  the  law,  against  the 
'  magistrates,  and  makes  them  a  great  deal  of  troublesome  work.  The 
'  manifestation  of  the  good  Spirit  is  given  to  every  man  to  profit  withal ; 

*  and  no  man  can  profit  in  the  things  of  God  but  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
'  which  brings  to  deny  all  sin  and  evil.  It  is  said  of  Israel,  Nehem.  ix. 
"  The  Lord  gave  them  his  good  Spirit  to  instruct  them,  yet  they  rebelled 
"  against  it."  If  all  people  did  mind  this  manifestation  of  the  Spirit 
'  which  God  hath  given  to  instruct  them,  it  would  lead  them  to  forsake 

*  all  manner  of  sin  and  evil,  enmity,  hatred,  malice,  unrighteousness  and 

3  L 


482  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  '  [1674 

*  ungodliness,  and  to  mortify  it.    Then  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ  they  would 

*  have  fellowship  and  unity,  which  is  the  bond  of  peace  ;  then  would  love 
'  and  peace,  which  are  the  fruits  of  the  good  Spirit,  flow  among  all  that 
'  are  called  Christians. 

'  We  are  a  people,  who,  in  tenderness  of  conscience  to  the  (Command 
'of  Christ  and  his  apostle,  cannot  swear;  for  we  are  commanded  in 

*  Matth.  V.  and  James  v.  to  keep  to  Yea  and  Nay,  and  "  not  to  swear  at 
"  all ;  neither  by  heaven,  nor  by  the  earth,  nor  by  any  other  oath,  lest 
"  we  go  into  evil,  and  fall  into  condemnation."  The  words  of  Christ  are 
'  these :  "  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said  by  (or  to)  them  of  old 
"  time,  Thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself,  but  shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord 
"  thine  oaths."  These  were  true  and  solemn  oaths,  which  those  who 
'  made  ought  to  have  performed  in  old  time ;  but  these  Christ  and  his 
'  apostle  forbad  in  the  gospel-times,  as  well  as  false  and  vain  oaths.  If 
'  we  could  take  any  oath  at  all,  we  could  take  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
'  knowing  that  king  Charles  was  by  the  power  of  God  brought  into  Eng- 
'  land,  and  set  up  king  of  England,  &c.  over  the  heads  of  our  old  perse- 

*  cutors ;  and  as  for  the  pope's  supremacy,  we  utterly  deny  it.  And  the 
'  apostle  having  commanded  us  not  to  swear,  but  to  keep  to  Yea  and 
'  Nay,  we  dare  not  break  their  commands ;  therefore  many  knowing  this 

*  have  put  the  oaths  to  us  as  a  snare,  that  they  might  make  a  prey  of  us. 

*  Our  denying  to  swear  is  not  in  wilfulness,  stubbornness,  or  contemapt, 
'  but  only  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ  and  his  apostle ;  and 
'  we  are  content,  if  we  break  our  Yea  and  Nay,  to  suffer  the  same  penal- 

*  ty  as  they  should  that  break  their  oaths.  We  desire  therefore  that  the 
'  king  would  take  this  into  consideration,  also  how  long  we  have  suffer- 
'  ed  in  this  case.  This  is  from  one  who  desires  the  eternal  good  and 
'  prosperity  of  the  king  and  of  all  his  subjects  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

'  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  I  had  a  fit  of  sickness,  which  brought  me  very  low 
and  weak  in  my  body ;  and  I  continued  so  a  pretty  while,  insomuch  that 
some  friends  began  to  doubt  of  my  recovery.  I  seemed  to  myself  to  be 
amongst  the  graves  and  dead  corpses ;  yet  the  invisible  power  did  se- 
cretly support  me,  and  conveyed  refreshing  strength  into  me,  even  when 
I  was  so  weak  that  I  was  almost  speechless.  One  night,  as  I  was  lying 
awake  upon  my  bed  in  the  glory  of  the  Lord  which  was  over  all,  it  was 
said  unto  me,  '  That  the  Lord  had  a  great  deal  more  work  for  me  to  do 
'  for  him,  before  he  took  me  to  himself.' 

Endeavours  were  used  to  get  me  released,  at  least  for  a  time,  till  I 
should  grow  stronger ;  but  the  way  of  effecting  it  proving  difficult  and 
tedious,  for  the  king  was  not  willing  to  release  me  by  any  other  way 
than  a  pardon,  being  told  he  could  not  legally  do  it ;  and  I  was  not  will- 
ing to  accept  of  a  pardon,  which  he  would  readily  have  given  me,  be- 
cause I  did  not  look  upon  that  way  as  agreeable  with  the  innocence  of 
my  cause,  Edward  Pitway,  having  occasion  to  speak  with  justice  Par- 
ker upon  business,  desired  him  to  give  order  to  the  gaoler.  That,  in  re- 
gard of  my  weakness,  I  might  have  liberty  to  go  out  of  the  gaol  into  the 
city.  Whereupon  justice  Parker  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the  gaoler, 
and  sent  it  to  the  friend  to  deliver. 

'  Mr.  Harris, 
*  I  HAVE  been  much  importuned  by  some  friends  to  George  Fox,  to 

*  write  to  you.   I  am  informed  by  them,  that  he  is  in  a  very  weak  condi- 


1674]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  483 

*  tion,  and  very  much  indisposed :  what  lawful  favour  you  can  do,  for 
'  the  benefit  of  the  air  for  his  health,  pray  shew  him.  I  suppose,  the  next 
'  term  they  will  make  appUcation  to  the  king.     I  am,  Sir, 

'  Your  loving  friend, 
*  Evesham,  the  8th  of  '  Henry  Parker.' 

'  Octob.  1674.' 

After  this,  my  wife  went  to  London,  and  spoke  to  the  king ;  *  laying 
'  before  him  my  long  and  unjust  imprisonment,  with  the  manner  of  my 

*  being  taken,  and  the  justices'  proceedings  against  me,  in  tendering  me 
'  the  oath  as  a  snare,  whereby  they  had  premunired  me :  so  that  I  being 
'  now  his  prisoner,  it  was  in  his  power  and  at  his  pleasure  to  release  me ; 
'  which  she  desired.'  The  king  spoke  kindly  to  her,  and  referred  her  to 
the  lord  keeper ;  to  whom  she  went,  but  could  not  obtain  what  she  de- 
sired ;  for  he  said,  '  The  king  could  not  release  me  otherwise  than  by  a 
'  pardon ;'  and  I  was  not  free  to  receive  a  pardon,  knowing  I  had  not 
done  evil.  If  I  would  have  been  freed  by  a  pardon,  I  needed  not  have 
laid  so  long ;  for  the  king  was  willing  to  have  given  me  one  long  before ; 
and  told  Thomas  Moore,  'That  I  need  not  scruple  being  released  by  a, 
'  pardon,  for  many  a  man  that  was  as  innocent  as  a  child  had  had  a  par- 

*  don  granted  him :'  yet  I  could  not  consent  to  accept  one.  For  I  had 
rather  have  lain  in  prison  all  my  days,  than  come  out  in  any  way  dishon- 
ourable to  truth :  wherefore  I  chose  to  have  the  validity  of  my  indictment 
tried  before  the  judges.  Having  first  the  opinion  of  a  counsellor  upon 
it  (Thomas  Corbet  of  London,  whom  Richard  Davis  of  Welchpool  was 
well  acquainted  with,  and  recommended  to  me)  an  Habeas  Corpus  was 
sent  to  Worcester,  to  bring  me  up  once  more  to  the  King's-bench  bar, 
for  the  trial  of  the  errors  in  my  indictment.  The  under-sheriff  set  for- 
ward with  me  the  fourth  of  the  twelfth  month,  there  being  also  in  the 
coach  the  clerk  of  the  peace,  and  some  others.  The  clerk  had  been  my 
enemy  all  along,  and  now  sought  to  ensnare  me  in  discourse ;  but  I  saw, 
and  shunned  him.  He  asked  me,  'What  I  would  do  with  the  errors  in 
'  the  indictment  V  I  told  him,  '  They  should  be  tried,  and  every  action 
'  should  crown  itself.'  He  quarrelled  with  me  for  calling  their  ministers 
priests.  I  asked  him,  'If  the  law  did  not  call  them  so?  He  asked  me, 
'  What  I  thought  of  the  church  of  England  ?  Were  there  no  Christians 
'  among  them  V  I  said,  '  They  are  all  called  so,  and  there  are  many  ten- 
'  der  people  amongst  them.'  We  came  to  London  the  eighth  of  the 
twelfth  month,  and  the  eleventh  I  was  brought  before  the  four  judges  at 
the  King's  Bench,  where  counsellor  Corbet  started  a  new  plea.  He  told 
the  judges,  '  They  could  not  imprison  any  man  upon  a  premunire.' 
Whereupon  the  chief  justice  Hale  said,  '  Mr.  Corbet,  you  should  have 
'  come  sooner,  at  the  beginning  of  the  term,  with  this  plea.'  He  answered, 
'  We  could  not  get  a  copy  of  the  return  and  the  indictment.'  The  judge 
replied,  '  You  should  have  told  us,  and  we  would  have  forced  them  to 
'  have  made  a  return  sooner.'  Then  said  judge  Wild,  '  Mr.  Corbet,  you 
'  go  upon  general  terms ;  and  if  it  be  so  as  you  say,  we  have  committed 
'  many  errors  at  the  Old  Bailey,  and  in  other  courts.  Corbet  was  posi- 
tive that  by  law  they  could  not  imprison  upon  a  premunire.  The  judge 
said,  '  There  is  summons  in  the  statute.'  '  Yes,'  said  Corbet,  '  but  sum- 
'  mons  is  not  imprisonment,  for  summons  is  in  order  to  a  trial.'  '  Well," 
said  the  judge,  '  we  must  have  time  to  look  in  our  books,  and  consult  the 
'  statutes.'     So  the  hearing  was  put  off  till  next  day. 


484  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1674 

The  next  day  they  chose  rather  to  let  this  plea  fall,  and  begin  with 
the  errors  of  the  indictment ;  and  when  they  came  to  be  opened,  they 
were  so  many  and  gross,  that  the  judges  were  all  of  opinion  the  '  indict- 
'  ment  was  quashed  and  void,  and  that  I  ought  to  have  my  liberty.'  There 
were  that  day  several  great  men,  lords  and  others,  who  had  the  oaths 
of  allegiance  and  supremacy  tendered  to  them  in  open  court,  just  before 
my  trial  came  on ;  and  some  of  my  adversaries  moved  the  judges  that 
the  oaths  might  be  tendered  again  to  me,  telling  them,  '  I  was  a  danger- 
'  ous  man  to  be  at  liberty.'  But  judge  Hale  said,  '  He  had  indeed  heard 
'  some  such  reports,  but  he  had  also  heard  many  more  good  reports  of 
'  me ;'  so  he,  with  the  rest  of  the  judges,  ordered  me  to  be  freed  by  pro- 
clamation. Thus  after  I  had  suffered  imprisonment  a  year  and  almost 
two  months  for  nothing,  I  was  fairly  set  at  liberty  upon  a  trial  of  the  er- 
rors of  my  indictment,  without  receiving  any  pardon,  or  coming  under 
any  obligation  or  engagement  at  all ;  and  the  Lord's  everlasting  power 
went  ov^er  all,  to  his  glory  and  praise.  Counsellor  Corbet  got  great  fame 
by  it ;  many  of  the  lawyers  told  him,  '  He  had  brought  that  to  light 
'  which  had  not  been  known  before,  as  to  the  not  imprisoning  upon  a  pre- 
'  munire;'  and  after  the  trial  a  judge  said  to  him,  '  You  have  obtained  a 
'  great  deal  of  honour  by  pleading  George  Fox's  cause  so  in  court.' 

During  the  time  of  my  imprisonm.ent  in  Worcester,  notwithstanding 
my  want  of  health,  and  being  so  often  hurried  to  and  fro  to  London  and 
back,  I  wrote  several  books  for  the  press,  one  whereof  was  called,  '  A 
'  warning  to  England ;'  another  was,  '  To  the  Jews,  proving  by  the  pro- 

*  phets,  that  the  Messiah  is  come ;'  another,  '  Concerning  inspiration,  reve- 

*  lation,  and  prophecy ;'  another,  '  Against  all  vain  disputes  ;'  another, 
'  For  all  bishops  and  ministers  to  try  themselves  by  the  scriptures ;'  an- 
other, '  To  such  as  say,  We  love  none  but  ourselves  ;'  another,  intituled, 
'  Our  testimony  concerning  Christ ;'  and  another  little  book  '  concerning 
'  Swearing,'  being  the  first  of  those  two  given  to  the  parliament.  Besides 
these,  I  wrote  many  papers  and  epistles  to  friends,  to  encourage  and 
strengthen  them  in  their  services  for  God,  which  some  who  made  pro- 
fession of  truth,  but  had  given  way  to  a  seducing  spirit,  and  were  de- 
parted from  the  unity  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel,  in  which  friends  stand, 
endeavoured  to  discourage  them  from  ;  especially  in  their  diligent  and 
watchful  care  for  the  well-ordering  and  managing  the  affairs  of  the  church 
of  Christ 

Being  at  liberty,  I  visited  friends  in  London  ;  and  having  been  very 
weak,  and  not  yet  well  recovered,  I  went  to  Kingston  ;  and  having  vis- 
ited friends  there,  returned  to  London,  wrote  a  paper  to  the  pai'liament, 
and  sent  several  books  to  them.  A  great  book  against  swearing  had  been 
delivered  to  them  a  little  before ;  the  reasonableness  whereof  had  so 
much  influence,  that  it  was  thought  they  would  have  done  something  to- 
wards our  relief  if  they  had  sat  longer.  I  staid  in  and  near  London  till 
the  yearly  meeting,  to  which  friends  came  from  most  parts  of  the  nation, 
and  some  from  beyond  sea.  A  glorious  meeting  we  had  in  the  everlast- 
ing power  of  God. 

This  meeting  over,  and  the  parHament  risen  who  had  done  nothing 
for  nor  against  friends,  I  was  clear  of  my  service  for  the  Lord  at  Lon- 
don. And  having  taken  my  leave  of  friends  there,  and  had  a  glorious 
meeting  with  some  of  them  at  John  Elson's  in  the  morning,  I  set  for- 
ward with  my  wife  and  her  daughter  Susan  by  coach  (for  I  was  not  able 
to  travel  on  horseback)  towards  the  north,  many  friends  accompanying 


1675]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  485 

US  as  far  as  Highgate,  and  some  to  Dunstable,  where  we  lodged  that 
night.  We  visited  friends  and  were  visited  by  them  at  Newport-Pagnel, 
Northampton,  and  Cossel,  where,  amongst  others,  came  a  woman,  and 
brought  her  daughter  for  me  to  see  how  well  she  was ;  putting  me  in 
mind,  '  That  when  I  was  there  before,  she  had  brought  her  to  me  much 
'  troubled  with  the  king's  evil,  and  had  then  desired  me  to  pray  for  her.' 
Which  I  did,  and  she  mended  upon  it ;  praised  be  the  Lord  !  From  Cos- 
sel we  went  by  John  Simcock's  and  Wilham  Gandy's  to  Warrington, 
Preston,  and  Lancaster. 

I  had  not  been  at  Lancaster  since  I  was  carried  prisoner  from  thence 
by  the  under-sheriff  and  gaoler,  towards  Scarborough  castle  in  York- 
shire. I  found  the  town  full  of  people ;  for  it  was  fair-time,  and  the 
trained  bands  were  met  upon  a  general  muster.  Many  friends  were  also 
in  town  from  several  parts  of  the  county,  because  the  quarterly  meeting 
was  to  be  there  next  day.  I  staid  two  nights  and  a  day  at  Lancaster, 
and  visited  friends  both  at  their  men's  and  women's  meetings,  which 
were  very  full,  large,  and  peaceable ;  for  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all, 
and  none  meddled  with  us.  Here  met  us  Thomas  Lower  and  his  wife, 
Sarah  Fell,  James  Lancaster,  and  Leonard  Fell.  The  next  day  after 
the  meeting,  the  twenty-fifth  of  the  fourth  month,  we  went  over  the  sands, 
with  several  other  friends,  to  Swarthmore. 

After  I  had  been  awhile  at  Swarthmore,  several  friends  from  divers 
parts  of  the  nation  came  to  visit  me,  and  some  out  of  Scotland ;  by 
whom  I  understood,  four  young  students  of  Aberdeen  were  convinced 
there  this  year,  at  a  dispute  held  by  Robert  Barclay  and  George  Keith 
with  some  of  the  scholars  of  that  university. 

Among  others,  colonel  Kirby  paid  me  a  visit,  who  had  been  Q|^e  of 
my  great  persecutors ;  but  now  he  said  he  came  to  bid  me  welcome  into 
the  countr}^  and  carried  himself  in  appearance  very  lovingly ;  yet  be- 
fore I  left  Swarthmore  he  sent  for  the  constables  of  Ulverstone,  and  or- 
dered them  to  tell  me,  '  That  we  must  have  no  more  meetings  at  Swarth- 
'  more  ;  for  if  we  had,  they  were  commanded  by  him  to  break  them  up, 

*  and  were  to  come  the  next  first-day.'  That  day  we  had  a  very  precious 
meeting,  the  Lord's  presence  was  wonderful  amongst  us,  and  the  constables 
did  not  come  to  disturb  us.  The  meetings  have  been  quiet  since,  and 
have  increased. 

The  illness  I  got  in  my  imprisonment  at  Worcester  had  so  much  weak- 
ened me,  it  w'as  long  before  I  recovered  my  natural  strength  again.  For 
which  reason,  and  as  I  had  many  things  lay  upon  me  to  write  for  pub- 
lick  and  private  service,  I  did  not  stir  much  abroad  during  the  time  I 
now  staid  in  the  north ;  but  when  friends  were  not  with  me,  spent  pretty 
much  time  in  writing  books  and  papers  for  truth's  service.  While  I  was 
at  Swarthmore,  I  gave  several  to  be  printed ;  viz. 

One,  '  Concerning  swearing.' 

Another,  shewing,  '  That  none  are  successors  to  the  prophets  and 

*  aposiles,  but  who  succeed  them  in  the  same  power  and  Holy  Ghost 
'  that  they  were  in.' 

Another,  shewing,  '  That  possession  is  above  profession ;  and  how  the 
'  professors  now  do  persecute  Christ  in  spirit,  as  the  professing  Jews  did 

*  persecute  him  outwardly  in  the  days  of  his  flesh.' 

Another  little  book,  '  To  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick.' 
Another,  called,  '  Cain  against  Abel ;  or,  an  Answer  to  the  New-Eng- 
"  land  men's  laws.' 


486  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  '1676 

Another,  *  To  friends  at  Nevis,  concerning  watching.' 
Another,  '  A  general  epistle  to  all  friends  in  America.' 
Another, '  Concerning  Caesar's  due,  and  God's  due,  &c.' 
Another,  '  Concerning  ordering  of  families.' 
Another,  intituled,  '  The  spiritual  man  judgeth  all  things.' 
Another,  '  Concerning  the  higher  power.' 

Besides  these,  I  wrote  several  epistles  to  friends,  both  in  England  and 
beyond  the  seas ;  and  answers  to  divers  papers  concerning  the  '  running 
'  out  of  some  who  had  opposed  the  order  of  the  gospel,'  had  stirred  up 
a  great  deal  of  strife  and  contention  in  Westmoreland.  Wherefore  I 
was  moved  to  write  a  few  lines  particularly  to  friends  there. 

'  This  is  for  friends  in  Westmoreland : 

'  All  live  in  the  power  of  God,  in  his  light  and  Spirit,  which  did  first 

*  convince  you;  that  in  it  ye  may  keep  in  the  ancient  unity,  in  humility,, 
'in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  his  gentle  and  peaceable  wisdom,  which  is 
'  easy  to  be  intreated.     That  in  the  same  power,  light,  and  Spirit  of 

*  God,  ye  may  be  serviceable  in  your  men's  and  women's  mee-tings,  in 
'  the  possession  of  the  gospel-order ;  which  gospel,  the  power  of  God, 

*  hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light ;  that  in  this  ye  may  see  over 
'  him  that  hath  darkened  you.  In  this  power  no  apostates  can  come ;: 
'  for  the  power  of  God  was  before  apostates  were,  or  the  fall  of  man  and 
'  woman  was,  or  the  devil  either,  and  will  be  when  he  is  gone.  There- 
'  fore  praise  God  in  the  eternal  fellowship  of  the  everlasting  gospel  of 
'  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  not  of  man,  nor  by  man.  And  all  friends  in 
'  Westmoreland,  keep  in  the  power  of  God,  which  will  and  must  pre- 
'  serve  and  cover  you,  if  ye  be  preserved.  Let  your  faith  stand  in  the 
'  power  of  God,  and  not  in  the  wisdom  of  men's  words,  lest  ye  fall.  In 
'  God's  power  ye  have  peace,  life,  and  unity ;  and  for  want  of  keeping 
'  in  God's  power,  in  his  righteousness  and  Holy  Ghost,  is  all  this  strife 
'  come  among  you.  G.  F.' 

I  also  wrote  the  following  general  epistle  to  friends  at  the  yearly 
meeting  in  London : 

'  My  dear  friends  and  brethren, 

'  Whom  the  Lord  hath  preserved  by  his  eternal  power  to  this  day, 

*over  and  through  many  troubles,  storms,  tempests,  and  prisons.     Let 

'  every  one's  faith  stand  in  the  power  of  God,  which  is  over  the  devil 

'  and  was  before  him.     Your  faith  standing  in  the  invisible  power  of 

*  God,  it  stands  in  that  which  does  not  change ;  and  the  faith  that  Christ 
'  Jesus,  the  power  of  God,  is  the  author  of,  must  stand  in  the  power  of 

*  God,  so  then  it  stands  in  that  which  is  over  all,  in  which  they  are 
'  estabhshed.  This  the  apostle  brought  the  church,  the  true  Christians, 
'  to :  and  so  ought  all  the  true  Christians'  faith  now,  which  Christ  is  the 
'  author  of,  to  stand  in  the  power  of  God,  in  which  the  everlasting  king- 
'  dom  stands.  As  every  one's  faith  stands  in  this  power,  it  keeps  all  in 
'  the  power  of  godliness. 

'  For  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  the  apostles,  when  some  were  crying 

*  up  Paul  and  Apollos,  and  so  forth,  he  judged  them  as  carnal ;  and  ex- 

*  horted  and  admonished  them  that  their  faith  should  not  stand  in  men, 
'  nor  in  the  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  the  power  of  God.  He  said, 
"  He  would  not  know  the  speech  of  them,  but  the  power  amongst  them, 
"  for  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  word,  but  in  power."     So  it  is  to  be 


J676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  487 

now.  Every  one's  faith  must  stand  in  the  power  of  God,  and  not  in 
men,  nor  their  speeches  upon  the  good  words.  For  we  have  seen 
by  experience,  when  they  begin  to  cry  up  men,  and  their  faith  stands  in 
them ;  such  as  would  have  people's  faith  to  stand  in  them,  love  popu- 
larity, and  bring  not  people's  faith  to  stand  in  the  power  of  God. 
Such  cannot  exalt  Christ ;  and  when  such  fall,  they  draw  a  great  com- 
pany after  them.  Therefore  the  apostle  would  not  know  such  after  the 
flesh,  but  them  that  were  in  the  power  and  Spirit ;  and  struck  down 
every  one's  faith  that  stood  in  the  words  of  man's  wisdom,  that  they 
might  stand  in  the  power  of  God.  So  it  must  be  now.  They  whose 
faith  doth  not  stand  therein,  cannot  exalt  his  kingdom,  that  stands  in 
power ;  therefore  every  one's  faith  must  stand  in  the  power  of  God. 

'  The  apostle  denied  popularity,  when  he  judged  the  Corinthians  for 
looking  at  Paul  and  ApoUos,  to  be  carnal :  such  are  carnal  still.  There- 
fore all  should  know  one  another  in  the  Spirit,  life,  and  power,  and 
look  at  Christ ;  this  keeps  all  in  humility.  They,  whose  faith  stands  in 
men,  will  make  sects ;  as  in  the  days  of  J.  N.  J.  P.  and  others.  The 
faith  of  such,  Christ  is  not  the  author  of;  if  he  hath  been,  they  have 
erred  from  it,  and  made  shipwreck  of  it.  All  that  are  in  the  true  faith, 
that  stands  in  the  power  of  God,  will  judge  them  as  carnal,  and  judge 
down  that  carnal  part  in  them,  that  cries  up  Paul  or  ApoUos ;  that 
their  faith  may  stand  in  the  power  of  God,  and  that  they  may  exalt 
Christ,  the  author  of  it.  For  every  one's  eye  ought  to  be  to  Jesus,  and 
every  just  man  and  woman  may  live  by  their  faith,  which  Christ  is  the 
author  and  finisher  of  By  this  faith  every  man  may  see  God,  who  is 
invisible ;  which  faith  gives  the  victory,  and  thereby  he  hath  access  to 
God.  So  every  one's  faith  and  hope  standing  in  the  power  of  God, 
therein  all  have  unity,  victory,  and  access  to  God's  throne  of  grace ; 
in  which  faith  they  please  God.  By  this  faith  they  are  saved,  obtain 
the  good  report,  and  subdue  all  the  mountains  betwixt  them  and  God. 

'  This  power  hath  preserved  friends  over  their  persecutors,  over  the 
wrath  of  men,  above  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  and  imprisonments ; 
as  seeing  God,  that  "  created  all,  gives  the  increase  of  all,  and  upholds 
'  all  by  his  word  and  power."  Therefore  let  every  one's  faith  be  in  his 
power.  In  this  no  schism  nor  sect  can  come,  for  it  is  over  them,  be- 
fore they  were,  and  will  be  when  they  are  gone.  But  perfect  unity  is 
in  the  truth,  in  the  Spirit,  that  circumciseth  the  body  of  death,  puts  off 
the  sins  of  the  flesh,  and  plunges  it  down  with  the  Spirit.  In  the  Spirit 
of  God  there  is  perfect  fellowship ;  and  Christ  is  the  minister  of  this 
circumcision  and  baptism. 

'  This  is  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  write  unto  you,  that  every  one  of 
you,  whose  faith  Jesus  is  the  author  of,  may  stand  in  the  power  of  God. 
From  the  Lord  I  warn  you,  and  all  every  where  of  the  same ;  for  if  a 
star  should  fall,  which  has  been  a  light,  either  the  earth  or  the  sea 
does  receive  it :  that  is,  the  earthly  mind,  or  the  foaming,  raging  peo- 
ple :  though  neither  the  seed,  light,  power,  nor  truth  ever  fell,  nor  the 
faith  itself,  the  gift  of  God ;  but  men  going  from  it,  become  unsavoury. 

*  Adam,  whilst  he  kept  in  truth,  and  obeyed  the  command  of  God,  was 
happy ;  but  when  he  disobeyed  the  Lord,  he  fell  under  the  power  of 
Satan,  and  became  unhappy,  though  he  might  talk  after  of  his  experi- 
ences in  paradise ;  but  he  had  lost  his  image,  and  his  power  and  do- 
minion, that  God  created  him  in. 

*  The  Jews,  after  they  received  the  law,  as  long  as  they  kept  the  law 


488  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1676 

*  of  God,  which  was  just,  holy,  good,  and  perfect,  it  kept  them  good,  just, 

*  holy,  and  savoury ;  but  when  they  turned  their  backs  on  the  Lord,  and 

*  forsook  his  law,  they  came  under  the  power  of  darkness,  under  the 

*  powers  of  the  earth,  and  were  trodden  under  as  unsavoury. 

'  The  Christians  were  called  a  "  city  set  on  a  hill,  the  light  of  tiie 
"  world,  and  the  salt  of  the  earth ;"  but  when  they  forsook  the  power 
'  of  God,  and  their  faith  stood  in  words  and  men,  and  not  in  the  power ; 
'  then  their  walls  fell  down,  though  the  power  in  itself  stood ;  and  they 
'  lost  their  hill,  their  saltness,  and  their  shining.     And  as  Christendom 

*  now  confesseth,  they  are  not  in  the  same  power  and  spirit  the  apostles 

*  were  in,  so  not  in  the  same  salt,  nor  upon  the  same  hill.  So  they 
'  came  to  be  trod  under,  and  the  beast,  the  whore,  and  the  false  pro- 
'  phet  are  uppermost,  the  unsavoury.  Their  dead  faith  is  in  men,  and 
'  in  words ;  therefore  they  are  full  of  sects,  and  one  against  another. 

'And  now  the  everlasting  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  is  preached 

*  again,  which  was  before  the  devil  was,  that  darkened  man ;  and  by  this 
'  power  of  God  life  and  immortality  is  come  to  light  again ;  therefore 
'  every  one's  faith  is  to  stand  in  this  power  that  hath  brought  life  and  im- 

*  mortality  to  light  in  them,  and  so  to  be  heirs  of  the  power  of  God,  the 

*  gospel.  Herehi  all  have  a  right  to  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the 
'  authority  of  men's  and  women's  meetings,  and  of  all  other  meetings 
'  set  up  thereby. 

'  As  the  gospel  is  preached  again,  if  your  faith  doth  not  stand  in  the 
'  power,  but  in  men,  and  in  the  wisdom  of  words,  you  will  grow  carnal ; 
'  and  such  are  for  judgment,  who  cry  up  Paul  or  ApoUos,  and  not  Christ, 
'  the  author  of  your  faith.  Those  that  love  to  be  popular  would  have 
'  people's  faith  stand  in  them ;  such  do  not  preach  Christ,  but  themselves. 

*  But  such  as  preach  Christ  and  his  gospel  would  have  every  man  and 
'  woman  to  be  in  the  possession  of  it,  and  every  man  and  woman's  faith 
'  to  stand  in  Christ,  the  author  of  it,  and  in  the  power  of  God,  in  which, 
'  as  their  faith  stands,  nothing  can  get  betwixt  them  and  God ;  for  if  any 
'  should  fall  amongst  us,  as  too  many  have  done,  that  leads  its  followers 
'  either  into  the  waters  or  into  the  earth. 

'  If  any  should  go  from  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  that  did  open  them,  and 

*  from  the  power,  they  may  speak  those  experiences  the  power  opened 
'  to  them  formerly.  So  might  Adam  and  Eve  speak  of  what  they  saw 
'  and  enjoyed  in  paradise ;  so  might  Cain  and  Balaam,  of  what  they  saw ; 
'  and  also  the  Jews,  Corah,  and  Dathan,  who  praised  God  on  the  banks, 

*  saw  the  victory  over  Pharaoh,  ate  of  the  manna,  drank  of  the  rock, 

*  came  to  mount  Sinai,  and  saw  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  So  might  the 
'  false  apostles  speak  of  their  experiences,  and  all  those  false  Christians 
'  that  turned  from  the  apostles  and  Christ.  So  may  such  do  now,  that 
'  err  from  the  Spirit,  that  are  come  out  of  spiritual  Egypt  and  Sodom, 
'  and  have  known  the  raging  of  the  Sodomites,  as  Lot  did  the  outward ; 
'  and  the  pursuit  of  the  spiritual  Egyptians,  as  the  outward  Jew  did  the 
'  outward  Egyptians ;  yet  if  they  do  not  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  God,  in 
'  the  light,  and  in  the  grace,  which  keeps  their  hearts  established,  their 

*  words  seasoned,  and  their  faith  in  the  power  of  God,  in  which  the  king- 
'  dom  stands,  they  may  go  forth  like  the  false  Christians,  like  the  Jews, 
'  like  Adam  and  Eve,  Cain,  Corah,  and  Balaam,  and  be  wandering  stars, 

*  trees  without  fruit,  wells  without  water,  and  clouds  without  rain ;  and 

*  so  come  to  be  unsavoury,  trodden  down,  and  as  Adam  who  lost  para- 
'  dise,  and  the  Jews  who  lost  the  Holy  Land,  not  walking  in  the  law,  and 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  489 

'  keeping  the  command  of  God ;  and  as  the  Christians  who  lost  the  city, 
'  the  hill,  the  salt,  and  the  light,  since  the  apostles'  days,  and  came  to  be 
'  unsavoury,  and  to  be  trodden  under  foot  of  men. 

'  Therefore  let  every  one's  faith  stand  in  the  Lord's  power,  which  is 
'  over  all,  through  which  they  may  be  built  upon  the  rock,  the  foundation 
'  of  God,  the  seed  Jesus  Christ.     So  all  in  Christ  may  be  ever  fresh  and 

*  green ;  for  he  is  the  green  tree  that  never  withers,  all  are  fresh  and  green 
'  that  are  grafted  in  him,  abide  in  him,  and  bring  forth  heavenly  fresh 

*  fruits  to  the  praise  of  God.  And  tho'  Adam  and  Eve  fell  from  paradise, 
"  the  Jews  fell  from  the  law  of  God,  many  of  the  Christians  fell  from 
'  their  prophecies,  erred  from  the  faith,  the  Spirit,  and  the  grace";  and 
'  the  stars  have  fallen,  as  was  spoken  in  the  Revelations ;  yet  the  Spirit, 
'  grace,  faith,  and  power  of  God  remains. 

'  Many  such  states  have  I  seen  within  these  twenty-eight  years ;  though 
'there  is  a  state  that  shall  never  fall,  nor  be  deceived,  in  the  Elect  be- 
'  fore  the  world  began,  who  are  come  to  the  end  of  the  prophecies,  and 
'  are  in  him,  where  they  end,  renewed  up  into  the  image  of  God  (by 
'  Christ)  which  man  was  in  before  he  fell ;  in  that  power,  where  he  had 

*  dominion  over  all  that  God  made ;  and  not  only  so,  but  "  attain  to  a 
"  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ," 
'  who  never  fell.  In  him  is  the  sitting  down  in  life  eternal,  where  their 
'  feet  stand  sure  and  fast  in  the  gospel,  his  power.  Here  their  bread  is 
'  sure ;  and  he  that  eats  this  bread  lives  for  ever. 

'  And  all  friends  and  brethren,  that  declare  God's  eternal  truth  and 

*  word  of  life,  Hve  in  it,  be  seasoned  with  grace,  and  salted  with  the  hea- 
'  venly  salt,  that  your  lives  and  conversations  may  preach  wherever  3'ou 
'  come ;  that  there  be  no  rawness,  nor  no  quenching  of  the  Spirit,  nor 
'  despising  prophecy  either  in  men  or  women.     For  all  must  meet  in  the 

*  faith  that  Jesus  is  the  author  of,  and  in  the  light  that  comes  from  him, 
'  and  be  so  grafted  into  the  life,  that  your  knowledge  may  be  there  one 
'  of  another  in  Christ,  and  that  there  may  be  none  slothful,  nor  sitting 
'  down  in  earthly  things,  minding  them,  like  Demas  of  old,  lest  you  clothe 
' yourselves  with  another  clothing  than  you  had  at  first;  but  all  keep 
'  chaste,  for  the  chaste  follow  the  Lamb. 

'  And  friends  that  are  ministers,  possess  as  if  ye  did  not ;  be  married 
'  as  if  ye  were  not ;  be  loose  to  the  world  in  the  Lord's  power;  for  God's 
'  oil  will  be  atop  of  all  visible  things,  which  makes  his  lamps  burn,  and 

*  give  light  afar  ofi".     Let  none  strive  nor  covet  to  be  rich  in  this  world, 

*  in  these  changeable  things  that  will  pass  away  ;  but  let  your  faith  stand 
'  in  the  Lord  God,  who  changes  not,  created  all,  and  gives  the  increase 
'  of  all. 

'  Now  friends,  concerning  faithful  men  and  women's  meetings,  which 
'were  set  up  in  God's  counsel,  whoever  oppose  them,  oppose  the  power 
'  of  God,  which  is  the  authority  of  them.     They  are  no  ministers  of  the 

*  gospel,  nor  of  Christ,  that  oppose  his  powei',  which  all  are  to  possess. 
'  For  the  true  ministers  of  Christ,  that  preach  his  gospel,  which  is  to  be 
'preached  to  all  nations,  as  deceit  is  gone  over  all  nations,  and  all  na- 

*  tions  have  drunk  the  whore's  cup,  and  she  hath  them  in  her  cage,  her 
'  unclean  power  from  the  beast  and  dragon,  out  of  the  power  of  God, 
'  and  out  of  truth  and  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  apostles  were  in ;  the  power 
'  of  God  must  come  over  all  this  again ;  and  all  true  ministers,  that  preach 
'  the  gospel,  must  bring  people  into  the  possession  of  it  again.     I  say, 

*  whosoever  preaches  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  him  to  people  and  nations, 

3M 


490  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  pg^g 

*  those  people  and  nations  receiving  the  gospel,  they  receive  the  power 
'  of  God,  that  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light  in  them ;  and  they  see 
'  over  the  devil  that  hath  darkened  them,  and  the  beast,  the  M-hore,  and 
'  her  cage.  So  by  the  power  of  God,  life  and  immortality  is  brought  to 
'  light  in  them ;  then  these  men  and  women,  being  heirs  of  this  power, 

*  the  gospel,  are  heirs  of  authority  and  power  over  the  devil,  beast,  whore, 
'  and  dragon. 

'  It  is  their  possession  and  portion,  and  they  are  to  labour  in  their  pos- 

*  session  and  portion,  to  do  God  Almighty's  business  and  service  in  the 
'  possession  of  the  power  of  God,  the  gospel,  which  is  a  joyful,  glorious, 

*  everlasting  ordei'.     Here  is  the  authority  of  our  men's  and  women's 

*  meetings,  and  other  meetings  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
'  the  power  of  God,  which  is  not  of  man,  nor  by  man.  In  this  are  all  to 
'  meet,  and  to  worship  God.  By  this  are  all  to  act,  and  in  this  have  all 
'  fellowship,  a  joyful  fellowship,  a  joyful  and  comfortable  assembly.  AU 
'  faithful  men  and  women  in  every  country,  city,  and  nation,  whose  faith 

*  stands  in  the  power  of  God,  the  gospel  of  Christ,  who  have  received 
the  gospel,  and  are  in  the  possession  thereof,  have  all  right  to  the  power 
•in  these  meetings,  for  they  are  heirs  of  the  power,  which  is  the  authority 

*  of  the  men's  and  women's  meetings. 

'So  here  is  God's  choice  (and  not  man's)  by  his  power,  of  his  heirs; 
'  and  they  have  all  freedom  therein  to  go  to  the  meetings,  the  men  to  the 

*  men's,  and  the  women  to  the  women's,  for  they  are  heirs  of  the  power, 

*  which  is  received  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  they  see  over  enmity,  and 
'  before  it  was,  by  the  light,  the  life,  and  immortality,  which  is  brouglit 
'  to  light  in  them. 

'  The  devil,  the  author  of  enmity,  cannot  get  into  this  authority,  power, 
'  order,  nor  fellowship  of  the  gospel,  nor  life,  nor  light,  nor  into  the  unity 
'  of  the  faith,  which  gives  victory  over  him  that  hath  separated  man  from 
'  God.  Into  the  unity  of  this  faith  the  serpent  cannot  come,  nor  into  the 
'  worship  of  God  in  spirit  and  truth  the  devil  cannot  come,  nor  any  en- 
'  mity.  And  they  that  are  in  this,  are  in  unity  over  him.  Therefore, 
'  let  every  one's  faith  stand  in  the  power  of  God,  the  glorious  gospel ;  all 
'  walk  as  becomes  the  gospel,  and  the  order  of  it.  As  ev&ry  one  hath 
'  received  Christ  Jesus,  the  Lord,  so  walk  in  him,  and  let  him  be  their 
'  J^iOrd  and  orderer.  For  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  Jesus  is 
'  to  the  intent  that  all  might  come  to  be  heirs  of  the  gospel,  into  the  pos- 
'  session  of  it,  to  be  heirs  of  Christ  and  of  his  government,  to  the  in- 
'  crease  of  which  there  is  no  end ;  who  is  over  all  in  his  righteousness, 
'  and  ov^er  all  in  his  light,  life,  power,  and  dominion.  Therefore  know 
'  one  another  in  his  power,  his  gospel ;  know  one  another  in  ('hrist  Jesus, 
'  who  is  able  to  restore  man  out  of  the  state  of  the  fall  into  the  image 
'  of  God,  and  into  that  power  and  dominion  that  man  had  before  he  fell, 

*  and  into  himself,  that  never  fell,  whence  they  shall  go  no  more  forth. 
'  Here  is  the  rock  and  foundation  of  God  that  stands  sure. 

'  And,  friends,  be  tender  to  the  tender  principle  of  God  in  all.  Shun 
'  the  occasion  of  vain  disputes  and  janglings,  both  amongst  yourselves 
'  and  others ;  for  that  many  times  is  like  a  blustering  wind,  that  hurts  and 
'  bruises  the  tender  buds  and  plants.  For  the  world,  though  they  have 
'the  words,  are  out  of  the  life;  and  the  apostle's  disputing  with  them 
'  was  to  bring  them  to  the  life.  And  those  disputcrs  among  the  Chris- 
'  tians  about  genealogies,  circumcision,  the  law,  meats,  drinks,  and  daj^s, 
'  came  to  be  the  worst  sort  of  disputers,  whom  the  apostles  judged ;  for 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  491 

such  destroyed  people  from  the  faith.  Therefore  did  the  apostles  exhort 
the  churches,  that  every  one's  faith  should  stand  in  the  power  of  God, 
and  to  look  at  Jesus  the  author  of  it.  There  every  graft  stands  in  Christ, 
the  vine,  quiet,  v/here  no  blustering  storms  can  hurt  them ;  there  is  the 
safety.  There  all  are  of  one  mind,  one  faith,  one  soul,  one  spirit,  bap- 
tized into  one  body  with  the  one  spirit,  and  made  all  to  drink  into  one 
spirit,  one  church,  one  head,  that  is  heavenly  and  spiritual ;  and  one  faith 
in  this  head,  Christ,  who  is  the  author  of  it,  and  hath  the  glory  of  it ; 
one  Lord  to  order  all,  who  is  the  baptizer  into  this  one  body.  So  Christ 
hath  the  glory  of  his  faith  out  of  every  man  and  woman ;  and  the 
Father  through  him  hath  his  glory,  the  Creator  of  all  in  his  power,  the 
gospel  that  hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  in  them ;  and  their 
faith  standing  in  it,  they  know  the  immortal  God,  serve  and  worship  him 
in  his  spirit  and  in  his  truth ;  by  which  they  are  made  God's  free  men 
and  women,  from  him  that  is  out  of  the  truth. 

'  Now,  friends,  you  that  have  been  ancient  laboui'ers,  and  have  known 
the  dealings  of  the  Lord  these  twenty  years  (more  or  less)  as  I  have 
often  said  to  you,  draw  up  what  you  can  of  that  which  the  Lord  hath 
carried  you  through  by  his  power,  the  passages  and  sufferings,  and  how 
by  the  Lord  ye  have  been  supported  from  the  first ;  so  that  he  may  be 
exalted  by  his  power  now,  and  in  ages  to  come,  who  hath  been  the  only 
support,  defence,  and  stay  of  his  people  all  along,  over  all  to  himself; 
to  whom  be  all  glory  and  praise  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen.  He  de- 
serves it  in  his  church  throughout  all  ages,  from  his  living  members, 
who  return  the  praise  to  the  living  God,  who  lives  and  reigns  over  all, 
blessed  for  ever ;  who  is  the  life,  strength,  health,  and  length  of  the  days 
of  his  people.  Therefore  let  there  be  no  boasting,  but  in  the  Lord,  in 
his  power  and  kingdom ;  that  keeps  all  in  humility. 

'  And  friends,  in  the  Lord's  pov/er  and  truth,  what  good  you  can  do 
for  friends  in  prison,  or  sufferers,  by  informing  or  helping  them,  every 
one  bend  yourselves  to  the  Lord's  power  and  spirit,  to  do  his  will  and 
his  business ;  and  in  that  all  will  have  a  fellow-feeling  of  one  another's 
conditions  in  bonds,  or  in  what  trials  or  tribulations  soever ;  you  will 
have  a  fellow-feehng  one  of  another,  having  one  head,  one  Lord,  and 
being  one  body  in  him.  For  God's  heavenly  flail  hath  brought  out  his 
seed,  his  heavenly  plough  hath  turned  up  the  fallow  ground,  his  heaven- 
ly seed  is  sown  by  the  heavenly  man,  which  brings  forth  fruits  to  the 
heavenly  sower,  in  some  fifty,  sixty,  and  an  hundred  fold  in  his  life- 
time ;  and  such  in  the  world  without  end  will  have  life  everlasting.  Oh ! 
therefore  all  keep  within ;  let  your  lights  shine,  and  your  lamps  burn, 
that  you  may  be  wells  full  of  the  living  water,  and  trees  full  of  the 
living  fruit  of  God's  planting,  whose  fruit  is  unto  holiness,  and  end  is 
everlasting  life. 

'  The  Lord  God  of  power  preserve  you  all  in  his  power.  Let  your 
faith  stand  therein,  that  you  may  have  unity  in  the  faith,  and  in  the 
power ;  and  by  this  faith  and  belief  you  may  be  all  grafted  into  Christ, 
the  sure  root  and  rock  of  ages,  where  the  eternal  Sun  of  righteousness 
shines,  in  the  heavenly  and  eternal  day,  upon  his  plants  and  grafts.  This 
Sun  never  goes  down,  and  the  heavenly  springs  of  life,  and  showers 
are  known  to  water  and  nourish  the  grafts,  plants,  and  buds,  that  they 
may  always  be  keyjt  fresh  and  green,  and  never  wither ;  bringing  forth 
fresh,  green,  and  living  fruit,  which  is  ofiered  up  to  the  living  God ;  who 
is  glorified,  in  that  you  bear  much  fruit.    The  Lord  God  Almighty  keep 


493  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1676 

*  you,  and  preserve  you  all  in  his  power,  light,  and  life,  over  death  and 
'  darkness ;  that  therein  you  may  spread  his  truth  abroad,  and  be  valiant 
'  for  it  upon  the  earth,  answering  that  of  God  in  all ;  that  with  it  the 

*  minds  of  people  may  be  turned  to  God,  so  that  with  it  they  may  come 
'  to  know  Christ  Jesus  in  the  new  covenant,  in  which  the  knowledge  of 
'  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  do  the  sea.  His  life  must 
'  go  over  death,  his  light  must  go  over  darkness,  and  the  power  of  God 
'  must  go  over  the  power  of  Satan. 

'So  all  you  that  are  in  the  light,  hfe,  and  power,  keep  the  heavenly 
'  fellowship  in  the  heavenly  power,  the  heavenly  unity  in  the  heavenly 

*  divine  faith,  and  the  unity  of  the  spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  the  heaven- 

*  ly  Prince  of  Princes'  peace ;  who  bruises  the  head  of  the  enemy,  the 
'  adversary,  and  reconciles  man  to  God,  and  all  things  in  heaven  and 

*  earth.     A  blessed  reconcihation !    Let  every  one's  faith  stand  in  the 

*  power  of  God,  which  Jesus  Christ  is  the  author  of;  that  all  may  know 
'  their  crown  of  life.  For  all  outward  things,  without  the  substance,  the 
'  life,  the  power,  are  as  the  husk  without  the  kernel,  and  do  not  nourish 

*  the  immortal  soul,  nor  the  new-born  Babe ;  but  that  which  it  is  nour- 
'  ished  by,  is  the  milk  of  the  word,  whereby  it  groweth  in  the  heavenly 
'  life,  strength,  and  wisdom.  The  gospel  is  not  of  man,  nor  by  man,  but 
'  is  the  power  of  God,  and  answers  the  truth  in  all:  all  the  possessors  of 
'it  are  to  see  that  all  walk  according  to  it;  which  everlasting  order  is 
'  ordained  of  God  already,  and  all  the  possessors  of  him  possess  their 
'  joy,  their  comfort,  and  salvation.  My  love  unto  you  all,  with  him  that 
'  reigns,  and  is  over  all,  from  everlasting  to  everlasting. 

'  Dwell  in  the  love  of  God,  which  passeth  knowledge,  and  edifieth  the 
'  living  members  of  the  body  of  Christ ;  which  love  of  God  you  come  to 

*  be  built  up  in,  and  in  the  holy  faith.  This  love  of  God  brings  you  to 
"  bear  all  things,  endure  all  things,  and  hope  all  things."  From  this  love, 
'  which  you  have  in  C'hrist  Jesus,  nothing  will  be  able  to  separate  you, 
'  neither  powers  nor  principalities,  heights  nor  depths,  things  present  nor 

*  things  to  come,  prisons  nor  spoihng  of  goods,  death  nor  life.  The  love 
'  of  God  keeps  above  all  that  which  would  separate  from  God,  and  makes 
'  you  more  than  conquerors  in  Christ  Jesus.  Therefore  in  this  dwell,  that 
'  with  the  same  love  you  may  love  one  another,  and  all  the  workmanship 
'  of  God ;  that  you  may  glorify  God  with  your  bodies,  souls,  and  spirits, 
'  which  are  the  Lord's.     Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  All  friends  sit  low  in  the  life,  the  Lord's  power.  Keep  your  place  in 
'  it,  till  the  Lord  and  Master  of  the  heavenly  feast  bid  you  "  sit 
"higher;"  lest  you  take  the  highest  place,  and  be  put  down  with 
*  shame.     He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear.  G.  F.' 

POSTSCRIPT. 
*  Friends,  take  heed  of  speaking  the  things  of  God  in  the  words  that 
men's  wisdom  hath  taught ;  for  those  words  will  hft  up  the  foolish,  that 
err  from  the  Spirit  of  God ;  which  words  and  wisdom  are  for  condem- 
nation, and  that  which  is  lifted  up  by  them,  and  they  that  thereby  speak 
'  the  things  of  God  in  them.     So  that  old  house,  with  its  goods,  must  be 
'  thrown  under  the  foot  of  the  new  birth. 

'  And,  friends,  I  desire  that  you  may  all  keep  the  holy  order,  which  is 
'  in  the  gospel,  the  glorious  order  in  the  power  of  God,  which  the  devil 
'  is  out  of;  which  was  before  all  his  orders  were,  and  before  the  world 

*  made  any. 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  493 

*  This  joyful  order  keeps  all  hearts  pure  to  God,  in  everlasting  peace, 
'  unity,  and  order ;  feel  it,  and  keep  it,  both  men  and  women,  and  come 
'  to  be  heirs  of  the  gospel,  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light,  and 
'  to  see  over  that  power  of  darkness,  by  him  who  was  before  the  power 
'  of  death  was.  In  this  is  the  holy  order  in  love  and  peace.  So  keep  in 
*  this,  that  keeps  you  always  pure ;  what  men  and  women  act  in  this,  they 
'  act  in  that  which  will  stand  when  the  world  is  gone. 

'  There  hath  been  some  scruple  about  men's  and  women's  meetings : 
'  men  and  women  in  the  gospel  are  heirs  of  the  power,  which  was  before 
'  the  devil  was ;  heirs  of  this,  then  enter  into  the  possession  of  it,  and  do 
'  the  Lord's  business  therein.  Every  one  take  care  of  God's  honour,  and 
'  keep  all  things  in  righteousness  and  holiness,  which  becomes  God's 
'  house.  In  that,  which  honours  the  Lord  God,  it  eased  me,  when  those 
'  meetings  were  set  up  for  men  and  women,  who  are  heirs  of  the  gospel, 
'  and  have  right  to  the  gospel  order.  Then  take  your  possessions,  prac- 
'  tise  in  it,  be  not  talkers  only,  but  live  and  walk  in  the  gospel,  the  power 
'  of  God,  which  is  the  authority  of  your  meetings.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  28th  of  the 
'  2d  month,  1676.' 

Read  at  the  yearly  meeting  in  London,  the  17th  of  the  third  month, 

1676. 

During  this  time,  I  collected  together  as  many  as  I  could  of  the  epis- 
tles I  had  wrote  in  former  years  to  friends.  I  made  a  collection  too  of 
the  several  papers  I  had  wrote  to  Oliver  Cromwell  and  his  son  Richard, 
in  the  time  of  their  protectorships,  and  to  the  parliaments  and  magistrates, 
in  their  times.  I  collected  also  the  papers  I  had  wrote  to  king  Charles 
the  Second  since  his  return,  and  to  his  council  and  parliaments,  and  the 
justices  or  other  magistrates  under  him.  I  made  another  collection  of 
certificates,  which  I  had  receiv'ed  from  divers  governors  of  places,  judg- 
es, justices,  parliament-men,  and  others,  for  the  clearing  of  me  from 
many  slanders,  which  the  envious  priests  and  professors,  both  here  and 
beyond  sea,  had  cast  upon  me.  This  I  did  for  the  truth's  sake,  knowing 
that  their  design  in  slandering  me  was  to  defame  the  truth  published  by 
me,  and  hinder  the  spreading  thereof  amongst  the  people.  Besides  these, 
I  made  two  books  of  collections ;  one  was,  a  list  or  catalogue  of  the 
names  of  those  friends  who  went  out  of  the  north  of  England,  when 
truth  first  broke  forth  there,  to  proclaim  the  day  of  the  Lord  through 
this  nation.  The  other  was  of  the  names  of  those  friends  that  went  first 
to  preach  the  gospel  in  other  nations,  countries,  and  places,  in  what 
years,  and  to  what  parts  they  went. 

I  made  another  collection,  in  two  books ;  viz.  one  of  epistles  and  let- 
ters from  friends  and  others,  on  several  occasions,  to  me ;  the  other  of 
letters  of  mine  to  friends  and  others. 

I  wrote  also  a  book  of  the  types  and  figures  of  Christ,  with  their  signi- 
fications ;  and  many  other  things,  which  will  be  of  service  to  truth  and 
friends  in  time  to  come. 

I  took  notice  also  of  those  who  had  run  out  from  truth,  drawn  others 
out  after  them,  and  turned  against  truth  and  friends,  since  the  first  break- 
ing forth  of  truth  in  this  latter  age,  and  what  became  of  them ;  noting 
particularly  the  repentance  and  return  of  such  of  them  as  came  back  to 
truth  again.  Some  ran  quite  out,  and  never  returned,  but  were  cut  off 
in  their  gainsaying  and  rebellion ;  for  the  word  and  power  of  God  hath 


494       "^^SW"  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1676 

blasted,  and  is  blasting  them,  and  the  holy  seed  hath  ground,  and  is 
grinding  them  to  pieces.  I  have  observed  that  they,  who  have  been  con- 
vinced, and  have  not  lived  and  walked  in  the  truth,  have  been  the  worst 
enemies  to  the  truth,  and  done  most  hurt  amongst  friends  in  the  truth, 
and  to  others.  In  these  I  have  seen  fulfilled  what  the  Lord  did  long  since 
shew  me, '  That  such  would  be  greater  deceivers  than  all  the  priests  and 

•  pi-ofessors.'  For  such  as  came  as  far  as  Cain,  Balaam,  Corah,  and  Da- 
than,  who  could  '  preach  Christ,'  and  say,  '  They  had  preached  in  his 
'  name ;'  such  as  came  to  be  apostles,  and  had  tasted  of  the  power  of 
Clirist,  and  then  turned  from  it,  such  could  yet  speak  their  old  expe- 
riences, and  have  good  words  like  Corah  and  Balaam  ;  but  not  keeping 
in  the  life  and  truth,  they  deceived  the  hearts  of  the  simple.  Such  come 
to  be  of  the  devil,  who  abode  not  in  the  truth ;  as  Cain  and  all  the  Jews 
that  abode  not  in  the  truth  were.  For  though  Cain  did  sacrifice  to  God, 
and  did  talk  with  God,  and  the  Jews  could  talk  of  Abraham,  Moses,  and 
the  prophets,  yet  Christ  told  them,  '  They  were  of  their  father  the  devil.' 
In  like  manner,  though  those  called  Christians  can  talk  of  Christ,  and  use 
his  and  his  apostles'  and  disciples'  words,  yet  not  abiding  in  the  truth, 
power,  and  spirit  the  apostles  were  in,  they  are  of  the  devil,  out  of  truth, 
and  do  his  work.  So  are  all  those  that  have  been  convinced  of  God's 
eternal  truth  since  it  sprang  up  in  this  nation,  that  have  not  abode  in  the 
light,  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Christ  Jesus,  but  have  turned  against  the 
power,  and  have  opposed  the  work  thereof;  though  they  may  retain  their 
former  experiences,  and  be  able  to  speak  manj^  good  words,  yet  not  liv- 
ing in  the  life  and  power  that  gave  them  those  experiences,  they  live  in 
the  power  of  darkness,  which  is  of  the  devil ;  and  by  the  light  and  truth 
both  he  and  they  are  condenmed,  and  must  own  their  condemnation,  if 
ever  they  come  to  truth  again.  For  to  resist  the  heavenly  power,  and  to 
oppose  the  workings  and  divine  manifestations  thereof  through  any,  is 
not  a  light  matter.  And  as  I  had  been  moved  of  the  Lord  to  travel  in 
his  power  round  this  nation,  and  in  other  parts,  to  preach  the  everlasting 
gospel,  and  to  declare  the  word  of  life,  which  was  in  the  beginning, 
through  many  imprisonments,  hardships,  sufferings,  and  trials :  so  I  was 
afterwards  moved  to  travel  in  the  same  heavenly  power  about  the  nation 
again  (and  to  write  to  such  places  where  I  came  not)  to  recommend 
unto  friends  the  '  setting  up  of  the  quarterly  and  montlily  meetings  in  all 

*  counties,  for  looking  after  the  poor,  taking  care  for  orderly  proceed- 
'  ings  in  marriages,  and  other  matters  relating  to  the  church  of  Christ.' 
Though  some  meetings  for  this  end  were  settled  in  the  north  of  Eng- 
land in  the  year  1652. 

After  this  also,  truth  still  spreading  further  over  the  nation,  and  friends 
increasing  in  number,  I  was  moved  by  the  same  eternal  power  to  recom- 
mend the  setting  up  women's  meetings  also,  that  all,  both  male  and  fe- 
male, who  had  received  the  gospel,  the  word  of  eternal  life,  might  come 
into  the  order  of  the  gospel,  brought  forth  by  the  povv'er  of  God,  and 
might  act  for  God  in  the  power,  and  therein  do  business  and  service  for 
him  in  his  church.  All  the  faithful  must  labour  in  God's  vineyard ;  they 
being  his  hired  servants,  he  having  given  them  the  earnest  of  his  Spirit. 
For  a  master  that  hires  a  servant,  and  gives  him  the  earnest  of  his  hire, 
expects  he  should  do  his  work  after  he  knows  his  will,  in  the  outward 
creation ;  so  all  God's  people  that  are  of  the  new  creation,  and  have  re- 
ceived the  earnest  of  his  Spirit,  ought  to  labour  with,  by,  and  in  his 
Spirit,  power,  grace,  and  faith,  in  the  light,  in  God's  vineyard,  that  they 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  495 

may  have  their  wages  when  they  have  done  God's  work  and  business 
in  his  day,  which  is  eternal  life.  But  none  can  labour  in  his  vineyard, 
and  do  his  work  and  will,  but  as  they  walk  in  the  heavenly  divine  light, 
grace,  and  Spirit  of  Christ ;  which  hath  been,  and  is  my  travail  and  labour 
in  the  Lord  to  turn  all  to. 

Some  that  professed  truth,  and  had  made  a  great  shew  thereof,  being 
gone  from  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel  into  jangling,  division,  and  a  spirit 
of  separation,  endeavoured  to  discourage  friends,  especially  the  women, 
from  their  godly  care  and  watchfulness  in  the  church  over  one  another 
in  the  trutlT;  opposing  their  meetings,  which  in  the  power  of  the  Lord 
were  set  up  for  that  end  and  service.  Wherefore  I  v^^as  moved  of  the 
Lord  to  write  the  following  epistle,  and  send  it  among  friends,  for  the 
discovering  of  that  spirit  by  which  those  opposers  were  acted,  its  work 
and  way  by  which  it  wrought,  and  to  warn  friends  of  it,  that  they  might 
not  be  betrayed  by  it. 

'  All  my  dear  friends,  ^ 

*  Live  in  the  seed  of  peace,  Christ  Jesus,  in  whom  ye  have  Hfe.  That 
'  spirit,  which  comes  amongst  you  to  raise  up  strife,  is  out  of  Christ ;  for 
'  it  is  the  spirit  that  is  not  easy  to  be  intreated,  not  gentle,  so  not  of  the 
'  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  justified  of  her  children.  They  that  follow 
'  that  spirit  are  none  of  wisdom's  children.  There  is  a  spirit  that  hath 
'  made  a  separation,  and  has  been  against  men's  and  women's  meetings; 
"  yet  has  set  up  one  of  their  own,  which  they  have  given  power  to ;  and 
"  that  none  shall  sit  amongst  them  but  whom  they  give  power  to,  but 
"  shall  be  looked  upon  as  usurpers  of  authority."  This  spirit  and  its 
'  work  is  not  of  God,  though  it  has  made  a  jumble  amongst  some ;  and 
'  the  path  it  may  travel  in  is  through  the  earthly  affections,  amongst  the 
'  unestablished  or  apostates.  But  all  that  are  in  the  life,  spirit,  light,  grace 
'  truth,  and  power  of  God,  bar  it  out;  and  such  as  sit  under  their  own 
'  vine,  Christ  Jesus,  and  are  grafted  into  him,  have  no  need  of  their  ex- 
'  hortation  or  counsel;  for  the  true  believers  are  entered  into  their  rest. 
'  Therefore  all  keep  in  the  gospel  of  peace,  and  they  that  be  heirs  of  the 
'  kingdom  keep  your  possession  thereof. 

'  Some  of  this  spirit  have  said  to  me,  "  They  see  no  service  in  women's 
"  meetings."  My  answer  is,  and  hath  been  to  such,  If  they  be  blind  and 
'  w  ithout  sight,  they  shouJd  not  oppose  others ;  for  none  impose  any  thing 
'  upon  them.  God  never  received  the  blind  for  a  sacrifice,  neither  can 
'  his  people.  But  Christ  has  enlightened  all ;  and  to  as  many  as  receive 
'  him,  he  gives  "  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God."  Such  as  are  heirs 
'  of  his  power,  and  of  his  gospel,  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to 
'  light,  can  see  over  him  that  has  darkened  those ;  and  all  such  keep  the 
'  order  of  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  and  their  meetings  therein, 
'  which  preserves  them  in  life  and  immortality.  These  see  the  great  ser- 
'  vice  of  men's  and  v/omen's  meetings,  in  the  order  of  the  gospel,  the 
'  power  of  God ;  for  they  are  meet-helps  in  this  power,  which  is  the  au- 
'  thority  of  their  meetings.  I  say  to  all  you  that  be  against  men's  and 
'  women's  meetings,  who  say,  "  you  see  no  service  for  the  women's 
"  meetings,"  jind  oppose  them ;  you  are  therein  out  of  the  power  of  God, 
'  and  his  Spirit  you  live  not  in.  For  God  saw  a  service  for  the  assem- 
'  blies  of  the  women  in  the  time  of  the  law,  about  those  things  that  apper- 
'  tained  to  his  worship  and  service,  and  to  the  holy  things  of  his  taber- 
'  nacle :  and  they  in  his  Spirit  see  now  their  service  in  the  gospel,  many 


496  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

things  in  these  meetings  being  more  proper  for  the  women  than  the 
men;  and  they,  in  the  power  and  wisdom  of  God,  may  inform  the  men 
of  such  things  as  are  not  proper  for  them ;  and  the  men  may  inform  the 
women  of  such  things  as  are  not  proper  for  them,  as  meet-helps  to  each 
other.  For  in  the  time  of  the  law,  the  women  were  to  offer  as  well  as 
the  men ;  so  in  the  time  of  the  gospel  they  are  to  oifer  their  spiritual 
sacrifices ;  for  they  are  all  called,  both  men  and  women,  a  royal  priest- 
hood, the  household  of  faith,  the  living  stones,  that  make  up  the  spu'lt- 
ual  building,  which  Christ  is  the  head  of;  and  are  to  be  encouraged  in 
their  labour  in  the  gospel ;  for  all  things  that  both  men  and  women  do, 
are  to  be  done  in  the  power  of  God.  Such  as  see  no  service  for  these 
women's  meetings,  or  the  men's,  but  oppose  them,  and  make  strife 
among  friends,  are  in  the  spirit  of  the  world  that  is  against  and  forbids 
our  other  meetings,  in  the  same  spirit  that  hath  been  and  is  against 
women's  speaking  in  meetings,  and  say,  "  They  must  be  silent,"  &c. 
though  the  same  apostle  cominands,  "  That  men  should  keep  silence  as 
■  well  as  the  women,"  if  there  were  not  an  interpreter.  You  may  see 
the  spirit  of  the  world  hath  entered  such  opposers,  though  they  come 
under  another  colour ;  for  they  would  not  have  us  to  meet  at  all.  These 
are  against  women's  meetings,  and  some  of  them  against  men's  also, 
and  say,  "  They  see  no  service  for  them ;"  then  they  may  hold  their 
tongues,  and  not  oppose  them  that  do  see  their  service  for  God  in  these 
meetings. 

'  Therefore  all  you  that  feel  the  power  of  God,  and  your  service  for 
God  in  them,  both  men  and  women,  keep  your  meetings  in  the  power 
of  God,  the  authority  of  them,  as  they  were  settled  in  it;  then  ye  will 
be  preserved  both  over  this  spirit  that  opposes  them,  and  over  the  spirit 
of  the  world  that  opposes  your  other  meetings ;  for  it  is  all  one  in  the 
ground,  and  would  bring  you  into  bondage.  Such  as  are  out  of  the 
peaceable  gospel  oppose  its  order ;  and  out  of  the  faith  that  works  by 
love,  out  of  the  wisdom  that  is  gentle,  easy,  and  peaceable,  &;c.  and  out 
of  the  kingdom  that  stands  in  peace  and  joy.  Therefore  keep  over  that 
spirit  that  sows  discord  or  dissension,  and  would  draw  you  from  your 
habitation  and  possession  in  the  order  of  tlie  gospel ;  for  it  is  the  same 
spirit  that  deceived  Adam  and  Eve,  by  which  they  lost  their  habitation 
in  righteousness  and  holiness,  and  their  dominion ;  so  that  spirit  got 
over  them,  and  it  would  get  over  you.  One  while  it  will  tell  you,  "  It 
'  sees  no  service  for  your  meetings ;"  and  another  time  oppose  you.  But 
I  say,  this  is  the  blind  spirit  which  is  out  of  the  power  of  God,  and 
which  the  power  of  God  is  over.  Therefore  keep  in  the  power,  that  ye 
may  stand  for  your  liberty  in  Christ  Jesus,  males  and  females,  heirs  of 
him,  of  his  gospel,  and  his  order.  Stand  up  for  your  liberty  in  the  gos- 
pel, and  in  the  faith,  which  Christ  Jesus  hath  been  the  author  of;  for  if 
ye  lose  it,  and  let  another  spirit  get  over  you,  ye  will  not  soon  regain 
it.  I  knew  Satan  would  bestir  himself  in  his  instruments,  when  men's 
and  women's  meetings  came  to  be  set  up  in  the  power,  light,  and  truth, 
and  the  heirs  of  the  gospel  to  take  their  possession  of  it  in  every  county 
and  city,  therein  to  walk,  watch  over  one  another,  and  take  care  of 
God's  glory  and  honour,  and  his  precious  truth,  and  to  see  that  all  walk 
in  the  truth  as  becomes  the  gospel,  and  to  see  that  nothing  was  lack- 
ing ;  and  so  whatsoever  was  decent,  modest,  virtuous,  lov^ely,  comely, 
righteous,  and  of  good  report,  to  follow  after;  and  to  admonish  and  ex- 
hort all  that  were  not  faithful,  and  to  rebuke  all  that  did  evil.     I  knew 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  497 

'  this  would  give  such  a  check  to  all  loose  speakers,  talkers,  and  walkers, 
'  that  there  would  be  an  opposition  against  such  meetings.  But  heed  it 
'  not,  truth  will  come  over  them  all,  and  is  over  them  all,  and  faith  must 
'  have  the  victory ;  for  the  gospel  and  its  order  is  everlasting,  the  Seed 
'  (Christ)  is  the  beginning  and  the  ending,  and  will  outlast  all ;  the  Amen, 
'  in  whom  ye  have  peace.  I  say,  all  that  oppose  the  men's  and  women's 
'  meetings,  or  that  marriages  should  be  laid  before  them,  or  the  record- 
'  ing  of  condemnations  of  sin  and  evil,  or  admonishing  or  exhorting 
'  such  as  walk  not  in  the  truth,  are  of  a  loose  spirit,  and  their  spirits 
'  tend  to  looseness.  Let  those  take  them  that  will ;  truth  will  not  have 
'  them,  nor  any  of  their  sacrifice :  for  nothing  is  accepted  of  God  but 

*  what  is  done  in  truth,  and  in  his  Spirit,  which  is  peaceable.  The 
'  authority  of  our  men's  and  women's  meetings  is  the  power  of  God ; 
'  all  the  heirs  of  the  gospel  are  heirs  of  that  authority  and  dignity ;  this 

*  is  of  God,  and  shall  answer  the  witness  of  God  in  all.  The  greatest 
'  opposers  of  this  practice  and  work  are  such  as  have  been  convinced 
'  of  God's  truth,  but  have  not  lived  in  it.     Such  were  the  greatest  trou- 

*  biers  of  the  church  in  Moses's  day,  and  in  the  days  of  the  apostles ; 
'  but  mark  their  end,  and  read  what  became  of  them  all.  Therefore  all 
'  keep  your  habitation  in  the  truth,  and  therein  ye  may  see  what  became 
'  of  all  the  opposers  of  it  for  twenty  years  past :  they  are  all  gone,  and 
'  the  truth  lives  and  reigns ;  the  Seed  is  over  all,  and  all  are  one  in  it,  in 

*  rest,  peace,  and  life  everlasting ;  and  therein  they  sit  down  together 
'  in  the  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  5th  of  the 
'  8th  month,  1676.' 

While  I  was  at  Swarthmore,  died  William  Lampit,  priest  of  Ulver- 
stone  the  parish  that  Swarthmore  is  in.  He  was  an  old  deceiver,  and 
perverter  of  the  right  way  of  the  Lord,  and  a  persecutor  of  the  people 
of  God.  Much  contest  I  had  with  him  when  I  first  came  into  those 
parts.  He  had  been  an  old  false  prophet:  for  in  the  year  1652  he  pro- 
phesied (and  said  he  would  wage  his  life  upon  it)  '  that  the  Quakers 
'  would  all  vanish  and  come  to  nought  within  half  a  year :'  but  he  came 
to  nought  himself.  For  he  continued  in  his  false  accusing  of  God's  peo- 
ple till  a  little  before  he  died,  and  then  cried  for  a  little  rest.  To  one 
of  his  hearers,  that  came  to  visit  him  before  he  died,  he  said,  '  I  have 
'  been  a  preacher  a  long  time,  and  thought  I  had  lived  well ;  but  I  did 
'  not  think  it  had  been  so  hard  a  thing  to  die.' 

After  I  had  finished  the  services  which  lay  upon  me  then  to  do,  feel- 
ing my  spirit  drawn  towards  the  south,  though  I  was  but  weak,  and  not 
able  to  travel  far  in  a  day,  I  left  Swarthmore  the  twenty-sixth  of  the 
first  month  1677,  and  went  to  Thomas  Pearson's  at  Powbank  in  West- 
moreland, where  I  had  a  meeting  the  next  day ;  and  from  thence  to 
Thomas  Camm's  at  Camm's-gill,  whither  Robert  Widders,  with  his  wife 
and  several  other  friends  came  to  see  me  before  I  left  the  country,  and 
to  attend  the  meeting  there  the  next  day,  which  was  very  large,  and  in 
which  I  was  largely  drawn  forth  in  testimony  to  the  truth.  I  had  much 
discourse  with  some  of  that  meeting,  who  were  not  in  unity  with  the 
quarterly  meeting  they  belonged  to;  but  afterwards  several  of  them, 
that  were  somewhat  tender,  came  to  see  their  error,  and  gave  forth 
condemnations  against  themselves.  Next  day  John  Blaykling  came  to 
Thomas  Camm's,  to  bring  me  to  his  house  at  Drawell  in  Sedberg  in 

3N 


498  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

Yorkshire ;  whither  I  went  with  him,  visiting  friends  in  the  way.  I  staid 
at  Drawell  two  or  three  nights,  having  meetings  there  and  thereabouts : 
for  while  I  was  there,  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  were  held, 
which  were  very  large  and  precious.  The  first-day  following  I  had  a 
meeting  at  Brigflats,  to  which  most  of  the  friends  from  the  several 
meetings  round,  with  a  great  concourse  of  other  people,  came ;  it  was 
thought  there  were  five  or  six  hundred  people.  A  very  good  meeting  it 
was,  wherein  truth  was  largely  declared  and  preciously  opened,  to  the 
comforting  and  refreshing  the  faithful,  and  the  drawing  near  them  that 
were  afar  off.  I  had  another  meeting  at  John  Blaykling's,  where  came 
many  friends  that  were  going  to  the  quarterly  meeting  at  Kendal :  with 
them  my  wife  went  back  (who  with  her  daughter  Rachel  had  accompa- 
nied me  thus  far ;)  and  I,  having  Leonard  Fell  with  me,  passed  through 
Sedberg  and  Garsdale  into  Wensydale,  visiting  friends  as  we  went.  At 
night  I  reached  Richard  Robinson's  at  Counterside,  where  several 
friends  came  to  me  that  evening ;  some  of  whom  went  with  me  next 
day  to  the  widow  Tenant's  at  Scarhouse  in  Langstroth-dale,  whither  we 
had  much  ado  to  get,  the  snow  lay  so  deep,  though  it  was  a  week  in  the 
second  month.  Here  on  first-day  we  had  a  large  meeting,  friends 
coming  to  it  from  several  parts  round  about ;  and  the  Lord  gave  me  a 
very  seasonable  testimony  to  bear  amongst  them,  which  I  did  for  seve- 
ral hours,  to  their  great  satisfaction  and  comfort.  Thence  passing 
through  Bishopsdale,  Mildum,  Barton,  and  by  Bedal  and  Northallerton, 
I  came  to  George  Robinson's  at  Burrowby,  where  also  friends  coming 
from  several  parts,  we  had  a  very  large  and  good  meeting,  and  very 
peaceable.  Not  long  after,  an  envious  justice,  hearing  I  had  a  great 
meeting  there,  troubled  friends  about  it,  and  made  them  appear  at  the 
sessions,  where  he  asked  them  many  ensnaring  questions ;  for  he  knew 
not  how  to  convict  them,  because  he  had  no  proof  against  them.  When 
he  saw  his  questions  did  not  catch  them ;  he  told  them,  '  He  had  heard 

*  that  George  Fox  was  at  a  large  meeting  with  them,  and  they  all  sat 

*  silent,  and  none  spoke  in  the  meeting.'  This  false  story  he  cunningly 
feigned,  thinking  thereby  to  have  drawn  some  of  the  friends  to  have 
contradicted  him,  and  have  said, '  That  I  had  spoke  in  the  meeting;' 
that  he  might  have  convicted  them  upon  their  own  confession,  and  have 
fined  them.  But  friends  standing  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  did  not  answer 
him  according  to  his  desire,  and  so  escaped  his  snare.  But  two  friends 
that  came  out  of  Ireland  having  a  meeting  that  evening  about  three 
miles  off",  this  evil-minded  justice  got  information  thereof,  and  fined 
friends,  and  plundered  them  very  sorely  for  it. 

I  went  from  Burrowby  to  Isaac  Lindley's,  calHng  upon  friends  as  I 
went.  Robert  Lodge,  and  some  friends  with  me,  next  day  passed  to 
York ;  and  the  day  following,  being  first-day,  I  was  at  friends'  meeting 
at  York,  which  was  large  and  peaceable.  The  second  day  also  I  staid 
in  York,  and  had  two  meetings  with  friends  at  John  Taylor's,  from 
whence  I  wrote  to  my  wife,  as  followeth : 

*  Dear  heart, 
'  To  whom  is  my  love,  and  to  thy  daughters,  and  all  friends  that  in- 

*  quire  after  me.  My  desires  are,  that  ye  all  may  be  preserved  in  the 
'  Lord's  everlasting  Seed,  in  whom  ye  will  have  life  and  peace,  domin- 
'  ion,  and  settlement  in  the  everlasting  home  or  dwelling,  in  the  house 

*  built  upon  the  foundation  of  God.     In  the  power  of  the  Lord  I  am 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  499 

'  brought  to  York,  having  had  many  meetings  in  the  way.     The  way 

*  was  many  times  deep  and  bad  with  snow,  our  horses  sometimes  were 
'  down,  and  we  were  not  able  to  ride  ;  sometimes  we  had  great  storms 

*  and  rain,  but  by  the  power  of  the  Lord  I  went  through  all.     At  Scar- 

*  house  was  a  very  large  meeting,  and  another  at  Burrowby,  to  which 

*  friends  came  out  of  Cleveland  and  Bishoprick ;  and  many  other  meet- 
'  ings  we  have  had.  At  York  yesterday  we  had  a  very  large  meeting, 
'  exceedingly  thronged,  friends  being  at  it  from  many  parts,  and  all  quiet, 

*  and  friends  well  satisfied :  Oh !  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shined  over  all. 

*  This  day  we  had  a  large  men's  and  women's  meeting,  many  friends, 
'  both  men  and  women,  and  all  was  quiet.     This  evening  we  are  to 

*  have  the  men's  and  women's  meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  city.  John 
'  Whitehead  is  here,  with  Robert  Lodge  and  others :  friends  are  mighty 
'  glad,  above  measure.  So  I  am  in  my  holy  element,  and  holy  work  in 
'  the  Lord ;  glory  to  his  name  for  ever  !  To-morrow  I  intend  to  go  out 
'  of  the  city  towards  Tadcaster,  though  I  cannot  ride  as  in  days  past ; 
'  yet  praised  be  the  Loi'd  that  I  can  travel  so  well  as  I  do  !    So  my  love 

*  in  the  Fountain  of  Life,  in  which  as  ye  all  abide  ye  will  have  the  re- 

*  freshment  of  life ;  that  by  it  ye  may  grow,  and  gather  eternal  strength 
'  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  be  satisfied.  To  the  God  of  all  power,  who  is 
'  all-sufficient  to  preserve  you,  I  commit  you  all  to  his  ordering. 

G.  F.' 
'  York,  the  16th  of  the  second 
'month,  1677.' 

Leaving  York,  I  visited  friends  at  Tadcaster,  Nottingly,  Doncaster, 
and  Balby,  having  meetings  as  I  went.  At  Balby  I  staid  the  first-day 
meeting,  and  went  next  day  to  Thomas  Stacy's  at  Ballowfield,  where  in 
the  evening  I  had  a  meeting,  to  compose  a  difference  that  had  happened 
between  some  that  professed  truth,  and  they  were  reconciled.  Next 
day  I  came  to  Stainsby  in  Derbyshire,  in  which  county  I  had  formerly 
lived,  about  the  first  breaking  forth  of  truth.  Here  I  had  a  good  meet- 
ing with  friends,  and  afterwards  passed  to  Skegby  in  Nottinghamshire, 
and  from  thence  to  Nottingham,  to  John  Reckless's.  I  had  a  meeting 
with  friends  at  his  house  that  evening,  and  another  the  next  day  in 
friends'  pubhck  meeting-house,  which  was  peaceable  and  well. 

I  went  the  day  following  to  John  Fox's  at  Wymeswould  in  Leices- 
tershire, where  I  had  a  meeting  that  evening :  and  next  day  to  William 
Smith's  at  Sileby,  where,  it  being  first-day,  we  had  a  very  large  meet- 
ing :  for  besides  friends  from  several  places,  many  of  the  town's-people, 
hearing  I  was  there,  came  to  the  meeting,  and  heard  the  truth  declared 
gladly.  Next  day  I  went  to  Leicester,  where  finding  many  friends 
come  out  of  the  country  to  be  at  the  horse-fair  next  day,  I  had  a  very 
good  meeting  with  them  that  night,  and  another  next  evening  at  William 
Wells's  at  Knighton,  about  a  mile  from  Leicester.  Next  da}^  I  passed  to 
Swanington,  and  had  a  meeting  there:  from  thence  to  Samuel  Fret- 
well's  at  Hartshorn  in  Derbyshire,  where  I  had  a  meeting  also ;  then  to 
Henry  Sidon's  at  Badgely  in  Warwickshire,  and  staid  the  meeting  there, 
which,  being  the  first-day,  was  very  large  and  peaceable,  notwithstand- 
ing a  justice  had  threatened  to  come  and  break  it  up.  I  went  in  the 
evening  to  Richard  Baal's  of  Whittington,  where  several  friends  came 
to  visit  me.  Next  day  I  went  to  Nathaniel  Newton's  at  Hartshill, 
where  several  friends  met  me,  with  whom  I  had  good  service.  After  this 


500  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

I  passed  on,  visiting  friends  in  divers  places,  till  I  came  to  Dingley,  where 
a  meeting  was  appointed  before,  which  was  very  numerous,  and  truth  was 
largely  opened  to  the  people:  the  meeting  was  peaceable,  and  the  people 
generally  sober;  saving  that,  while  I  was  shewing  how  Christendom  (so 
called)  was  gone  from  the  pure  religion  that  is  undefiled,  &c.  a  man  rush- 
ed out  in  a  furious  manner,  and  said,  '  I  deny  that.'  After  this  meeting,  I 
went  with  Thomas  Charles  to  his  house  at  Adingworth ;  and  next  day  to 
Northampton,  where  I  staid  the  first-day  meeting,  which  was  very  large 
and  peaceable.  I  had  much  service  among  friends  besides.  Next  day  Ed- 
ward Cooper  of  Northampton  accompanied  me  to  Olney  in  Bucking- 
hamshire, where  I  staid  at  James  Brierlie's,  several  friends  coming  to 
see  me  in  the  evening.  Next  day  I  went  to  a  meeting  at  Turry  in  Bed- 
fordshire, to  which  friends  came  from  several  parts.  It  was  a  very 
large  meeting.  Here  I  met  with  William  Dewsberry,  who  after  the 
meeting  took  me  to  his  son-in-law  John  Rush's  of  Kempston,  where  I 
staid  with  William  that  night  and  most  of  the  next  day ;  passing  thence 
towards  the  evening  through  Ampthiil  to  Thomas  Gamboll's  of  Bullocks 
hill.  William  Dewsberry  went  along  with  me,  and  several  friends 
came  to  visit  us.  Next  day,  passing  through  Luton,  I  went  to  Market- 
street,  William  Dewsberry  accompanying  me  part  of  the  way,  and  the 
day  following  Leonard  Fell.  I  had  a  meeting  at  Kensworth,  which 
was  pretty  large  and  peaceable ;  after  which  we  visited  friends  at  Al- 
ban's,  and  next  day  at  South  Mims  and  Barnet.  We  came  that  night  to 
the  widow  Haly's  at  Guttershedge  in  Hendon,  Middlesex.  Next  day, 
being  first-day,  we  had  a  very  large  meeting  there,  several  friends 
coming  from  London.  I  staid  second-day,  and  the  third  went  to  Wil- 
liam Mead's  house  at  Highgate,  with  whom  next  day  I  went  to  London. 
It  being  fourth-day,  I  went  to  the  meeting  at  Gracechurch-street,  where 
friends  and  I  were  greatly  refreshed  in  each  other  in  the  Lord,  and  the 
Lord's  power  and  Seed  was  set  over  all ;  blessed  be  his  name  for  ever ! 

Thus  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bring  me  safe  to  London,  tho'  much 
wearied ;  for  tho'  I  rode  not  very  far  in  a  day,  yet  thro'  weakness  of 
body,  continual  traveUing  was  hard  to  me.  Besides,  I  had  not  much  rest 
a-nights  to  refresh  nature,  for  I  often  sat  up  late  with  friends  where  I 
lodged,  to  inform  and  advise  them  in  things  wherein  they  were  wanting ; 
and  when  I  was  in  bed,  I  was  often  hindered  of  sleep  by  great  pains  in 
my  head  and  teeth,  occasioned,  as  I  thought,  by  cold  I  had  taken  by 
riding  often  in  the  rain.  But  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  car- 
ried me  through  all,  to  his  praise. 

In  my  journey  I  observed  a  slackness  and  shortness  in  some  that  pro- 
fessed truth,  in  keeping  up  the  ancient  testimony  of  truth  against  tythes ; 
for  where-ever  that  spirit  got  entrance  which  wrought  division  in  the 
church,  and  opposed  the  men's  and  women's  meetings,  it  weakened  those 
that  received  it  in  their  testimony  against  tythes.  Wherefore  I  was 
moved  of  the  Lord  to  give  forth  an  '  Epistle  to  friends,'  to  stir  up  the 
pure  mind  in  them,  and  to  encourage  and  strengthen  them  in  their  chris- 
tian testimony  against  that  antichristian  yoke  of  oppression. 


*  My  dear  friends, 
*  Be  faithful  to  the  Lord  in  your  testimony  for  Jesus,  who  hath  ended 
*  the  levitical  priesthood  of  Aaron  that  took  tythes,  and  sent  his  ministers 

' "     " ^ag 

ide 


*  the  levitical  priesthood  ot  Aaron  that  took  tythes,  and  sent  his  ministei 

*  to  give  freely  that  which  they  had  received  of  him  freely,  without  a  ba 

*  or  a  stafll    Christ's  disciples  could  not  join  with  those  that  made  a  trad 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  501 

'  of  preaching.     And  as  there  was  a  testimony  to  be  borne  against  those 

*  tythes  which  were  commanded  in  the  law  for  Levi  and  Aaron,  so  there 
'  is  a  testimony  to  be  borne  against  those  tythes  which  have  been  set  up 

*  by  man  in  the  dark  time  of  popery,  and  not  set  up  by  God  nor  Christ. 
'  To  cry  against  the  priests  in  words,  and  yet  to  give  them  means,  and 

*  put  into  their  mouths,  that  they  may  not  prepare  war  against  you,  is  a 
'  contradiction.     TheTrefore  take  heed :  for  if  the  Lord  bless  you  with 

*  outward  creatures,  and  you  bestow  them  upon  Baal's  priests,  he  may 
'  justly  require  the  outward  things  from  you  again  which  he  hath  given 

*  you ;  who  saith,  That  his  ministers  should  freely  give,  as  they  have 

*  freely  received.     So  all  the  preachers  for  tythes  and  money,  and  the 

*  takers  and  payers  of  tythe,  must  be  testified  against  in  the  Lord's  power 

*  and  Spirit;  that  all  may  stand  up  in  their  testimony  for  Jesus  Christ,  in 
-'  his  power  and  Spirit,  against  the  tythe-mongers.     Consider  how  many 

*  faithful  servants  and  valiants  of  the  Lord  have  laid  down  their  lives 
'  against  them,  in  this  day  of  the  Lord ;  and  in  the  days  of  the  martyrs 

*  they  did  witness  against  them.     Consider  also  what  judgments  have 

*  come  upon  those  that  spoiled  friends'  goods,  and  cast  them  into  prison 
^  for  tythes  and  maintenance.     Therefore  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  main- 

*  tain  the  war  against  the  beast,  and  do  not  put  into  his  mouth,  lest  he 
^  cry  peace  to  you ;  which  peace  you  must  not  receive,  but  it  must  be 

*  broken  and  thrown  out  by  the  Spirit  of  God.     Then  in  the  same  Spirit 

*  ye  will  receive  the  peace  from  the  Son  of  peace,  which  the  beast,  the 

*  whore,  and  the  world,  with  all  their  earthly  teachers  for  the  earth, 
*■  made  by  man,  cannot  receive  nor  bereave  you  of.     Therefore  keep 

*  your  authority  and  dominion  in  the  power,  Spirit,  and  name  of  Jesus, 
*■  in  whom  is  my  love  to  you.  G.  F.' 

'  3d  month,  1677.'  ^ 

I  came  to  London  ten  or  twelve  days  before  the  yearly  meeting :  in 
which  time  I  fell  in  with  friends  there  in  the  service  of  truth,  visiting 
them  at  the  meetings.  The  parliament  then  sitting,  we  prepared  some- 
thing to  lay  before  them,  concerning  seizing  the  third  part  of  friends'  es- 
tates, as  Popish  recusants ;  which  was  a  great  suffering,  and  a  grievance 
we  complained  of;  but  no  redress  we  got. 

To  the  yearly  meeting  many  friends  came  from  most  parts  of  the  na- 
tion, and  some  out  of  Scotland,  Holland,  &c.  Very  glorious  meetings 
we  had,  wherein  the  Lord's  powerful  presence  was  very  largely  felt,  and 
the  affairs  of  truth  were  sweetly  carried  on  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  to 
the  satisfaction  and  comfort  of  the  upright-hearted ;  blessed  be  the  Lord 
for  ever !  After  the  yearly  meeting,  having  staid  a  week  or  two  with 
friends  in  London,  I  went  with  William  Penn  to  his  house  in  Sussex ; 
John  Burnyeate  and  some  other  friends  being  with  us.  As  we  passed 
through  Surry,  hearing  the  quarterly  meeting  for  the  county  was  that 
day,  William  Penn,  John  Burnyeate  and  I  went  from  the  road  to  it;  and 
after  the  meeting  returning  to  our  other  company,  went  with  them  to 
William  Penn's  that  night,  which  is  forty  miles  from  London.  I  staid  at 
Worminghurst  about  three  weeks,  in  which  time  John  Burnyeate  and  I 
answered  a  very  wicked  and  envious  book,  which  Roger  Williams,  a 
priest  of  New-England  (or  some  colony  thereabouts)  had  written  against 
truth  and  friends.  When  we  had  finished  that  service,  we  went  with 
Stephen  Smith  to  his  house  at  Warpledon  in  Surry,  where  we  had  a  large 
meeting.     Friends  thereaway  had  been  exceedingly  plundered  about  two 


502  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  (IGTt 

months  before  on  the  priest's  account ;  for  they  took  from  Stephen  Smith 
five  kine,  being  all  he  had,  for  about  fifty  shillings  tythes.  From  thence 
we  went  to  Kingston,  and  so  to  London,  where  I  staid  not  long :  for  it 
was  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  go  into  Holland,  to  visit  friends  and  to 
preach  the  gospel  there  and  in  some  parts  of  Germany.  Wherefore  set- 
ting things  in  order  for  my  journey  as  fast  as  I  could,  I  took  leave  of 
friends  at  London,  and  with  several  other  friends  went  down  to  Colches- 
ter in  Essex,  in  order  to  my  passage  for  Holland.  Next  day,  being  first- 
day,  I  was  at  the  publick  meeting  of  friends  there,  which  was  very  large 
and  peaceable.  In  the  evening  I  had  another  large  meeting,  but  not  so 
publick,  at  John  Furly's  house,  where  I  lodged.  The  day  following  was 
the  women's  meeting,  which  was  also  very  large.  Next  day  we  passed 
to  Harwich,  where  Robert  Duncon,  and  several  other  friends  came  to 
see  us ;  and  some  from  London  that  intended  to  go  over  with  me.  The 
packet-boat  not  being  ready,  we  went  to  the  meeting  in  the  town,  and  a 
precious  opportunity  we  had  together;  for  the  Lord,  according  to  his 
wonted  goodness,  by  his  overcoming,  refreshing  power,  opened  many 
mouths  to  declare  his  everlasting  truth,  and  to  praise  and  glorify  him. 
After  the  meeting,  we  returned  to  John  Vandewall's,  where  I  had  lodg- 
ed ;  and  when  the  boat  was  ready,  taking  leave  of  friends,  we  that  were 
bound  for  Holland  went  on  board  about  the  9th  hour  in  the  evening,  the 
25th  of  the  5th  month,  1677. 

The  friends  that  went  over  with  me  were  William  Penn,  Robert  Bar- 
clay, George  Keith  and  his  wife,  John  Furly  and  his  brother,  WilUani 
Tailcoat,  George  Watts,  and  Isabel  Yeomans,  one  of  my  wife's  daugh- 
ters. About  the  first  hour  in  the  morning  we  weighed  anchor,  having  a 
fair,  brisk  wind,  which  by  the  next  morning  brought  us  within  sight  of 
Holland.  But  that  day  proving  very  clear  and  calm,  we  got  forwara 
but  little  till  about  the  fourth  hour  in  the  afternoon,  when  a  fresh  gale 
arose,  which  carried  us  within  a  league  of  land.  Then  being  becalmed, 
we  cast  anchor  for  that  night  between  the  hours  of  nine  and  ten  in  the 
evening.  But  William  Penn  and  Robert  Barclay,  understanding  Benja- 
min Furly  was  come  from  Rotterdam  to  the  Briel  to  meet  us,  got  two 
of  the  boatmen  to  let  down  a  small  boat  that  belonged  to  the  packet,  and 
row  them  to  shore :  but  before  they  could  reach  it,  the  gates  were  shut ; 
and  there  being  no  house  without  the  gate,  they  v^^ere  fain  to  lie  in  a  fish- 
er's boat  all  night.  As  soon  as  the  gates  were  opened  in  the  morning, 
they  went  in,  and  found  Benjamin  Furly,  with  other  friends  of  Rotter- 
dam, come  to  receive  us ;  and  they  sent  a  boat,  with  three  young  men 
in  it,  that  lived  with  Benjamin  Furly,  who  brought  us  to  the  Briel,  where 
the  friends  received  us  with  great  gladness. 

We  staid  about  two  hours  to  refresh  ourselves ;  and  then  took  boat, 
with  the  Holland  friends,  for  Rotterdam,  where  we  arrived  about  the 
eleventh  hour  that  day,  the  28th  of  the  fifth  month,  1677.  I  was  very 
well  this  voyage,  but  soine  of  the  friends  w^ere  sea-sick.  A  fine  passage 
we  had,  and  all  came  safe  and  well  to  land ;  blessed  and  praised  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord  for  ever ! 

The  next  day,  being  first-day,  we  had  two  meetings  at  Benjamin 
Furly's,  where  many  of  the  town's-people  and  some  olficers  came  in, 
and  all  were  civil  Benjamin  Furly  or  John  Clans  interpreted,  when 
any  friend  declared.  I  spent  the  next  day  in  visiting  friends.  The  day 
following,  William  Penn  and  I,  with  other  friends,  went  towards  Amster- 
dam, with  some  of  that  city,  who  came  to  Rotterdam  to  conduct  us 


.BW]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  503 

thither.  We  took  boat  in  the  afternoon,  and,  passing  by  Overkirk,  came 
to  Delft,  through  which  we  walked  on  foot ;  and  then  took  boat  again  to 
Leyden,  where  we  lodged  that  night  at  an  inn.  This  is  counted  six 
Dutch  miles  from  Rotterdam,  which  are  eighteen  EngHsh  miles,  and  five 
hours'  sail,  or  travelling ;  for  our  boat  was  drawn  by  an  horse  that  went 
on  the  shore.  Next  day  taking  boat  again,  we  went  to  Harlem,  fourteen 
miles  from  Leyden,  where  we  had  appointed  a  meeting,  which  proved 
very  large.  Many  of  the  town's-people  came  in,  and  two  of  their  preach- 
ers. The  Lord  gave  us  a  blessed  opportunity,  not  only  with  respect  to 
friends,  but  to  other  sober  people,  and  the  meeting  ended  peaceably  and 
well.  After  meeting  we  passed  to  Amsterdam,  accompanied  by  several 
friends  of  that  city  and  of  Alkmaer. 

Next  day  was  the  quarterly  meeting  at  Amsterdam,  to  which  came 
friends  from  Harlem,  and  Rotterdam,  and  with  them  those  of  our  com- 
pany, whom  we  had  left  at  Rotterdam,  viz.  Robert  Barclay,  George 
Keith  and  his  wife,  &c.  The  meeting  was  at  Gertrude  Dirick  Nieson's. 
A  very  large  and  serviceable  meeting  it  was.  William  Penn  and  I  were 
drawn  to  open  many  things  concerning  the  order  of  the  gospel,  and  to 
shew  the  benefit  and  service  of  yearly,  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings 
of  men  and  women.  We  had  another  meeting  at  Gertrude's  the  next 
day,  more  publick,  and  very  large,  at  which  were  professors  of  several 
sorts,  unto  whom  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  was  largely  and  livingly 
opened ;  which  they  hearkened  very  attentively  to,  none  making  any  ob- 
jection to  what  was  declared.  In  the  afternoon  we  had  another  meeting 
in  the  same  place,  but  less,  and  more  private.  The  day  following  we 
had  a  meeting  of  friends  only,  wherein  by  joint  agreement  were  settled 
several  meetings,  to  wit,  monthly,  quarterly,  and  a  yearly  meeting,  to  be 
held  at  Amsterdam  for  friends  in  all  the  United  Provinces  of  Holland, 
and  in  Embden,  the  Palatinate,  Hamburgh,  Frederickstadt,  Dantzick, 
and  other  places  in  and  about  Germany ;  w-hich  friends  were  very  glad 
of,  and  it  hath  been  of  great  service  to  truth. 

Next  day  an  exercise  came  upon  me  concerning  that  deceitful  spirit 
which  wrought  in  some  to  make  divisions  in  the  church,  and  the  care  of 
the  churches  being  upon  me,  I  was  moved  to  write  a  few  lines  to  warn 
friends  of  it,  as  followeth : 

'  All  friends,  keep  over  that  spirit  of  separation  and  division,  in  the 
'  peaceable  truth,  and  in  the  Seed  of  life,  which  will  wear  it  all  out,  and 
'  outlast  it.  For  the  Lamb  will  have  the  victory  over  all  the  spirits  of 
'  strife,  as  it  hath  had  since  the  beginning ;  and  they  will  wither,  as  others 

*  have  done :  but  all  that  keep  in  the  Seed,  which  is  always  green,  shall 

*  never  wither ;  as  friends  have  been  to  this  day  kept.  If  any  have  back- 

*  slidden,  thrown  off  the  cross,  grown  loose  and  full,  and  gone  into  strife 
'  and  contention  with  their  earthly  spirits,  and  therein  plead  for  liberty, 

*  this  spirit  taketh  with  loose,  earthly  spirits,  and  cries  imposition  to  such 

*  as  admonish  them  to  come  to  the  life,  light.  Spirit,  and  power  of  God, 
'  that  they  may  be  made  alive,  and  live  again  with  the  living.  Upon  this 
'  admonition  their  spirits  rise  into  contention,  strife,  and  separation,  turn- 

*  ing  against  the  living,  in  their  loose  earthly  spirits,  which  would  have 

*  the  name  of  truth,  but  are  not  in  the  nature  of  it,  but  are  for  eternal 

*  judgment  of  the  living  Seed.  This  is  it  which  doth  deceive,  but  it  is 
'judged  by  that  which  doth  undeceive  and  save.  G.  F.' 

*  Amsterdam  in  Holland,  the  5th 
♦  of  the  6th  month,  1677.' 


§04  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  pffTT 

This  being  first-day,  we  had  a  very  large  meeting,  there  coming  to  it 
a  great  concourse  of  people  of  several  opinions,  Baptists,  Seekers,  So- 
cinians,  Brownists,  and  some  of  the  Collegians.  Robert  Barclay,  George 
Keith,  William  Penn  and  I,  did  all  severally  declare  the  everlasting  tnath 
among  them ;  opening  the  state  of  man  in  the  fall,  and  shewing  by  what 
way  man  and  woman  may  come  into  the  restoration  by  Christ  Jesus, 
The  mystery  of  iniquity  and  the  mystery  of  godliness  were  very  plainly 
laid  open,  and  the  meeting  ended  quietly  and  well. 

The  day  following,  George  Keith,  Robert  Barclay,  and  William  Penn^ 
leaving  me  and  some  other  friends  at  Amsterdam,  set  forward  towards 
Germany,  where  they  travelled  many  hundred  miles,  and  had  good  ser- 
vice for  the  Lord,  Benjamin  Furly  going  with  them,  and  interpreting. 

That  day  and  the  next  I  staid  at  Amsterdam,  visiting  friends,  and  as- 
sisting them  in  some  business  concerning  their  meetings.  Three  Bap- 
tists came  to  discourse  with  me,  to  whom  I  opened  things  to  their  satis- 
faction, and  they  parted  from  me  in  kindness.  I  wrote  a  letter  also  to 
the  princess  Elizabeth,  which  Isabel  Yeomans  delivered  to  her,  when 
George  Keith's  wife  and  she  went  to  visit  her. 

*  Princess  Elizabeth; 
'  I  HAVE  heard  of  thy  tenderness  towards  the  Lord  and  his  holy  truths 

*  by  some  friends  that  have  visited  thee,  and  also  by  some  of  thy  letters, 

*  which  I  have  seen ;  which  indeed  is  a  great  thing,  for  a  person  of  thy 
'  quality  to  have  such  a  tender  mind  after  the  Lord  and  his  precious  truth,. 

*  seeing  so  many  are  swallowed  up  with  voluptuousness,  and  the  plea- 

*  sures  of  this  world ;  yet  all  make  an  outward  profession  of  God  and 

*  Christ  one  way  or  other,  but  without  any  deep  inward  sense  and  feel- 

*  ing  of  him.  For  it  is  not  many  mighty  nor  wise  of  the  world  that  can 
'become  fools  for  Christ's  sake,  or  can  become  low  in  the  humility  of 
'  Christ  Jesus  from  their  mighty  state,  through  which  they  might  receive 
'  a  mightier  estate,  and  a  mightier  kingdom,  through  the  inward  holy 
'  Spirit,  the  divine  light  and  power  of  God ;  and  a  mightier  wisdom, 
'  which  is  from  above,  pure  and  peaceable :  which  wisdom  is  above  that 
'  which  is  below,  that  is  earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish,  by  which  men  de- 
'  stroy  one  another  about  their  religions,  ways,  worships,  and  churches : 

*  but  this  they  have  not  from  God  nor  Christ.  The  wisdom  which  is  from 
'  above,  by  which  all  things  were  made  and  created,  which  the  holy  fear 
'  of  God  in  the  heart  is  the  beginning  of,  keeps  the  heart  clean.  By  this 
'  wisdom  are  all  God's  children  to  be  ordered,  and  with  it  come  to  order 
'  all  things  to  God's  glory.  This  is  the  wisdom  that  is  justified  of  her 
'  children.  In  this  fear  of  God  and  wisdom,  my  desire  is,  that  thou  may- 
'  est  be  preserved  to  God's  glory.  For  the  Lord  is  come  to  teach  his 
'  people  himself,  and  to  set  up  his  ensign,  that  the  nations  may  flow  unto 
'  it.  There  hath  been  an  apostacy,  since  the  apostles'  days,  from  the  di- 
'  vine  light  of  Christ,  which  should  have  given  them  the  "  light  of  the 
"  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Christ  Jesus ;"  and  from 
'  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  would  have  led  them  into  all  truth ;  and  there- 
'  fore  have  people  set  up  so  many  leaders  without  them,  to  give  them 
'  knowledge ;  and  also  from  the  holy  and  precious  faith  which  Jesus 
'  Christ  is  the  author  and  finisher  of,  which  faith  purifies  the  heart,  and 
'  gives  victory  over  that  which  separates  from  God ;  through  which  faith 
'  they  have  access  to  God,  and  in  which  faith  they  please  God,  the  mys- 
'  tery  of  which  is  held  in  a  pure  conscience.     And  also  from  the  gospel 


j«771  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  505 

'which  was  preached  in  the  apostles'  days  (which  gospel  is  the  power 

*  of  God)  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light  in  man  and  woman, 
'  by  which  people  should  have  seen  over  the  devil  that  has  darkened 
'  them ;  which  gospel  will  preserve  all  them  that  receive  it  in  life  and  im- 
^  mortality.     For  the  eyes  of  people  have  been  after  men,  and  not  after 

*  the  Lord,  who  doth  write  his  law  in  the  hearts,  and  puts  it  into  the 

*  minds  of  all  the  children  of  the  new  covenant  of  light,  life,  and  grace ; 
'  thi'ough  which  they  all  come  to  know  the  Lord,  from  the  least  to  the 
'greatest:  so  that  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  may  cover  the  earth,  as 
'  the  waters  do  the  sea.  This  w^ork  of  the  Lord  is  beginning  agqin,  as 
'  it  was  in  the  apostles'  days ;  people  shall  come  to  receive  an  unction  in 

*  them  from  the  Holy  One,  by  which  they  shall  know  all  things,  and  shall 
'  not  need  any  man  to  teach  them,  but  as  the  anointing  doth  teach  them ; 
'  and  also  to  know  what  the  righteousness  of  faith  speaks,  the  word  nigh 
'  in  the  heart  and  mouth  to  obey  it,  and  to  do  it.  This  was  the  word  of 
'  faith  the  apostles  preached  ;  which  is  now  received  and  preached  again, 

*  and  is  the  duty  of  all  true  Christians  to  receive.  So  now  people  are 
'  coming  out  of  the  apostacy,  to  the  light  of  Christ  and  his  Spirit ;  to  re- 

*  ceive  faith  from  him,  and  not  from  men ;  to  receive  the  gospel  from 
'  him,  their  unction  from  him,  the  Word ;  and  as  they  receive  him,  they 

*  declare  him  freely,  as  his  command  was  to  his  disciples,  and  is  still  to 
'  the  learners  and  receivers  of  him.  For  the  Lord  God  and  his  Son  Jesus 
'  Christ  is  come  to  teach  his  people,  and  to  bring  them  from  all  the  world's 
'  ways  to  Christ  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  hfe,  who  is  the  way  to  the 
'  Father ;  and  from  all  the  world's  teachers  and  speakers,  to  him  the 

*  speaker  and  teacher,  as  Heb.  i.  1.  and  from  all  the  world's  worshippers, 
'  to  worship  God  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the  truth,  which  worship  Christ  set 
'  up  above  sixteen  hundred  years  ago,  when  he  put  down  the  Jews'  wor- 

*  ship  at  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  and  the  worship  at  the  mountain  where 

*  Jacob's  well  was ;  and  to  bring  people  from  all  the  world's  religions, 

*  which  they  have  made  since  the  apostles'  days,  to  the  religion  that  was 
'set  up  by  Christ  and  his  apostles,  which  is  pure  and  undefiled  before 

*  God,  and  keeps  from  the  spots  of  the  world  ;  and  to  bring  them  out  of 
'  all  the  world's  churches  and  fellowships,  made  and  set  up  since  the  apos- 
'  ties'  days,  to  the  church  that  is  in  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
'Christ,  Thess.  i.  1.  and  to  bring  to  the  unity  and  fellowship  in  the  Holy 
'  Spirit,  that  doth  mortify,  circumcise,  and  baptize,  to  plunge  down  sin 
'  and  corruption,  that  has  got  up  in  man  and  woman  by  transgression. 
'  In  this  Holy  Spirit  there  is  holy  fellowship  and  unity ;  yea,  it  is  the  bond 
'of  the  Prince  of  Princes,  the  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords' 
'peace:  which  heavenly  peace  all  true  Christians  are  to  maintain  with 
'  spiritual  weapons,  not  with  carnal 

'  And  now,  my  friend,  the  holy  men  of  God  wrote  the  scriptures  as 
'  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  all  Christendom  are  on  heaps 
'about  those  scriptures,  because  they  are  not  led  by  the  same  Holy 
'Ghost  as  those  were  that  gave  forth  the  scriptures ;  which  Holy  Ghost 

*  they  must  come  to  in  themselves,  and  be  led  by,  if  they  come  into  all 
'  the  truth  of  them,  and  to  have  the  comfort  of  God,  Christ,  and  them. 
'For  none  can  call  Jesus  Lord  but  by  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  all  that  call 
'Christ  Lord  without  the  Holy  Ghost,  take  his  name  in  vain.  Likewise 
'all  that  name  his  name  are  to  depart  from  iniquity;  then  they  name  his. 
'name  with  reverence,  in  truth  and  righteousness.     O  therefore  feel  the 

*  grace  and  truth  in  thy  heart,  that  is  come  by  Jesus  Christ,  that  will  teach 

30 


506  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  ^ffff 

*  thee  how  to  live,  and  what  to  deny.     It  will  establish  thy  heart,  season 

*  thy  words,  and  bring  thy  salvation,  and  will  be  a  teacher  unto  thee  at 

*  all  times.     By  it  thou  mayest  receive  Christ,  from  whence  it  comes ; 
'  and  as  many  as  receive  him,  to  them  he  gives  power  not  only  to  stand 

*  against  sin  and  evil,  but  to  become  the  sons  of  God :  if  sons,  then  heirs 

*  of  a  life,  and  a  world  and  kingdom  without  end,  and  of  the  eternal  riches 

*  and  treasures  thereof     So  in  haste,  with  my  love  in  the  Lord  Jesus 

*  Christ,  who  tasted  death  for  every  man,  and  bruises  the  serpent's  head, 

*  that  has  been  betwixt  God  and  man,  that  through  Christ  man  may  come 

*  to  God  again,  and  praise  him  through  Jesus  Christ  the  Amen,  the  spirit- 

*  ual,  neavenly  rock  and  foundation  for  all  God's  people  to  build  upon, 

*  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God,  who  is  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore  ! 

'George  Fox.' 
'  Amsterdam,  the  7th  of  the 
*  6th  month,  1677.' 

'  POSTSCRIPT. 

*  The  bearer  hereof  is  a  daughter-in-law  of  mine,  that  comes  with 
'  Gertrude  Dirick  Nieson  and  George  Keith's  wife,  to  give  thee  a  visit. 

«G.  F.' 
The  princess  Elizabeth's  answer : 
'  Dear  friend, 

*  I  CANNOT  but  have  a  tender  love  to  those  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus 

*  Christ,  to  whom  it  is  given  not  only  to  believe  in  him,  but  also  to  suffer 

*  for  him :  therefore  your  letter,  and  your  friend's  visit,  have  been  both 

*  very  welcome  to  me.     I  shall  follow  their  and  your  counsel,  as  far  as 

*  God  will  afford  me  light  and  unction :  remaining  still 

Your  loving  friend, 
« Hertfort,  the  30th  of  '  ELIZABETH. 

'August,  1677.' 

Next  day  John  Claus  and  I  passed  to  Buyckslote,  Purmerent,  and  Alk- 
maer,  about  thirty  miles  from  Amsterdam.  We  went  to  a  friend's  whose 
name  was  Willem  Willems,  where  I  had  a  meeting  that  night.  I  had 
another  next  day,  which  was  larger :  several  professors  came,  and  all 
was  quiet  and  well.  After  the  meeting  I  visited  some  friends  ;  then,  ta- 
king boat,  passed  to  Hoorn,  counted  the  chief  city  in  North  Holland. 
We  lodged  at  an  inn ;  and,  taking  waggon  early  next  morning,  we  passed 
to  Enckhuysen,  where  we  took  ship  for  Friesland ;  and,  landing  in  the 
afternoon  at  Workum,  took  water,  and  rode  upon  the  high  bank  of  the 
Frieze n  seas,  till  we  met  two  friends  coming  with  a  waggon  to  meet  us, 
with  whom  we  went  to  Harlingen,  the  chief  sea-port  town  in  Friesland. 
We  went  to  Hessel  Jacobs's,  whither  several  friends  came  to  visit  us 
that  night.  Next  day  we  visited  the  friends  of  the  place ;  and  I  wrote 
a  paper,  directed,  '  To  all  them  that  persecute  friends  for  not  observing 
'  their  fast-day.' 

The  day  following  being  first-day,  friends  had  a  meeting  there,  to 
which  we  went,  and  many  professors  came  to  it.  I  declared  the  ever- 
lasting gospel  amongst  them,  John  Claus  interpreting.  They  were  all 
very  civil,  and  heard  attentively;  and  when  the  meeting  was  done,  de- 
parted peaceably,  without  making  any  opposition.  After  meeting  I  went 
to  Hessel  Jacobs's  again,  whither  after  awhile  came  a  Calvinist,  to  ask 
me  some  questions,  which  I  answered  to  his  satisfaction ;  and  he  de- 


ISrn  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  507 

parted  friendly.  Soon  after  he  was  gone,  a  preacher  of  the  Collegians 
came  to  discourse  with  me,  who  seemed  well  satisfied  also,  and  we 
parted  lovingly.  That  evening  I  had  another  meeting  with  the  friends 
there,  and  next  morning  we  passed  to  Leuwarden,  the  chief  city  in 
Friesland,  and  lodged  that  night  at  a  friend's  house  whose  name  was 
Sybrand  Dowes, 

Next  morning  early  we  passed  to  Dockum,  and,  walking  through  the 
city,  took  boat  again  to  Strobus,  which  is  the  utmost  part  of  Friesland. 
There  we  baited  at  a  commissary's.  Then  taking  boat,  we  passed  to 
Groningen,  the  chief  city  of  the  province  of  Groningland.  One  of  the 
magistrates  of  that  city  came  with  us  from  Leuwarden,  with  whom  1 
had  some  discourse  on  the  way ;  and  he  was  very  loving.  We  walked 
near  three  miles  through  the  city ;  then  took  boat  for  Delfziel ;  and  pass- 
ing, in  the  evening,  through  Appingdalem,  where  had  been  a  great  horse- 
fair  that  day,  there  came  many  officers  rushing  into  the  boat,  who,  be- 
ing in  drink,  were  very  rude.  I  exhorted  them  to  '  fear  the  Lord,  and 
*  beware  of  Solomon's  vanities.'  They  were  a  sort  of  boisterous  fel- 
lows ;  yet  somewhat  more  civil  afterwards.  We  landed  at  Delfziel  about 
the  tenth  hour  at  night,  having  travelled  much  about  fifty  English  miles 
that  day.  We  went  to  an  inn  to  lodge ;  and  as  we  passed  through  the 
guards,  they  examined  John  Claus,  whether  I  was  not  a  mihtia  soldier  1 
He  told  them  I  was  not,  and  they  let  us  pass  peaceably. 

Delfziel  stands  on  the  river  Eems,  over  which  we  passed  next  day  to 
Embden,  where  friends  had  been  cruelly  persecuted,  and  from  which 
they  had  been  often  banished.  I  went  to  an  inn,  where  I  dined  with  some 
men  that  understood  English,  with  whom  I  had  a  fine  time,  and  they 
were  loving.  Meanwhile  John  Claus  went  with  his  wife  to  her  father's 
in  Embden ;  whither,  after  I  had  dined,  I  went  also,  understanding  the 
old  man  was  desirous  to  see  me.  In  the  afternoon  John  Claus  and  1 
walked  through  the  city,  to  the  place  where  the  waggon  was  to  meet  us ; 
and  while  we  tarried  for  it,  the  friends  that  were  in  the  city  came  to  the 
house  where  we  were,  and  we  had  a  little  meeting.  When  the  meeting 
was  over,  and  the  waggon  came  not,  we  sent  to  know  the  reason.  The 
master  of  the  waggon  sent  us  word,  he  durst  not  let  his  waggon  go ;  for 
the  bishop  of  Munster's  soldiers  were  up  in  the  country,  and  he  was 
afraid  they  would  take  away  his  horses.  Being  disappointed  of  our  pas- 
sage, we  returned  to  John  Claus's  father-in-law's  house,  where  I  left  him, 
and  went  to  my  inn  at  night. 

We  took  shipping  next  day,  and  passed  about  fifteen  miles  upon  the 
river  Eems,  to  a  market-town  in  East  Friesland,  called  Leer,  where 
lived  a  friend  that  had  been  banished  from  Embden.  When  we  had  vis- 
ited him,  we  hired  a  waggon,  and  passed  to  a  garrison-town  called 
Strikehuysen,  where  the  guards  examined  us ;  and  then  we  went  to  De- 
teren,  where  hiring  another  waggon,  we  passed  to  another  garrison-town, 
where  we  were  very  strictly  examined.  From  thence  w^e  passed  to 
Apre,  in  tlie  king  of  Denmark's  country,  where  we  lodged  that  night. 
In  our  travelling  this  day,  we  met  the  earl  of  Oldenburgh,  going  to  the 
treaty  of  peace  at  Lembachie. 

Next  day  we  passed  to  Oldenburgh,  lately  a  great  and  famous  place, 
but  then  burnt  down,  and  but  few  houses  left  standing  in  it.  At  this 
place  w^e  hired  another  waggon,  and  went  to  Delmenhurst,  where,  after 
"we  had  been  examined  by  the  guards,  we  went  to  a  burgomaster's  to 
lodge,  whose  house  was  at  an  inn.  There  being  many  people,  I  declared 


508  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

the  way  of  truth  to  him  and  them,  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord 
that  was  coming  upon  all  evil-doers. 

We  passed  next  day  to  Bremen,  a  stately  city  in  Germany ;  and  from 
thence,  after  a  double  examination,  we  went  to  a  water  called  Overde- 
land,  and  there  took  boat  to  Fisherholder ;  where,  finding  pretty  many 
people  together,  I  declared  the  way  of  God  to  them,  and  exhorted  them 
'  to  fear  the  Lord.'  There  we  took  waggon  again,  and  travelled  in  the 
bishop  of  Munster's  country,  to  Closter-Seven.  Having  no  incHnation 
to  stay  there,  we  got  fresh  horses,  intending  to  travel  all  night.  Accord 
ingly  we  went  a  little  way ;  but  it  quickly  grew  so  dark,  and  rained  so 
hard,  that  we  thought  best  to  turn  back  again ;  for  our  waggon  being 
open,  we  had  no  defence  against  the  rain,  and  our  clothes  were  already 
wet  with  the  rain  that  had  fallen  for  several  daj^s  before.  So  we  went 
to  an  inn,  and  got  a  little  fresh  straw ;  upon  which  v*'e  lay  till  about 
break  of  day,  then  set  out  and  travelled  to  the  city  of  Buxtehude. 

The  people  in  the  bishop  of  Munster's  country  were  very  dark.  As 
we  passed  amongst  them,  I  preached  truth  to  them,  warning  them  of  the 
great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord,  exhorting  them  to  soberness,  and  to 
mind  the  good  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves. 

It  was  on  a  first-day  that  we  went  through  Buxtehude;  and  without 
the  walls  was  a  great  fair  of  sheep  and  geese  that  day.  We  staid  a  little 
to  refresh  ourselves,  and  went  on  as  fast  as  we  could  to  Hamburgh, 
pardy  by  waggon,  and  partly  by  water. 

We  got  to  Hamburgh  time  enough  to  have  a  meeting  there  that  even- 
ing. A  good  and  glorious  meeting  it  was.  There  were,  amongst  others, 
a  Baptist  teacher  and  his  wife,  and  a  great  man  of  Sweden  with  his 
wife ;  and  all  was  quiet,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  whose  power  was  exalted 
over  all !  Yet  a  hard,  dark  place  this  is,  and  the  people  are  much  shut 
up  from  truth. 

At  Hamburgh  was  a  woman  that  had  spoken  against  me  in  John  Per- 
rot's  time,  though  she  had  never  seen  me  till  now.  She  had  been  troubled 
for  it  ever  since,  and  now  was  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  acknowledge 
her  fault;  which  she  very  readily  did,  and  I  as  readily  and  freely  for- 
gave her. 

We  staid  that  night  at  Hamburgh,  encouragina:  and  strenarthenina:  the 
friends  there  in  their  testimony  to  the  truth ;  and  betimes  next  morning 
we  set  forwards  towards  Frederickstadt,  which  is  two  long  day's  jour- 
ney from  Hamburgh.  We  went  the  first-day  to  Elmshoorn,  where  we 
baited,  and  then  rode  through  a  garrison-town  of  the  king  of  Denmark's; 
and,  passing  by  the  monument  of  the  earl  of  Rantzow,  came  to  the  city 
of  Itzeho,  where  we  lodo-ed  that  nio;ht.  I  had  some  service  in  the  even- 
ing,  among  the  people  in  the  inn,  whom  I  exhorted  to  soberness,  and  to 
live  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Next  morning  we  travelled  to  Hoghen- 
horn,  where  we  dined  at  an  inn  with  one  of  the  council  of  Frederick- 
stadt; to  whom,  and  to  the  rest  of  the  people  present,  I  declared  the 
truth,  with  which  they  seemed  to  be  affected.  Then  travelling  on,  we 
came  to  a  river  called  Eyder,  where  we  took  boat  and  went  to  Freder- 
ickstadt. We  went  to  William  Paul's,  where  several  friends  came  to 
us,  for  there  is  a  pretty  company  of  friends  in  that  city.  We  had  a  fine 
refreshing  meeting  together  that  evening,  which  made  us  forget  our  wea- 
riness ;  for  we  were  indeed  very  weary,  having  travelled  hard  those  two 
days,  and  were  wet  through  our  clothes,  having  had  much  rain  in  our 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  509 

open  waggons.     But  the  Lord  made  all  easy  and  good  to  us ;  and  we 
were  well  and  glad  to  see  friends  ;  blessed  be  his  holy,  name  for  ever ! 

This  city  is  in  the  duke  of  Holstein's  country,  who  would  have  ban- 
ished friends  out  of  the  city  and  country,  and  sent  to  the  magistrates  of 
the  city  to  do  it ;  but  they  said,  they  would  lay  down  their  offices  rather 
than  do  it ;  inasmuch  as  themselves  came  to  that  city  to  enjoy  the  lib- 
erty of  their  consciences.  Friends  still  enjoy  their  liberty  there,  and 
truth  and  they  are  of  good  report  amongst  the  people,  both  in  city  and 
country. 

On  first-day  I  had  a  meeting  here,  to  which  many  people  came,  and 
some  rough  spirits ;  but  the  power  of  the  Lord  bound  them  down,  and 
the  Seed  of  life  was  set  over  all.  While  I  was  here,  I  had  a  discourse 
with  a  Levite  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Messiah;  and  he  was 
much  confounded  in  what  he  said ;  yet  he  carried  himself  lovingly,  and 
invited  me  to  his  house.  I  went,  and  there  discoursed  with  a  Jew,  who 
shewed  me  their  Talmud,  and  many  other  Jewish  books:  but  they  are 
very  dark,  and  do  not  understand  their  own  prophets. 

There  was  at  this  city  a  Baptist  teacher,  who  had  reproached  and 
belied  friends  ;  wherefore  John  Claus  went,  with  two  friends  of  the  town, 
to  the  house  where  he  lodged,  cleared  truth  and  friends  from  his  re- 
proaches, and  laid  his  hes  and  slanders  upon  his  own  head,  to  his  shame. 

Before  we  left  this  place,  I  had  another  meeting  with  friends  only, 
wherein  I  laid  before  them  the  usefulness  of  a  monthly  meeting,  for  look- 
ing after  the  poor,  and  taking  care  that  marriages,  and  all  other  things 
relating  to  the  church,  were  performed  in  an  orderly  manner.  The  thing 
answered  the  witness  of  God  in  their  consciences,  so  they  readily  agreed 
to  have  monthly  meetings  thenceforward  amongst  themselves,  that  both 
men  and  women  might  take  care  of  the  outward  concerns  of  the  church. 

Feeling  my  spirit  clear  of  that  place,  we  took  leave  of  friends,  whom 
we  left  in  good  order,  and  turned  back  for  Hamburgh.  When  we  had 
travelled  one  day's  journey,  and  came  to  an  inn  at  night  to  lodge,  I  en- 
quired whether  there  were  any  tender  people  in  the  town  that  feared 
God,  or  that  had  a  mind  to  discourse  of  the  things  of  God  ?  The  inn- 
keeper told  me,  there  were  few  such  in  that  town.  Next  night  we  got 
to  Hamburgh,  and  having  passed  the  guards,  went  to  a  friend's  house, 
being  very  weary ;  for  we  had  been  up  those  two  mornings  before  the 
third  hour,  and  had  travelled  each  day  hard  and  late.  Here  we  met  with 
John  Hill,  an  English  friend,  who  had  been  travelling  in  Germany ;  and 
being  in  a  ship  bound  for  Amsterdam  that  waited  for  a  wind,  he  had  lain 
sick  on  board  about  two  weeks ;  and  now  hearing  that  I  was  in  the 
country,  got  off  from  the  ship,  and  came  hither  to  meet  me,  and  go  along 
with  me. 

We  had  a  very  good  meeting  here,  and  very  peaceable.  After  which 
I  had  discourse  with  a  Swede,  an  eminent  man  in  his  own  country ;  who 
having  been  banished  from  thence  upon  the  account  of  his  religion,  was 
come  to  Hamburgh,  and  was  at  the  meeting  I  had  there  before.  When 
I  had  done  with  him,  I  had  another  discourse  with  a  Baptist  concerning 
the  sacraments  so  called :  in  both  which  I  had  good  service,  having  op- 
portunity thereby  to  open  truth  unto  them. 

Being  clear  of  Hamburgh,  we  took  leave  of  friends  there,  whom  we 
left  well ;  and  taking  John  Hill  with  us,  passed  by  boat  to  a  city  in  the 
duke  of  Lunenburgh's  country;  where,  after  we  were  examined  by  the 
guards,  we  were  had  to  the  main  guard,  and  there  examined  more  strictly  j 


510  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  fl6W 

but  after  they  found  we  were  not  soldiers,  they  were  civil  to  us,  and  let 
us  pass.  In  the  afternoon  we  travelled  by  waggon,  and  the  waters  be- 
ing much  out,  by  reason  of  the  great  rains  that  had  fallen,  when  it  drew 
towards  night  we  hired  a  boy  to  guide  us  through  a  great  water.  When 
we  came  to  it  the  water  was  so  deep,  before  we  could  come  at  the  bridge, 
that  the  waggoner  was  fain  to  wade,  and  I  drove  the  waggon.  When 
we  were  come  upon  the  bridge,  the  horses  broke  part  of  it  down,  and 
one  of  them  fell  into  the  water,  the  waggon  standing  upon  that  part  of 
the  bridge  which  remained  unbroken.  It  was  the  Lord's  mercy  to  us, 
that  the  waggon  did  not  run  into  the  brook.  When  they  had  got  the 
horse  out,  he  lay  awhile  as  if  he  had  been  dead ;  but  at  length  they  got 
him  up,  put  him  to  the  waggon  again,  laid  the  planks  right,  and  then, 
through  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  us,  we  got  safe  over. 

After  this  we  came  to  another  water,  which  finding  to  be  very  deep, 
and  it  being  in  the  night,  we  hired  two  men  to  help  us  through.  These 
men  put  cords  to  the  waggon  to  hold  it  by,  that  the  force  of  the  water 
might  not  drive  it  beside  the  way.  But  when  we  came  into  it,  the  stream 
was  so  strong  it  took  one  of  the  horses  off  his  legs,  and  was  carrying 
him  down  the  stream;  which  I  seeing,  called  to  the  waggoner  to  pluck 
him  to  him  by  his  reins,  which  he  did,  and  the  horse  recovered  his  legs, 
and  with  much  difficulty  we  got  over  the  bridge,  and  went  to  Bormer- 
haven,  the  town  where  the  waggoner  lived.  It  was  the  last  day  of  the 
sixth  month  that  we  escaped  these  dangers,  and  being  about  the  eleventh 
hour  in  the  night  when  we  came  in  here,  we  got  some  fresh  straw,  and 
lay  upon  it  till  about  four  in  the  morning.  Then  getting  up,  we  set  for- 
ward again  towards  Bremen,  going  part  of  the  way  by  waggon,  and 
part  by  boat.  In  the  way  I  had  good  opportunities  to  pubUsh  truth,  es- 
pecially at  a  market-town  where  we  staid  to  change  our  passage ;  where 
I  declared  the  truth  to  the  people,  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord 
that  was  coming  upon  all  flesh ;  and  exhorting  them  to  righteousness, 
telling  them,  *  that  God  was  come  to  teach  his  people  himself,'  and  that 
they  should  turn  to  the  Lord,  and  hearken  to  the  teachings  of  his  Spirit 
in  their  own  hearts. 

At  Bremen  we  were  examined,  and  after  went  to  an  inn,  and  staid 
till  another  waggon  was  provided  to  carry  us  further.  Tliough  I  felt 
the  Lord's  power  was  over  the  city,  and  kept  the  wicked  and  unruly 
spirits  down,  yet  my  spirit  suffered  much  in  this  place  for  the  people's 
sake.  When  our  waggon  was  ready  we  left  Bremen,  and  travelled  to 
Keby,  where  we  lodged  at  an  inn,  and  early  next  morning  set  out  for 
Oldenburgh.  It  v.'as  a  lamentable  sight  to  see  so  great  and  brave  a  city 
burnt  down.  We  went  to  an  inn,  and  though  it  was  first-day  the  sol- 
diers were  drinking,  and  playing  at  shovel-board,  and  at  those  few 
houses  that  were  left,  the  shops  were  open,  and  the  people  trading  one 
With  another.  I  was  moved  to  declare  the  truth  among  them,  and  warn 
them  of  the  judgments  of  God;  and  though  they  heard  me  quietly,  and 
were  civil  towards  me,  yet  I  was  burthened  with  their  wickedness. 
Many  times  in  mornings,  and  at  noons  and  nights,  at  the  inns,  and  on 
the  ways,  as  I  travelled,  I  spoke  to  the  people,  preaching  the  truth  to 
them,  warning  them  of  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and  exhorting  them  to  turn 
to  the  light  and  Spirit  of  God  in  themselves,  that  thereby  they  might  be 
led  out  of  evil. 

Next  day,  passing  through  many  great  waters,  we  came  to  Leer,  and 
the  day  following  to  Embden,  where  John  Claus's  wife's  father  lived ;  at 


1^77]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  311 

whose  house,  when  we  went  into  Germany,  we  left  a  young  man  sick, 
who  travelled  with  me,  and  used  to  write  for  me ;  whom  now  we  touiid 
pretty  well  recovered.  John  Claus  went  to  his  father-in-law's,  John 
Hill  and  I  to  an  inn,  where  we  dined.  After  dinner  we  went  also  to 
John  Claus's  father's,  and  had  a  good  meeting  there  in  the  evening. 

The  day  following  we  took  shipping  at  Embden,  and  passed  to  Delt- 
ziel,  and  went  to  an  inn,  where  a  friend  came  to  us  that  then  lived  m 
Delfziel,  having  been  often  banished  from  Embden :  he  was  a  goldsmith 
by  trade,  and  °had  a  house  and  shop  in  Embden,  and  still  as  they  ban- 
ished him  he  went  again.  Then  they  imprisoned  him,  fed  him  with  bread 
and  water,  and  at  length  took  his  goods  from  him,  and  banished  him,  his 
wife  and  children,  leaving  them  neither  place  to  come  to,  nor  any  thing 
to  subsist  on.  We  comforted  and  encouraged  him  in  the  Lord,  exhort- 
ing him  to  be  faithful,  and  stand  steadfast  in  the  testimony  committed  to 
him.  When  we  had  taken  leave  of  him,  we  passed  the  same  day  to 
Groningen,  where  we  met  with  Cornelius  Andries,  a  friend,  that  had 
also  suffered  much  by  imprisonment  and  banishment  at  Embden.  We 
went  with  him  to  hia  house,  and  the  next  day  we  had  a  good  meet- 
ing in  that  city,  to  which  several  professors  came,  who  were  very  peace- 
able and  attentive.  After  meeting  we  passed  by  boat  to  Strobus,  and 
Dockum,  where  we  lodged  that  night  at  an  inn.  Taking  boat  again  next 
morning,  we  passed  to  Leuwarden,  the  chief  city  of  Friesland,  where  I 
found  my  daughter  Yeomans,  who  was  come  from  Amsterdam  thither 
to  meet  me.  That  day  we  had  a  precious  meeting  at  Sybrand  Dowes's 
house.  After  the  meeting  I  had  discourse  with  some  that  were  at  the 
meeting,  who  had  been  formerly  convinced  of  truth ;  but  were  not  come 
into  obedience  to  it.  We  staid  there  that  night ;  but  John  Hill  left  us, 
and  went  that  day  to  Harlingen,  and  so  to  Amsterdam. 

Next  day  we  passed  down  the  river  to  the  lake  of  Hempen-Sarmer, 
and  thence  by  the  lake  Lugmer,  and  so  to  a  town  called  Anderigo ;  from 
whence  sailing  through  the  lake  Whispool,  we  came  to  Gardick  within 
night.  We  lodged  at  an  inn ;  and  the  next  day,  being  first-day,  we  were 
at  friends'  meeting  there,  which  was  very  large,  many  of  the  town's-peo- 
ple  coming  in.  I  declared  the  truth  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  that  was 
upon  me ;  which  tendered  the  people,  and  they  were  very  sober.  After 
the  meeting  we  staid  to  refresh  ourselves,  and  went  to  take  boat  again ; 
but  the  people  observing  us,  gathered  together  at  a  bridge  we  were  to 
pass,  and  there  I  declared  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  unto  them,  and 
they  were  very  attentive  and  civil. 

We  went  back  that  evening  to  Leuwarden,  being  twenty-seven  miles ; 
but  before  we  could  reach  it,  the  gates  were  shut  and  the  bridges  drawn 
up,  so  that  we  could  not  get  into  the  city,  but  were  fain  to  lie  in  the  boat 
all  night ;  and  a  man  being  killed  in  the  city  that  night,  it  was  late  before 
the  gates  were  opened.  When  we  could  get  in,  we  went  to  a  friend's 
house,  where  we  staid  awhile;  then  taking  boat,  we  passed  through 
Franeker  to  Harlingen,  to  Hassel  Jacobs's,  where  we  found  several  Dutch 
friends  come  to  be  at  the  meeting  there  next  day.  William  Penn,  return- 
ing two  or  three  days  before  out  of  Germany,  had  been  at  a  large  meet- 
ing at  Amsterdam  on  first-day  ;  and  after  meeting,  understanding  I  was 
at  Harlingen,  came  thither  to  me. 

Next  day  was  the  monthly  meeting  for  men  and  women,  to  which  we 
went.     It  was  large  and  good.    And  there  it  was  agreed,  '  a  meeting 


512  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [16T7 

'  should  be  held  there  once  a  month,  both  for  the  men  and  for  the  women, 
'  to  take  care  of  the  outward  concerns  of  the  church.' 

In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  publick  meeting,  to  which  came  people  of 
several  sorts,  Socinians,  Baptists,  Lutherans,  &c.  amongst  whom  was  a 
doctor  of  physick  and  a  priest.  After  I  had  declared  the  truth  pretty 
largely,  opening  the  happy  state  that  man  and  woman  were  in  whilst 
they  kept  under  God's  teaching,  and  abode  in  paradise;  and  the  wo  and 
misery  that  came  up(pn  them  when  they  went  from  God's  teaching,  heark- 
ened to  the  serpent's,  transgressed  God's  command,  and  were  driven 
out  of  the  paradise  of  God ;  and  set  forth  the  way  whereby  man  and 
woman  might  come  into  that  happy  state  again:  the  priest,  an  ancient 
grave  man,  stood  up  just  as  I  had  done  speaking,  and,  putting  off  his  hat, 
said,  '  I  pray  God  to  prosper  and  confirm  that  doctrine,  for  it  is  truth, 
'  and  I  have  nothing  against  it.'  He  would  willingly  have  staid  till  the 
meeting  had  been  ended,  but  being  to  preach  that  evening,  he  could  not 
stay  longer,  the  time  for  his  own  worship  being  come.  Wherefore,  when 
he  had  made  confession  of  the  truth,  he  hastened  away,  that  he  might 
come  again ;  and  did  come,  it  seems,  to  the  meeting-place,  but  the  meet- 
ing was  ended  first.  After  which  we  went  to  Hassel  Jacobs's,  where  I 
had  a  meeting  with  friends,  and  the  doctor  of  physic  came  thither  to  dis- 
course with  William  Penn,  who  had  a  good  opportunity  to  open  truth  to 
him.  By  this  doctor  the  priest  sent  his  love  to  me,  wishing  him  to  tell 
me,  that  he  had  left  preaching  that  evening  half  an  hour  sooner  than  he 
used  to  do,  that  he  might  come  to  our  meeting  again  to  hear  more  of 
that  good  doctrine.  I  heard  afterwards,  that  his  hearers  questioned  him 
for  what  he  had  said  in  our  meetizig;  and  that,  he  standing  by  his 
words,  they  had  complained  of  him  for  it  to  the  other  priests  of  the  city, 
who  called  him  to  account  about  it ;  but  the  result  I  could  not  learn. 

Early  next  morning  William  Penn,  taking  John  Claus  with  him,  passed 
from  Harhngen  for  Leuwarden,  where  he  had  appointed  a  meeting,  in- 
tending to  travel  into  some  other  parts  of  Germany  to  visit  a  tender  peo- 
ple there.  I,  with  those  friends  that  were  with  me,  took  ship  the  same 
day  for  Amsterdam,  where  we  arrived  a  little  after  midnight ;  but  the 
gates  being  shut,  we  lay  on  board  till  morning :  then  went  to  Gertrude 
Dirick  Nieson's,  where  many  friends  came  to  see  us,  being  glad  of  our 
safe  return.  Next  day,  feeling  a  concern  upon  my  mind,  with  relation  to 
those  seducing  spirits  that  made  division  among  friends,  and  being  sensible 
that  they  endeavoured  to  insinuate  themselves  into  the  aflectionate  part,  I 
was  moved  to  write  a  few  lines  to  friends  concerning  them,  as  followeth : 

*  All  these  that  set  themselves  up  in  the  affections  of  the  people,  set 

*  themselves  up,  and  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  not  Christ.  But 
'  friends,  your  peaceable  habitation  in  the  truth,  which  is  everlasting,  and 

*  changes  not,  will  outlast  all  the  habitations  of  those  that  are  out  of  the 
'  truth,  although  they  be  never  so  full  of  words.  So  those  that  are  so 
'  keen  for  J.  S.  and  J.  W.  let  them  take  them,  and  the  separation ;  and 

*  you  that  have  given  your  testimony  against  that  spirit,  stand  in  your 
'  testimony,  till  they  answer  by  condemnation.  Do  not  strive,  nor  make 
'  bargains  with  that  which  is  out  of  the  truth ;  nor  save  that  alive  to  be  a 

*  sacrifice  for  God,  which  should  be  slain,  lest  you  lose  your  kingdom. 

'  G.  F.' 
*  Amsterdam,  the  14th  of 
'  the  7  th  month,  1677.' 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  513 

The  first-day  following,  I  was  at  friends'  meeting  at  Amsterdam,  to 
■which  many  people  came,  and  were  very  civil  and  attentive,  hearing 
truth  declared  several  hours.     John  RoeloiTs  interpreted  for  me. 

Before  this  several  of  the  friends  that  came  over  with  me  were  return- 
ed to  England  again,  as  Robert  Barclay,  George  Keith's  wife,  and 
others ;  and  now  my  daughter  Yeomans  went  back  also :  so  that  I  was 
left  alone  at  Amsterdam.  While  I  was  there,  it  came  upon  me  to  visit 
my  suffering  friends  at  Dantzick  with  a  few  lines,  to  encourage  and 
strengthen  them  in  their  sufierings,  as  followeth ; 

'  Dear  friends, 

'  To  whom  is  my  love  in  the  Lord's  truth,  that  is  over  all,  and  by 

'  which  all  God's  people  are  made  free  men  and  women,  being  thereby 

'  set  free  from  him  who  is  out  of  the  truth ;  that  walking  in  the  truth, 

'  they  may  answer  the  witness  of  God  in  all  people :  which  truth  all  must 

*  come  to,  if  they  be  made  free.     Therefore  be  faithful  unto  what  the 

*  Lord  manifests  unto  you.  I  am  glad  the  Lord  hath  witnesses  in  that 
'  city,  to  stand  for  his  glory  and  name,  and  for  Christ  Jesus,  the  great 
'  prophet,  whom  God  hath  raised  up,  who  is  to  be  heard  in  all  things ;  so 
'  that  ye  need  none  of  the  prophets  which  men  have  raised  up.  There- 
'  fore  stand  faithful  to  Christ  Jesus,  your  Shepherd,  that  he  may  feed  you ; 
'  hear  his  voice,  and  follow^  him,  who  has  laid  down  his  life  for  you ;  but 

*  follow  none  of  the  shepherds  and  hirelings  that  are  made  by  men,  though 
'  they  may  be  angry  because  ye  will  not  follow  them  to  their  dry  and 
'  barren  mountains,  who  have  been  and  are  the  thieves,  persecutors,  and 
'  robbers,  that  climb  up  another  way  than  by  Christ.     Set  up  Christ  to 

*  be  your  counsellor  and  leader,  and  then  ye  will  have  no  need  of  any 
'  of  the  counsellors  and  leaders  of  the  world ;  for  Christ  is  sufficient, 
'  whom  God  has  given  you.  Set  up  Christ  Jesus  to  be  your  bishop  and 
'  overseer,  who  is  sufficient  to  oversee  you,  that  you  go  not  astray  from 
'  God ;  by  which  ye  may  see  over  all  the  hireling-overseers  made  by  men, 
'  which  keep  the  people,  that  they  do  not  go  from  the  rudiments,  formali- 
'  ties,  fashions,  and  customs  of  the  world,  which  hath  been  and  is  their 
'  work.  I  am  glad  that  ye  are  come  to  own  Christ  Jesus,  your  high 
'  priest,  who  is  holy,  harmless,  separate  from  sinners,  and  made  higher 
'  than  the  heavens,  as  the  church  and  the  apostle  did  own  him  in  their 
'  days,  Heb.  vii.  who  is  the  high  priest  over  the  household  of  faith ;  which 
'  faith  Christ  Jesus  is  the  author  and  finisher  of:  and  this  do  all  the  chil- 
'  dren  of  the  new  covenant  witness,  who  walk  in  the  new  and  living  way. 
'  Therefore  my  desire  is,  that  ye  all  may  be  steadfast,  whether  in  bonds 
'  or  out,  in  the  faith  of  Christ  Jesus,  which  is  the  gift  of  God ;  by  which 
'  faith  the  valiants  overcame  the  devil  and  all  their  enemies ;  in  which 
'  faith  they  had  victory  and  access  to  God,  and  in  that  was  their  unity ; 

*  which  mystery  of  faith  is  held  in  a  pure  conscience,  hidden  from  the 
'  world.  I  do  believe,  that  your  imprisonments  and  sufferings  in  that 
'  place  will  be  for  good  in  the  end  (as  it  hath  been  in  other  places)  ye 

*  standing  faithful  to  the  Lord,  who  is  all-sufficient.     For  your  sufferings 

*  and  trials  will  try  their  teachers  and  religions,  churches  and  worships, 
'  and  make  manifest  what  birth  they  are  of;  even  that  which  persecutes 

*  him  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit :  for  ye  know  that  there  is  no  salvation  by 

*  any  other  name  under  the  whole  heaven,  but  by  the  name  of  Jesus; 

*  therefore  it  is  time  to  leave  them,  when  there  is  no  salvation  by  or  in 

*  any  of  them.    Now,  friends,  I  desire  that  you  would  take  a  list  of  the 

3P 


514  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

*  names  of  all  those  that  belong  to  the  king  of  Poland,  where  they  live, 

*  and  how  ye  may  send  books  and  epistles  to  them,  and  keep  a  corre- 
'  spondence  with  them ;  also  the  name  of  the  bishop  or  cardinal  that  I 

*  heard  was  with  you ;  and  if  ye  can  get  any  that  belong  to  the  king  to 

*  come  to  visit  the  prisoners,  that  they  may  inform  the  king  of  their  cruel 

*  sufferings.    Also  I  desire  you  to  get  as  many  books  of  mine  as  you  can 

*  dispose  of,  that  set  forth  your  sufferings,  and  the  cruelty  of  the  magis- 
'  trates  of  Dantzick ;  and  give  them  to  the  king,  his  council,  attendants, 
'  and  bishops.  And  some  of  the  women  may  speak  to  the  queen,  if  they 
'  can,  that  she  may  signify  to  the  king  their  cruel  sufferings ;  and  espe- 
'  cially  some  of  the  sufferers'  wives,  if  there  be  any  of  capacity  to  do  it. 
'  You  may  likewise  give  his  attendants  any  other  friends'  books ;  what 
'  books  ye  lack,  send  for  to  Amsterdam,  where  ye  may  be  furnished  with 
'  them,  to  answer  every  tender  desirer,  and  inquiring  mind  after  the 
'  Lord.  So  let  all  your  minds  be  bended  with  the  Lord's  power,  to 
'  spread  his  truth  abroad ;  and  where  ye  hear  of  any,  or  have  any  cor- 

*  respondence  in  trading  with  any  sober  people,  far  or  near,  send  them 

*  books,  that  their  understandings  may  be  opened  after  the  Lord.  The 
'  Lord  God  Almighty  preserve  you !     To  his  protection,  in  his  eternal 

*  power,  do  I  commend  you  all,  in  bonds  or  at  liberty,  with  my  love  to 

*  you  in  the  everlasting  seed  of  God  Christ  Jesus,  who  bruises  the  head 
'  of  the  serpent,  that  makes  you  to  suffer.  Christ  is  over  him,  and  will 
'  be  when  he  is  gone,  who  is  First  and  Last,  over  all,  from  everlasting  to 
'  everlasting,  in  whom  ye  have  life,  knowledge,  wisdom,  and  salvation, 
'  and  through  him  live  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God,  who  is  blessed  for 
'  evermore.  Amen.  G.  F.' 

♦  Amsterdam,  the  18th  of  the  7th 
'month,  1677,  English  style.' 

The  next  day,  the  fourth  of  the  week  and  the  nineteenth  of  the  month, 
I  had  a  large  meeting  at  Amsterdam,  many  professors  being  at  it,  and 
truth  was  largely  opened  to  them,  in  the  demonstration  of  the  heavenly 
power.  The  day  following  I  went  by  boat,  many  friends  going  with 
me,  to  Landsmeer  in  Waterland,  a  town  in  which,  they  say,  there  are 
above  an  hundred  bridges,  where  I  had  a  very  good  meeting,  to  which 
several  professors  came.  After  the  meeting  I  returned  with  friends  to 
Amsterdam  again,  where  I  staid  till  the  first-day  following,  and  went  to 
their  meeting  which  was  large.  Many  professors  of  several  sorts  were 
at  it,  and  heard  the  truth  declared  with  great  attention. 

I  tarried  next  day,  and  the  night  following  had  a  great  exercise  upon 
my  spirit  concerning  that  loose  spirit  that  was  run  into  strife  and  con- 
tention among  friends,  and  had  drawn  some  after  it  into  division  and 
separation ;  the  way,  work,  and  end  whereof  the  Lord  opened  to  me ; 
wherefore,  feeling  the  motion  of  life  upon  me,  I  got  up  in  the  morning 
and  wrote  the  following  epistle  to  friends. 

*  My  dear  friends, 
•  Keep  your  first  love  in  the  truth,  power,  and  seed  of  life  in  Christ 
'  .Tesus ;  for  this  last  night,  as  I  was  lying  in  my  bed  at  Amsterdam,  I 

*  had  a  great  travail  in  the  holy  seed  of  life  and  peace,  and  my  spirit 

*  was  troubled  with  that  spirit  of  strife  and  separation.     I  saw  it  was  a 

*  destroying  spirit,  and  did  seek  not  only  to  get  over  the  seed,  but  to  de- 

*  stroy  it,  and  to  eat  out  the  minds  of  the  people  from  it  by  strife  and 
'  contention ;    and  under  pretence  of  standing  for  the  ancient  truth,  its 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  515 

work  is  to  root  it  out  and  destroy  the  appearance  of  it,  to  set  up  itself. 
It  is  a  creeping  spirit,  seeking  whom  it  can  get  into ;  and  what  it  can- 
not do  itself  it  stirreth  up  others  to  do,  and  setteth  their  spirits  on  float, 
with  the  dark  wisdom  to  destroy  the  simple.  This  spirit  is  managed 
by  the  prince  of  the  air,  and  leadeth  some  to  do  things  they  would 
have  been  ashamed  to  have  done,  as  men,  which  doth  unman  them ; 
and  they  would  not  have  suffered  them,  if  they  had  kept  to  the  tender 
principle  of  God,  which  leadeth  to  peace.  It  is  a  despising,  backbiting, 
secret-whispering  spirit,  a  sower  of  dissension,  and  a  taker  of  advan- 
tage of  all  prejudiced  spirits  that  are  disobedient  to  their  first  principle 
and  love  and  truth,  and  begetteth  into  hatred ;  so  it  begetteth  all  into  that 
spirit,  whose  work  is  to  destroy  both  the  good  within  and  the  good  order 
without.  Nay,  it  would,  if  it  could,  destroy  the  government  of  Christ  and  the 
order  of  the  gospel,  to  set  up  its  own  will  and  spirit,  which  is  not  of  God  ; 
and,  under  pretence  of  crying  down  man,  is  setting  up  man,  and  gather- 
ing into  a  separation  of  disobedient  men,  who  float  above  their  conditions. 
This  spirit,  which  neither  liveth  in  the  truth  nor  its  order,  but  opposeth 
them  that  do,  I  cannot  express  it  as  I  see  it  and  its  work,  whose  end 
will  be  accordingly.  Therefore,  friends,  I  am  to  warn  you  all  that 
have  not  lost  your  simplicity,  not  to  touch  it,  nor  to  have  any  unity 
with  it,  lest  you  be  defiled,  lose  your  conditions  of  your  eternal  estate, 
and  your  everlasting  portion ;  and  that  your  inward  man,  which  is 
after  God,  may  be  preserved,  and  Christ  may  reign  in  all  your  hearts. 
And  they  that  are  joined  with  them,  it  will  be  very  hard  for  them 
ever  to  come  down  to  truth  in  themselves,  and  to  see  their  own  condi- 
tions, and  to  have  that  spirit  of  strife  and  contention  (which  eateth  as 
a  canker)  brought  down  in  them :  which  is  carnal,  and  slayeth  the 
tender  babe,  which  was  once  begotten  in  themselves.  The  Philistine 
is  got  up  in  them,  that  stoppeth  the  wells  and  springs,  maketh  a  great 
bustle,  and  is  crying  up  men,  and  pleading  for  them  instead  of  Christ. 
So,  friends,  strive  not  with  them,  but  let  those  take  them  that  cry  them 
up.  Keep  you  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  his  light,  that  cometh  from 
him,  that  he  may  be  your  Lord,  and  ye  in  him  may  be  all  in  unity,  in 
one  light,  life,  power,  and  dominion  in  Christ,  your  head.  The  God  of 
Peace  and  Power  preserve  you  all  in  Christ  Jesus  your  Saviour,  and 
out  of  and  from  that  mischievous  spirit  which  is  idle  and  slothful,  as  to 
the  work  of  the  Power,  Spirit,  and  Light  of  God  and  Christ.  Its  very 
act  worketh  strife  and  disturbance  against  the  peace  of  the  church  of 
Christ.  It  thinks  in  its  wilfulness,  stubbornness,  and  unruliness  to  set  up 
itself,  and  in  that  to  have  peace;  but  destruction  will  be  the  end  of  it: 
and  it  is  sealed  for  the  fire  and  eternal  judgment.  Therefore  let  Christ 
the  Seed  be  the  head  and  crown  of  every  one  of  you,  that  nothing  may 
be  between  you  and  the  Lord  God.  Be  not  deceived  with  vain,  feign- 
ed, or  rough  words :  for  Satan  is  transforming  himself  as  an  Angel  of 
Light  to  deceive,  but  God's  foundation  standeth  sure,  and  God  knoweth 
who  are  his,  and  will  preserve  his  upon  the  rock  and  foundation  of  life, 
in  his  peaceable  truth  and  habitation,  that  in  the  same  they  may  grow. 
Keep  out  of  sti'ife  and  contention  with  it,  after  ye  have  borne  your  tes- 
timony in  the  Lord's  power  and  truth  against  it,  tlicn  keep  in  the  truth ; 
for  it  hath  a  life  in  scribbling,  strife,  and  janghng,  because  it  would  en- 
large its  hell,  and  bring  others  into  its  misery  with  the  airy  power,  and 
Vv^ould  get  power  over  the  good,  and  disjoin  })eopIe  from  it,  and  so  com- 
mit rapes  upon  the  simplicity  by  its  subtilty.     But  I  do  believe  the  Lord 


516  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

'  will  defend  his  people,  though  he  may  try  them  and  exercise  them  with 
'  this  spirit  for  a  time,  as  he  hath  done  in  days  past,  in  other  vessels  it 
'  hath  made  use  of  as  it  doth  of  these  now,  v/ho  have  a  more  seeming 

*  fair  outside,  but  foul,  rough,  and  rugged  enough  within,  against  the  Seed 

*  Christ,  as  ever  were  the  Pharisees  to  destroy  it.  They,  under  a  pre- 
'  tence  of  preaching  Christ,  are  destroyers  and  crucifiers  of  him,  and 

*  killers  of  the  just,  not  only  in  themselves,  but  are  endeavouring  with  all 
'  their  might  to  destroy  it  in  others  where  it  is  born.  Pharaoh  and  Herod 
'  slay  the  young  Jevv^s  in  the  spirit  as  the  old  did :  I  feel  it  worrying  of 

*  them.  That  is  got  up  to  be  king,  which  knew  not  suffering  Joseph. 
'  But  God  will  plague  him,  and  the  Seed  will  have  more  rest,  and  be  bet- 

*  ter  entertained  in  Egypt  than  under  Herod,  into  whom  old  Pharaoh's 
'  spirit  is  entered.     He  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear,  and  an  eye 

*  to  see,  let  him  see  how  this  spirit  hath  transformed  in  all  ages  against 
'  the  just  and  righteous ;  but  mark  what  hath  been  its  end.     The  Seed 

*  reigneth ;  glory  to  the  Lord  God  over  all  for  ever !    His  truth  spread- 

*  eth,  and  friends  here  are  in  unity  and  peace,  and  of  good  report,  an- 
'  swering  the  good  or  that  of  God  in  people.  My  desires  are,  that  all 
'  God's  people  may  do  the  same  in  all  places,  that  the  Lord  may  be  glo- 

*  rified  in  their  bringing  forth  much  fruit  that  is  heavenly  and  spiritual. 
♦Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Amsterdam,  the  25th  of  the 
'  7th  month,  1677.' 

After  I  had  given  forth  the  foregoing  epistle,  whereby  my  spirit  was 
•in  some  measure  eased  of  the  weight  that  lay  upon  it,  I  went  in  the  af- 
ternoon to  the  monthly  meeting  of  friends  at  Amsterdam  ;  where  the  Lord 
was  present  with  us,  and  refreshed  our  spirits  together  in  himself 

I  thought  to  have  gone  next  day  to  Harlem :  but  there  being  a  fast  ap- 
pointed to  be  kept  that  day,  I  was  stopped  in  my  spirit,  and  moved  to 
stay  at  friends'  meeting  at  Amsterdam.  We  had  a  very  large  meeting, 
a  great  concourse  of  people  coming  to  it,  and  amongst  them  many  great 
persons.  The  liOrd's  power  was  over  the  meeting,  in  the  openings 
whereof  I  was  moved  to  declare  to  the  people,  '  That  no  man  by  all  his 
'  wit  and  study,  nor  by  reading  history  in  his  own  will,  could  declare  or 

*  know  the  generation  of  Christ,  who  was  not  begotten  by  the  will  of 
'  man,  but  by  the  will  of  God.  After  I  had  largely  opened  this,  I  shew- 
'  ed  them  the  difference  between  the  true  fast  and  the  false,  manifesting 
'  that  the  professed  Christians,  Jews,  and  Turks,  were  out  of  the  true 

*  fast,  and  fasted  for  strife  and  debate,  being  under  the  band  and  fists  of 

*  iniquity  and  oppression,  wherewith  they  w^ere  smiting  one  another ;  but 
'  the  pure  hands  were  not  lifted  up  to  God.     And  though  tliey  did  all  ap- 

*  pear  to  men  to  fast,  and  did  hang  dow^n  their  heads  for  a  day  like  a 

*  bulrush,  yet  that  was  not  the  fast  which  God  did  accept ;  but  in  that 

*  state  all  their  bones  were  dry,  and  when  they  called  upon  the  Lord  he 

*  did  not  answer  them,  neither  did  their  health  grow ;  for  they  kept  their 
'  own  fast,  and  not  the  Lord's.     I  exhoi'ted  them  to  keep  the  Lord's  fast, 

*  which  was  to  fast  from  sin  and  iniquity,  strife  and  debate,  violence  and 
'  oppression,  and  to  abstain  from  every  appearance  of  evil.'  These  things 
w^ere  opened  to  the  astonishment  of  the  fasters,  and  the  meeting  ended 
peaceably  and  well. 

Lwent  to  Harlem  the  day  following,  having  before  appointed  a  meet- 
ing.    Peter  Hendricks  and  Gertrude  Dirick  Nieson  went  with  me,  and  a 


IffH]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  517 

blessed  meeting  we  had.  There  were  professors  of  several  sorts,  and  a 
priest  of  the  Lutherans,  who  sat  very  attentively  for  several  hours  while 
I  declared  the  truth,  Gertrude  interpreting.  When  the  meeting  was 
done,  the  priest  said,  '  He  had  heard  nothing  but  what  was  according  to 
'  the  word  of  God,  and  desired  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  might  rest  upon 
'  us  and  our  assemblies.'     Others  also  confessed  to  the  truth,  saying, 

*  They  had  never  heard  things  so  plainly  opened  to  their  understandings 

*  before.' 

We  staid  that  night  at  Harlem  at  a  friend's  house,  whose  name  was 
Dirick  Klassen;  and  returning  next  day  to  Amsterdam,  went  to  Ger 
trude's  house ;  where  we  had  not  been  long  before  a  priest  of  great  note, 
who  had  formerly  belonged  to  the  emperor  of  Germany,  and  another 
German  priest,  came,  desiring  to  have  some  conference  with  me.  I  took 
the  opportunity  to  declare  the  way  of  truth,  opening  unto  theni  how  they 
might  come  to  know  God  and  Christ,  and  his  law  and  gospel ;  and  shew- 
ing them,  that  they  could  never  know  it  by  study,  nor  philosophy,  but  by 
divine  revelation  through  the  Spirit  of  God,  opening  to  them  in  the  still- 
ness of  their  minds.    The  men  were  tender,  and  went  away  well  satisfied 

The  first-day  following  I  was  at  friends'  meeting  at  Amsterdam, 
where,  amongst  several  sorts  of  professors,  was  a  doctor  of  Poland,  who 
for  his  religion  was  banished  from  the  place  he  lived  in,  and  being  af- 
fected with  the  testimony  of  truth  in  the  meeting,  he  came  afterwards 
to  have  some  discourse  with  me :  and  after  we  had  been  some  time  to- 
gether, and  I  had  opened  things  further  to  him,  he  went  away  very  ten- 
der and  loving. 

While  I  was  at  Amsterdam,  I  spent  much  of  my  time  in  writing 
books,  papers,  or  epistles  on  truth's  behalf.  I  wrote  several  epistles  from 
Amsterdam  to  friends  in  England  and  elsewhere,  on  several  occasions, 
as  the  Lord  moved  me  by  his  Spirit  thereunto.  I  wrote  also  from  thence, 

*  A  warning  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Oldenburgh,  which  was 
'  lately  burned  down  ;'  also,  '  A  warning  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of 
'  Hamburgh.'  I  wrote  also  an  epistle  to  the  ambassadors  that  were 
treating  about  a  peace  at  Nimeguen.  To  the  magistrates  and  priests  of 
Embden  I  wrote,  shewing  them  their  unchristian  practices  in  persecuting 
friends.  I  wrote  several  other  books  there,  in  answer  to  priests  and 
others,  of  Hamburgh,  Dantzick,  and  other  places,  to  clear  the  truth  and 
friends  from  their  false  charges  and  slanders. 

After  some  time  George  Keith  and  William  Penn  came  back  from 
Germany  to  Amsterdam,  and  had  a  dispute  with  one  Galenus  Abrahams 
(one  of  the  most  noted  Baptists  in  Holland)  at  which  many  professors 
were  present ;  but  not  having  time  to  finish  the  dispute  then,  they  met 
again  two  days  after,  and  the  Baptist  was  much  confounded,  and  truth 
gained  ground.  Between  these  two  disputes  we  had  a  very  great  meet- 
ing at  friends'  meeting-place,  at  which  many  hundreds  of  people  were ; 
some  of  high  rank  in  the  world's  account.  An  earl,  a  lord,  and  divers 
other  eminent  persons  were  present,  who  all  behaved  themselves  very 
civilly.  But,  when  the  meeting  was  ended,  some  priests  began  to  make 
opposition ;  which  when  William  Penn  understood,  he  stood  up  again, 
and  answered  them  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  people,  who  were 
much  affected  with  the  several  testimonies  they  had  heard.  After  the 
meeting  several  of  them  came  to  Gertrude's,  where  we  were,  with  whom 
George  Keith  had  much  discourse  in  Latin. 

Having  now  finished  our  service  at  Amsterdam,  we  took  leave  of 


518  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

friends  there,  and  passed  by  waggon  to  Leyden,  about  twenty-five  miles ; 
where  we  staid  a  day  or  two,  seeking  out  and  visiting  some  tender  peo- 
ple that  we  heard  of  there.  We  met  with  a  German,  who  was  partly 
convinced.  He  informed  us  of  an  eminent  man  that  was  inquiring  after 
truth.  Some  sought  him  out  and  visited  him,  and  found  him  a  serious 
man.  I  also  spoke  to  him,  and  he  owned  the  truth.  William  Penn  and 
Benjamin  Furly  went  to  visit  another  great  man,  that  lived  a  little  out 
of  Leyden,  who,  they  said,  had  been  general  to  the  king  of  Denmark's 
forces.  He  and  his  wife  were  very  loving  to  them,  and  heard  the  truth 
with  joy. 

From  Leyden  we  went  to  the  Hague,  where  the  prince  of  Orange 
kept  his  court ;  and  visited  one  of  the  judges  of  Holland,  with  whom  we 
had  much  discourse.  He  was  a  wise  tender  man,  and  put  many  objec- 
tions and  queries  to  us,  which  when  we  had  answered,  he  was  satisfied, 
and  parted  with  us  in  much  love.  Leaving  the  Hague,  we  went  to  Delft^ 
and  from  thence  that  night  to  Rotterdam,  where  we  staid  several  days, 
and  had  several  meetings.  While  I  was  here,  I  gave  forth  a  book  for 
the  Jews,  with  whom,  when  I  was  at  Amsterdam,  I  had  a  desire  to  have 
had  some  discourse ;  but  they  would  not.  Here  also  1  reviewed  several 
other  books  and  papers,  which  I  had  given  forth  before,  and  were  now 
transcribed. 

Finding  our  spirits  clear  of  the  service  which  the  Lord  had  given  us 
to  do  in  Holland,  we  took  leave  of  friends  of  Rotterdam,  and  passed  by 
boat  to  the  Briel,  in  order  to  take  passage  that  day  in  the  packet-boat  for 
England,  several  friends  of  Rotterdam  accompanying  us,  and  some  of 
Amsterdam,  who  were  come  to  see  us  again  before  we  left  Holland. 
But  the  packet-boat  not  coming  in  till  night,  we  were  fain  to  lodge  at  the 
Briel ;  and  next  day,  the  one-and-tvventieth  of  the  eighth  month,  and  the 
first-day  of  the  week,  we  went  on  board,  and  set  sail  about  the  tenth 
hour,  viz.  William  Penn,  George  Keith  and  I,  and  Gertrude  Dirick  Nie- 
son,  with  her  children. 

We  were  in  all  about  sixty  passengers,  and  had  a  long  and  hazardous 
passage :  for  the  winds  were  contrary,  and  the  weather  stormy ;  the  boat 
also  very  leaky,  insomuch  that  we  were  fain  to  have  two  pumps  contin- 
ually going  day  and  night,  so  that  it  was  thought  there  was  twice  as 
much  water  pumped  out  as  the  vessel  would  have  held.  But  the  Lord, 
who  is  able  to  make  the  stormy  winds  to  cease  and  the  raging  waves  of 
the  sea  to  be  calm,  yea,  to  raise  them  and  stop  them  at  his  pleasure,  he 
alone  dici  preserve  us ;  praised  be  his  name  for  ever !  Though  our  pas- 
sage was  hard,  yet  we  had  a  fine  time,  and  good  service  for  truth  on 
board  among  the  passengers,  some  of  whom  were  great  folks,  and  were 
very  kind  and  loving.  We  arrived  at  Harwich  the  23d  of  the  eighth 
month  at  night,  having  been  two  nights  and  almost  three  days  at  sea. 
Next  morning  William  Penn  and  George  Keith  took  horse  for  Colches- 
ter ;  but  I  staid,  and  had  a  meeting  at  Harwich ;  and  there  being  no  Col- 
chester coach  there,  and  the  post-master's  wife  being  unreasonable  in 
her  demands  for  a  coach,  and  deceiving  us  of  it  also  after  we  had  hired 
it,  we  went  to  a  friend's  house  about  a  mile  and  an  half  in  the  country, 
and  hired  his  waggon,  which  we  bedded  well  with  straw,  and  rode  in  it 
to  Colchester. 

I  staid  in  Colchester  till  first-day,  having  a  desire  to  be  at  friends* 
meeting  there  that  day ;  and  a  very  large  and  weighty  meeting  it  was : 
for  friends  hearing  of  my  return  from  Holland,  flocked  from  several  parts 


16771  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  519 

of  the  country;  and  many  of  the  town's-people  coming  also,  it  was 
thought  there  were  about  a  thousand  people  at  the  meeting,  and  all  was 
peaceable.  Having  staid  a  day  or  two  longer  at  Colchester,  I  travelled 
through  Essex,  visiting  friends  at  Halsted,  Braintree,  Felsted,  and  Baling, 
and  having  meetings  with  them.  At  Chelmsford  I  had  a  meeting  in  the 
evening.  There  being  many  friends  prisoners,  they  got  liberty,  and 
came  to  the  meeting,  and  we  were  well  refreshed  together  in  the  Lord. 
Next  day,  the  9th  of  the  ninth  month,  I  got  to  London,  where  friends  re- 
ceived me  with  great  joy ;  and  the  first-day  following  went  to  Grace- 
church-street  meeting,  where  the  Lord  visited  us  with  his  refreshing  pres- 
ence, and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  surrounded  the  meeting ;  praised  be 
the  Lord ! 

After  I  had  been  a  little  while  in  London,  I  wrote  the  following  letter 
to  my  wife : 

*  Dear  heart, 
'  To  whom  is  my  love,  and  to  the  children,  and  to  all  the  rest  of  friends 

*  in  the  Lord's  truth,  power,  and  Seed,  that  is  over  all ;  glory  to  the  Lord, 

*  and  blessed  be  his  name  for  ever  beyond  all  words  !  who  hath  carried 

*  me  through  and  over  many  trials  and  dangers  in  his  eternal  power !    I 

*  have  been  twice  at  Gracechurch-street  meeting ;  and  though  opposite 
'  spirits  were  there,  yet  all  was  quiet ;  the  dew  of  heaven  fell  upon  the 

*  people,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shined  over  all.  Every  day  I  am 
'  fain  to  be  at  meetings  about  business,  and  sufferings,  which  are  great 

*  abroad ;  and  now  many  friends  are  concerned  with  many  persons  about 
'  them  :  so  in  haste,  with  my  love  to  you  all —  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  24th  of  the 
'  9th  month,  1677.' 

About  this  time  I  received  letters  from  New  England,  which  gave  ac- 
count of  the  magistrates'  and  rulers'  cruel  and  unchristian  proceedings 
against  friends  there,  whipping  and  abusing  them  very  shamefully ;  for 
they  whipped  many  women  friends.  One  woman  they  tied  to  a  cart, 
and  dragged  her  along  the  street,  she  being  stripped  above  the  waist. 
Yea,  they  whipped  some  masters  of  ships,  that  were  not  friends,  only  for 
bringing  friends  thither.  At  that  very  time,  while  they  were  persecuting 
friends  "in  this  barbarous  manner,  the  Indians  slew  threescore  of  their 
men,  took  one  of  their  captains,  and  flayed  the  skin  off  his  head  while  he 
was  alive,  and  carried  it  away  in  triumph :  so  that  the  sober  people  said, 
"  The  judgments  of  God  came  upon  them  for  persecuting  the  Quakers :" 
but  the  blind,  dark  priests  said,  "  It  was  because  they  did  not  persecute 
"  them  enough."  Great  exercise  I  had  in  seeking  relief  here  for  poor 
sufiering  friends  there,  that  they  might  not  lie  under  the  rod  of  the  wicked. 

Upon  this  and  other  services  for  truth  I  staid  in  London  a  month  or 
five  weeks,  visiting  meetings,  and  helping  and  encouraging  friends  to  la- 
bour for  the  deliverance  of  their  suffering  brethren  in  other  parts.  Af- 
terwards I  went  to  Kingston,  and  visited  friends  there  and  thereaway. 
Having  staid  a  little  among  friends  there,  overlooking  a  book  which  I 
had  then  ready  to  go  to  the  press,  I  went  into  Buckinghamshire,  visiting 
friends,  and  had  several  meetings  amongst  them  at  Amersham,  Hunger- 
hill,  Jordans,  Hedgerly,  Wickham,  and  Turvil-heath.  In  some  of  which, 
those  that  were  gone  out  from  the  unity  of  friends  in  truth,  into  strife, 
opposition,  and  division,  were  very  unruly  and  troublesome ;  particular- 
ly at  the  men's  meeting  at  Thomas  Ellwood's  at  Hungerhill,  where  the 


520  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

chief  of  them  came  from  Wickham,  endeavouring  to  make  disturbance, 
and  to  hinder  friends  from  proceeding  in  the  business  of  the  meeting. 
When  I  saw  their  design,  I  admonished  them  to  be  sober  and  quiet,  and 
not  trouble  the  meeting,  by  interrupting  the  service  thereof;  but  rather, 
if  they  were  dissatisfied  with  friends'  proceedings,  and  had  any  thing  to 
object,  let  a  meeting  be  appointed  on  purpose  some  other  day.  So 
friends  offered  to  give  them  a  meeting  another  day ;  which  at  length 
was  agreed  to  be  at  Thomas  Ellwood's  the  week  following.  According- 
ly friends  met  them  there,  and  the  meeting  was  in  the  barn ,-  for  there 
came  so  many,  the  house  could  not  receive  them.  After  we  had  sat 
awhile,  they  began  their  jangling.  Most  of  their  arrows  were  shot  at 
me ;  but  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  gave  me  strength  in  his  power  to 
cast  back  their  darts  of  envy  and  falsehood  upon  themselves.  Their 
objections  were  answered;  things  were  opened  to  the  people;  and  a 
good  opportunity  it  was,  and  serviceable  to  the  truth ;  many  that  before 
were  weak,  were  now  strengthened  and  confirmed ;  some  that  were 
doubting  and  wavering  were  satisfied  and  settled ;  and  faithful  friends 
were  refreshed  and  comforted  in  the  springing  of  life  amongst  us :  for 
the  power  rose,  and  life  sprung,  and  in  the  arisings  thereof  many  living 
testimonies  were  borne  against  that  wicked,  dividing,  rending  spirit, 
which  those  opposers  were  joined  to  and  acted  by :  and  the  meeting 
ended  to  the  satisfaction  of  friends.  That  night  I  lodged,  with  other 
friends,  at  Thomas  Ellwood's ;  and  the  same  week  I  had  a  meeting  again 
with  those  opposers  at  Wickham,  where  they  again  shewed  their  envy, 
and  were  made  manifest  to  the  upright-hearted. 

After  I  had  visited  friends  in  that  upper  side  of  Buckinghamshire,  I 
called  at  Henley  in  Oxfordshire,  and  went  by  Causham  to  Reading,  where 
I  was  at  meeting  on  first-day,  and  in  the  evening  had  a  large  meeting 
with  friends.  Next  day  there  being  another  meeting  about  settling  a 
women's  meeting,  some  of  those  that  had  let  in  the  spirit  of  division  fell 
into  jangling,  and  were  disorderly  for  awhile,  till  the  weight  of  truth 
brought  them  down.  After  this  I  passed  on,  visiting  friends,  and  having 
meetings  in  several  places,  through  Berkshire  and  Wiltshire,  till  I  came 
to  Bristol,  which  was  on  the  24th  day  of  the  11th  month,  just  before 
the  fair. 

I  staid  at  Bristol  the  time  of  the  fair,  and  sometime  after.  Many 
sweet  and  precious  meetings  we  had ;  many  friends  being  there  from 
several  parts  of  the  nation,  some  on  account  of  trade,  and  some  in  the 
service  of  truth.  Great  was  the  love  and  unity  of  friends  that  abode 
faithful  in  the  truth,  though  some  who  were  gone  out  of  the  holy  unity, 
and  were  run  into  strife,  division,  and  enmity,  were  rude  and  abusive, 
and  behaved  themselves  in  a  very  unchristian  manner  towards  me.  But 
the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  by  which  being  preserved  in  the  heaven- 
ly patience,  which  can  bear  injuries  for  his  name's  sake,  I  felt  dominion 
therein  over  the  rough,  rude,  and  unruly  spirits ;  and  left  them  to  the 
Lord,  who  knew  my  innocency,  and  would  plead  my  cause.  The  more 
these  laboured  to  reproach  and  vilify  me,  the  more  did  the  love  of  friends, 
that  were  sincere  and  upright-hearted,  abound  towards  me ;  and  some, 
that  had  been  betrayed  by  the  adversaries,  seeing  their  envy  and  rude 
behaviour,  broke  off  from  them ;  who  have  cause  to  bless  the  Lord  for 
their  deliverance. 

When  I  left  Bristol,  I  went  with  Richard  Snead  to  a  house  of  his  in 
the  country,  and  from  thence  to  Hezekiah  Coale's  at  Winterburn  in 


1678]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  521 

Gloucestershire,  whither  came  several  frie-ids  (hat  were  under  great 
sufterings  for  truth's  sake,  whom  I  had  invited  to  meet  me  there.  Ste- 
phen Smith,  Richard  Snead,  and  I,  dre^f  up  a  breviate  of  their  suffer- 
ings, setting  forth  the  illegal  proceedii:^s  against  them ;  which  was  deliv 
ered  to  the  judges  at  the  assizes  at  Gloucester;  and  they  promised  to  put 
a  stop  to  those  illegal  proceedings.  A'ext  day  we  passed  to  Sudbury, 
and  had  a  large  meeting  in  the  meeting-house,  which  at  that  time  was 
of  very  good  service.  We  wfnt  next  day  to  Nathaniel  Crips's  at  Ted- 
bury,  and  from  thence  to  NaVsworth ;  where  on  first-day  we  had  a  brave 
meeting  and  large.  FroiT  thence  we  went  to  the  quarterly  meeting  at 
Finchcomb,  where  were;  several  of  the  opposite  spirit,  who  (it  was 
thought)  intended  to  -'lave  made  disturbance  amongst  friends ;  but  the 
Lord's  power  was  o^er,  and  kept  them  down,  and  good  service  for  the 
Lord  we  had  at  that  meeting.  We  returned  from  Finchcomb  to  Nails- 
worth,  and  had  another  very  precious  meeting  there,  to  which  friends 
came  from  thp  se^^eral  meetings  thereabouts ;  which  made  it  very  large 

also. 

We  wept  from  Nails  worth  the  first  of  the  first  month,  1677-8,  and 
travelled,  visiting  friends,  and  having  many  meetings  at  Cirencester, 
Crown-Aliins,  Cheltenham,  Stoke-Orchard,  Tewksbury,  &c.  so  went  to 
Wor-^es^er,  where  I  had  formerly  suffered  imprisonment  above  a  year 
for  the  truth's  sake ;  and  friends  rejoiced  greatly  to  see  me  there  again. 
Here  I  staid  several  days,  and  had  many  very  precious  meetings  in  the 
citr,  and  much  service  amongst  friends.  After  which  I  had  meetings  at 
Pershore  and  Evesham  ;  then  struck  to  Ragley  in  Warwickshire,  to  visit 
the  lady  Conway,  who  I  understood  was  very  desirous  to  see  me,  and 
whom  I  found  tender  and  loving,  and  willing  to  have  detained  me  longer 
than  I  had  freedom  to  stay.  About  two  miles  from  hence  I  had  two 
meetings  at  a  friend's  house,  whose  name  was  John  Stanley,  whither 
William  Dewsbury  came,  and  staid  with  me  about  half  a  day.  I  vis- 
ited friends  in  their  meetings  at  Stratford,  Lamcoat,  and  Armscott  (from 
whence  I  was  sent  prisoner  to  Worcester  in  the  year  1673)  and  thence 
passed  into  Oxfordshire,  visiting  friends,  and  having  meetings  at  Sibbard, 
North-Newton,  Banbury,  Adderbury,  &c.  Then  visiting  friends  through 
Buckinghamshire,  at  Long-Crendon,  Ilmer,  Mendle,  Weston,  Cholsberry, 
Chesham,  &c.  I  came  to  Isaac  Penington's,  where  I  staid  a  few  days; 
then  turning  into  Hertfordshire,  visited  friends  at  Charlewood,  Watford, 
Hempstead,  and  Market-street,  at  which  places  I  had  meetings  with 
friends.  From  Market-street  I  went  in  the  morning  to  Luton  in  Bed- 
fordshire, to  see  John  Crook,  with  whom  I  spent  good  part  of  the  day, 
and  went  towards  evening  to  Alban's,  where  I  lay  that  night  at  an  inn. 
And  visiting  friends  at  South-Mims,  Barnet,  and  Hendon,  where  I  had 
meetings,  I.  came  to  London  the  eighth  of  the  third  month.  It  being  the 
fourth-day,  I  went  to  Gracechurch-street  meeting,  which  was  peaceable 
and  well;  many  friends,  not  knowing  I  was  come  to  town,  were  very 
joyful  to  see  me  there,  and  the  Lord  was  present  with  us,  refreshing  us 
with  his  living  virtue ;  blessed  be  his  holy  name  ! 

The  parliament  was  sitting  when  I  came  to  town,  and  friends  having 
laid  their  sufferings  before  them,  were  waiting  on  them  for  relief  against 
the  laws  made  against  Popish  recusants,  which  they  knew  we  were  not; 
though  some  malicious  magistrates  took  advantage  to  prosecute  us  in 
several  parts  of  the  nation  upon  those  statutes.  Friends  being  attending 
that  service,  when  I  came,  I  joined  them  therein ;  and  some  probability 

3Q 


522  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

there  was  that  somethiiig  might  have  been  obtained  towards  friends'  ease 
and  reUef  in  that  case,  nmiy  of  the  parhament-men  being  tender  and 
loving  towards  us,  as  beheving  we  were  much  misrepresented  by  our 
adversaries.  But  when  I  went  oiit>  morning  with  George  Whitehead,  to 
the  parhament-house,  to  attend  \henxon  friends'  behalf,  on  a  sudden  they 
were  prorogued  though  but  for  a  shoit  time. 

About  two  weeks  after  I  came  to  Loadon  the  yearly  meeting  began, 
to  which  friends  came  out  of  most  parts  of  the  nation,  and  a  glorious 
heavenly  meeting  we  had.  Oh  the  glory,  majesty,  love,  life,  wisdom  and 
unity,  that  was  amongst  us !  The  power  reigi,,d  over  all,  and  many  tes- 
timonies were  borne  therein  against  that  ungodlj  spirit  which  sought  to 
make  rents  and  divisions  amongst  the  Lord's  peop^ ;  but  not  one  mouth 
was  opened  amongst  us  in  its  defence,  or  on  its  behalf.  Good  and  com- 
fortable accounts  also  we  had,  for  the  most  part,  fron-.  friends  in  other 
countries ;  of  which  I  find  a  brief  account  in  a  letter  wiich  soon  after  I 
wrote  to  my  wife,  the  copy  whereof  here  follows  : 

'  Dear  heart, 

*  To  whom  is  my  love  in  the  everlasting  Seed  of  life,  that  reigns  over 

*  all.     Great  meetings  here  have  been,  and  the  Lord's  power  Inath  been 

*  stirring  through  all,  the  like  hath  not  been.  The  Lord  hath  in  hi3  p^wer 

*  knit  friends  wonderfully  together,  and  his  glorious  presence  did  appear 

*  among  friends.    And  now  the  meetings  are  over  (blessed  be  the  Lord  i) 

*  in  quietness  and  peace.  From  Holland  I  hear  that  things  are  well 
'  there.    Some  friends  a  re  gone  that  way,  to  be  at  the  yearly  meeting  at 

*  Amsterdam.  At  Embden,  friends  that  were  banished  are  got  into  the 
'city  again.  At  Dantzick,  friends  are  in  prison,  and  the  magistrates 
'  threatened  them  with  harder  imprisonment ;  but  the  next  day  the  Lu- 
'  therans  rose,  and  plucked  down  or  defaced  the  Popish  monastery,  so 
'  they  have  work  enough  themselves.     The  king  of  Poland  did  receive 

*  my  letter,  and  read  it  himself;  and  friends  have  since  printed  it  in  High 
'  Dutch.  By  letters  from  the  half-yearly  meeting  in  Ireland,  I  hear  they 
'  are  all  in  love  there.  At  Barbadoes  friends  are  in  quietness,  and  their 
'  meetings  settled  in  peace.  At  Antigua  also  and  Nevis  truth  prospers, 
'  and  friends  have  their  meetings  orderly  and  well.     Likewise  in  New- 

*  England,  and  other  places,  things  concerning  truth  and  friends  are  well ; 
'  and  in  those  places  the  men's  and  women's  meetings  are  settled ;  blessed 

*  be  the  Lord !  So  keep  in  God's  power  and  Seed,  that  is  over  all,  in 
'  whom  ye  all  have  life  and  salvation ;  for  the  Lord  reigns  over  all,  in 

*  his  glory,  and  in  his  kingdom ;  glory  to  his  name  for  ever.  Amen !  So 
'  in  haste,  with  my  love  to  you  all,  and  to  all  friends.  G.  F.' 

*  London,  the  26th  of  the 
'  3d  month,  1678.' 

The  letter  to  the  king  of  Poland,  before-mentioned,  is  as  followeth : 
*  To  Johannes  III.  king  of  Poland,  &c. 

'  O  king ! 

*  We  desire  thy  prosperity  both  in  this  life  and  that  which  is  to  come. 
'  And  we  desire  that  we  may  have  our  Christian  liberty  to  serve  and 

*  worship  God  under  thy  dominion  :  for  our  principle  leads  us  not  to  do 

*  any  thing  prejudicial  to  the  king  or  his  people.     We  are  a  people  that 

*  exercise  a  good  conscience  towards  God  through  his  Holy  Spirit,  and 


1678]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  523 

'  in  it  do  serve,  woi'ship,  and  honour  him ;  and  towards  men  in  the  things 

*  that  are  equal  and  just,  doing  to  them  as  we  would  have  them  do  unto 
*us;  looking  unto  Jesus,,  who  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith; 

*  which  faith  purifies  our  hearts,  and  brings  us  to  have  access  to  God  ; 

*  without  which  we  cannot  please  him :  by  which  faith  all  the  just  live, 

*  as  the  scripture  declares.     That  which  we  desire  of  thee,  O  king,  is, 

*  that  we  may  have  the  liberty  of  our  consciences  to  serve  and  worship 

*  God,  and  to  pray  unto  him  in  our  meetings  together  in  the  name  of 

*  Jesus,  as  he  commands  :  with  a  promise  that  he  will  be  in  the  midst  of 
'  them.  The  king,  we  hope,  cannot  but  say  that  this  duty  and  service  is 
'  due  to  God  and  Christ ;  and  we  give  Caesar  his  due,  and  pay  our  tribute 

*  and  custom  equal  v^dth  our  neighbour,  according  to  our  proportion. 

*  We  never  read  in  all  the  scriptures  of  the  New  Testament,  that  ever 

*  Christ  or  his  disciples  did  banish  or  imprison  any  that  were  not  of  their 
'  faith  or  religion,  and  would  not  hear  them,  or  gave  any  such  command ; 
'  but,  on  the  contrary,  let  the  tares  and  the  wheat  grow  together  till  the 
'  harvest,  and  the  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world.  Then  Christ  will  send 
'  his  angels  to  sever  the  wheat  from  the  tares.  He  rebuked  such  as  would 
'  have  had  fire  from  heaven  to  consume  those  that  would  not  receive 
'  Christ ;  and  told  them  they  did  not  know  what  spirit  they  were  of ;  he 
'  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them. 

'  We  desire  the  king  to  consider  how  much  persecution  has  been  in 
'  Christendom,  since  the  apostles'  days,  concerning  religion.  Christ  said, 
'  They  should  go  into  everlasting  punishment  that  did  not  visit  him  in 

*  prison ;  then  what  will  become  of  them  that  imprison  him  in  his  mem- 
'  bers,  where  he  is  manifest.     None  can  say  the  world  is  ended ;  there- 

*  fore  how  will  Christendom  answer  the  dreadful  and  terrible  God  at  his 
'  day  of  judgment,  that  have  persecuted  one  another  about  religion  be- 

*  fore  the  end  of  the  world,  under  a  pretence  of  plucking  up  tares ;  which 

*  is  not  their  work,  but  the  angels'  at  the  end  of  the  world  ?  Christ  com- 
'  mands  men  to  love  one  another,  and  to  love  enemies ;  and  by  this  they 
'  should  be  known  to  be  his  disciples.  O  that  all  Christendom  had  lived 
'  in  peace  and  unity,  that  they  might  by  their  moderation  have  judged 

*  both  Turks  and  Jews ;  and  let  all  have  their  liberty,  that  own  God  and 
'  Christ  Jesus,  and  walk  as  becomes  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus 

*  Christ.     Our  desires  are,  that  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  may  soften  the 

*  king's  heart  to  all  tender  consciences  that  fear  the  Lord,  and  are  afraid 

*  of  disobeying  him. 

'  We  intreat  the  king  to  read  some  of  the  noble  expressions  of  several 

*  kings,  and  others,   concerning  liberty  of  conscience ;    and  especially 

*  Stephanus  king  of  Poland's  sayings,  viz.  "  It  belongeth  not  to  me  to 
"  reform  the  consciences ;  I  have  always  gladly  given  that  over  to  God 
"  which  belongeth  to  him ;  and  so  shall  I  do  now,  and  also  for  the  future. 
"  I  will  suficr  the  weeds  to  grow  till  the  time  of  harvest,  for  I  know  that 
"  the  number  of  believers  are  but  small;  therefore,"  said  he,  when  some 

*  were  proceeding  in  persecution,  "  I  am  king  of  the  people,  not  of  their 
"  consciences."  He  also  afi^rmed,  that  "  religion  was  not  to  be  planted 
"  with  fire  and  sword."     Chron.  Liberty  of  Religion,  Part  2. 

'  Also  a  book  wrote  in  French  by  W.  M.  anno  1576,  hath  this  sen- 
'  tence,  viz.  "  Those  princes  that  have  ruled  by  gentleness  and  clemency 
"  added  to  justice,  and  have  exercised  moderation  and  meekness  towards 
"  their  subjects,  always  prospered  and  reigned  long ;  but,  on  the  contra- 
"  ry,  those  princes  that  have  been  cruel,  unjust,  prejudiced,  and  oppress- 


624  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

"  ors  of  their  subjects,  have  soon  fallen,  they  and  their  estates,  into  dan- 
"  ger  or  total  ruin. 

'  Veritus  saith,  "Seeing  Christ  is  a  Lamb,- whom  you  profess  to  be 
"  your  head  and  captain,  then  it  behoveth  you  to  be  sheep,  and  to  use 
"  the  same  weapons  which  he  made  use  of;  for  he  will  not  be  a  shepherd 
"  of  wolves  and  wild  beasts,  but  only  of  sheep.  Wherefore,  if  you  lose 
"  the  nature  of  sheep,"  said  he,  "  and  be  changed  into  wolves  and  wild 
*'  beasts,  and  use  fleshly  weapons,  then  will  you  exclude  yourselves  out 
*'  of  his  calling,  and  forsake  his  banner ;  and  then  will  not  he  be  your 
"  captain,"  &c. 

'  Also  we  find  it  asserted  by  king  James,  in  his  speech  to  the  parha- 

*  ment,  in  the  year  1609,  "  That  it  is  a  pure  rule  in  divinity,  that  God 
*'  never  planted  his  church  with  violence  of  blood."  And  further  he  said, 
*'  It  was  usually  the  condition  of  Christians  to  be  persecuted,  but  not  to 
*'  persecute." 

'  King  Charles,  in  his  'Eixwv  BatriXixTj,  pag.  61,  said  in  his  prayer  to 

*  God, "  Thou  seest  how  much  cruelty  amongst  Christians  is  acted  under 
"  the  colour  of  religion ;  as  if  we  could  not  be  Christians  unless  we  cru- 
"  cified  one  another." 

'  Pag.  28.  "  Make  them  at  length  seriously  to  consider,  that  nothing 
"  violent  nor  injurious  can  be  religious." 

'  Pag.  70.  "  Nor  is  it  so  proper  to  hew  out  religious  reformation  by  the 
"  sword,  as  to  polish  them  by  fair  and  equal  disputations,  among  those 
"  that  are  most  concerned  in  the  differences,  whom  not  force  but  reason 
*'  must  convince." 

'  Pag.  66.  "  Take  heed  that  outward  circumstances  and  formalities  in 
"  religion  devour  not  at  all." 

'  Pag.  91,  92.  "  In  point  of  true  conscientious  tenderness  I  have  so 
*'  often  declared,  how  little  I  desire  my  laws  and  sceptre  should  intrench 
*'  on  God's  sovereignty,  who  is  the  only  king  of  conscience." 

'  Pag.  123.  "  Nor  do  I  desire  any  man  should  be  further  subject  unto 
*'  me,  than  all  of  us  may  be  subject  unto  God." 

'  Pag.  200.  "  O  thou  Sovereign  of  our  souls,  the  only  commander  of 
"  our  consciences !" 

'  Pag.  346.  (In  his  Meditations  on  Death)  "  It  is  indeed  a  sad  estate, 
"  to  have  his  enemies  to  be  his  accusers,  parties,  and  judges." 

'  The  prince  of  Orange  testified.  Anno  1579,  "  That  it  was  impossible 
"  the  land  should  be  kept  in  peace,  except  there  was  a  free  toleration  in 
"  the  exercise  of  rehgion." 

"  Where  hast  thou  read  in  thy  day  (said  Menno)  in  the  writings  of 
"  the  apostles,  that  Christ  or  the  apostles  ever  cried  out  to  the  magistrate 
*'  for  their  power  against  them  that  would  not  hear  their  doctrine,  nor 
"obey  their  words?  I  know  certainly  (said  he)  that  where  a  magis- 
"  trate  shall  banish  with  the  sword,  there  is  not  the  right  knowledge, 
"  spiritual  word,  nor  church  of  Christ ;  it  is,  Invocare  brachium  seculare 
"  (to  invoke  the  secular  arm)." 

"  It  is  not  Christian-like,  but  tyrannical  (said  D.  Philipson)  to  banish 
"  and  persecute  people,  about  faith  and  religion ;  and  they  that  do  so  are 
"  cei'tainly  of  the  Pharisaical  generation,  who  resisted  the  Holy  Ghost." 

'  Erasmus  said,  "  Though  they  take  our  monies  and  goods,  they  can- 
"  not  therefore  hurt  our  salvation ;  they  afflict  us  much  with  prisons,  but 
"  they  do  not  thereby  separate  us  from  God."     In  de  Krvdges  wrede, 

*  fol.  63. 


1678]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  525 

'  Lucernus  said,  "  He  that  commandeth  any  thing  wherewith  he 
*'  bindeth  the  conscience,  this  is  an  antichrist."  In  de  Demise  Disp. 
«foI.  71. 

'  Irenseus  affirmed,  "  That  all  forcing  of  conscience,  though  it  was  but 
"  a  forbidding  of  the  exercise  which  is  esteemed  by  one  or  another  to  be 
"  necessary  to  salvation,  is  ilfi  nowise  right  nor  fitting."  He  also  affirmed, 
"  That  through  the  diversity  of  religions  the  kingdom  should  not  be 
"  brought  into  any  disturbance." 

'  Constantius  the  emperor  said,  "  It  was  enough  that  he  preserved  the 
"  unity  of  the  faith,  that  he  might  be  excusable  before  the  judgment-seat 
"  of  God ;  and  that  he  would  leave  every  one  to  his  own  understanding, 
"  according  to  the  account  he  will  give  before  the  judgment-seat  of 
"  Christ.  Hereto  may  we  stir  up  people,  (said  he)  not  compel  them ; 
*'  beseech  them  to  come  into  the  unity  of  the  Christians,  but  to  do  vio- 
"  lence  to  them,  we  will  not  in  any-wise."  Sebast.  Frank.  Chron.  fol.  127. 

'  Augustinus  said,  "  Some  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  church,  while 
"  they  went  about  to  root  out  the  tares  before  their  time ;  and  through 
"  this  error  of  blindness  arc  they  themselves  separated  so  much  the  more 
"  from  being  united  unto  Christ." 

'  Retnaldus  testified,  "  That  he,  who  with  imprisoning  and  persecuting 
"  seeketh  to  spread  the  gospel,  and  greaseth  his  hands  with  blood,  shall 
"  much  rather  be  looked  upon  for  a  wild  hunter,  than  a  preacher  or  a 
"  defender  of  the  Christian  religion." 

"  I  have  for  a  long  season  determined  (said  Henry  IV.  king  of  France, 
"in  his  speech  to  the  parliament  1599)  to  reform  the  church,  which 
"  without  peace  I  cannot  do  :  and  it  is  impossible  to  reform  or  convert 
"  people  by  violence.  I  am  king,  as  a  shepherd,  and  will  not  shed  the 
"  blood  of  my  sheep :  but  will  gather  them  through  the  mildness  and 
"  goodness  of  a  king,  and  not  through  the  power  of  tyranny :  and  I  will 
"  give  them  that  are  of  the  reformed  religion,  right  liberty  to  live  and 
"  dwell  free,  without  being  examined,  perplexed,  molested,  or  compelled 
"  to  any  thing,  contrary  to  their  consciences ;  for  they  shall  have  the  free 
"  exercise  of  their  religion,"  &c.  [Vid.  Chron.  Van  de  Underg.  2  deel,  p. 
'  1514.] 

'  Ennius  said,  "  Wisdom  is  driven  out,  w^ien  the  matter  is  acted  by 
"  force.  And  therefore  the  best  of  men,  and  most  glorious  of  princes, 
"  were  always  ready  to  give  toleration." 

'  Eusebius,  in  his  second  book  of  the  life  of  Constantine,  reports  these 
'  words  of  the  emperor:  "  Let  them  which  err  with  joy  receive  the  Hke 
"  fruition  of  peace  and  quietness  with  the  faithful,  sith  the  restoring  of 
"communication  and  society  may  bring  them  into  the  light  way  of 
"  truth ;  let  none  give  molestation  to  any ;  let  every  one  do  as  he  deter- 
"  mines  in  his  mind.  And  indeed  there  is  great  reason  for  princes  to  give 
"  toleration  to  disagreeing  persons,  whose  opinions  cannot  by  fair  means 
"  be  altered :  for  if  the  persons  be  confident,  they  will  serve  God  accord- 
"  ing  to  their  persuasions ;  and  if  they  be  publickly  prohibited,  they  will 
"  privately  convene ;  and  then  all  those  inconveniences  and  mischiefs, 
"  which  are  arguments  against  the  permission  of  conventicles,  are  argu- 
"  ments  for  the  publick  permission  of  difiering  religions,  &c.  they  being 
"  restrained  and  made  miserable,  endears  the  discontented  persons  mu- 
"  tually,  and  makes  more  hearty  and  dangerous  confederations." 

"  The  like  counsel  in  the  divisions  of  Germany,  at  the  first  reforma- 
"  tion,  was  thought  reasonable  by  the  emperor  Ferdinand  and  his  excel- 


526  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

"  lent  son  Maximilian ;  for  they  had  observed,  that  violence  did  exasper- 
*'  ate,  was  unblest,  unsuccessful,  and  unreasonable ;  and  therefore  they 
"  made  decrees  of  toleration." 

*  The  duke  of  Savoy,  repenting  of  his  war  undertaken  for  religion 

*  against  the  Piedmontese,  promised  them  toleration ;  and  was  as  good  as 

*  his  word.' 

'  It  is  remarkable,  that  till  the  time  of  Justinian  the  emperor,  Anno 
'  Domini  525,  "  the  Catholicks  and  Novatians  had  churches  indifferently 
"  permitted,  even  in  Rome  itself." 

"  And  Paul  preached  the  kingdom  of  God,  teaching  those  things 
"  which  concerned  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  all  confidence,  and  no 
"  man  forbad  him ;  and  this  he  did  for  the  space  of  two  years  in  his  own 
"  hired  house  at  Rome,  and  received  all  that  came  to  him." 

'  Now,  O  king,  seeing  these  noble  testimonies  concerning  liberty  of 

*  conscience  of  kings,  emperors,  and  others,  and  the  liberty  that  Paul  had 

*  at  Rome  in  the  days  of  the  heathen  emperor,  our  desire  is,  that  we 

*  may  have  the  same  liberty  at  Dantzick  to  meet  together  in  our  own 

*  hired  houses,  which  cannot  be  any  prejudice  either  to  the  king  or  the 

*  city  of  Dantzick,  for  us  to  meet  together  to  wait  upon  the  Lord,  and 

*  pray  unto  him,  and  to  serve  and  worship  him  in  Spirit  and  truth  in  our 
'  own  hired  houses ;  seeing  our  principle  leads  us  to  hurt  no  man,  but  to 

*  love  our  enemies,  and  to  pray  for  them,  yea,  them  that  persecute  us. 

*  Therefore,  O  king,  consider,  and  the  city  of  Dantzick,  would  you  not 
*■  think  it  hard  for  others  to  force  you  from  your  religion  to  another,  con- 

*  trary  to  your  consciences  ?    And  if  it  be  so,  that  you  would  think  it 

*  hard  to  you,  then  "  do  you  unto  others  as  you  would  have  them  do  unto 
"  you,"  do  not  you  that  unto  others  which  you  would  not  have  men  do 
'  unto  you ;  for  that  is  the  royal  law,  which  ought  to  be  obeyed.     And 

*  so  in  love  to  thy  immortal  soul,  and  for  thy  eternal  good  this  is  written. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  POSTSCRIPT. 

"  Blessed  be  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy."     And  remem- 

*  ber,  O  king,  Justin  Martyr's  two  apologies  to  the  Roman  emperors,  in 
'  the  defence  of  tlie  persecuted  Christians,  and  that  notable  apology 
'  which  was  written  by  Tertullian  upon  the  same  subject ;  which  are  not 

*  only  for  the  Christian  religion,  but  against  all  persecution  for  religion.' 

*  Dear  Peter  Hendricks,  John  Claus,  J.  Rawlins,  and  all  the  rest  of 

'  friends  in  Amsterdam,  Friesland,  and  Rotterdam,  to  whom  is  my 
'  love  in  the  Seed  of  life  that  is  over  all ; 

<  I  RECEIVED  your  letter,  with  a  letter  from  Dantzick :  I  have  written 
'  something  directed  to  you,  to  the  king  of  Poland,  which  you  may  trans- 

*  late  into  High  Dutch,  and  send  it  to  friends  there,  to  give  it  to  the  king'; 

*  or  you  may  print  it,  after  it  be  delivered  in  manuscript,  which  may  be 

*  serviceable  to  other  princes.     So  in  haste,  with  my  love.     The  Lord 

*  God  Almighty  over  all  give  you  dominion  in  his  eternal  power,  and  in 

*  it  over  all  preserve  you,  and  keep  you  to  his  glory,  that  you  may  answer 

*  that  of  God  in  all  people  !  Amen.  George  Fox.' 

*  London,  the  13th  of 
*  9th  month,  1677.' 

I  continued  yet  in  and  about  London  some  weeks,  the  parliament  sit- 
ting again,  and  friends  attending  to  get  some  redress  of  our  sufferings, 


16780  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  527 

■which  about  this  time  were  very  great  and  heavy  upon  many  friends  in 
divers  parts  of  the  nation;  they  being  very  unduly  prosecuted  upon  the 
statutes  made  against  popish  recusants;  though  our  persecutors  could 
not  but  know  friends  were  utterly  against  popery,  having  borne  testimony 
against  it  in  word  and  writing,  and  suffered  under  it.  But  though  many 
of  the  members  of  parliament  in  either  house  were  kind  to  friends,  and 
wilhng  to  have  done  something  for  their  ease ;  yet  having  much  business, 
they  were  hindered  from  doing  the  good  they  would,  so  that  the  suffer- 
ings upon  friends  were  continued. 

But  that  which  added  much  to  the  grief  and  exercise  of  friends  was, 
that  some,  who  made  profession  of  the  same  truth  with  us,  being  gone 
from  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel  into  fleshly  liberty,  and  labouring  to 
draw  others  after  them,  did  oppose  the  order  and  disciphne  which  God 
by  his  power  had  set  up  and  estabUshed  in  his  church ;  and  made  a  great 
noise  and  clamour  against  prescriptions;  whereby 4,hey  easily  drew  after 
them  such  as  were  loosely  inclined,  and  desired  a  broader  way  than  the 
path  of  truth  to  walk  in.  Some  also,  that  were  more  simple,  but  young 
in  truth,  or  weak  in  judgment,  were  apt  to  be  betrayed  by  them,  not 
knowing  the  depths  of  Satan  in  these  wiles :  for  whose  sake  I  was  mov- 
ed to  write  the  following  paper,  for  the  undeceiving  the  deceived,  and 
opening  the  understandings  of  the  weak  in  this  matter : 

*  All  that  deny  prescriptions  without  distinction,  may  as  well  deny  all 
'  the  scriptures,  which  were  given  forth  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God. 
'  For  do  they  not  prescribe  how  men  should  walk  towards  God  and  man, 
'  both  in  the  Old  Testament  and  in  the  New  1  Yea,  from  the  very  first 
'  promise  of  Christ  in  Genesis,  what  people  ought  to  believe  and  trust  in ; 
'  and  all  along,  till  ye  come  to  the  prophets  1  Did  not  the  Lord  prescribe 
'  to  his  people  by  the  fathers,  and  then  by  his  prophets  1  Did  he  not  pre- 
'  scribe  to  the  people  how  they  should  walk,  though  they  turned  against 
'  the  prophets  in  the  old  covenant  for  declaring  or  prescribing  to  them 
'  the  way  how  they  might  walk  to  please  God,  and  keep  in  favour  with 

*  him  ?  In  the  days  of  Christ,  did  he  not  prescribe  and  teach  how  people 
'  should  walk  and  believe  ?  and  after  him,  did  not  the  apostles  prescribe 

*  unto  people  how  they  might  come  to  believe,  and  receive  the  gospel  and 
'  the  kingdom  of  God,  directing  unto  that  which  would  give  them  the 
'  know'ledge  of  God,  and  how  they  should  walk  in  the  new  covenant  in 
'  the  days  of  the  gospel,  and  by  what  way  they  should  come  to  the  holy 

*  city  1  And  did  not  the  apostles  send  forth  their  decrees  by  faithful  cho- 

*  sen  men  (that  had  hazarded  their  lives  for  Christ's  sake)  to  the  churches, 
'  by  which  they  were  established  ?  So  you,  that  deny  prescriptions  given 
'  forth  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  do  thereby  oppose  the  Spirit  that 
'  gave  them  forth  in  all  the  holy  men  of  God.  Were  there  not  some  all 
'  along  in  the  days  of  Moses,  in  the  days  of  the  prophets,  in  the  days  of 

*  Christ,  and  in  the  days  of  his  apostles,  who  did  withstand  that  which 

*  they  gave  forth  from  the  Spirit  of  God?  And  hath  there  not  been  the 
'  like  since  the  days  of  the  apostles  1  How  many  have  risen,  since  truth 
'  appeared,  to  oppose  the  order  which  stands  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of 
'  God  1  who  are  but  in  the  same  spirit  which  hath  opposed  the  Spirit  of 
'  God  all  along  from  the  beginning.     See  what  names  or  titles  the  Spirit 

*  of  God  gave  that  opposing  spirit  in  the  old  covenant,  and  also  in  the 
'  new;  which  is  the  same  now;  for  after  the  Lord  had  given  forth  the 
'  old  covenant,  there  were  some  among  themselves  that  did  oppose ; 


528  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  ..jg^g 

*  which  were  worse  than  publick  enemies.  And  likewise  in  the  days  of 
'  the  new  covenant,  in  the  gospel-times,  you  may  see  what  sort  opposed 

*  Christ  and  the  apostles  after  they  came  to  some  sight  of  the  truth ;  and 
'  how  they  turned  against  Christ  and  his  apostles  1  See  what  liberty  they 
'  pleaded  for  and  ran  into  in  the  apostles'  days,  who  could  not  abide  the 
'  cross,  the  yoke  of  Jesus.     We  see  the  same  rough  and  high  spirit  cries 

*  now  for  liberty  (which  the  power  and  Spirit  of  Christ  cannot  give)  and 

*  cries,  "  Imposition,"  yet  is  imposing ;  cries,  "  Liberty  of  conscience," 

*  and  yet  is  opposing  Uberty  of  conscience ;  cries  against  prescriptions, 
'  and  yet  is  prescribing  both  in  words  and  writing.  So  with  the  ever- 
'  lasting  power  and  Spirit  of  God  this  spirit  is  fathomed,  its  rise,  begin- 

*  ning,  and  end  ;  and  it  is  judged.  This  Spirit  cries,  "  We  must  not  judge 
"  conscience,  we  must  not  judge  matters  of  faith,  we  must  not  judge 
"  spirits,  nor  religions,"  &c.     Yes:  they  that  are  in  the  pure  Spirit  and 

*  power  of  God,  which  the  apostles  were  in,  judge  of  conscience,  wheth- 

*  er  it  be  a  seared  conscience,  or  a  tender  conscience ;  they  judge  of 

*  faith,  whether  it  be  a  dead  one,  or  a  living  one ;  they  judge  of  religion, 

*  whether  it  be  vain,  or  pure  and  undefiled ;  they  judge  of  spirits,  and 

*  try  them,  whether  they  be  of  God,  or  no  ;  they  judge  of  hope,  whether 

*  it  be  that  of  hypocrites,  or  the  true  hope  that  purifies,  even  as  God  is 

*  pure ;  they  judge  of  belief,  whether  it  be  that  which  is  born  of  God, 

*  and  overcometh  the  world,  or  that  which  runs  into  the  spirit  of  the 

*  world,  which  lusts  to  envy,  and  doth  not  overcome  the  world;  they 
'judge  of  worships,  whether  they  be  will-worships,  and  the  worship  of 
'  the  beast  and  dragon,  or  the  worship  of  God  in  Spirit  and  in  truth ; 
'  they  judge  of  angels,  whether  they  be  fallen,  or  those  that  keep  their 
'  habitation;  they  judge  the  world,  that  grieves  and  quenches  the  Spirit, 
'  hates  the  light,  turns  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  and  resists  the 
'  Holy  Ghost.     They  judge  of  the  hearts,  ears  and  lips,  which  are  cir- 

*  cumcised,  and  which  are  uncircumcised.  They  judge  of  ministers, 
'  apostles,  and  messengers,  whether  they  be  of  Satan  or  of  Christ.  Judge 
'  of  differences  in  outward  things,  in  the  church  or  elsewhere ;  yea,  the 
'  least  member  of  the  church  hath  power  to  judge  of  such  things,  having 

*  the  one  true  measure  and  true  weight  to  weigh  things  and  measure 
'  things  withal,  without  respect  to  persons.  This  judgment  is  given,  and 
'  all  these  things  are  done  by  the  same  power  and  Spirit  the  apostles 

*  wei'e  in.  Such  also  can  judge  of  election  and  reprobation,  and  who 
'  keep  their  habitation,  and  who  not ;  who  are  Jews,  and  who  are  of  the 
'  synagogue  of  Satan ;  who  are  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  who  are 
'  in  the  doctrines  of  devils ;  who  prescribes  and  declares  things  from  the 
'  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  to  preserve  all  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of 
'  God,  and  who  prescribes  and  declares  things  from  a  loose  spirit,  to  let 
'  all  loose  from  under  the  yoke  of  Christ,  the  power  of  God,  into  loose- 
'  ness  and  liberty.  These  likewise  can  judge  and  discern  who  brings 
'  people  into  the  possession  of  the  gospel  of  light  and  life,  over  death  and 
'  darkness,  and  into  the  truth  where  the  devil  cannot  get  in ;  and  who 
'  brings  them  into  the  possession  of  death  and  darkness,  out  of  the  glori- 

*  ous  liberty  of  the  gospel,  and  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  faith,  truth.  Spirit, 
'  light,  and  grace.  For  there  is  no  true  liberty  but  in  that ;  and  that  lib- 
'  erty  answers  the  grace,  the  truth,  the  light,  the  Spirit,  the  faith,  the 
'  gospel  of  Christ  in  every  man  and  woman,  and  is  the  yoke  to  the  con- 

*  trary  in  every  man  and  woman.     That  makes  it  rage,  and  swell,  and 

*  puff  up ;  for  that  is  restless,  unruly,  out  of  patience,  and  readv  to  curse 


1678]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  529 

<  his  God,  and  that  which  reigns  over  him,  because  it  hath  not  its  will. 
'  It  works  with  all  subtilty  and  evasion  with  its  restless  spirit,  to  get  in 
'  and  defile  the  minds  of  the  simple,  and  to  make  rapes  upon  the  virgin 
'  minds.  But  as  they  receive  the  heavenly  wisdom,  by  which  all  things 
'  were  made  (which  wisdom  is  above  that  spirit)  through  this  wisdom 
'  they  will  be  preserved  over  that  spirit.  And  Christ  hath  given  judgment 
'  to  his  saints  in  his  church,  though  he  be  judge  of  all ;  and  the  saints,  in 
'  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  had  and  have  power  to  judge  of  words 
'  and  manners,  of  lives  and  conversations,  growths,  and  states,  from  a 
'  child  to  a  father  in  the  truth ;  and  to  whom  they  are  a  savour  of  death, 
'  and  to  whom  they  are  a  savour  of  life ;  and  who  serve  the  Lord  Jesus 
'  Christ,  and  preach  him,  and  who  preach  themselves,  and  serve  them- 
'  selves ;  and  who  talk  of  the  light,  of  faith,  of  the  gospel,  of  hope,  of 
'  grace,  and  preach  such  things ;  yet  in  their  works  and  lives  deny  them 
'  all,  and  God  and  Christ,  and" preach  up  liberty,  from  that  in  themselves 

*  to  that  in  others,  which  should  be  under  the  yoke  and  cross  of  Christ, 

<  the  power  of  God.  So  the  saints  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  Christ 
'  can  discern  and  distinguish  who  serves  God  and  Christ,  and  who  serves 
'  him  not ;  and  can  put  a  distinction  between  the  prophane  and  the  holy. 
'  But  such  as  have  lost  their  eye-salve,  and  their  sight  is  grown  dim,  lose 
'  this  judgment,  discerning,  and  distinction  in  the  church  of  Christ ;  and 
'  such  come  to  be  spewed  out  of  Christ's  mouth,  except  they  repent :  and 
'  if  not,  they  come  to  corrupt  the  earth,  and  burden  it,  that  it  vomits 
'  them  out  of  it.  Therefore  all  are  exhorted  to  keep  in  the  power  and 
'  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus,  in  the  word  of  life  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  which 
'  is  above  that  which  is  below,  in  which  they  may  keep  their  heavenly 
'  understandings  and  heavenly  discernings ;  and  so  set  the  heavenly  spir- 
'  itual  judgment  over  that  which  is  for  judgment,  which  dishonours  God, 
'  which  leads  into  loose  and  false  liberty ;  out  of  the  unity  which  stands 
'  in  the  heavenly  Spirit,  which  brings  to  be  conformable  to  the  image  of 
'  the  Son  of  God,  and  his  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  which  was  before 
'  the  devil  was,  and  his  truth,    which  the  devil  is  out  of,  in  which  all  are 

*  of  one  mind,  heart,  and  soul,  and  come  to  drink  into  one  Spirit,  being 
'  baptized  into  one  Spirit,  and  so  into  one  body,  which  Christ  is  the  head 

*  of;  and  so  keep  one  fellowship  in  the  Spirit,  and  unity  in  the  Spirit, 
'  which  is  the  bond  of  peace,  the  Prince  of  Princes'  peace.     And  those 

<  that  cry  so  much  against  judging,  and  are  afraid  of  judgment,  whether 
'  they  be  apostles,  professors,  or  prophane,  are  the  most  judging  with  the 
'  censorious  false  spirits  and  judgment ;  yet  cannot  bear  the  true  judg- 

*  ment  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  nor  stand  in  his  judgment.  This  hath  been 
'  manifest  from  the  beginning,  they  having  the  false  measures  and  the 
'  false  weights :  for  none  have  the  true  measure  and  the  true  weight,  but 
'  who  keep  in  the  light,  power,  and  Spirit  of  Christ.  There  is  a  loose 
'  spirit  that  cries  for  liberty,  and  against  prescriptions,  yet  is  prescribing 
'  ways,  both  by  words  and  writings.  The  same  spirit  cries  against 
'  judging,  and  would  not  be  judged,  yet  is  judging  with  a  wrong  spirit. 
'  This  is  given  forth  in  reproof  to  that  spirit.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  9th  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1678.' 

When  I  had  finished  what  service  I  had  for  the  Lord  at  this  time 
here,  I  went  towards  Hertford,  visiting  friends,  and  having  several  meet- 
ings in  the  way.    At  Hertford  I  staid  several  days,  having  much  service 

3  R 


530  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

for  the  Lord  there ;  both  amongst  friends  in  their  meetings,  and  in  con- 
ferences with  such  as,  having  let  in  evil  surmisings  and  jealousies  con- 
cerning friends,  stood  in  opposition  to  the  order  of  truth ;  and  in  ansvi^er- 
ing  some  books  written  against  truth  and  friends.  While  I  was  here,  it 
came  upon  me  to  write  a  few  lines,  and  send  them  abroad  amongst 
friends,  as  followeth : 

*  Dear  friends, 

'  Let  the  holy  Seed  of  life  reign  over  death  and  the  unholy  seed  in 

*  you  all ;  that  in  the  holy  Seed  of  the  kingdom  ye  may  all  feel  the  ever- 

*  lasting  holy  peace  with  God,  through  Christ  Jesus  your  Saviour,  and 
'  sit  down  in  him,  your  life  and  glorious  rest,  the  holy  rock  and  founda- 
'  tion,  that  standeth  sure  over  all  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  in 
'  whom  all  the  fulness  of  blessedness  is ;  so  that  ye  may  glory  in  him 
'  that  liveth  for  evermore.  Amen !  who  is  your  eternal  joy,  life  and  hap- 
'  piness,  through  whom  you  have  peace  with  God.  This  holy  Seed 
'  bruiseth  the  head  of  the  serpent,  and  will  outlive  all  his  wrath,  malice, 

*  and  envy ;  who  was  before  he  and  it  was,  and  remains  when  he  and  it 
'  is  gone  into  the  fire  that  burns  with  brimstone.  The  Seed  Christ  will 
'  reign ;  and  so  will  ye,  as  ye  live  and  walk  in  him,  sit  down  in  Christ, 

*  and  build  up  one  another  in  the  love  of  God.  G.  F.' 

*  Hertford,  the  10th  of  the 

'  5th  month,  1678.' 

Next  day  a  fresh  exercise  came  upon  me,  with  respect  to  those  unruly 
and  disorderly  spirits  which  were  gone  out  from  us,  and  were  labouring 
to  draw  others  after  them  into  a  false  liberty.  In  the  sense  I  had  of 
the  hurt  and  mischief  these  might  do,  where  they  were  given  way  to, 
I  was  moved  to  write  a  few  lines  to  warn  friends  of  them,  as  followeth : 

*  All  friends, 
'  Keep  in  the  tender  life  of  the  Lamb,  over  that  unruly,  puffed  up  and 
'  swelling  spirit,  whose  work  is  for  strife,  contention,  and'  division,  draw- 

*  ing  into  looseness  and  false  liberty,  under  a  pretence  of  conscience, 
'  and  endangers  the   spoiling  of  youth.     Those  that  encourage   them 

*  will  be  guilty  of  their  destruction,  and  set  up  a  sturdy  will,  instead  of 
'  conscience,  in  their  rage  and  passion ;  which  will  quench  the  universal 
'  Spirit  in  themselves,  and  in  every  man  and  woman;  and  so  that  Spirit 
'  shall  not  have  liberty  in  themselves,  nor  in  others ;  thus  they  shut  up 
'  the  kingdom  of  heaven  in  themselves,  and  also  in  others.  So  a  loose 
'  spirit  getting  up  under  a  pretence  of  liberty  of  conscience,  or  a  stub- 
'  born  will,  making  profession  of  the  words  of  truth  in  a  form  without 
'  power,  all  looseness  and  vileness  will  be  sheltered  and  covered  under 

*  this  pretence,  which  is  for  eternal  judgment :  for  that  doth  dishonour 

*  God.  Therefore  keep  to  the  tender  Spirit  of  God  in  all  humility,  that 
'  in  it  you  may  know  that  ye  are  all  members  of  one  another,  and  all 
'  have  an  office  in  the  church  of  Christ.     All  these  living  members 

*  know  one  another  in  the  Spirit,  and  not  in  the  flesh.  So  here  is  no 
'  man  ruling  over  the  woman,  as  Adam  did  over  Eve  in  the  fall ;  but 

*  Christ,  the  spiritual  man,  among  and  over  his  spiritual  members,  which 

*  are  edified  in  the  heavenly  love  that  is  shed  in  their  heart  from  God, 

*  where  all  strife  ceases.  G.  F.' 

'Hertford,  the  11th  of  the 
'  5th  month,  1678.' 


1678]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  631 

I  went  from  Hertford  to  a  meeting  at  Rabley  Heath,  and  thence  to 
Edward  Crouch's  of  Stevenage.  Next  day  I  went  to  Baldock,  where  I 
had  a  meeting  that  evening,  and  after  had  meetings  at  Hitchin  and  Ash- 
well.  Then  passing  through  part  of  Bedfordshire,  where  I  had  a  meet- 
inof  or  two,  I  went  to  Huntingdon,  in  which  county  I  staid  several  days, 
having  many  meetings,  and  much  service  amongst  friends ;  labouring  to 
convince  gainsayers,  and  to  confirm  and  strengthen  friends  in  the  way 
and  work  of  the  Lord.  At  Ives  in  Huntingdonshire  George  Whitehead 
came  to  me,  and  travelled  with  me  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  five  or  six 
days  in  that  county,  and  some  part  of  Northamptonshire.  Leaving  me 
in  Great  Bowden  in  Leicestershire,  he  went  towards  Westmoreland.  I 
staid  in  Leicestershire,  visiting  friends  at  Saddington,  Wigston,  Knight- 
on, Leicester,  Sileby,  Swanington,  and  divers  other  places;  where  I 
had  very  precious  meetings,  and  good  service  amongst  friends  and 
others :  for  there  was  great  openness,  and  many  weighty  and  excellent 
truths  did  the  Lord  give  me  to  deliver  amongst  them. 

At  Leicester  I  went  to  the  gaol  to  visit  the  friends  in  prison  for  the 
testimony  of  Jesus,  with  whom  I  spent  some  time,  encouraging  them  in 
the  Lord  to  persevere  steadfastly  and  faithfully  in  their  testimony,  and  not 
to  be  weary  of  suffering  for  his  sake.  And  when  I  had  taken  my  leave 
of  the  friends,  I  spoke  with  the  gaoler,  desiring  him  to  be  kind  to  them, 
and  let  them  have  what  liberty  he  could,  to  visit  their  families  sometimes. 

I  had  a  meeting  or  two  in  Warwickshire,  and  then  went  into  Stafford- 
shire, where  I  had  several  sweet  and  opening  meetings,  both  for  gather- 
ing into  truth,  and  establishing  therein.  While  I  was  in  Staffordshire,  I 
was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  paper : 

'  Dear  friends  of  the  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  every-where  : 
'  My  desire  is,  that  you  may  all  strive  to  be  of  one  mind  in  the  Lord's 
'  power  and  truth,  which  is  peaceable,  into  which  strife  and  enmity  cannot 
'  come,   and  also  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  pure,  peaceable,  and 

*  easy  to  be  intreated,  which  is  above  that  which  is  below,  that  is  earth- 

*  ly,  devilish,  and  sensual,  and  that  in  this  heavenly  wisdom  that  is 
'  peaceable,  and  easy  to  be  intreated,  you  may  be  all  ordered,  and  do 
'  what  ye  do  to  God's  glory.  And  dear  friends,  if  there  should  happen 
'  at  any  time  any  thing  that  tends  to  strife,  dispute,  or  contention  in  your 

*  monthly  or  quarterly  meetings,  let  it  be  referred  to  half  a  dozen,  or 
'  such  a  like  number  to  debate  and  end  out  of  your  meetings,  as  it  was  at 

*  first,  that  all  your  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  may  be  kept  peace- 
'  able.  And  then  they  may  inform  the  meeting  what  they  have  done ; 
'  that  the  weak  and  youth  amongst  you  may  not  be  hurt,  through  hear- 
'  ing  of  strife  or  contention  in  your  meetings,  where  no  strife  or  conten- 
'  tion  ought  to  be :  but  all  to  go  on,  and  determine  things  in  one  mind, 
'  in  the  power  of  God,  the  gospel  order ;  in  which  gospel  of  peace 
'  ye  will  preserve  the  peace  of  all  your  meetings.  If  any  man  or 
'  woman  have  any  thing  against  any  one,  let  them  speak  to  one  another, 
'  and  end  it  betwixt  themselves ;  if  they  cannot  so  end  it,  let  them  take 
'  two  or  three  to  end  it.  In  case  these  determine  it  not,  let  it  be  laid  be- 
'  fore  the  church ;  and  let  half  a  dozen,  or  a  proper  number  out  of  your 
'  monthly  or  quarterly  meeting  hear  it,  and  finally  end  it,  without  respect 
'  of  persons.  Let  all  prejudice  be  laid  aside  and  buried ;  also  all  short- 
'  ness  one  towards  another ;  and  let  love,  which  is  not  puffed  up,  envies 
'  not,  seeks  not  her  own,  but  bears  all  things,  have  the  dominion  in  all 


532  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1678 

*  your  meetings ;  for  that  doth  edify  the  body  which  Christ  is  the  head 
*of,  and  this  will  rule  over  all  sounding  brass  and  tinkling  cymbals.  This 

*  love  will  suffer  long,  and  is  kind ;  will  keep  down  that  which  would 

*  vaunt  itself,  be  puffed  up,  behave  itself  unseemly,  or  is  easily  provoked  : 
'  it  hath  a  sway  over  all  such  fruits  which  are  not  of  the  Spirit,  the 
'  fruit  of  which  is  love,  &c.     And  that  with  this  Holy  Spirit  ye  may  all 

*  be  baptized  into  one  body,  and  be  made  to  drink  into  one  Spirit ;  in 

*  which  Spirit  ye  will  have  unity,  in  which  is  the  bond  of  the  King  of 

*  kings  and  the  Lord  of  lords  his  peace.  They  that  dwell  in  love,  dwell 
'  in  God,  for  God  is  love :  therefore  let  every  one  keep  his  habitation. 

*  My  love  to  you  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  everlasting  Seed,  which  is  over  all. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  Staffordshire,  the  20th  of  the 
'  6th  month,  1678.' 

Out  of  Staffordshire  I  went  to  visit  John  Gratton  at  Moniash  in  Der- 
byshire, with  whom  I  tarried  one  night,  and  went  next  day  to  William 
Shaw's,  of  the  Hill  in  Yorkshire,  where  I  appointed  a  meeting  to  be  on 
first-day  following.  Many  friends  out  of  Derbyshire,  and  from  several 
meetings  in  Yorkshire  came,  and  a  precious,  comfortable  meeting  it  was ; 
wherein  was  opened  the  blessed  estate  that  man  was  in  before  he  fell ; 
the  means  by  which  he  fell,  the  miserable  condition  into  which  he  iell, 
and  the  right  way  of  coming  out  of  it  into  a  happy  state  again  by  Christ, 
the  promised  Seed. 

I  spent  about  two  weeks  in  Yorkshire,  and  many  heavenly  meetings  I 
had  in  that  county.  Then  visiting  Robert  Widders  at  Kellet  in  Lanca- 
shire, I  passed  to  Arnside  in  Westmoreland,  where  I  had  a  precious  liv- 
ing meeting  in  the  Lord's  blessed  power,  to  the  great  satisfaction  and 
comfort  of  friends,  who  came  from  divers  parts  to  it.  The  next  day  I 
went  to  Swarthmore :  and  it  being  the  meeting-day  there,  I  had  a  svv^eet 
opportunity  with  friends ;  our  hearts  being  opened  in  the  love  of  God, 
and  his  blessed  life  flowing  amongst  us. 

I  had  not  been  long  at  Swarthmore  ere  a  concern  came  upon  me  to 
visit  the  churches  of  Christ,  by  an  epistle  as  followeth : 

*  Dear  friends, 
'  To  you  is  my  love  in  the  heavenly  Seed,  in  whom  all  nations  are 

*  blessed.     Oh,  keep  all  in  this  Seed,  in  which  ye  are  blessed,  and  in 

*  which  Abraham  and  all  the  faithful  were  blessed,  without  the  deeds  of 
'  the  law :  for  the  promise  was  and  is  to  and  with  the  Seed,  and  not  with 

*  the  law  of  the  first  covenant.     In  this  Seed  all  nations  and  ye  are 

*  blessed,  Vv'hich  bruiseth  the  head  of  the  seed  that  brought  the  curse,  and 
'  separated  man  from  God.     This  is  the  Seed  which  reconciles  you-  to 

*  God ;  and  this  is  the  Seed  in  which  ye  are  blessed  both  in  temporals 

*  and  spirituals  ;  through  which  ye  have  an  inheritance  among  the  sanc- 

*  tified,  that  cannot  be  defiled,  neither  can  any  defiled  thing  enter  into  its 

*  possession;  for  all  defilements  are  out  of  his  Seed.  This  is  that  which 
'  leavens  into  a  new  lump,  and  bruiseth  the  head  of  the  wicked  seed  that 

*  leavens  into  the  old  lump,  upon  whom  the  sun  of  righteousness  goes 
'  down  and  sets,  but  never  goes  down  and  sets  to  them  that  walk  in  tlie 

*  Seed  in  which  all  nations  are  blessed ;  by  which  Seed  they  are  brought 

*  up  to  God,  which  puts  down  that  seed  which  separated  them  from  God, 

*  so  that  there  comes  to  be  nothing  betwixt  them  and  God.  Now  all  my 
'  dear  friends,  my  desires  are,  that  ye  may  all  be  valiant  in  this  heavenly 


167^  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  533 

*  Seed  for  God  and  his  truth  upon  the  earth,  and  spread  it  abroad,  answering 
''  that  of  God  in  all ;  that  with  it  the  minds  of  people  may  be  turned  towards 

*  the  Lord,  that  he  may  come  to  be  known,  served,  and  worshipped,  and 

*  that  ye  may  all  be  as  the  salt  of  the  earth,  to  make  the  unseasoned  sa- 
'  voury.  And  in  the  name  of  Jesus  keep  your  meetings,  who  are  gathered 

*  into  it,  in  whose  name  ye  have  salvation ;  he  being  in  the  midst  of  you, 
'  whose  name  is  above  every  name  under  the  whole  heaven.     So  ye 

*  have  a  Prophet,  Bishop,  Shepherd,  Priest,  and  Counsellor,  above  all  the 

*  counsellors,  priests,  bishops,  prophets,  and  shepherds  under  the  whole 

*  heaven,  to  exercise  his  offices  among  you,  in  your  meetings,  gathered 

*  in  his  name.    For  Christ's  meeting  and  gathering  is  above  all  the  meet- 

*  ings  and  gatherings  under  the  whole  heaven ;  and  his  body,  his  church, 
'  and  he  the  head  of  it,  is  above  all  the  bodies,  churches,  and  heads  un- 

*  der  the  whole  heaven.  And  the  faith  that  Christ  is  the  author  of,  and 
^  the  worship  that  he  hath  set  up,  and  his  fellowship  in  the  gospel,  is 

*  above  all  historical  faiths,  and  the  faiths  that  men  have  made,  together 
''  with  their  worships  and  fellowships  under  the  whole  heaven.  And  now, 

*  dear  friends,  keep  your  men's  and  women's  meetings  in  the  power  of 

*  God,  the  gospel,  the  authority  of  them,  which  brings  life  and  immor- 
'  tality  to  light  in  you ;  and  this  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  will  preserve 

*  you  in  life  and  in  immortality,  which  hath  brought  it  to  light  in  you, 
^  that  ye  may  see  over  him  that  hath  darkened  and  kept  from  the  know- 
'  ledge  of  the  things  of  God :  for  it  is  he  and  his  instruments,  which  hath 
''  darkened  you  from  life  and  immortality,  that  would  throw  down  your 

*  men's  and  women's  meetings,  which  were  set  up  in  the  power  of  God, 

*  the  gospel,  and  would  darken  you  again  from  this  life  and  immortality 

*  which  the  gospel  hath  brought  to  light,  and  will  preserve  you  therein, 

*  as  your  faith  stands  in  this  power  of  God,  the  gospel,  in  which  every 
'  one  sees  your  work  and .  service  for  God.     Every  heir  in  the  power  of 

*  God,  the  gospel,  hath  right  to  this  authority,  which  is  not  of  man  nor 
'  by  man ;  which  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  is  everlasting,  an  everlasting 

*  order,  an  everlasting  fellowship :  and  in  the  gospel  is  everlasting  joy, 
^  comfort,  and  peace,  which  will  outlast  all  those  joys,  comforts,  and 

*  peaces  that  will  have  an  end,  and  that  spirit  also  that  opposes  its  order 

*  and  glorious  fellowship,  peace  and  comfort  in  it.  And,  my  dear  friends, 
'  my  desire  is,  that  ye  may  keep  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  that  baptizes 

*  you  all  into  one  body,  which  Christ  is  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  head 
^  of,  so  that  ye  may  see  and  bear  witness  to  your  heavenly  and  spiritual 
'  head,  and  so  all  drink  into  the.  one  Spirit,  which  all  people  on  the  earth 
^  are  not  like  to  do,  while  they  grieve,  quench,  and  rebel  against  it,  nor 

*  to  be  baptized  into  one  body,  and  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  which 
'  is  the  bond  of  peace,  yea  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  his  peace ; 

*  which  is  the  duty  of  all  true  Christians  to  keep,  who  are  inwardly  united 
'  to  Christ.     My  love  to  you  all  in  the  everlasting  Seed.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  26th  of 
'  the  7th  month,  1678.' 

There  were  about  this  time  several  friends  in  prison  for  bearing  testi- 
mony to  the  truth ;  to  whom  I  was  moved  to  write  a  few  lines  to  com- 
fort, strengthen,  and  encourage  them ;  having  a  true  sense  of  their  suf 
ferings  upon  my  spirit,  and  a  sympathizing  with  them  therein.  .  That 
which  I  wrote  was  after  this  manner : 


534  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  p67S 

*  My  dear  friends, 
*  Who  are  sullerers  for  the  Lord  Jesus'  sake,  and  for  the  testimony  of 
'  his  truth,  the  Lord  God  Almighty  with  his  power  uphold  and  support 

*  you  in  all  your  trials  and  sufierings,  and  give  you  patience  and  content 
'  in  his  will  that  ye  may  stand  valiant  for  Christ  and  his  truth  upon  the 

*  earth,  over  the  persecuting  destroying  spirit,  which  makes  to  sufler  in 

*  Christ  (who  bruises  the  head)  in  whom  ye  have  both  election  and  sal- 

*  vation.  For  his  elect's  sake  the  Lord  hath  done  much  from  the  found- 
'  ation  of  the  world,  as  may  be  seen  throughout  the  scriptures  of  truth. 
'  They  that  touch  them  touch  the  apple  of  God's  eye,  they  are  so  tender 

*  to  him ;  and  therefore  it  is  good  for  his  sufiering  children  to  trust  in  the 

*  Lord,  and  to  wait  upon  him ;  for  they  shall  be  as  mount  Sion,  that  can- 

*  not  be  removed  from  Christ  their  rock  and  salvation,  the  foundation  of 

*  all  the  elect  of  God,  of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  and  of  God's  people 

*  now  and  to  the  end ;  glory  to  the  Lord  and  the  Lamb  over  all !  Re- 
'  member  my  dear  love  to  all  friends,  and  do  not  think  the  time  long; 
'  for  all  time  is  in  the  Father's  hand,  his  power.  Therefore  keep  the 
'  word  of  patience,  and  exercise  that  gift.  The  Lord  strengthen  you  in 
'  your  sutierings,  in  his  holy  Spirit  of  faith.    Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  5th  of  the 
'  12th  month,  1678.' 

I  abode  in  the  north  above  a  year,  having  service  for  the  Lord  amongst 
friends  there,  and  being  much  taken  up  in  writing  in  answer  to  books 
published  by  adversaries ;  and  for  opening  the  principles  and  doctrines 
of  truth  to  the  world,  that  they  might  come  to  have  a  right  understand- 
ing thereof,  and  be  gathered  thereunto.  Several  epistles  also  I  wrote  to 
friends  in  this  time.  One  was  to  the  yearly  meeting  held  in  London  this 
year,  1079;  a  copy  of  which  here  follows: 

'  My  dear  friends  and  brethren, 
'  Who  are  assembled  together  in  the  name  and  power  of  the  Lord 
'  Jesus  Christ,  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  the  Father,  and  from 

*  the  J_.ord  Jesus  Christ,  fill  all  your  hearts,  and  establish  you  in  his  grace, 

*  mercy,  and  peace  upon  Christ,  the  holy  living  Rock  and  Foundation, 
'  who  is  the  First  and  Last,  and  over  all  the  foundations  and  rocks  in  the 
'  whole  world ;  a  Rock  and  Foundation  of  life  for  all  the  living  to  build 
'  upon,  which  stands  sure  in  his  heavenly,  divine  light,  which  is  the  life 
'  in  him  ;  by  whom  all  things  were  made,  who  is  the  precious  Stone  laid 
'  in  Sion,  and  not  in  the  world,  which  all  the  wise  master-builders  re^ 
'  jectcd,  who  pretended  to  build  people  up  to  heaven  with  the  vv^ords  of 
'  the  prophets,  and  the  law  from  mount  Sinai,  but  out  of  the  life  of  both: 
'  therefore  such  builders  could  not  receive  the  law  of  life  from  Christ, 
'  ihe  precious  Stone  laid  in  Sion,  nor  the  word  from  heavenly  Jerusa- 
'  lem.  But  you,  my  dear  friends,  tiiat  have  received  this  law  from  hea- 
'  venly  Sion,  and  the  w-ord  from  heavenly  Jerusalem,  in  the  new  cove- 
'  nant,  where  the  life  and  substance  is  enjoyed,  you  see  the  end  and  abol- 

*  ishing  of  the  Jews'  law  and  ceremonies  from  mount  Sinai.    And  there- 

*  fore  my  desire  is,  that  you  may  all  keep  in  the  law  of  life  and  love, 

*  which  ye  have  in  Christ  Jesus,  by  which  love  the  body  is  edified,  knit, 

*  and  united  together  to  Christ  Jesus,  the  Head.     Which  love  doth  bear 

*  all  things,  fnllils  the  law,  will  preserve  all  in  humility,  and  in  it  to  be  of 
'  one  mind,  heart,  and  soul.  So  all  may  come  to  drink  into  that  one  Spirit, 


1679]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  635 

*  that  doth  baptize  them  and  circumcise  them,  plunging  down  and  cut- 

*  ting  off  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh,  that  is  got  up  in  man  and  wo- 
'  man  by  their  transgressing  of  God's  commands.     So  that  in  this  holy 

*  pure  Spirit  all  may  serve  and  worship  the  pure  God  in  spirit  and  in 

*  truth,  whicn  is  over  all  the  worships  that  are  out  of  God's  Spirit  and 

*  his  truth.    In  this  Spirit  ye  will  all  have  a  spiritual  unity  and  fellowship 

*  over  all  the  fellowships  of  the  unclean  spirits,  which  are  out  of  truth  in 

*  the  world.     By  this  holy  Spirit  all  your  hearts,  minds,  and  souls  may 

*  be  knit  together  to  Christ,  from  whence  it  comes ;  and  by  the  grace 

*  and  truth,  which  is  come  by  Jesus  Christ,  which  all  should  be  under  the 

*  teachings  of  in  the  new  covenant,  and  not  under  the  law,  as  the  out- 

*  ward  Jews  were  in  the  old  covenant.     By  this  grace  and  truth  in  the 

*  new  covenant,  all  may  be  made  God's  ffee  men  and  women,  to  serve 
'God  in  the  new  hfe,  the  new  and  living  way;  shewing  forth  the  fruits 

*  of  the  new  heart  and  new  Spirit,  in  the  new  covenant,  over  death  and 

*  darkness.     Glory  be  to  the  Lord  for  ever !  In  this  grace  and  truth  is 

*  heavenly,  gracious,  and  true  liberty  to  every  spiritual  mind,  which  makes 

*  you  free  from  him  that  is  out  of  truth,  where  your  bondage  was.    Also 

*  your  liberty  in  the  holy,  divine,  and  precious  faith,  which  gives  you  vic- 

*  tory  over  that  which  once  separated  you  from  God  and  Christ,  by  which 
'  faith  ye  have  access  to  God  again  through  Jesus  Christ.     So  in  this  di- 

*  vine  and  holy  faith,  ye  have  divine,  holy,  and  precious  liberty,  yea  and 

*  victory  over  him  that  separated  you  from  God ;  and  this  faith  is  held 
'  in  a  pure  conscience.  So  the  liberty  in  the  Spirit  of  God  is  in  that  which 

*  baptizes  and  plunges  down  sin  and  iniquity,  and  puts  off  the  body  of 

*  death  and  sins  of  the  flesh,  that  are  got  up  by  transgressing  God's  com- 
'  mand.     And  also  the  liberty  of  the  gospel,  which  is  sent  from  heaven 

*  b}^  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  the  power  of  God,  which  was  and  is  again 
'  to  be  preached  to  all  nations ;  in  this  gospel  is  the  true  liberty,  and  the 
<  gospel  fellowship  and  order.     So  that  the  evil  spirit  or  conscience,  or 

*  false  dead  faith,  that  which  is  ungracious,  out  of  truth,  and  not  in  the 
'  Spirit  of  God,  nor  in  his  gospel,  nor  in  the  divine  faith,  its  liberty  is  in 

*  the  darkness  ;  for  all  true  liberty  is  in  the  gospel,  and  in  the  truth  that 
'  makes  free ;  in  the  faith,  in  the  grace,  and  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  destroys 
'  the  devil  and  his  works,  that  hath  brought  all  mankind  into  bondage. 
'  So  in  this  heavenly,  peaceable  Spirit,  truth,  and  faith,  which  works  by 

*  love,  and  in  the  gospel  of  peace,  and  in  Christ  Jesus  is  all  the  saints' 

*  peace,  and  pure,  true,  and  holy  liberty;  in  which  they  have  salt,  sense, 
'  feeling,  discerning,  and  favour,  yea  and  unity  and  fellowship  one  with 

*  another,  and  with  the  Son  and  the  Father,  that  heavenly,  eternal  fel- 
'  lowship.     So  all  being  subject  to  the  grace  and  truth,  and  to  the  faith 

*  and  gospel  (the  power  of  God)  and  to  his  good  Spirit,  in  this  they  dis- 

*  tinguish  all  true,  pure,  and  holy  liberty  from  that  which  is  false.  This 
'  will  bring  all  to  sit  low ;  for  patience  runs  the  race,  and  the  Lamb  must 

*  have  the  victory ;  and  not  the  rough,  unruly,  and  vain  talkers,  unbap- 

*  tized,  uncircumcised,  and  unsanctified.  Such  travel  not  in  the  way  of 
'  regeneration,  but  in  the  way  of  unregeneration :  neither  go  they  down 

*  into  the  death  with  Christ  by  baptism.     Such  are  not  like  to  reign  with 

*  him  in  his  resurrection,  who  are  not  buried  with  him  in  baptism.  There- 

*  fore  all  must  go  downward  into  the  death  of  Christ,  and  be  crucified 

*  with  him,  if  they  will  arise  and  follow  him  in  the  regeneration  before 

*  they  come  to  reign  with  him.     And,  friends,  many  may  have  precious 

*  openings ;  but  I  desire  all  may  be  comprehended  in  that  which  doth 


536  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  pfiT^ 

*  open  to  them,  and  that  they  may  all  keep  in  the  daily  cross ;  then  they 

*  keep  in  the  power  that  kills  and  crucifies  that  which  would  lead  them 

*  amongst  the  beasts  and  goats,  to  leaven  them  into  their  rough,  unruly 
'  spirit ;  that  through  the  cross,  the  power  of  God,  that  niay  be  cruci- 

*  fied,  and  they  in  the  power  might  follow  the  Lamb.    For  tlie  power  of 

*  God  keeps  all  in  order,  subjection,  and  humility,  in  that  which  is  lovely, 

*  vii"tuous,  decent,  comely,  temperate,  and  moderate ;  so  that  their  mod- 

*  oration  comes  to  appear  to  all  men.     My  desire  is,  that  all  your  lights 

*  may  shine  as  from  a  city  set  upon  a  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid ;  and  that 

*  ye  may  be  the  salt  of  the  earth,  to  salt,  season,  and  make  it  savoury  to 
'  God,  and  you  all  seasoned  with  it.     Then  all  your  sacrifices  will  be  a 

*  sweet  savour  to  the  Lord,  and  ye  will  be  as  the  lilies  and  roses,  and 

*  garden  of  God,  which  gives  a  sweet  smell  unto  him :  whose  garden  is 

*  preserved  by  his  power,  the  hedge  that  hedges  out  all  the  unruly  and 
'  unsavoury,  the  destroyers  and  hurtevs  of  the  vines,  buds,  and  plants, 
'  and  God's  tender  blade,  which  springs  up  from  his  seed  of  life,  who 
'  waters  it  with  his  heavenly  water  and  word  of  life  every  moment,  that 

*  they  may  grow  and  be  fruitful ;  that  so  he  may  have  a  pleasant  and 
'  fruitful  garden.     Here  all  are  kept  fresh  and  green,  being  watered 

*  every  moment  with  the  everlasting  holy  water  of  fife  from  the  Lord, 

*  the  fountain.  My  dear  friends,  my  desire  is,  that  this  heavenly  Seed,  that 

*  bruises  down  the  head  of  the  serpent  both  within  and  without,  may  be 

*  your  crown  and  life,  and  ye  in  him  one  another's  crown  and  joy,  to  the 
'  praise  of  the  Lord  God  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore.    This  holy  Seed 

*  will  outlast  and  wear  out  all  that  which  the  evil  seed  since  the  fall  of 

*  man  hath  brought  forth  and  set  up.    As  every  one  hath  received  Christ 

*  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  in  him  in  the  humility  which  he  teaches :  and 
'  shun  the  occasions  of  strife,  vain  janglings,  and  disputings  with  men  of 

*  corrupt  minds,  who  are  destitute  of  the  truth ;  for  the  truth  is  peace- 
'  able,  the  gospel  is  a  peaceable  habitation  in  the  power  of  God ;  his 

*  wisdom  is  peaceable  and  gentle,  and  his  kingdom  stands  in  peace.  Oh! 

*  his  glory  shines  over  all  his  works !  in  Christ  Jesus  ye  will  have  peace, 

*  who  is  not  of  the  world ;  yea  a  peace  that  the  world  cannot  take  away ; 
'  for  the  peace  which  ye  have  from  him  was  before  the  world  was,  and 

*  will  be  when  it  is  gone.     This  keeps  all  in  that  which  is  weighty  and 

*  substantial  over  all  chaff.  Glory  to  the  Lord  God  over  all  for  ever  and 
'  ever !     Amen. 

'  And  now,  my  dear  friends,  the  Lord  doth  require  more  of  you  than 
'  he  doth  of  other  people,  because  he  hath  committed  more  to  you.  He 
'  requires  the  fruits  of  his  Spirit,  of  the  light,  of  the  gospel,  of  the  grace, 
'  and  of  the  truth ;  for  herein  is  he  glorified  (as  Christ  said)  in  your 

*  bringing  forth  much  fruity,  fruits  of  righteousness,  holiness,  godliness, 
'  virtue,  truth,  and  purity ;  so  that  ye  may  answer  that  which  is  of  God 
'  in  all  people.     Be  valiant  for  his  everlasting,  glorious  gospel,  in  God's 

*  holy  Spirit  and  truth,  keeping  in  the  unity,  and  in  the  holy  Spirit,  light, 

*  and  life,  which  is  over  death  and  darkness,  and  was  before  death  and 
'  darkness  w^ere.     In  this  Spirit  we  have  the  bond  of  peace,  which  can- 

*  not  be  broken  except  ye  go  from  the  Spirit,  and  then  ye  lose  this  unity 

*  and  bond  of  peace,  which  ye  have  from  the  Prince  of  peace. 

'  The  world  also  expects  more  from  friends  than  from  other  people ; 

*  because  you  profess  more.     Therefore  you  should  be  more  just  than 

*  others  in  your  words  and  dealings,  more  righteous,  holy  and  pure  in 

*  your  lives  and  conversations,  so  that  your  lives  and  conversations  may 


K79]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  537 

*  preach.     For  the  world's  tongues  and  mouths   have  preached  long 

*  enough ;   but  their  lives  and   conversations   have  denied  what  their 

*  tongues  have  professed  and  declared. 

'  And,  dear  friends,  strive  to  excel  one  another  in  virtue,  that  ye  may 

*  grow  in  love,  that  excellent  way  which  unites  all  to  Christ  and  God. 

*  Stand  up  for  God's  glory,  and  mind  that  which  concerns  the  Lord's 

*  honour,  that  in  no  wise  his  power  may  be  abused,  nor  his  name  evil 
'  spoken  of  by  any  evil  talkers  or  walkers ;  but  that  in  all  things  God 

*  may  be  honoured,  and  ye  may  glorify  him  in  your  bodies,  souls,  and 

*  spirits,  the  little  time  ye  have  to  live.     My  love  to  you  all  in  the  holy 

*  Seed  of  Life,  that  reigns  over  all,  and  is  the  first  and  last,  in  whom  ye 

*  all  have  life  and  salvation,  and  your  election  and  peace  with  God, 
'  through  Jesus  Christ,  who  destroys  him  that  hath  been  betwixt  you 

*  and  God ;  so  that  nothing  may  be  betwixt  you  and  the  Lord  but  Christ 

*  Jesus.     Amen. 

'  My  life  and  love  is  to  you  all,  and  amongst  yoii  all.     The  Lord  God 

*  Almighty  by  his  mighty  power,  by  which  he  hath  preserved  his  people 

*  unto  this  day,  preserve  and  keep  you  all  in  his  power,  and  peaceable 

*  holy  truth,  in  unity  and  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  with  the  Son 

*  and  the  Father.     Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  The  24th  of  the  3d 

'  month,  1679.' 
Divers  other  epistles  and  papers  I  wrote  to  friends  during  my  stay  in 
the  north ;  one  was  '  To  encourage  friends  to  be  bold  and  valiant  for 

*  the  truth,  which  the  Lord  had  called  them  to  bear  witness  to.'     It  was 
thus: 

■'  Dear  friends, 
'  All  be  valiant  for  the  Lord's  truth  upon  the  earth,  which  the  ser- 

*  pent,  satan,  the  devil  is  out  of;  and  in  the  truth  keep  him  out,  in  which 

*  you  all  have  peace,  life,  and  unity  with  God  and  his  Son,  and  one  with 

*  another.  Let  the  love  of  God  fill  all  your  hearts,  that  in  it  3^e  may  build 

*  up  and  edify  one  another  in  the  light,  life,  holy  Spirit,  and  power  of 

*  God,  the  glorious  comfortable  gospel  of  Christ,  the  heavenly  Man,  your 

*  Lord  and  Saviour,  who  will  fill  all  your  vessels  with  his  heavenly  wine 

*  and  water  of  life,  clothe  you  with  his  heavenly  clothing,  his  fine  linen 

*  that  never  waxeth  old ;  and  arm  you  with  his  heavenly  armour,  that 

*  ye  may  stand  faithful  witnesses  for  God  and  his  Son,  who  is  come 

*  and  hath  given  you  an  understanding  to  know  him,  and  ye  are  in  him. 

*  So  walk  in  him,  in  whom  ye  all  have  life  and  salvation,  and  peace  with 

*  God.  My  love  to  you  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  I  have  labour- 

*  ed ;  and  God  Almighty,  in  his  eternal  power  and  wisdom,  preserve  you 

*  to  his  glory.     Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  29th  of  the 
'  10th  month,  1679.' 

The  next  day  having  a  sense  upon  me  that  some  who  had  received 
the  truth,  and  had  openings  thereof,  for  want  of  keeping  low  had  run  out 
therefrom,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  epistle,  as  a  '  warn- 

*  ing  and  exhortation  to  all  to  dwell  in  humility.' 

'  My  dear  friends, 
*  Whom  the  Lord  in  his  tender  mercies  hath  visited  with  the  day- 

*  spring  from  on  high,  and  hath  opened  you  to  confess  and  bow  to  his 

*  name ;  keep  low  in  your  minds,  and  learn  of  Christ  who  teacheth  you 

3S 


t? 


638;  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  pC79 

*  humility,  to  keep  in  it ;  so  that  in  no  wise  ye  that  be  younger  be  exalt- 

*  ed,  pufied  up,  or  conceited  through  your  openings,  and  by  that  means 

*  lose  your  conditions,  by  being  carried  up  into  presumption ;  then  fall 

*  into  despair,  and  so  abuse  the  power  of  God.     For  it  was  the  apostles' 

*  care,  that  none  should  abuse  the  power  of  the  Lord  God ;  but  in  all 

*  things  their  faith  was  to  stand  therein,  that  they  all  might  be  compre- 

*  bended  into  the  truth  which  they  spoke  to  others,  that  they  might  not 

*  be  preachers  to  others  and  themselves  cast-aways.     Therefore  it  doth 

*  concern  you  to  be  comprehended  into  that  which  ye  preach  to  others, 

*  and  keep  low  in  it ;  then  the  God  of  truth  will  exalt  the  humble  in  his 

*  truth,  light,  grace,  power,  and  Spirit,  and  in  his  wisdom  to  his  glory. 

*  Here  all  are  kept  in  their  measures  of  grace,  light,  faith,  and  the  Spirit 

*  of  Christ,  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  Man.     So  let  none  quench  the 

*  Spirit,  nor  its  motions,  nor  grieve  it,  nor  err  fi'om  it ;  but  be  led  by  it, 

*  which  keeps  every  one  in  their  tents ;  which  Holy  Spirit  of  God  giveth 

*  them  an  understanding,  how  to  serve,  worship,  and  please  the  holy, 

*  pure  God,  their  Maker  and  Creator  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  how  to  wait, 
'  speak,  and  answer  the  Spirit  of  God  in  his  people :  in  which  holy  Spirit 

*  is  the  holy  unity  and  fellowship.     The  holy  Spirit  teacheth  the  holy, 

*  gentle,  meek,  and  quiet  lowly  mind  to  answer  the  seed  that  Christ  hath 

*  sown  upon  all  grounds ;  and  to  answer  the  light,  grace,  and  Spirit,  and 

*  the  gospel  in  every  creature,  though  they  are  gone  from  the  Spirit, 

*  grace,  light,  and  gospel  in  the  heart.  So  by  holy  walking  all  may  come 

*  to  do  it,  as  well  as  by  holy  preaching,  that  God  in  all  things  may  be 
'  glorified  by  you,  and  that  ye  may  bring  forth  fruits  to  his  praise. 

*  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Swarthmore,  the  30th  of  the 
♦  10th  month,  1679.' 

About  the  latter  end  of  this  year  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  travel 
into  the  south  again.  I  set  forward  the  beginning  of  the  first  month, 
1679-80,  and  passing  through  part  of  Westmoreland  and  Lancashire,  I 
visited  friends  at  several  meetings,  and  came  into  Yorkshire.  Divers 
large  and  weighty  meetings  I  had  in  Yorkshire,  before  I  came  to  York 
city.  When  I  came  there  it  was  the  assize-time,  and  there  being  many 
friends  in  prison  for  truth's  sake,  I  put  those  at  liberty  upon  drawing  up 
the  sufferings  of  the  friends  in  prison,  that  they  might  be  laid  before  the 
judges ;  and  I  assisted  them  therein.  The  quarterly  meeting  of  friends 
was  also  at  that  time,  so  I  had  a  brave  opportunity  amongst  them. 
Many  weighty  and  serviceable  things  did  the  Lord  open  through  me  to 
the  meeting,  relating  to  the  inward  state  of  man ;  how  man  by  faith  in 
Christ  comes  to  be  grafted  into  him,  and  made  a  member  of  his  spiritual 
body;  and  also  the  outward  state  of  the  church,  how  each  member 
ought  to  walk  and  act,  according  to  its  place  in  the  body.  I  spent  sev- 
eral days  in  York,  having  divers  meetings ;  and  all  was  peaceable  and 
well.  I  went  also  to  the  castle,  to  visit  the  prisoners ;  with  whom  I 
spent  some  time,  encouraging  and  strengthening  them  in  their  testimony. 

Then  leaving  York,  I  travelled  southward,  having  meetings  amongst 
friends,  till  I  came  to  Burton  in  Lincolnshire ;  where  on  first-day  I  had 
a  large  and  precious  meeting.  Then  turning  into  Nottinghamshire,  I 
travelled  through  good  part  of  that  county,  in  which  I  had  several  very 
good  meetings,  and  then  passed  into  Derbyshire,  Leicestershire,  and 
Warwickshire,  having  meetings  all  along  as  I  went,  till  I  came  to  War- 


1680]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  539 

wick :  there  William  Dewsbuiy  came  to  me,  and  several  other  friends ; 
and  we  had  a  httle  meeting  in  that  town.  Then  passing  through  Southam 
and  Radway,  at  each  of  which  places  I  had  a  very  good  meeting,  I 
came  to  Nathaniel  Ball's,  of  North-Newton,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  so  to 
Banbury  to  a  monthly  meeting  there.  After  I  had  visited  friends  at  their 
meetings  in  the  bordering  parts  of  Oxfordshire,  Gloucestershire,  and 
Northamptonshire,  I  passed  to  Richard  Bakez-'s,  of  Biddlesden,  in  Buck- 
inghamshire ;  and  the  next  day,  being  first-day,  I  had  a  vexy  large  meet- 
ing in  Biddlesden,  at  an  old  abbey-house,  which  a  friend  rented  and 
dwelt  in.  Many  friends  and  people  came  to  this  meeting  out  of  Oxford- 
shire, Northamptonshire,  and  the  parts  adjacent ;  and  of  good  service  it 
was.  After  this,  I  visited  friends  in  those  parts,  having  meetings  at  Lil- 
lingstone,  Lovel,  and  Bugbrook.  Then  going  to  Stony-stratford,  1  went 
into  some  parts  of  Bedfordshire,  till  I  came  to  Edward  Chester's  of  Dun- 
stable. Whence  passing  on  by  Market-street,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Albans ; 
and  calling  on  friends  at  Mims  and  Barnet,  I  came  to  the  widow  Haly's, 
at  Guttershedge,  in  Hendon,  Middlesex,  on  a  seventh-day  night,  and  had 
a  very  large  and  good  meeting  there  the  day  following. 

I  passed  from  thence  to  London  the  third-day  following,  and  went  di- 
rectly to  the  Peel  meeting  at  John  Elson's,  and  next  morning  to  the 
meeting  at  Gracechurch-street,  which  was  very  large  and  quiet ;  and 
friends  rejoiced  in  the  Lord  to  see  me.  The  yearly  meeting  was  in  the 
week  following,  to  which  many  friends  came  out  of  most  parts  of  the 
nation,  and  a  blessed  opportunity  the  Lord  gave  us  together ;  wherein 
the  ancient  love  was  sweetly  felt,  and  the  heavenly  life  flowed  abun- 
dantly over  all.  After  the  yearly  meeting,  I  continued  about  a  month  or 
fiv^e  weeks  in  and  about  London,  labouring  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  both 
in  and  out  of  meetings ;  for  besides  the  publick  testimony,  which  the 
Lord  gave  me  to  bear  both  to  friends  and  to  the  world  in  meetings,  I 
had  much  service  lay  upon  me  with  respect  to  friends'  sufferings,  in 
seeking  to  get  ease  and  liberty  for  them  in  this  and  other  nations.  Much 
pains  and  time  I  spent  while  I  was  at  London,  in  writing  letters  to 
friends  in  divers  parts  of  England,  and  in  Scotland,  Holland,  Barbadoes, 
and  several  other  parts  of  America. 

After  this  I  was  moved  of  the  Lord  to  visit  friends  in  some  parts  of 
Surry  and  Sussex.  I  went  to  Kingston  by  water,  and  tarried  certain 
days ;  for  while  I  was  there,  the  Lord  laid  it  upon  me  to  WTite  both  to 
the  great  Turk  and  the  dey  of  Algiers  severally,  to  warn  them  and  the 
people  under  them  to  turn  from  their  wickedness,  and  fear  the  Lord, 
and  do  justly,  lest  the  judgments  of  God  should  come  upon  them,  and* 
destroy  them  without  remedy.  To  the  Algerines  I  wrote  more  particu- 
larly, concerning  the  cruelty  they  exercised  towards  friends  and  others, 
whom  they  held  captives  in  Algiers.  When  I  had  finished  that  service, 
and  visited  friends  in  their  meetings  at  Kingston,  I  went  further  into  the 
country,  and  had  meetings  amongst  friends  at  Worplesdon,  Guildford, 
Esher,  Capell,  Patchgate,  Worminghurst,  Bletchington,  Horsham,  Ifield, 
Ryegate,  Gatton,  &c.  and  so  came  back  to  Kingston  again,  and  from 
thence  to  Hammersmith.  And  having  spent  some  days  in  the  service 
of  truth  amongst  friends  at  Hammersmith,  Battersea,  Wandsworth,  and 
thereabouts,  I  crossed  over,  by  Kensington,  to  Hendon,  where  I  had  a 
very  good  meeting  on  first-day ;  and  went  from  thence  to  London. 

When  I  had  been  about  ten  days  in  London,  I  was  drawn  again  to 
visit  friends  in  the  country ;  and  went  to  Edmonton  to  Christopher  Tay- 


540  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  ^g89 

lor's,  who  kept  a  school  for  the  education  of  friends'  children.  I  had 
some  service  amongst  the  youth,  and  then  went  towards  Hertford,  visit- 
ing friends  in  the  way.  At  Hertford  I  met  with  John  Story,  and  some 
others  of  his  party ;  but  the  testimony  of  truth  went  over  them,  and  kept 
them  down,  so  that  the  meeting  was  quiet.  It  was  on  a  first-day,  and 
the  next  day  being  the  men's  and  women's  meeting  for  business,  I  visited 
them  also ;  and  the  rather  because  some  in  that  place  had  let  in  a  dises- 
teem  of  them.  Whereupon  I  was  moved  to  open  the  service  of  those 
meetings,  and  the  usefulness  and  benefit  thereof  to  the  church  of  Christ, 
as  the  Lord  opened  the  thing  in  me;  and  it  was  of  good  service  to 
friends.  I  had  a  meeting  also  with  some  of  those  that  were  gone  into 
strife  and  contention,  to  shew  them  wherein  they  were  wrong ;  and  hav- 
ing cleared  myself  of  them,  I  left  them  to  the  Lord.  After  another  pub- 
lick  meeting  in  the  town,  I  returned  towards  London  by  Waltham-ab- 
bey,  where  I  had  a  publick  meeting  the  first-day  following,  and  another 
with  friends  in  the  evening.  Next  day  I  went  to  Christopher  Taylor's 
at  Edmonton,  and  staid  a  day  or  two,  having  some  things  upon  me  to 
write  for  the  service  of  truth.  When  I  had  finished  that  service,  I  went 
to  London  by  Shacklewell,  where  was  a  school  kept  by  friends,  for  the 
breeding  up  young  maidens  that  were  friends'  daughters. 

I  abode  at  London  most  part  of  this  winter,  having  much  service  for 
the  Lord  there,  both  in  and  out  of  meetings ;  for  as  it  was  a  time  of  great 
sufferings  among  friends,  I  was  drawn  in  spirit  to  visit  friends'  meetings 
more  frequently,  to  encourage  and  strengthen  them  by  exhortation  and 
example.  The  parliament  was  also  sitting,  and  friends  were  diligent  to 
wait  upon  them,  to  lay  their  grievances  before  them.  We  received  fresh 
accounts  almost  every  day  of  the  sad  sufferings  friends  underwent  in 
many  parts  of  the  nation.  In  seeking  relief  for  my  suffering  brethren,  I 
spent  much  time,  together  with  other  friends  who  were  freely  given  up 
to  that  service,  attending  at  the  parliament-house  many  days  togetiier, 
and  w^atching  all  opportunities  to  speak  with  such  members  of  either 
house  as  would  hear  our  just  complaints.  And  indeed  some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  each  house  were  very  courteous,  and  appeared  willing  to  help  us 
if  they  could ;  but  the  parliament  being  then  earnest  in  examining  the 
popish  plot,  and  contriving  ways  to  discover  such  as  were  popishly  af- 
fected, our  adversaries  took  advantages  against  us,  because  they  knew 
we  could  not  swear  nor  fight,  to  expose  us  to  those  penalties  that  were 
made  against  Papists ;  though  they  knew  in  their  consciences  we  were 
no  Papists,  and  had  experience  that  we  were  no  plotters.  To  clear  our 
innocency  and  stop  the  mouths  of  our  adversaries,  I  drew  up  a  short  pa- 
per to  be  delivered  to  the  parliament ;  as  folio weth : 

'  It  is  our  principle  and  testimony  to  deny  and  renounce  all  plots  and 

*  plotters  against  the  king,  or  any  of  his  subjects ;  for  we  have  the  Spirit 
'  of  Christ,  by  which  we  have  the  mind  of  Christ,  who  came  to  save 

*  men's  lives,  and  not  to  destroy  them.    We  desire  the  safety  of  the  king 

*  and  all  his  subjects.  Wherefore  we  do  declare,  that  we  will  endeavour, 

*  to  our  power,  to  save  and  defend  him  and  them,  by  discovering  all 

*  plots  and  plotters,  which  shall  come  to  our  knowledge,  that  would  de- 
'  stroy  the  king  or  his  subjects.  This  we  do  sincerely  offer  unto  you. 
'  But  as  to  swearing  and  fighting,  which  in  tenderness  of  conscience  we 
'  cannot  do,  ye  know  that  we  have  sufiered  these  many  years  for  our 

*  conscientious  refusal  thereof    And  now  that  the  Lord  hath  brought  you 


1 


1680]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  541 

'  together,  we  desire  you  to  relieve  and  free  us  from  those  sufferings,  and 
'  that  ye  will  not  put  upon  us  to  do  those  things  which  we  have  suf- 
'  fered  so  much  and  so  long  already  for  not  doing ;  for  if  ye  do,  ye  will 
'  make  our  sufferings  and  bonds  stronger  instead  of  relieving  us. 

♦  G.  F.' 

About  this  time  I  received  two  very  envious  books  written  against 
truth  and  friends ;  one  of  them  by  a  doctor  (so  called)  of  Bremen,  in 
Germany,  the  other  by  a  priest,  of  Dantzick,  in  Poland.  They  were  both 
full  of  gross  falsehoods  and  reproachful  slanders.  I  found  it  upon  me  to 
answer  them,  and  that  I  might  not  be  over-much  interrupted  by  other 
business  and  company,  I  went  to  Kingston  upon  Thames,  where  I  wrote 
an  answer  to  each  of  them,  and  also  to  some  other  scandalous  papers 
which  had  been  printed  and  scattered  about  to  misrepresent  friends. 

While  I  was  there  I  wrote  also  the  following  paper,  to  persuade  the 
magistrates  to  moderation  towards  dissenters,  and  take  off  their  edge 
to  persecution.     Because  it  should  have  its  full  service,  I  directed  it 

*  To  all  the  rulers,  magistrates,  and  law-makers  in  England,  Scotland, 

'  and  Ireland,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  and  to  all  other  magis- 
'  trates  every-where  in  that  which  is  called  Christendom ;  desiring 

*  their  health,  peace,  tranquillity,  life,  and  salvation  in  Christ  Jesus, 
'  the  Lord  of  Glory  and  Lamb  of  God,  who  takes  away  the  sins  of 

*  the  world,  and  is  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  to  whom  all 
'  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  is  given,  and  who  will  reward  every 
'  man  according  to  his  words  and  works. 

'  You  that  bear  the  name  of  Christian  magistrates,  my  desire  is  that  you 

*  may  all  be  found  in  Christ,  and  not  only  have  the  name,  but  be  made  par- 
'  takers  of  his  divine  nature ;  that  ye  may  be  not  only  sayers  of  the  word,  but 
'  doers  of  the  word,  not  only  professors  of  Christ,  and  talkers  of  Christ,  but 

*  let  Christ  rule  in  your  hearts  by  faith,  and  be  walkers  in  Christ.  For  as 
'  Christ's  great  apostle  saith,  "  As  every  one  hath  received  the  Lord 
"  Jesus  Christ,  so  let  him  walk  in  him ;  for  in  him  there  is  peace."    If  all 

*  that  profess  Christ  did  walk  in  Christ,  they  would  walk  in  peace,  and 
'  be  in  unity ;  for  the  apostle  exhorted  the  Christians  in  his  day  to  keep 

*  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  peace,  yea  of  Christ  the 
'  King  of  king's  peace.  All  Christians  who  have  the  scriptures,  and  are 
'  not  in  this  Spirit  of  Christ,  are  not  in  unity  one  with  another,  and  so 

*  have  broken  this  bond  of  peace,  which  should  knit  and  unite  them  to- 

*  gether.     Likewise  all  that  profess  the  truth  of  Christ  should  live  in  it ; 

*  for  it  is  peaceable,  and  the  gospel  is  the  gospel  of  peace ;  which  if  all 
'  Christians  lived  in,  they  would  be  at  peace  one  with  another,  and  in  the 
'  glorious  fellowship  of  the  gospel.     And  if  all  Christians  kept  in  the  fear 

*  of  God,  which  is  the  beginning  of  the  pure,  heavenly,  peaceable,  and 

*  gentle  wisdom,  which  is  easy  to  be  intreated  (above  that  wisdom  v/hich 

*  is  earthly,  sensual,  devilish,  and  destroying)  there  would  be  no  differ- 
'  ence  and  destroying  about  matters  of  religion. 

*  I  do  declare  the  mighty  day  of  the  Lord  is  come  and  coming,  and 

*  the  Lord  God  is  come  to  teach  his  people  himself  by  his  Son  (Hebrews 

*  i.)  who  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  that  false  teacher,  that  led  Adam  and 

*  Eve  from  God  their  Teacher.     God  will  teach  his  people  by  his  Son> 

*  the  Teacher  of  Adam  and  Eve  in  paradise,  before  they  fell,  disobeyed 

*  the  Lord  and  forsook  him,  and  followed  the  serpent ;  whose  head  Christ 


542  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1680 

'  bruiseth,  and  renews  man  and  woman  up  again  into  the  image  of  God 

*  which  Adam  and  Eve  were  in  before  they  fell :  glory  and  honour  be  to 
'  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  called  us  by  his  Son  into  his  glo- 
'  rious  image,  to  serve  and  worship  him  in  his  Spirit  and  truth ;  which 

*  holy  Spirit  and  truth  the  devil  is  out  of,  and  cannot  come  into. 

'  I  desire  all  Christian  magistrates  to  take  hee.d  of  persecuting  any, 

*  though  they  differ  from  you  in  matters  of  faith,  worship,  and  religion. 
'  For  Christ  saith,  "  Let  the  tares  and  the  wheat  grow  together  till  the 
"  harvest;"  and  he  forbad  such  as  would  be  plucking  up  tares:  the  rea- 

*  son  was,  "  Lest  they  should  pluck  up  the  wheat  also ;"  for  Christ  said, 

*  it  should  be  his  angels'  work  to  separate  the  tares  from  the  wheat. 

*  Moreover  Christ  said,  they  should  go  into  everlasting  punishment  that 
'  did  not  visit  him  in  prison  in  his  members ;  then  what  will  become  of 
'  them  that  cast  him  into  prison,  where  he  is  made  manifest  in  his  mem- 

*  bers !     Oh !  lay  these  things  to  heart !     A  day  of  judgment  will  come, 

*  vengeance  and  recompense  upon  every  one  according  to  their  works. 

'  To  those  disciples,  who  would  have  had  fire  to  come  down  from 
'  heaven  to  consume  them  that  would  not  receive  him,  he  turned  about, 

*  rebuked,  and  told  them,  "  They  did  not  know  what  spirit  they  were  of; 
"  for  he  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them." 

'  Therefore  let  all  magistrates  and  priests,   in  that  which  is   called 

*  Christendom,  consider  who  have  destroyed  men's  and  women's  lives 
'  since  the  apostles'  days,  because  they  could  not  receive  the  religions, 

*  ways,  and  worships,  which  they  have  made  and  set  up ;  have  they 

*  known  what  spirit,  they  have  been  of?     Are  they  not  all  reproved  by, 

*  and  come  under  the  judgment  of  Christ?  Therefore  let  all  persecution 
'  be  laid  aside  concerning  religion ;  let  love  bear  the  sway,  to  overcome 
'  evil  and  enemies;  let  patience  oversway  passion  in  all,  that  all  may  re- 

*  tain  the  heavenly  reason  and  the  pure  understanding,  that  your  mod- 
'  eration  in  true  Christianity  may  be  known  to  all  men.     For  have  you 

*  not  the  Turks',  Jews',  Tartars',  Indians',  and  Atheists'  eyes  upon  you  ? 

*  Therefore  be  in  unity,  and  let  not  the  name  of  God  and  Christ  be  blas- 

*  phemed  amongst  them  by  means  of  any  that  bear  the  name  of  Chris- 

*  tians.  So  God  may  be  glorified  by  all  and  in  all  through  Jesus  Christ, 
'  who  is  over  all,  who  calls  all  to  peace,  and  is  blessed  for  ever. 

*  I  would  have  you  to  be  as  noble  as  the  Bereans,  and  search  the  scrip- 
'  tures  of  Christ  and  the  apostles.  Where  did  he  or  they  give  any  com- 
'  mand  to  imprison,  banish,  persecute,  or  put  to  death  any  that  would  not 
'  receive  or  conform  to  them,  or  that  were  contrary-minded  to  them  in 
'  religion,  or  differed  from  them  in  matters  of  worship  ? 

'  Again  I  desire  all  Christian  magistrates  to  search  both  scriptures  and 

*  chronicles,  and  see  what  was  the  end  of  all  persecutors,  and  what  judg- 
'  ments  came  upon  them.     What  fell  upon  Cain,  who  was  the  first  per- 

*  secutor  for  matters  of  faith  and  sacrifice  ?  Did  not  he  become  a  vaga- 

*  bond  and  a  fugitive  in  the  earth?    What  became  of  the  old  world  that 

*  grieved  God,  and  Noah,  a  preacher  of  righteousness  ?   What  became 

*  of  Sodom  that  vexed  just  Lot?    What  became  of  Pharaoh  that  perse- 

*  cuted  God's  people  in  Egypt  ?  (though  the  more  he  persecuted  them  the 

*  more  they  grew.)  What  became  of  Ahab  and  Jezebel  that  persecuted 
'  the  Lord's  prophets  ?    And  what  became  of  Haman  that  would  have 

*  destroyed  the  Jews  ?  What  became  of  the  Jews  and  Jerusalem  that  per- 
'  secuted  Christ  and  the  apostles  ?    What  was  the  end  of  all  these  ?    Are 

*  they  not  become  vagabonds  in  the  earth,  and  driven  away  from  their 


1681]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  543 

'  native  country  ?  Therefore  I  beseech  you  in  the  love  and  fear  of  God, 
'  be  so  noble  as  to  search  both  scripture  and  history,  and  let  not  your 

*  divine  understanding  be  clouded.  What  w^ill  become  of  the  beast  and 
'  Vi^hore  spoken  of  in  the  Revelations,  with  their  false  prophets,  that  have 

*  drunk  the  blood  of  the  saints,  martyrs,  and  prophets  of  Jesus  1  Must 
'  they  not  all  go  with  the  devil,  who  is  a  murderer,  destroyer,  and  adver- 

*  sary  of  mankind,  into  the  lake  of  fire  that  burns  with  brimstone  1  Ye 
'  may  be  sure  that  spirit  that  stirs  you  up  to  persecution,  let  it  be  in 
'  whomsoever  it  will,  is  not  of  Christ,  and  of  his  lamb-hke  nature,  who 
'  takes  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  not  the  lives  of  men. 

'  Paul  was  a  persecutor,  a  haler  to  prison,  before  he  was  converted  to 

*  Christianity,  but  never  after.  And  therefore  are  not  all  in  Saul's  nature, 
'  let  them  be  of  what  name  or  profession  soever,  that  are  persecutors, 
'  and  unconverted  into  Paul's  life  of  Christianity?  He  said  the  Ufe  that 
'  he  Hved  after  he  was  converted,  was  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God ;  and 
'  that  he  lived,  yet  not  he,  but  "  Christ  lived  in  him,"  who  came  to  save 

*  men's  lives,  and  not  to  destroy  them.     This  life  should  be  the  life  of  all 

*  Christians  now,  which  Paul  in  his  converted  state  lived  in.  And  the 
'  apostle  saith,  "  The  law  is  good,  if  a  man  use  it  lawfully ;  knowing  this, 
"  that  the  law  is  not  made  for  a  righteous  man,  but  for  the  lawless,  for 
"  the  ungodly  and  sinners,  for  unholy  and  prophane,  for  murderers  of 
"  fathers  and  mothers,  for  manslayers,  for  whoremongers,  and  for  them 
"  that  defile  themselves  with  mankind,  for  men-stealers,  liars,  and  per- 
*'  jured  persons,"  1  Tim.  i.  So  the  law  in  its  place  is  good  against  such. 
'  Again  the  apostle  says,  "  The  law  was  added  because  of  transgression," 
'  Gal.  Hi.  19.  Here  all  magistrates  may  see  what  the  law  in  its  place  is 
'  good  against,  and  what  it  was  made  for  and  against,  and  what  evils, 
'  the  apostle  says,  it  takes  hold  upon.  He  does  not  say,  the  law  should 
'  be  laid  upon  men  that  differed  from  them  in  their  religion  and  judgment, 

*  nor  upon  righteous  men.  So  you  may  see  in  what  condition  the  law  is 
'  good,  and  what  it  was  made  against ;  not  against  righteous  men,  against 
'  whom  they  have  nothing,  only  because  they  differ  from  them  in  mat- 
'  ters  of  religion ;  letting  manslayers,  whoremongers,  perjured  persons, 
'  ungodly,  prophane  persons,  liars,  &c.  go  unpunished ;  so  do  not  use,  nor 
<  execute  the  law  lawfully,  as  the  apostle  says ;  "  The  law  is  good,  if  a 
"  man  use  it  lawfully."     Therefore  it  ought  to  be  used  lawfully ;  which 

*  law,  the  apostle  says,  is  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  a  praise 

*  to  them  that  do  well,  as  may  be  seen,  Rom.  xiii.  So,  as  the  apostle 
'  said,  "  We  do  not  break  the  law,  nor  make  it  void  ;  but  we  establish 
"  the  law,"  Rom.  iii.  31. 

'  This  is  from  him  who  desires  the  eternal  good  and  salvation  of  you 
*  all  in  Christ  Jesus,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston  upon  Thames,  the 
*  fourth  of  the  first  month, 
'  1680-1.' 

After  I  had  finished  these  services,  I  returned  to  London,  where  I 
staid  about  a  month,  labouring  amongst  friends  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
both  in  publick  meetings  for  worship,  and  in  those  relating  to  the  out- 
ward afl'airs  of  the  Church.  Then  feeling  my  spirit  drawn  to  visit 
friends  about  Enfield,  I  went  to  Waltham  Abbey,  where  I  had  a  very 
precious  meeting,  and  another  at  Flamstead  Heath.  Having  spent  some 
time  amongst  friends  thereabouts,  and  had  divers  good  meetings  at  Ed- 


544  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  fl681 

monton,  Enfield,  Winchmore-hill,  and  other  places,  I  came  back  to  Lon- 
don a  little  before  the  yearly  meeting,  which  was  in  the  third  month, 
1681.  It  was  a  very  precious  meeting,  in  which  the  glorious  presence 
and  power  of  the  Lord  was  eminently  felt  and  enjoyed. 

Some  time  after  it  came  upon  me  to  write  the  following  epistle : 

*  To  the  quarterly  men's  and  women's  meetings  that  are  gathered  in 

'  the  name  and  power  of  Jesus : 

•  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  who  is  both  head  and  husband  of  his  church, 
'  the  Redeemer,  Purchaser,  Saviour,  Sanctifier,  and  Reconciler  of  his 

*  sons  and  daughters  to  God,  I  say  his  presence  (to  wit  Christ's)  feel 

*  among  you,  to  exercise  his  prophetical  office,  in  opening  you  with  his 

*  light,  grace,  truth,  power,  and  spirit ;  and  to  exercise  his  office,  as  he  is 
'  a  bishop,  to  oversee  you  with  his  light,  grace,  power,  and  Spirit,  that  ye 

*  do  not  go  astray  from  God.  As  Christ  is  a  shepherd,  feel,  see,  and 
'  hear  him  exercising  that  office,  who  has  laid  down  his  life  for  his  sheep, 
'  is  feeding  them  in  his  living  pastures  of  life,  and  makes  them  to  drink 

*  of  his  living,  eternal  springs.  Let  him  rule  and  govern  in  your  hearts, 
'  as  he  is  king,  that  his  heavenly  and  spiritual  government  all  may  live 
'  under,  as  true  subjects  of  his  righteous,  peaceable  kingdom,  which 

*  stands  in  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  over  Satan 
'  and  his  powder,  the  unclean,  unholy  ghost,  and  all  unrighteousness.  So 
'  all  ye  subjects  to  Christ's  kingdom  of  peace,  if  ye  want  wisdom,  know- 

*  ledge,  life,  or  salvation,  Christ  is  the  treasure ;  feel  him  the  treasure 

*  among  you.  And  every  one,  as  ye  have  received  Christ,  walk  in  him 
'  in  whom  ye  have  peace ;  who  bruises  the  head  of  the  serpent,  the  au- 

*  thor  of  all  strife,  distraction,  and  confusion:  yea,  you  have  peace  with 
'  God,  and  one  with  another,  though  the  trouble  be  from  the  world  and 
'  the  world's  spirit.     Therefore,  my  dear  friends,  brethren,  and  sisters, 

*  love  one  another  with  the  love  that  is  of  God  shed  in  your  hearts,  that 
'  ye  may  bear  the  marks  of  Christ's  disciples,  and  it  may  appear  that 

*  Christ  is  in  you,  and  ye  in  him,  so  that  God  Almighty  may  be  glorified 

*  among  you.  Whatever  ye  do,  let  it  be  done  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  to 
'  the  praise  of  God  the  Father,  keeping  in  unity  in  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
'  God,  which  was  before  the  unholy  spirit  was :  which  Holy  Spirit  is 
'  your  bond  of  peace,  yea,  the  holy  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords 
'  his  peace.  And  in  this  holy,  pure  Spirit  is  your  eternal  unity  and  fel- 
'  lowship ;  in  which  Spirit  of  truth  ye  serve  and  worship  the  God  of 

*  truth,  who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever.  Amen.     So  the  Lord  guide 

*  you  all  with  his  Word  of  patience,  Word  of  life,  power,  and  wisdom, 

*  in  all  your  actions,  lives,  conversations,  and  meetings  to  God's  glory. 

*  My  love  to  you  all  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  all  things  were 

*  made,  who  is  over  all,  the  First  and  the  Last.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  9th  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1681.' 

About  this  time  I  had  occasion  to  go  to  several  of  the  judges'  cham- 
bers, upon  a  suit  about  tythes.  For  my  wife  and  I,  with  several  other 
friends,  were  sued  in  Cartmel  Wapentake  Court  in  Lancashire,  for  small 
tythes,  and  we  had  demurred  to  the  jurisdiction  of  that  court.  Where- 
upon the  plaintiti'  prosecuted  us  in  the  exchequer  court  at  Westminster; 
where  they  run  us  up  to  a  writ  of  rebellion,  for  not  answering  the  bill 
upon  oath,  and  got  an  order  of  court  to  the  serjeant  to  take  me  and  my 


Iggl]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  545 

wife  into  custody.  This  was  a  little  before  the  yearly  meeting,  at  which 
time  it  was  thought  they  would  have  taken  me  up ;  and  according  to 
outward  appearance  it  was  likely,  and  very  easy  for  him  to  have  done 
it,  I  lodging  at  the  same  places  where  I  used  to  lodge,  and  being  very 
publick  in  meetings.  But  the  Lord's  power  was  over  them,  and  restrain- 
ed them,  so  that  they  did  not  take  me.  Yet  understanding  a  warrant 
was  out  against  me,  as  soon  as  the  yearly  meeting  was  well  over,  I  took 
WiUiam  Mead  with  me,  and  went  to  several  of  the  judges'  chambers,  to 
let  them  understand  both  the  state  of  the  case,  and  the  ground  and  rea- 
son of  our  refusing  to  pay  tythes.  The  first  we  went  to  was  judge 
Greo-ory,  to  whom  I  tendered  mine  and  my  wife's  answer  to  the  plain- 
tiffs'bill;  in  which  was  set  forth.  That  my  wife  had  lived  three-and- 
forty  years  at  Swarthmore,  and  in  all  that  time  there  had  been  no  tythe 
paid  nor  demanded :  and  an  old  man,  who  had  long  been  a  tythe-gath- 
erer,  had  made  affidavit  that  he  never  gathered  tythe  at  Swarthmore 
Hall  in  judge  Fell's  time,  nor  since.  There  were  many  particulars  in 
our  answer,  but  it  would  not  be  accepted  without  an  oath.  I  told  the 
judge,  that  both  tythe  and  swearing  among  Christians  came  from  the 
pope ;  and  it  was  matter  of  conscience  to  us  not  to  pay  tythes,  nor 
to  swear ;  for  Christ  bid  his  disciples,  who  had  freely  received,  give 
freely ;  and  he  commanded  them, '  Not  to  swear  at  all.'  The  judge  said, 
There  was  tythe  paid  in  England  before  popery  was.  I  asked  him  by 
what  law  or  statute  they  were  paid  then  1  but  he  was  silent.  Then  I 
told  him,  there  were  eight  poor  men  brought  up  to  London  out  of  the 
north  about  two  hundred  miles,  for  small  tythes ;  one  of  them  had  no 
family,  but  himself  and  his  wife,  and  kept  no  living  creature  but  a  cat. 
I  asked  him  also.  Whether  they  could  take  a  man  and  his  wife,  and  im- 
prison them  both  for  small  tythes,  and  so  destroy  a  family  1  If  they  could, 
I  desired  to  know  by  what  law  ?  He  did  not  answ^er  me ;  but  only  said, 
That  was  an  hard  case.  When  I  found  there  was  no  help  to  be  had 
there,  we  left  him,  and  went  to  judge  Montague's  chamber.  With  him 
I  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse  concerning  tythes.  Whereupon  he  sent 
for  our  adversary's  attorney ;  and  when  he  came,  I  offered  him  our  an- 
swer. He  said,  If  we  would  pay  the  charges  of  the  court,  and  be  bound 
to  stand  trial,  and  abide  the  judgment  of  the  court,  we  should  not  have 
tiie  oath  tendered  to  us.  I  told  him,  they  had  brought  those  charges 
upon  us,  by  requiring  us  to  put  in  our  answer  upon  oath ;  which  they 
knew  before  we  could  not  do  for  conscience-sake ;  and  as  we  could  not 
pay  any  tythe,  nor  swear,  so  neither  should  we  pay  any  of  their  charges. 
Upon  this  he  would  not  receive  our  answer.  So  we  went  from  thence 
to  judge  Atkyns's  chamber ;  and  he  being  busy,  we  gave  our  answers 
and  our  reasons  against  tythes  and  swearing  to  his  clerk;  but  neither 
could  we  find  any  encouragement  from  him  to  expect  redress.  Where- 
fore leaving  him,  we  went  to  one  of  the  most  noted  counsellors,  and 
shewed  him  the  state  of  our  case,  and  our  answers :  he  was  very  civil 
to  us,  and  said, '  This  way  of  proceeding  against  us  was  somewhat  like 
'  an  inquisition.'  A  few  days  after,  those  eight  poor  friends,  that  were 
brought  up  so  far  out  of  the  north,  appeared  before  the  judges ;  and  the 
Lord  was  with  them,  and  his  power  was  over  the  court,  so  that  the 
friends  were  not  committed  to  the  Fleet.  Our  cause  was  put  off  till  the 
next  term  (called  Michaelmas  term)  and  then  it  was  brought  before  the 
four  judges  again.  William  Mead  told  the  judges,  that  I  had  engaged 
myself  never  to  meddle  with  my  wife's  estate.    The  judges  could  hardly 

3T 


546  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1681 

believe  that  any  man  would  do  so;  whereupon  he  shewed  them  the 
writing  under  my  hand  and  seal ;  at  which  they  wondered.  Then  two 
of  the  judges  and  some  of  the  lawyers  stood  up  and  pleaded  for  me,  that 
I  was  not  liable  to  the  tythes ;  but  the  other  two  judges  and  divers  law- 
yers '  pressed  earnestly  to  have  me  sequestered,  alleging  that  I  was  a 
'  public k  man.'  At  length  they  prevailed  with  one  of  the  other  two  judges 
to  join  with  them,  and  then  granted  a  sequestration  against  me  and  my 
wife  together.  Thereupon,  by  advice  of  counsel,  we  moved  for  a  limi- 
tation, which  was  granted ;  and  that  much  defeated  our  adversary's  de- 
sign in  suing  out  the  sequestration ;  for  this  limited  the  plaintiff  to  take 
no  more  than  was  proved.  One  of  the  judges,  baron  Weston,  was  very 
bitter,  and  broke  forth  in  a  great  rage  against  me  in  the  open  court :  but 
in  a  little  time  after  he  died. 

After  the  yearly  meeting  I  tarried  about  a  month  in  London ;  then 
went  into  Sussex  to  visit  friends  there,  amongst  whom  I  had  many 
large  and  very  precious  meetings  in  divers  parts  of  that  county.  Yet 
I  spent  not  much  time  in  Sussex,  but  returned  pretty  soon  to  London, 
whither  I  felt  drawings  in  my  spirit ;  and  had  very  good  service  for  the 
Lord  there,  both  in  publick  meetings  and  amongst  friends.  When  I  had 
tarried  some  time  in  London,  I  went  to  Edmonton ;  and  from  thence 
into  Buckinghamshire,  where  I  visited  friends  at  several  meetings  in  the 
upper  side  of  that  county ;  and  then  went  by  Henley  to  Reading,  where 
I  tarried  several  meetings.  I  went  no  farther  westward  at  this  time  than 
Ore,  where  I  had  a  very  large  meeting ;  after  which,  striking  through 
the  edge  of  Oxfordshire,  I  had  a  large  and  very  precious  meeting  at 
Warborough,  in  which  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shined  over  all.  Many 
friends  came  to  this  meeting  out  of  Berkshire,  Buckinghamshire,  and 
Hampshire.  From  thence  I  passed  to  Ilmore  in  the  Vale  of  Bucking- 
hamshire, where  we  had  a  glorious  meeting.  The  day  following  I  re- 
turned to  Mary  Penington's.  From  whence  I  visited  the  men's  and  wo- 
men's monthly  meetings  at  Hungerhill,  and  some  other  meetings  there- 
abouts ;  then  passed  to  Watford,  where  was  a  marriage  of  two  friends, 
at  which  I  was  present.  A  very  large  meeting  we  had  on  that  occasion, 
and  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all.  I  went  from  Watford  to  Longford 
in  Middlesex,  visiting  friends  at  Uxbridge  in  the  way.  At  Longford  we 
had  a  large  meeting,  it  being  on  first-day,  and  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
was  preciously  felt  amongst  us ;  blessed  be  his  name !  I  passed  from 
Longford  to  Kingston,  visiting  friends  as  I  went,  at  Staines  and  Sunbury. 
At  Kingston  I  abode  with  friends  two  meetings,  wherein  we  were  sweet- 
ly refreshed  together  in  the  Lord.  Passing  from  thence  towards  Lon- 
don, I  had  a  very  precious  meeting  at  Wandsworth :  then  crossing  over 
to  Hammersmith,  I  had  a  good  meeting  there ;  which  was  the  larger  by 
reason  of  a  burial,  and  there  being  a  pretty  openness  in  the  people  on 
that  occasion,  I  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  open  the  way  of  truth  amongst 
them. 

After  I  was  come  to  London,  I  was  moved  to  write  the  following 
paper,  concerning  that  spirit  which  had  led  some  who  professed  truth, 
into  strife  and  division,  and  to  oppose  the  way  and  work  of  the  Lord : 
'  Friends, 

'  You  that  keep  your  habitation  in  the  truth  that  is  over  all,  do  see  that 
'  it  is  the  same  spirit  which  leads  the  backsliders  and  apostates  now 
'  from  the  spiritual  fellowship  and  unity  of  the  church  of  Christ,  that  led 
'  Adam  and  Eve  from  God.     This  spirit  was  the  same  that  was  in  tlie 


1681]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  547 

'  world,  which  got  into  the  Jews  when  they  were  gone  from  the  Spirit 
'  of  God ;  and  then  turned  against  God  and  his  prophets,  and  against 
'  Christ  and  his  apostles.     That  spirit  led  them  to  be  as  bad  as  Pilate,  or 

*  worse.     The  enmity  or  adversary  was  got  within  them  against  the 

*  truth,  and  those  that  walked  in  it,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord ;  so  that 

*  they  killed  and  destroyed  the  Just.    This  was  the  spirit  of  the  devil,  the 

*  destroyer,  who  sought  not  only  to  destroy  the  truth,  but  the  order  of  it, 
'  and  those  that  walked  in  it,  when  true  Christianity  was  planted  among 
'  the  possessors  of  the  light,  grace,  and  truth,  the  holy  gospel  faith  and 

*  Spirit,  who  enjoyed  Christ  in  their  heart.  But  when  some  began  to 
'  err  from  the  Spirit  and  faith,  to  hate  the  light,  disobey  the  gospel,  turn 

*  the  grace  of  God  into  wantonness,  walk  despitefully  against  the  Spirit 
'  of  grace,  turn  from  the  truth,  crucify  to  themselves  Christ  afresh,  and 
'  put  him  to  open  shame ;  these  were  they  that  let  in  the  spirit  of  the 
'  world,  who  held  the  form  of  godliness,  but  denied  the  power  thereof; 

*  and  troubled  the  churches  in  the  apostles'  days.     When  the  Spirit  of 

*  Satan  had  got  into  such,  they  were  more  troublesome  to  the  church 

*  than  the  open  persecutors  without.     These  got  into  the  assemblies  to 

*  deceive  the  hearts  of  the  simple ;  having  the  good  words  and  fair 
'  speeches,  the  sheep's  clothing.  Paul,  Peter,  John,  Jude,  and  James  had 
'  much  to  do  with  such,  to  keep  them  from  troubling  the  church  of  Christ ; 
'  for  they  are  out  of  the  light,  power,  and  Spirit ;  therefore  the  apostles 

*  of  Christ  exhorted  the  saints  to  keep  to  the  Word  of  life  within ;  to  the 

*  Anointing :  to  the  grace,  truth,  and  Holy  Spirit  in  their  hearts.  This 
'  foul  spirit  will  profess  all  the  scriptures  in  words ;  but  by  the  Spirit  of 
'  God,  which  is  holy,  that  spirit  is  tried,  and  its  fruits.  So  the  apostates 
'  went  from  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  and  turned  against  the  prophets 
'  and  martyrs  of  Jesus ;  and  became  the  whore,  whose  cup  all  nations 
'  drank  of  The  dragon  with  his  tail  threw  down  many  of  the  stars,  and 
'  would  have  devoured  the  woman  with  his  flood ;  but  the  woman,  the 
'  true  church,  was  preserved,  for  the  gates  of  hell  cannot  prevail  against 
'  her ;  and  then  the  dragon  made  war  with  her  Seed.  So  the  dragon, 
'  the  whore,  beast,  and  false  prophets,  all  made  war  against  the  Lamb 
'  and  the  saints,  but  the  Lamb  and  the  saints  will  overcome  them,  and 
'  have  the  victory.     And  now  the  everlasting  gospel  is  preached  again 

*  to  all  nations,  tongues,  and  people ;  and  many  are  gathered  into  the 
'  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  turned  to  the  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ, 
'  grafted  into  him,  and  are  come  to  walk  in  the  order  of  the  new  cove- 
'  nant  of  light  and  life,  in  the  gospel  of  peace  and  salvation.  The  same 
'  spirit  that  opposed  the  apostles  and  the  churches  in  their  days,  opposes 
'now;  yea,  it  is  the  same  that  opposed  Christ  and  disdained  him,  that 
'  disdaineth  God's  servants  now.  The  same  that  opposed  the  prophets, 
'  and  rebelled  against  Moses,  opposes  and  rebels  against  God's  servants 
'  and  people  now.     It  is  the  same  dark,  blind,  disobedient,- faithless,  wil- 

*  ful,  jealous  spirit,  that  persecutes  some  with  the  hands,  and  others  with 
'  the  tongue.  It  is  the  same  spirit  that  is  now  going  about  sometimes 
'  like  a  roaring  lion,  sometimes  like  a  twisting  serpent  to  tempt,  to  de- 
'  ceive,  and  to  devour,  in  those  that  have  fair  speeches  and  good  words, 
'  the  sheep's  clothing,  in  a  form  of  godliness,  under  pretence  of  light  and 
'  liberty,  but  deny  the  power  thereof,  and  inwardly  are  ravening  wolves. 
'  If  it  were  possible  they  would  deceive  the  very  elect.  But  the  elect 
'  are  in  the  covenant  of  light  and  life,  in  the  power  of  God  over  them, 
'  and  in  Christ,  who  will  grind  them  to  pieces,  and  slay  all  his  enemies 


548  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1681 

'  with  his  spiritual  sword,  who  will  not  have  him  to  rule  over  or  in  them. 
'  In  Christ  all  his  people  have  rest  and  peace,  who  is  their  sanctuary 

*  over  all  storms  and  tempests.  In  Christ,  the  sanctuary,  no  deceiver  nor 

*  destroj'er  can  come ;  for  he  is  a  place  of  sweet  rest  and  safety.     Hal- 

*  lelujah  !  praise  the  Lord  for  his  sanctuary.  Amen.  G.  F.' 

Sufferings  continuing  severe  upon  friends  at  London,  I  found  ray  ser- 
vice lay  mostly  there :  wherefore  I  went  but  little  out  of  town,  and  not 
far;  being  frequent  at  the  most  publick  meetings,  to  encourage  friends, 
both  by  word  and  example,  to  stand  fast  in  the  testimony  to  which  God 
had  called  them.  At  other  times  I  went  from  house  to  house,  visiting 
those  friends  that  had  their  goods  taken  away  for  their  testimony  to  truth. 
And  because  the  wicked  informers  were  grown  very  audacious,  by  rea- 
son they  had  much  countenance  and  encouragement  from  some  justices, 
who,  trusting  wholly  to  their  information,  proceeded  against  friends  with- 
out hearing  them :  whereby  many  were  made  to  suffer,  not  only  con- 
trary to  right,  but  even  contrary  to  law  also.  I  advised  with  some  friends 
about  it ;  and  we  drew  up  a  paper,  which  was  delivei'ed  to  most  of  the 
magistrates  in  and  about  the  city,  as  followeth : 

'  Whereas  informers  have  obtained  warrants  of  some  justices  of  peace, 
'  who  have  convicted  many  of  us  without  hearing  us,  or  once  summon- 
'  ing  us  to  appear  before  them  ;  by  which  proceedings  many  have  had 

*  their  goods  seized  and  taken  away,  being  generally  fined  ten  pounds 

*  apiece  for  an  unknown  speaker :  and  some  of  those  persons  so  fined  have 
'  not  been  at  the  meetings  they  were  fined  for ;  and  the  speaker  notwith- 

*  standing  hath  himself  been  fined  for  the  same  meeting,  the  same  day  the 
'  others  were  fined  for  the  unknown  speaker.  The  justices  may  see  the 
'  wickedness  of  these  informers,  by  whose  false  oaths  we  have  been  con- 
'  victed  for  an  unknown  preacher,  when  the  preacher  hath  been  both 
'  known  and  fined.  Also  in  their  swearing  such  persons  to  have  been  at 
'  such  a  meeting  such  a  day,  when  indeed  those  so  sworn  against  have 

*  not  been  at  that  meeting.  By  which  proceedings  several  families  of  the 
'  king's  peaceable  subjects  are  like  to  be  ruined,  if  a  speedy  stop  be  not 

*  put  thereunto.  Therefore  we  hope  and  desire  that  you,  the  king's  jus- 
'  tices,  for  the  time  to  come,  when  any  informers  shall  come  to  any  of 
'  you  with  an  information  against  any  of  us,  will  summon  such  as  are 

*  accused  to  appear  before  you,  and  hear  us  and  our  accusers  face  to 
^  face ;  that  none  may  suffer  for  what  they  are  not  guilty  of.  For  Pilate 
"  the  governor  heard  Christ  and  his  accusers  face  to  face  before  he  con- 

*  demned  him,  John  xix.     The  council  and  chief  priests  heard  Stephen 

*  and  his  accusers,  with  the  witnesses  that  were  brought  against  him 

*  face  to  face,  before  they  condemned  him.  Acts  vii.     The  Roman  cap- 

*  tain  heard  Paul  and  his  accusers  face  to  face.  Acts  xxiii.     Felix  the 

*  governor  heard  Paul  and  Ananias  the  high-priest,  and  the  elders  that 

*  accused  Paul,  face  to  face.  Acts  xxiv.  And  when  the  high-priests 
'  and  chief  of  the  Jews  accused  Paul  to  Festus,  he  heard  Paul  and  his 
'  accusers,  and  them  that  witnessed  against  him,  face  to  face,  Acts  xxv. 
<=  Doth  the  law  of  God,  or  did  the  Roman  law,  or  doth  the  law  of  the  land 
'judge  any  man  before  he  and  his  accusers,  and  they  that  witness  against 

*  him,  be  heard  face  to  face  V 

This  somewhat  moderated  the  justices:  and  after  this  several  friends, 
who  had  been  illegally  prosecuted  and  fined,  entered  their  appeals ;  upon 


168S]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  549 

trial  whereof  they  were  acquitted,  and  the  informers  cast :  which  was  a 
great  discouragenaent  to  the  informers,  and  some  relief  to  friends. 

A  little  before  the  time  for  choosing  new  sheriffs  for  the  city,  those 
who  put  up  to  be  chosen  desiring  our  friends  to  give  their  voices  for 
them,  I  wrote  a  few  lines,  tending  to  discover  what  spirit  they  were  of, 
and  how  they  stood  affected  to  true  liberty ;  it  was  by  way  of  inquiry, 
thus : 

'  Do  any  here  in  London,  who  stand  to  be  chosen  sheriffs,  own  that 

*  Christ,  who  was  crucified  without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem,  to  be  the  light 

*  of  the  world,  that  "  enlightens  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,"  who 

*  saith,  "  Believe  in  the  light,  that  ye  may  become  children  of  the  light  ?"  Is 

*  any  of  you  against  persecuting  people  for  their  religion  and  worship  of 

*  God  in  Spirit  and  truth,  as  Christ  commandeth?  For  Christ  said,  "  I  am 
"  not  of  this  world  nor  my  kingdom :"  therefore  he  doth  not  uphold  his  spir- 

*  itual  worship  and  pure  religion  with  worldly  and  carnal  weapons.  Christ 
'  said, "  Swear  not  at  all ;"  and  his  apostle  James  saith  the  same :  but 

*  will  not  you  force  us  to  swear,  and  break  Christ's  and  his  apostle's  com- 

*  mands,  in  putting  oaths  to  us  1  Christ  saith  to  his  apostles,  "  Freely  ye 
"  have  received,  freely  give :"  Will  not  you  force  us  to  give  tythes  and 

*  maintenance  to  such  teachers  as  we  know  God  hath  not  sent  ?  Shall 
'  we  be  free  to  serve  and  worship  God,  and  keep  his  and  his  Son's  com- 

*  mands,  if  we  give  our  voices  freely  for  you  1  for  we  are  unwilling  to 

*  give  our  voices  for  such  as  will  imprison  and  persecute  us,  and  spoil  our 

*  goods.' 

But  whatever  the  candidates  were,  I  observed  heat  and  strife  in  the 
spirits  of  the  people  that  were  to  choose ;  wherefore  I  wrote  a  few  lines 
to  be  spread  amongst  them,  directed, 

*  To  the  people  who  are  choosing  sheriffs  in  London : 

'  People, 
'  All  keep  in  the  gentle  and  peaceable  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  above 

*  that  which  is  earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish ;  and  live  in  that  love  of  God 
'  that  is  not  pufied  up,  nor  is  unseemly ;  which  envieth  not,  but  beareth 

*  and  endureth  all  things.     In  this  love  ye  will  seek  the  good  and  peace 

*  of  all  men,  and  the  hurt  of  no  man.    Keep  out  of  all  heats,  be  not  hot- 
'  headed ;  but  be  cool  and  gentle,  that  your  Christian  moderation  may 

*  appear  to  all  men ;  for  the  Lord  is  at  hand,  who  beholds  all  men's  words, 
'  thoughts,  and  actions,  and  will  reward  every  one  according  to  their 

*  work :  what  every  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  reap.' 

I  had  some  inclination  to  go  into  the  country  to  a  meeting :  but  hear- 
ing there  would  be  a  bustle  at  our  meetings,  and  feeling  great  disquiet- 
ness  in  people's  spirits  in  the  city  about  choosing  sheriffs,  it  was  upon 
me  to  go  to  the  meeting  in  Gracechurch-street,  on  •  first-day.  William 
Penn  went  with  me,  and  spoke  in  the  meeting.  While  he  was  declaring 
the  truth,  a  constable  came  in  with  his  great  staff,  and  bid  him  give  over, 
and  come  down:  but  William  Penn  held  on,  declaring  truth  in  the  power 
of  God.  After  awhile  the  constable  drew  back ;  and  when  William 
Penn  had  done,  I  stood  up,  and  declared  to  the  people  *  the  everlasting 
'  gospel  which  was  preached  in  the  apostles'  days,  and  to  Abraham ; 
'which  the  church  in  the  apostles'  days  did  receive,  and  came  to  be  heirs 

*  of.     This  gospel,  I  declared,  was  sent  from  heaven  by  the  Holy  Ghost 


656  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1682 

in  the  apostles'  days,  and  is  so  now ;  and  was  not  of  man,  neither  by 
man,  but  by  the  revelation  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  now  this  gospel  is 
preached  again  (as  John  saw,  and  said  it  should  be)  to  all  nations, 
tongues,  and  people ;  and  all  people  now  are  to  hear  Christ  the  Prophet, 
in  this  his  gospel  of  the  new  covenant.  For  as  Moses  said,  "  Like  unto 
'  me  will  God  raise  up  a  prophet,  and  him  shall  ye  hear  in  all  things :" 
so,  said  I,  this  prophet  Christ  is  come,  and  all  the  Jews  in  Spirit,  the 
true  believing  Christians  in  the  light,  who  have  the  law  of  God  written 
in  their  hearts,  and  put  into  their  minds,  are  to  hear  Christ  in  his  gos- 
pel, new  testament,  and  new  covenant,  which  is  the  law  of  the  Spirit 
of  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  bruises  the  serpent's  head  (which  is  the  head 
of  enmity)  and  makes  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  I  shewed, 
that  all  whom  Christ  quickens  and  makes  alive,  he  makes  to  sit  together 
in  the  heavenly  places  in  himself.  So  that  they  do  not  wander  up  and 
down,  like  the  fool's  eye  in  the  corners  of  the  earth ;  nor  are  their  eyes 
abroad  in  the  world,  to  sit  down  in  the  world's  invented  seats  of  reli- 
gion ;  but  they  sit  together  in  him,  as  the  saints  did  in  the  apostles'  days. 
So  Christ  was  and  is  their  treasure  of  wisdom,  life,  knowledge,  and 
salvation.'  As  I  was  thus  speaking,  two  constables  came  in  with  their 
great  staves,  and  bid  me,  '  give  over  speaking  and  come  down.'  But  I, 
feeling  the  power  of  the  Lord  with  me,  spoke  on  therein,  both  to  the 
constables,  and  to  the  people.  To  the  constables  I  declared,  '  That  we 
'were  a  peaceable  people,  who  meet  to  wait  upon  God,  and  worship  him 

*  in  Spirit  and  in  truth ;  and  therefore  they  needed  not  to  have  come  with 
'  their  staves  against  us,  who  were  met  in  a  peaceable  manner,  desiring 

*  and  seeking  the  good  and  salvation  of  all  people.'  Then  turning  my 
speech  to  the  people  again,  I  declared  what  further  was  upon  me  to 
them.  While  I  was  speaking,  the  constables  drew  towards  the  door, 
and  the  soldiers  stood  with  their  muskets  in  the  yard.  When  I  had  done 
speaking,  I  kneeled  down,  and  prayed,  desiring  the  Lord  to  open  the  eyes 
and  hearts  of  all  people,  high  and  low,  that  their  minds  might  be  turned 
to  God  by  his  Holy  Spirit :  that  he  might  be  glorified  in  all  and  over  all. 
After  prayer  the  meeting  rose,  and  friends  passed  away,  the  constables 
being  come  in  again  without  the  soldiers ;  and  indeed  both  they  and  the 
soldiers  carried  themselves  civilly.  William  Penn  and  I  went  into  a  room 
hard  b}^  as  we  used  to  do,  and  many  friends  went  with  us ;  and  lest  the 
constables  should  think  we  would  shun  them,  a  friend  went  down  and 
told  them,  if  they  would  have  any  thing  with  us,  they  might  come  where 
we  were,  if  they  pleased.  One  of  them  came  to  us  soon  after,  but  with- 
out his  staff;  which  he  chose  to  do,  that  he  might  not  be  observed ;  for 
he  said,  '  The  people  told  him,  he  busied  himself  more  than  he  needed.' 
We  desired  to  see  his  warrant ;  and  we  therein  found  the  informer  was 
one  Hilton,  a  north  country  man,  reputed  a  Papist.  The  constable  was 
asked,  Whether  he  would  arrest  us  by  his  warrant  on  that  day,  it  being 
first-day,  which  in  their  law  was  called  the  Lord's  day  ?     He  said,  '  He 

*  thought  he  could  not.'     He  told  us  also,  '  He  had  charged  the  informer 

*  to  come  along  with  him  to  the  meeting,  but  he  had  run  away  from  him.' 
We  shewed  the  constable,  that  both  he  and  we  were  clear ;  yet  to  free 
liim  from  all  fear  of  danger,  we  were  free  to  go  to  the  alderman  that 
granted  the  warrant.  A  friend  present  said,  He  would  go  with  the  con- 
stable to  speak  with  the  alderman ;  which  they  did,  and  came  presently 
back  again,  the  alderman  being  gone  from  home.  We  seeing  the  con- 
stable in  a  strait,  and  finding  him  a  tender  man,  bid  him  set  an  hour  to 


1682]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  551 

come  to  us  again,  or  send  for  us,  and  we  would  come  to  him.  So  he 
appointed  the  fifth  hour  in  the  afternoon,  but  neither  came  nor  sent  for 
us ;  and  a  friend  meeting  him  afterwards  in  the  evening,  the  constable 
told  him,  '  He  thought  it  would  come  to  nothing,  and  therefore  did  not 

*  look  after  us.'   So  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  to  him  be  the  glory ! 

The  fourth-day  following,  it  was  upon  me  to  go  to  Gracechurch- 
street  meeting  again ;  for  I  had  heard  they  would  come  to  break  up  the 
meeting  that  day.  The  neighbours,  it  seems,  were  informed  so,  a  justice 
had  granted  a  warrant  for  that  purpose,  and  the  constable  told  a  friend 
that  Hilton  the  informer  had  been  with  him  about  it.  The  constable 
would  have  had  the  informer  to  have  gone  with  him  to  the  meeting,  but 
he  would  not ;  and  would  have  the  constable  go  without  him :  whether 
that  put  the  constable  by  I  know  not ;  but  he  did  not  come.  I  was  in  a 
travail  of  spirit  in  the  power  of  God,  and  was  moved  in  it  to  go  to  the 
meeting ;  and  the  Lord's  power  did  chain  all  down.  Though  they  threat- 
ened to  bring  the  red  coats,  none  of  them  came^  nor  was  there  any  dis- 
turbance ;  but  a  glorious,  powerful  meeting  it  was,  and  very  peaceable : 
glory,  honour,  and  praises  be  to  the  Lord  over  all  for  ever.  Amen ! 

During  the  time  I  abode  at  London,  as  I  had  leisure  between  meet- 
ings, and  from  other  publick  services,  I  wrote  divers  books  and  papers ; 
some  of  which  were  printed,  and  others  spread  about  in  manuscript.  Of 
these,  one  was  directed,  *  To  the  bishops  and  others,  that  stirred  up  per- 

*  secution ;  to  shew  them  from  the  holy  scriptures,  that  they  did  not  walk 
'  therein  according  to  the  royal  law,  "  To  love  their  neighbour  as  them- 
"  selves,  and  to  do  to  others  as  they  would  be  done  unto."  Another  was, 
'  To  all  the  several  sorts  of  professed  Chiistians,  as  well  Protestants  as 

*  Papists,  whose  religion  and  worship  stands  in  outward  observances  and 

*  ceremonies ;  pressing  them,  from  those  words  of  the  apostle  Paul  to  the 

*  Galatians,  chap.  v.  ver.  2,  3,  4.  "  Behold,  I  Paul  say  unto  you,  that  if 
"  ye  be  circumcised,  Christ  shall  profit  you  nothing.  For  I  testify  again 
"  to  every  man  that  is  circumcised,  that  he  is  a  debtor  to  the  whole  law. 
"  Christ  is  become  of  no  effect  unto  you,  whosoever  of  you  are  justified 
"  by  the  law:  ye  are  fallen  from  grace,"  to  consider,  whether  they,  being 
'  gone  back  into  legal  observations  and  shadowy  ceremonies,  in  uphold- 
'  ing  tythes,  offerings,  first-fruits,  priests'  garments,  outward  altars,  tem- 
'  pies,  lamps,  lights,  «fec.  and  in  observing  days,  months,  times,  years, 
'  with  many  other  things  commanded  by  the  law,  were  not  gone  into  the 
'  same  state  that  the  Galatians  were  running  into ;  and  so  were  fallen 
'  from  grace,  and  become  debtors  to  the  whole  law.'   Another  was,  '  To 

*  direct  and  turn  all  people  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  they  might  thereby 
'  receive  a  right  understanding,  and  be  able  to  distinguish  between  right 

*  and  wrong,  truth  and  error ;  that  under  pretence  of  punishing  evil-doers, 

*  they  might  not  themselves  do  evil  in  persecuting  the  righteous.    Which 

*  is  here  inserted : 

•  The  Spirit  of  God,  which  he  hath  poured  upon  all,  giveth  an  under- 

*  standing  to  all  that  are  led  by  it ;  and  to  those  who  do  not  quench  the 

*  motions  of  it,  it  giveth  knowledge  and  understanding  to  distinguish  good 

*  from  evil,  light  from  darkness,  Christ  from  Antichrist,  the  old  testament 

*  or  covenant  from  the  new,  the  old  way  from  the  new  and  living  way ; 
'  the  sheep  and  lambs  from  the  goats  and  wolves ;  the  worship  of  God, 

*  which  Christ  set  up  above  sixteen  hundred  years  ago,  from  the  dragon's 

*  and  beast's  worship ;  and  all  those  that  worship  the  works  of  men's 


552  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

*  hands,  and  the  will-worshippers,  from  them  that  worship  God  in  his 

*  Spirit  and  in  his  truth,  in  which  God's  people  worship  him  ;  which  wor- 
'  ship  is  over  all  false  worships  and  worshippers.  Those  who  believe  in 
'  the  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ,  become  the  children  of  light,  and 
'  are  the  lambs  of  Jesus.  These  lambs  follow  the  Lamb  of  God,  that 
'  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world ;  they  will  not  follow  the  hirelings, 
'  nor  the  strangers,  to  be  led  into  strange  ways,  doctrines,  religions,  and 
'  churches :  for  the  lambs  of  Christ  follow  Christ  the  Lamb  of  God,  and 
'  know  his  heavenly  voice.  They  know  also,  that  those  who  are  without 
'  Christ  are  dogs  and  wolves,  adulterers,  idolaters,  liars,  and  unbelievers, 

*  who  would  devour  the  lambs :  but  these  are  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, 
'  which  is  his  power,  that  is  over  all ;  such  do  good  in  his  power  unto 
'  all ;  for  they  have  the  mind  of  Christ,  who  would  have  all  come  to  the 
'  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  be  saved.     Those  that  do  good  to  all,  do 

*  hurt  to  none :  for  that  spirit,  that  doth  hurt  to  any,  is  not  of  God ;  but 
'  that  Spirit,  which  doth  good  to  all,  and  especially  to  the  household  of 
'  faith,  is  of  God.  Christ  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save 
'  them :  it  is  the  devil  that  is  the  destroyer  of  men's  lives  about  religion, 

*  who  corrupts  men  and  women,  makes  them  deaf  and  blind  to  the  things 

*  of  God,  and  to  halt  out  of  God's  way.     Those  that  obey  the  evil  one, 

*  and  forsake  the  Lord,   such   the   destroyer  doth  destroy :  but  Christ 

*  destroys  that  destroyer,  and  in  Christ  all  have  life.  G.  F.' 

I  wrote  also  concerning  meditation,  dehght,  exercise,  and  study; 
shewing  from  the  scriptures  of  truth  what  true  Christians  ought  to  medi- 
tate upon,  exercise  their  minds  and  take  delight  in,  and  what  they  should 
study  to  do.  For  in  these  things  not  prophane  and  loose  people  only, 
but  even  great  professors  of  religion,  are  very  much  mistaken :  taking 
delight  in  earthly,  fading,  perishing  things ;  whereas  they  ought  to  medi- 
tate on  heavenly  things,  delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man, 
and  exercise  themselves  to  have  always  a  '  conscience  void  of  oftence 
'  towards  God  and  towards  men,'  as  the  apostle  Paul  did. 

As  sufferings  continued  very  sore  and  heavy  upon  friends  not  only  in 
the  city,  but  in  most  parts  of  the  nation,  I  drew  up  a  paper  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  king ;  setting  forth  our  grievances,  and  desiring  redress 
from  him  in  those  particular  cases  which  I  understood  were  in  his  power. 
But  not  having  relief  from  him,  it  came  upon  me  to  write  an  epistle  to 
friends,  to  encourage  them  in  their  sufferings,  that  they  might  bear  with 
patience  the  many  exercises  brought  upon  them,  both  by  magistrates  and 
false  brethren  and  apostates ;  whose  wicked  books  and  filthy  slanders 
grieved  the  upright-hearted.  This  epistle  I  wrote  at  Dalston,  whither  I 
went  to  visit  an  ancient  friend  that  lay  sick. 

'  Frien-ds  and  brethren  in  Christ  Jesus,  whom  the  Lord  hath  called 
'  and  gathered  into  himself,  in  him  abide ;  for  without  him  ye  can  do 
'  nothing,  and  through  him  ye  can  do  all  things.  He  is  your  strength 
'  and  support  in  all  your  trials,  temptations,  imprisonments,  and  sufler- 
'  ings,  who  for  Christ's  sake  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter : 
'  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors,  through  Christ  who 
'  hath  loved  us.  Therefore,  friends,  though  ye  suffer  by  the  outward 
'  powers,  ye  know  that  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the  apostles,  suffered  by 
'  the  unconverted.     And  though  ye  suffer  by  false  brethren  and  apos- 

*  tates  for  a  time,  and  by  their  filthy  books  and  tongues,  whose  tongues 
'  indeed  are  become  no  slander,  let  them  speak,  write,  or  print  what  they 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  553 

*  will :  for  the  sober  people  even  of  the  world  hardly  regard  it.  It  is  well 
'  they  have  manifested  themselves  to  the  world,  that  their  folly  may  pro- 

*  ceed  no  farther;  though  to  the  utmost  of  their  power  they  have  shewed 

*  their  wicked  intent  to  stir  up  the  magistrates,  professors,  and  prophane 

*  against  us,  and  to  speak  evil  of  the  way  of  truth.    God's  judgments  will 

*  overtake  them,  as  sure  as  they  have  come  upon  those  that  are  gone  be- 

*  fore  them.  Let  their  pretence  be  ever  so  high,  mark  their  end ;  for  they 

*  will  fall  like  untimely  figs,  and  wither  like  the  grass  on  the  top  of  the 

*  house.     Though  they  may  seem  to  flourish,  and  make  a  boast  and  a 

*  noise  for  a  time,  yet  the  Seed  is  on  the  head  of  such,  which  will  grind 

*  them  to  powder ;  which  seed  bruiseth  the  serpent's  head.  Therefore  in 
'  this  Seed,  Christ,  who  is  your  sanctuary,  rest,  peace,  and  quiet  habita- 

*  tion,  who  is  the  First  and  the  Last,  and  over  all,  in  him  walk ;  for  the 
'  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  his  faithful  people,  that  serve  and  worship  him. 

*  Therefore  let  the  saints  be  joyful  in  glory ;  and  the  God  of  Peace,  the 

*  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath  called  us  into  his  eternal  glory  by  .Tesus 

*  Christ,  after  that  ye  have  suffered  awhile,  make  you  perfect,  stablish, 
'strengthen,  and  settle  you.     Cast  all  your  care  upon  the  Lord,  for  he 

*  careth  for  you.     And  dearly  beloved,  think  it  not  strange  concerning 

*  the  fiery  trial  which  is  to  try  you,  as  though  some  strange  thing  had 

*  happened  to  you ;  for  it  is  better,  if  the  will  of  God  be  so,  that  ye  suffer 

*  for  well-doing  than  for  evil-doing;  and  rejoice,  inasmuch  as  ye  are 

*  made  partakers  of  Christ's  suflferings.     Wherefore  let  them  that  suffer 

*  according  to  the  will  of  God,  commit  the  keeping  of  their  souls  to  him 
*in  well-doing,  as  unto  a  faithful  Creator:  for  unto  you  is  given,  in  the 
'  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  in  him,  but  also  to  sufler  for  his 
'  sake.   So  it  is  given,  or  is  a  gift  from  Christ  to  suffer  for  his  name ;  and 

*  therefore  rejoice,  inasmuch  as  ye  are  made  partakers  of  Christ's  suffer- 

*  ings.     If  ye  be  reproached  or  evil-spoken  of  for  the  name  of  Christ, 

*  happy  are  ye ;  for  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  resteth  upon  you :  on 

*  their  part  he  is  evil-spoken  of,  but  on  your  part  he  is  glorified.     There- 

*  fore  if  any  suffer  as  Christians,  let  them  not  be  ashamed,  but  glorify 

*  God  on  this  behalf     Though  now  for  a  season  ye  are  in  sufferings, 

*  trials,  and  temptations,  that  the  trial  of  your  faith,  being  much  more 

*  precious  than  that  of  gold  which  perishes,  though  it  be  tried  with  fire, 

*  may  be  found  unto  praise,  honour,  and  glory,  who  are  kept  by  the 

*  power  of  God,  through  faith,  unto  salvation.     Therefore  mind   your 

*  keeper,  where-ever  ye  are,  or  what  sufferings  soever  ye  be  in ;  and 

*  mind  the  example  of  the  apostle,  how  he  suffered  trouble  as  an  evil- 
'  doer,  unto  bonds.     But  the  Word  of  God  is  not  bound,  which  is  ever- 

*  lasting  and  endures  for  ever :  and  they  who  are  in  that  which  is  not 
'everlasting,  and  doth  not  endure  for  ever,  cannot  bind  the  Word.    The 

*  apostle  said,  "  I  endure  all  things  for  the  elect's  sake;  that  they  may 
"also  obtain  the  salvation  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  eternal  glory 
"  (mark,  with  eternal  glory.)  And  if  we  suffer  with  Christ,  we  shall  reign 
"  with  Christ,  who  alDide  faithful."     Therefore  strive  not  about  words 

*  to  no  profit ;  but  shun  prophane  and  vain  babblings,  for  they  will  in- 

*  ci'ease  unto  more  ungodliness ;  that  ye  may  be  vessels  of  honour,  sanc- 

*  tified  and  meet  for  Christ  your  master's  use,  and  prepared  unto  every 
'  good  work.   Follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faithj  love,  patience, 

*  and  meekness.     Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith  with  your  heavenly  wea- 

*  pons ;  which  faith  is  victory  (or  gives  victory)  by  which  ye  lay  hold  on 

*  eternal  life,  and  have  access  unto  God,  "  who  will  render  to  every  man 

3U 


554  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1682 

"  according  to  his  deeds :  to  them,  who  by  patient  continuing  in  well- 
"  doing,  seek  for  glory,  and  honour,  and  immortahty,  eternal  life ;  but 
"  unto  them  that  are  contentious,  and  do  not  obey  the  truth,  but  obey 
"  unrighteousness,  indignation  and  wrath,  tribulation  and  anguish  upon 
"  every  soul  of  man  that  doth  evil ;  but  glory,  honour,  and  peace  to  every 
"  man  that  worketh  good."  Christ  said  to  his  disciples,  "  If  the  world 
"  hate  you,  ye  know  that  it  hated  me  before  it  hated  you.  If  ye  were 
"  of  the  world,  the  world  would  love  its  own :  but  because  ye  are  not  of 
"  the  world,  but  I  have  chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  therefore  the  world 
"  hateth  you."  And,  "  If  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will  also  perse- 
"  cute  you."  And  John  in  his  general  epistle  to  the  church  saith,  "  Mar- 
*'  vel  not,  my  brethren,  if  the  world  hate  you.  We  know  that  we  have 
"  passed  from  death  to  Hfe,  because  we  love  the  brethren."  And  Christ 
'  in  his  prayer  to  his  Father  saith  of  his  followers,  "  As  thou  hast  sent 
"  me  into  the  world,  even  so  have  I  also  sent  them  into  the  world ;  and 
♦'  the  glory  which  thou  gavest  me  I  have  given  them,  that  they  may  be 
"  one,  even  as  we  are  one."     Therefore  all  ye  that  know  God  and  Jesus 

*  Christ  (whom  to  know  is  eternal  life)  and  are  partakers  of  his  glory, 

•  keep  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  and  be  valiant  for  his  truth  upon  earth, 

♦  that  ye  may  be  all  settled  upon  Christ,  the  rock  and  foundation. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  Dalston,  the  3d  of  the 
'  8th  month,  1682.' 

I  made  but  little  stay  at  Dalston,  but  returned  to  London,  where  I  con- 
tinued most  part  of  the  winter;  labouring  in  the  service  of  truth  amongst 
friends :  save  that  I  was  a  Uttle  while  at  Kingston,  in  the  tenth  month  of 
this  year,  where  I  wrote  a  book,  setting  forth  '  The  state  of  the  birth 
'  temporal,  and  the  birth  spiritual :  and  the  duty  and  state  of  a  child, 
'  youth,  young  men,  aged  men  and  fathers  in  the  truth,'  ifec.  But  I  staid 
not  long  at  Kingston  neither;  for  the  heat  of  persecution  still  continuing, 
I  felt  my  service  to  be  most  at  London,  where  our  meetings  were  for  the 
most  part  disturbed  and  broken  up,  or  friends  were  forced  to  meet  with- 
out doors,  being  kept  out  of  their  meeting-houses  by  the  officers.  Yet 
sometimes,  beyond  expectation,  we  got  a  quiet  and  peaceable  meeting  in 
the  houses.  One  time  I  was  minded  to  have  gone  a  mile  or  two  out  of 
town,  to  visit  a  friend  that  was  not  well :  but  hearing  that  the  king  had 
sent  to  the  mayor  to  put  the  laws  in  execution  against  dissenters,  and 
that  the  magistrates  thereupon  intended  to  nail  up  the  meeting-house 
doors,  I  had  not  freedom  to  go  out  of  town,  but  was  moved  to  go  to  the 
meeting  at  Gracechurch-street ;  and,  notwithstanding  all  their  threats,  a 
great  meeting  it  w^as,  and  very  quiet ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone 
over  all. 

The  same  week  I  went  to  the  meeting  at  the  Peel  in  John's-street,  and 
the  sessions  were  holden  the  same  day  at  Hicks's-hall.  I  went  in  the 
morning ;  and  William  Mead  being  to  appear  at  the  sessions  for  not  go- 
ing to  the  steeple-house  worsliip,  came  once  or  twice  from  Hicks's-hall 
to  me  at  the  Peel ;  which  some  ill-minded  people  observing,  went '  and 
informed  the  justices  at  the  bench,  that  he  was  gone  to  a  meeting  at  the 
Peel,  Wliereupon  they  sent  a  messenger  to  see  if  there  was  a  meeting; 
but  this  being  in  the  forenoon,  there  was  no  meeting,  so  the  messenger 
went  back  and  told  them.  Then  others  informed  the  justices  that  there 
would  be  a  meeting  there  in  the  afternoon:  whereupon  they  sent  for  the 


1682)  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  565 

chief  constable,  and  asked  him,  'Why  he  suffered  a  meeting  to  be  at  the 

*  Peel,  so  nigh  h'lmV    He  told  them,  'He  did  not  know  of  any  meeting 

*  there.'  They  asked  him,  'How  he  could  but  know  it,  and  live  so  nigh 
*it?'  He  said,  'He  was  never  there  in  his  life,  and  did  not  know  there 
'  was  a  meeting  there.'  They  would  have  persuaded  him  that  he  must 
needs  know  of  it;  but  he  standing  steadfast  in  the  denial  of  it,  they  said, 

*  They  should  take  order  to  have  it  looked  after  in  the  afternoon.'  But 
a  multitude  of  business  coming  before  them  at  the  sessions,  when  dinner- 
time came,  they  hastened  to  their  dinner,  without  giving  order ;  and  when 
they  came  to  the  bench  again  after  dinner,  the  Lord  put  it  out  of  their 
minds,  so  the  meeting  was  quiet,  beginning  and  ending  in  peace;  and  a 
blessed  meeting  we  had,  the  Lord's  presence  being  preciously  amongst 
us.  Many  friends  had  a  concern  upon  their  minds,  when  they  saw  me 
come  into  the  meeting,  lest  I  should  have  been  taken ;  but  I  was  freely 
given  up  to  suffer,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will,  before  I  went,  and  had  no- 
thing in  my  mind  concerning  it  but  the  Lord's  glory.  I  do  believe  that 
the  Lord  put  it  out  of  their  minds,  that  they  should  not  send  to  break  up 
our  meeting  that  day.  Yet  the  first-day  after,  three  or  four  justices  (as 
I  heard)  came  to  the  Peel,  and  put  friends  out  of  their  meeting-house, 
and  kept  them  out:  and  inquired  for  William  Mead,  but  he  was  not 
there. 

That  day  I  was  moved  to  go  to  Gracechurch-street  meeting ;  and  it 
was  expected  that  the  officers  would  come  to  break  up  the  meeting,  or 
keep  friends  out ;  and  many  hundreds  of  people  came  to  see  what  would 
be  done  to  us.  But  the  officers  came  not ;  so  Vv^e  were  in  peace  and 
quietness;  and  many  of  the  people  that  came  to  look  on,  staid  all  the 
time ;  and  a  glorious,  precious  meeting  we  had,  for  the  Lord's  presence 
was  plentifully  amongst  us,  and  his  power  came  over  all ;  glory  to  his 
name  for  ever,  who  is  over  all ! 

I  had  seen  the  mayor's  printed  speech  for  putting  the  laws  in  execution 
against  dissenters:  and  it  was  much  in  my  mind  that  we  should  draw  up 
a  paper  to  send  to  the  mayor  and  aldermen,  to  clear  ourselves  from  be- 
ing such  as  those  law^s  were  made  against ;  and  to  set  forth  our  peace- 
able behaviour  both  towards  the  king  and  the  government.  Accordingly 
a  paper  was  drawn  up,  signed,  and  delivered  to  the  mayor;  and  copies 
thereof  delivered  to  the  aldermen,  and  the  bishop  of  London,  who  gene- 
rally took  it  kindly,  and  were  civil  to  the  friends  that  delivered  it. 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  write  the  few  lines  following  to  friends : 

'  Dear  friends, 
*  Feel  the  power  of  God  in  you  all,  and  over  all,  and  by  it  let  your 

*  hearts  be  united  to  one  another,  and  to  the  Lord  God,  who  hath  gath- 
'  ered  you  by  himself  by  his  power  and  Spirit,  to  be  a  people  to  serve 

*  and  worship  him.    So  you  may  all  strive  to  excel  one  another  in  virtue, 

*  and  in  that  love  that  beareth  all  things,  and  edifieth  the  body  of  Christ, 

*  the  body  of  the  second  Adam.  For  the  body  of  old  Adam  in  the  fall 
'  is  full  of  malice,  envy  and  vice.     Therefore  you  that  are  called  out  of 

*  old  Adam  in  the  fall,  and  have  put  on  Christ  the  second  Adam  that 

*  never  fell,  walk  in  him,  the  treasure  of  life,  wisdom,  and  knowledge,  in 

*  whom  ye  have  peace  with  God,  who  is  the  First  and  Last,  the  Begin- 

*  ning  and  the  Ending.     So  let  all  be  gathered  up  to  God,  into  him  who 

*  reconcileth  all  things  in  one,  both  things  in  heaven  and  things  on  earth ; 

*  who  is  the  faithful  and  true  witness  in  male  and  female.     In  him  sit 


556  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1682 

'  down,  who  is  above  the  subtil  foxes  in  their  holes,  and  the  fowls  of  the 
'  air  in  their  nests ;  I  say,  sit  down  in  Christ,  who  hath  no  place  among 
'  them  to  lay  his  head ;  he  is  your  rest.     So  in  him  is  my  love  to  you  all. 

'G.  F.' 
'  London,  the  20th  of  the 
'11th  month,  1682.' 

Not  long  after,  I  received  an  account  by  letter,  from  some  friends  that 
were  prisoners  at  Denbigh  in  Wales,  that  many  friends  there  were  under 
great  sufferings  for  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience.  In  the  tender 
sense  whereof  I  was  moved  in  the  love  of  God  to  visit  them  with  a  few 
lines,  as  a  word  of  consolation  to  them  in  their  sufferings ;  and  of  exhor- 
tation, to  stand  fast  in  the  testimony  committed  to  them,  after  this  manner: 

'  Dear  suffering  lambs  for  the  name  and  command  of  Jesus  !  be  val- 

*  iant  for  his  truth,  and  faithful,  and  ye  will  feel  the  presence  of  Christ 

*  with  you.     Look  at  him  who  suffered  for  you,  hath  bought  you,  and 

*  will  feed  you,  who  saith,  "  Be  of  good  comfort,  I  have  overcome  the 
"  world :"  who  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  bruises  the  serpent's 

*  head.     I  say,  look  at  Christ  your  sanctuary,  in  whom  ye  have  rest  and 

*  peace.  To  you  it  is  given  not  only  to  believe,  but  to  suffer  for  his 
'  name's  sake.  They  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  suffer  per- 
'  secution  by  the  ungodly  professors  of  Christ  Jesus  who  live  out  of  him. 

*  Therefore  be  valiant  for  God's  truth  upon  the  earth,  and  look  above 

*  that  spirit  that  makes  you  suffer,  up  to  Christ,  who  was  before  it  was, 

*  and  will  be  when  it  is  gone.  Consider  all  the  prophets,  Christ,  and  the 
'  apostles,  who  suffered  and  were  persecuted ;  but  they  were  never  per- 
'  secuted  as  true  men,  but  as  deceivers,  and  yet  true.     Christ  is  the  same 

*  to-day  as  yesterday,  a  rock  and  foundation  for  your  age  and  genera- 
'  tion,  for  you  to  build  upon.  I  have  written  concerning  you  (after  I 
'  heard  your  letter)  to  friends  in  Cheshire  to  visit  you,  understanding 
'  that  you  belong  to  their  quarterly  meeting :  I  desire  some  friends  of 
'  your  county  would  go,  and  lay  your  suffering  condition  before  the 
'  monthly  or  quarterly  meeting  in  Cheshire.     I  have  written  likewise  to 

*  Richard  Davis,  that  some  of  that  side  may  go  and  visit  you,  and  see 
'  how  your  condition  is.  My  love  is  to  you  in  the  Lord  1  who  is  your 
'  alone  support.  G.  F.' 

*  London,  the  27th  of  the 
*  11th  month,  1682.' 

Because  the  magistrates  were  many  of  them  unwilling  to  have  fines 
laid  upon  meeting-houses,  they  kept  friends  out  in  many  places,  setting 
officers  and  guards  of  soldiers  at  the  doors  and  passages ;  yet  sometimes 
friends  were  fined  for  speaking  or  praying,  though  it  were  abroad.  One 
first-day  it  was  upon  me  to  go  to  Devonshire-house  meeting  in  the  after- 
noon ;  and  because  I  had  heard  friends  were  kept  out  there  that  morning 
(as  they  were  that  day  at  most  meetings  about  the  city)  I  went  some- 
what the  sooner,  and  got  into  the  yard,  before  the  soldiers  came  to  guard 
the  passages :  but  the  constables  were  got  there  before  me,  and  stood  in 
the  door-way  with  their  staves.  I  asked  them  to  let  me  go  in :  they  said, 
'  They  could  not,  nor  durst  not;  for  they  were  commanded  the  contra- 
'  ry,  and  were  sorry  for  it.'  I  told  them,  I  would  not  press  upon  them  ; 
so  I  stood  by,  and  they  were  very  civil.  I  stood  till  I  was  weary ;  then 
one  gave  me  a  stool  to  sit  down  on :  and  after  awhile  the  power  of  the 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  mi 

Lord  began  to  spring  up  among  friends,  and  one  began  to  speak.  Tiie 
constables  soon  forbad  him,  and  said,  he  should  not  speak ;  and  he  not 
stopping,  they  began  to  be  wroth.  But  I  gently  laid  my  hand  upon  one 
of  the  constables,  and  wished  him  to  let  him  alone.  The  constable  did 
so,  and  was  quiet ;  and  the  man  did  not  speak  long.  After  he  had  done, 
I  was  moved  to  stand  up  and  speak :  and  in  my  declaration  said, '  They 
'  need  not  come  against  us  with  swords,  and  staves ;  for  we  were  a 
'  peaceable  people,  and  had  nothing  in  our  hearts  but  good-will  to  the 
'  king  and  magistrates,  and  to  all  people  upon  the  earth.  We  did  not 
"  meet  under  pretence  of  religion  to  plot  and  contrive  against  the  gov- 
"  ernment,  or  to  raise  insurrections ;"  but  to  worship  God  in  Spirit  and 
'  in  truth.  We  had  Christ  to  be  our  Bishop,  Priest,  and  Shepherd,  to 
'  feed  us  and  oversee  us,  and  he  ruled  in  our  hearts ;  so  we  could  all  sit 

*  in  silence,  enjoying  our  teacher.  So  to  Christ,  their  Bishop  and  Shep- 
'  herd,  I  recommended  them  all.'  I  sat  down,  and  after  awhile  was 
moved  to  pray,  and  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  over  all ;  and  the  peo- 
ple, with  the  constables  and  soldiers,  put  off  their  hats.  When  the  meet- 
ing was  done,  and  friends  began  to  pass  away,  the  constable  put  off  his 
hat,  and  desired  the  Lord  to  bless  us :  for  the  power  of  the  Lord  was 
over  him  and  the  people. 

After  this  I  went  up  and  down,  visiting  friends  at  their  houses,  who 
had  their  goods  taken  from  them  for  worshipping  God.  We  took  an  ac- 
count of  what  had  been  taken  from  them :  and  some  friends  met  to- 
gether about  it,  and  drew  up  the  case  of  the  suiferings  of  our  friends  in 
writing,  and  gave  it  to  the  justices  at  their  petty  sessions.  Whereupon 
they  made  an  order,  '  That  the  officers  should  not  sell  the  goods  of 
'  friends  which  they  had  in  their  hands,  but  keep  them  till  the  next  ses- 
'  sions;'  which  gave  some  discouragement  to  the  informers,  and  put  a 
little  stop  to  their  proceedings. 

The  next  first-day  it  was  upon  me  to  go  to  the  meeting  at  the  Savoy ; 
and  by  that  time  it  was  gathered,  the  beadle  came  in ;  and  after  him  the 
wild  people,  like  a  sea,  but  the  Lord's  power  chained  them  all.  The 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  went  through  and  over  all,  and  they  were  quiet,  and 
we  had  a  glorious,  peaceable  meeting ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  for  his  un- 
speakable goodness!     This  was  in  the  twelfth  month  1682. 

In  the  first  month  1683  I  went  to  Kingston  upon  Thames.  As  I  went 
to  the  meeting,  I  met  the  chief  constable  who  had  been  at  the  meeting- 
place,  and  had  set  watchmen  to  keep  us  out;  yet  he  was  pretty  civil, 
and  the  watchmen  let  friends  have  a  couple  of  forms  out,  to  sit  upon  in 
the  highway :  so  friends  met  together  there,  and  a  very  precious  meet- 
ing we  had ;  for  the  refreshing  presence  of  the  Lord  was  with  us,  ia 
which  we  parted  in  peace. 

Having  visited  and  encouraged  friends  there,  I  returned  to  London, 
and  v^ent  to  the  meeting  at  Bull  and  Mouth,  where  the  constables  with 
their  watchmen  kept  a  guard,  to  keep  friends  out  of  the  house.  So  we 
met  in  the  street ;  and  when  any  friend  spoke,  the  officers  and  watch- 
men made  a  great  bustle  to  pull  him  down,  and  take  him  into  custody. 
After  some  other  friends  had  spoken,  it  was  upon  me  to  speak.     I  said, 

*  Heaven  is  God's  throne,  and  earth  is  his  footstool :  and  will  ye  not  let 

*  us  stand  upon  God's  footstool  to  worship  and  serve  the  living  God'?' 
While  I  spoke  they  were  quiet ;  and  after  I  had  cleared  myself,  we 
broke  up  our  meeting  in  peace.  This  was  on  the  sixth  day  of  the  week. 


658  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1683 

On  the  first-day  following  I  was  moved  to  go  to  the  meeting  at  Grace- 
church-street.  When  I  came  there,  I  found  a  guard  set  at  the  entrance 
in  Lombard-street,  and  another  at  the  gate  in  Gracechurch-street,  to 
keep  friends  out  of  the  meeting-place ;  so  we  were  fain  to  meet  in  the 
street.  After  some  time  I  got  a  chair,  stood  up  in  it,  and  spoke  largely 
to  the  people,  '  Opening  the  principles  of  truth  to  them,  and  declaring 
*  many  weighty  truths  concerning  magistracy,  and  the  Lord's  prayer.' 
There  was,  besides  friends,  a  great  multitude  of  people,  and  all  was  very 
quiet ;  for  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  in  his  time  we  broke  up 
our  meeting,  and  departed  in  peace. 

Next  day  I  went  to  Guildford  in  Surry ;  and  having  visited  friends 
there,  passed  to  Worminghurst  in  Sussex,  where  I  had  a  very  blessed 
meeting  among  friends,  free  from  disturbance.  While  I  was  there,  James 
Claypole  of  London  (who  with  his  wife  was  there  also)  was  suddenly 
taken  very  ill  with  so  violent  a  fit  of  the  stone,  that  he  could  neither 
stand  nor  lie ;  but  through  the  extremity  of  pain  cried  out  like  a  woman 
in  travail.  When  I  heard  it,  I  was  much  exercised  in  spirit  for  him, 
and  went  to  him.  After  I  had  spoken  a  few  words  to  him,  to  turn  his 
mind  inward,  I  was  moved  to  lay  my  hand  upon  him,  and  prayed  the 
Lord  to  rebuke  his  infirmity.  As  I  laid  my  hand  on  him,  the  Lord's 
power  went  through  him ;  and  by  faith  in  that  power  he  had  speedy 
ease,  so  that  he  quickly  fell  into  a  sleep.  When  he  awaked,  the  stone 
came  from  him  like  dirt;  and  he  was  so  well,  that  the  next  day  he  rode 
with  me  five-and-twent}^  miles  in  a  coach,  though  he  used  formerly  (as 
he  said)  to  lie  sometimes  two  weeks,  sometimes  a  month,  with  one  of 
those  fits  of  the  stone.  But  the  Lord  was  intreated  for  him,  and  by  his 
power  soon  gave  him  ease  at  this  time :  blessed  and  praised  be  his  holy 
name  therefore ! 

After  I  had  had  some  meetings  in  Sussex  and  Surry,  and  visited 
friends  thereaway,  I  returned  to  London  by  Kingston,  where  I  had  a 
meeting  on  the  first  day  of  the  second  month,  being  first-day.  We  were 
kept  out  of  the  meeting-house  by  a  constable  and  watchmen,  so  were 
fain  to  meet  in  the  highway.  But  it  being  the  monthly  meeting  day,  and 
many  people  being  there,  the  meeting  was  pretty  large,  and  very  quiet  ; 
and  the  Lord's  blessed  presence  was  amongst  us ;  blessed  be  his  name 
for  ever ! 

Being  come  to  London,  I  went  to  the  meeting  at  Wheeler-street  near 
Spitalfields,  which  that  day  proved  very  large,  and  a  glorious,  blessed 
meeting  it  w^as :  for  the  Lord's  power  and  truth  was  over  all,  and  many 
deep  and  weighty  things  were  opened  to  the  people  to  their  great  satis- 
faction. 

I  tarried  in  and  near  London,  visiting  meetings,  and  labouring  in  the 
service  of  the  gospel,  till  the  yearly  meeting  came  on,  which  began  the 
28th  of  the  third  month.  It  was  a  time  of  great  sufl'erings;  and  much 
concerned  I  was,  lest  friends,  that  came  up  out  of  the  country  on  the 
church's  service,  should  be  taken  and  imprisoned  at  London.  But  the 
Lord  was  with  us,  his  power  preserved  us ;  and  gave  us  a  sweet  and 
blessed  opportunity  to  wait  upon  him,  and  be  refreshed  together  in  him, 
and  to  perform  those  services  for  his  truth  and  people,  for  which  we 
met.  As  it  was  a  time  of  great  persecution,  and  w'e  understood  that  in 
most  counties  friends  were  under  great  sufferings  either  by  imprison- 
ments or  spoiling  of  goods,  or  both,  a  concern  was  weightily  upon  me, 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  559 

lest  any  friends,  especially  traders  and  dealers  in  the  world,  should  haz- 
ard the  losing  of  other  men's  goods  or  estates  through  their  sullerings. 
Wherefore,  as  the  thing  opened  in  me,  I  drew  an  epistle  of  caution  to 
friends  in  that  case,  which  I  communicated  to  the  yearly  meeting ;  and 
from  thence  it  was  sent  among  friends  throughout  the  nation;  a  copy  of 
which  here  folio weth : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
*  Who  is  your  only  sanctuary  in  this  day  of  storm  and  persecution, 

*  spoiling  of  goods  and  imprisonments !  Let  every  one's  eye  be  unto 
'  him,  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  unto  him ;  so  that 
'  none  can  touch  an  hair  of  your  head,  nor  you,  nor  any  thing  ye  have, 
<  except  it  be  permitted  or  suflered  in  this  day  to  try  his  people,  whether 
'  their  minds  be  with  the  Lord  or  in  outward  things.  Dear  friends,  tal^e 
'  care  that  all  your  offerings  be  free,  and  of  your  own,  that  has  cost  you 
'  something;  so  that  ye  may  not  offer  of  that  which  is  another  man's,  or 
'  that  which  ye  are  intrusted  withal  (and  not  your  own)  or  fatherless  or 
'  widows'  estates;  but  all, such  things  settle  and  establish  in  their  places. 
'  You  may  remember  many  years  ago,  in  a  time  of  great  persecution, 
'divers  friends,  who  were  traders,  shop-keepers,  and  others,  had  the 
'  concerns  of  widows  and  fatherless,  and  other  people's  estates  in  their 
'  hands.  And  when  a  great  suffering,  persecution,  and  spoiling  of  goods 
'  came  upon  friends,  especial  care  was  taken  that  all  might  offer  up  to 
'  the  Lord  in  their  sulferings  what  was  really  their  own,  and  not  any 
'  other  people's  estates  or  goods  which  they  had  in  their  hands;  and  that 
'  they  might  not  offer  up  another  body's,  but  that  which  they  had  bought 
'  and  paid  for,  or  were  able  to  pay  for.  Afterwards  several  letters  came 
'  out  of  the  country  to  the  meeting  at  London,  from  friends  that  had 
'  goods  of  the  shop-keepers  at  London  upon  credit,  which  they  had  not 
'  paid  for ;  who  wrote  to  their  creditors,  intreating  them  to  take  their 
'  goods  again.  And  some  friends  came  to  London  themselves,  and  treat- 

*  ed  with  their  creditors,  letting  them  understand  "  they  lay  liable  to 
"  have  all  they  had  taken<from  them;"  and  told  them,  "  they  would  not 
"  have  any  man  to  suffer  by  them;  neither  would  they  by  suffering  offer 
"  up  any  thing  but  what  was  really  their  own,  or  what  they  were  able 
"  to  pay  for."  Upon  which  several  took  their  goods  again.  This  wrought 
'  a  very  good  savour  in  the  hearts  of  many  people,  when  they  saw  such 
'  a  righteous,  just,  and  honest  principle  in  friends,  that  would  not  make 
'  any  suffer  for  their  testimony ;  but  what  they  did  suffer  for  the  testimo- 
'  ny  of  Jesus  should  be  really  and  truly  their  own,  not  other  people's. 
'  In  this  they  owed  nothing  to  any  but  love.     So  in  this  every  man  and 

*  woman  stands  in  the  free  offering,  a  free  people,  whether  it  be  spiritual 
'  or  temporal  which  is  their  own ;  and  in  that  they  wrong  no  man,  nei- 
'  ther  inwardly  nor  outwardly.  Oman  said  unto  David,  "  I  give  thee 
<>  the  threshing-floor,  &c.  and  the  oxen  for  burnt-ofierings :  and  the 
"  threshing-instruments  for  wood,  and  the  wheat  for  the  meat-offering,  I 
"  give  it  alL"  But  king  David  said  unto  Oman,  "  nay,  but  I  will  verily 
"  buy  it  for  the  full  price ;  for  I  will  not  take  that  which  is  thine  for  the 
"  Lord,  nor  offer  burnt-offerings  without  cost,"  1  Chron.  xxi.  22,  &c.  So 
'  it  should  be  his  own,  and  so  should  it  be  every  man's  that  offers.  You 
'  may  see  here,  that  David  would  not  accept  of  another  man's  gift  for  an 
'  offering  to  the  Lord ;  he  would  not  offer  up  that  which  cost  him  no- 


560  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1683 

•  thing,  but  what  should  be  really  his  own,  Psal.  cxii.  5.  "  A  good  man 
" will  guide  his  atfairs  with  discretion." 

'  Let  this  be  read  in  your  nnonthly  and  quarterly  men's  and  women's 
'  meetings.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  2d  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1683.' 

Some  time  after  the  yearly  meeting  I  went  to  Kingston  upon  Thames 
to  visit  friends ;  and  while  1  was  there,  it  came  upon  me  to  write  the 
following  epistle  to  friends  in  general,  as  a  salutation  of  love,  and  to  stir 
up  the  pure  mind  in  them. 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren, 
*  Who  are  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan 
'  to  God,  who  are  believers  in  the  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ,  and 
'  are  become  children  of  the  light  and  of  the  day,  grafted  into  Christ, 
'  the  second  Adam,  the  Lord  from  heaven,  and  are  gathered  in  the  name 
'  of  Jesus,  in  whom  ye  have  salvation,  and  not  in  any  other  name  under 

*  the  whole  heaven.  For  Christ  Jesus  saith,  ".Where  two  or  three  are 
"  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them."  Matth. 

*  xviii.  20.  So  you  being  gathered  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  he  is  in  the  midst 
'  of  you,  a  Saviour,  a  Mediator,  a  Prophet,  a  Shepherd,  a  Bishop,  a 
'  Leader,  a  Counsellor,  the  Captain  of  your  Salvation,  who  bruises  the 
'  Serpent's  head,  and  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works.  Therefore,  breth- 
'  ren  in  Christ  Jesus,  exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it  is  called  to-day, 
'  lest  any  of  you  be  hardened  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin.  For  you 
'are  made  partakers  of  Christ,  if  ye  hold  fast  the  beginning  of  your  con- 
'  fidence  steadfast  to  the  end,  Hebr.  iii.  14.  Therefore  hear  Christ's  voice  ; 
'  for  he  is  in  the  midst  of  you  a  teacher.  Take  heed  lest  there  be  in  any 
'  of  you  an  evil  heart  of  unbehef,  in  departing  from  the  living  God,  as 
'  there  is  in  too  many  in  this  day  of  provocation  and  temptation.  While 
'  it  is  to-day  hear  his  voice,  and  let  us  consider  one  another,  to  provoke 
'  unto  love  and  to  good  works.  Let  us  hold  fast  the  profession  of  our 
'  faith  without  wavering,  for  he  is  faithful  that  hath  promised,  and  hath 
'called  you,  not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together,  as  the 
'  manner  of  some  is :  mark,  "  as  the  manner  of  some  is,"  that  did  and 
'  do  forsake  the  assembling  of  themselves  together ;  but  exhorting  one 
'  another,  and  so  much  the  more  as  you  see  the  day  of  light  appearing. 
'  For  if  we  sin  wilfully  after  we  have  received  the  knowledge  of  the 
'  truth,  there  remains  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  fearful 
'  looking  for  of  judgment  and  fiery  indignation,  which  shall  devour  the 
'  adversaries,  Heb.  x.  Therefore  it  is  good  not  to  forsake  the  assembling 
'  of  ourselves  together,  but  exhort  one  another  daily ;  for  Christ  is  in  the 
'  midst  of  his  people  a  teacher  and  a  prophet,  who  saith,  "  Learn  of  me, 
"  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life."  We  being  many  are  one  body  in 
'  Christ,  gathered  in  his  name,  and  every  one  members  one  of  another. 
'  Having  then  gifts,  differing  according  to  the  grace  that  is  given  us, 
'  whether  they  be  prophecy,  let  us  prophesy  according  to  the  proportion 

♦  of  faith ;  and  let  those  that  minister  wait  on  their  ministry ;  those  that 
'  be  teachers  on  their  teaching ;  and  he  that  exhorteth  on  exhortation ; 
'  he  that  gives,  let  him  do  it  with  simplicity;  and  he  that  ruleth,  with 
'  diligence ;  and  he  that  sheweth  mercy  is  to  do  it  with  cheerfulness. 

•  Abhor  that  which  is  evil,  cleave  to  that  which  is  good.     Be  kindly  af- 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  561 

'  fectioned  one  towards  another,  with  brotherl}^  love,  in  honour  prefer- 
'  ring  one  another.  Rejoice  in  hope,  be  patient  in  tribulations,  "  be  not 
"  overcome  with  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good  ;"  and,  if  it  be  possi- 
'  ble,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you,  "  live  peaceably  with  all  men ;"  Rom.  xii. 
'  This  is  and  was  the  practice  of  the  church  of  Christ.  And  now  the 
'  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  ye  may 
'  abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  I  myself  also 
'  am  persuaded  of  you,  my  brethren,  that  ye  also  are  full  of  goodness, 
'  filled  with  all  knowledge,  and  are  able  also  to  admonish  one  another, 
'Rom.  XV.  13,  14.  Here  the  church  of  Christ,  in  which  he  was  in  the 
'  midst,  a  teacher  and  the  head  of  the  church,  were  and  are  able  through 
'  him  to  admonish  one  another.  Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts, 
'  to  which  ye  are  also  called  into  one  body,  to  wit,  of  Christ.  Let  the 
'  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom,  teaching  and  admon- 
'  ishing  one  another,  &c.  Col.  iii.  "  Whatsoever  ye  do,  in  word  or  deed, 
"  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  giving  thanks  to  God 
"  and  the  Father  by  him ;"  and  above  all  things  put  on  charity,  which  is 
'  the  bond  of  perfectness.  The  apostle  saith  to  Timothy,  "  Be  not  thou 
"  ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  our  Lord,  nor  of  me  his  prisoner ;  but 
"  be  thou  partaker  of  the  afflictions  of  the  gospel,  according  to  the  power 
"  of  God,  who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  us  with  an  holy  calling ;  not  ac- 
"  cording  to  our  works,  but  according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace, 
"  which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began,"  2  Tim.  i. 
'  8,  9.  It  concerns  every  one  not  to  be  ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  our 
<  Lord,  who  hath  called  them  by  his  grace  ;  and  not  to  be  ashamed  of 
'  any  of  Christ's  prisoners,  and  afflicted  ones  for  Christ's  and  his  gospel's 

*  sake,  who  abolishes  death,  and  brings  life  and  immortality  to  light 
'  through  his  gospel ;  you  that  believe  in  the  light,  know  it.  Peter  saith 
'  in  his  general  epistle  to  the  church  of  Christ,  "  As  every  man,"  mark 
'  every  man,  "  hath  received  the  gift,  so  minister  the  same  one  to  an- 
"  other,  as  good  stewards  of  the  manifold  grace  of  God.  If  any  man 
"  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the  oracles  of  God,"  so  not  of  men.  "  If  any 
"  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of  the  abihty  which  God  gives,"  so  not 
'  of  the  ability  of  men's  arts  and  sciences,  "  that  God  in  all  things  may 
"  be  glorified  through  Jesus  Christ,"  &c.  For  these  gifts  and  grace  come 

*  from  Jesus  into  the  hearts  of  the  members  of  his  church,  whom  he  is 
'  in  the  midst  of.  And  if  any  man  suffer  as  a  Christian,  let  him  not  be 
'  ashamed,  but  let  him  glorify  God,  &c.  Every  true  Christian  hath  the 
'  presence  of  Christ,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  given 
'  him,  to  support  them  with  his  power,  light,  and  hfe.  Christ  saith  to  his 
'  believers,  "  Beware  of  men,  for  they  will  deliver  you  up  to  the  coun- 
"  cils,  and  they  will  scourge  you  in  the  synagogues,  and  you  shall  be 
"  brought  before  governors  and  kings  for  my  name's  sake,  for  a  testi- 
"  mony  against  them  and  the  Gentiles.  But  when  they  deliver  you  up, 
"  take  no  thought  how  or  what  ye  shall  speak ;  for  it  shall  be  given  you 
"  in  the  same  hour  what  ye  shall  speak :  for  it  is  not  you  that  speak,  but 
"  the  Spirit  of  your  Father  that  speaketh  in  you.  And  ye  shall  be  hated 
"  of  all  men  for  my  name's  sake ;  but  he  that  endureth  to  the  end  shall 
"  be  saved.  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  master,  nor  the  servant  above 
"  his  lord ;  it  is  enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  master,  and  the 
•'  servant  as  his  lord;  for  if  they  have  called  the  master  of  the  house 
"  Beelzebub,  what  will  they  do  to  his  servant  1  Fear  not  them  which  kill  the 

3  V 


562  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1683 

"  body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul,  &c.  A  sparrow  shall  not  fall  to 
'•  the  ground  without  your  heavenly  Father,  &c.  The  hairs  of  your  head 
"  are  all  numbered,  ye  are  of  more  value  than  many  spari'ows.  Whoso- 
"  ever  therefore  shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  be- 
"  fore  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven ;  but  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before 
"  men,  him  will  I  also  deny  before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  And  who- 
"  soever  shall  be  ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  words,  of  him  shall  the  Son 
"  of  Man  be  ashamed,"  &,c.  Matth.  x.  Again  Christ  saith,  "  Whosoever 
"  shall  be  ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  words  in  this  adulterous  and  sinful 
"  generation,  of  him  also  shall  the  Son  of  Man  be  ashamed,  when  he 
"  comes  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  his  holy  angels,"  Mark  viii.  38. 
'  And  Christ  saith  to  his  disciples,  "  He  that  receiveth  you  receiveth  me, 
"  and  he  that  receiveth  me  receiveth  him  that  sent  me ;  he  that  receiveth 
"  a  prophet  in  the  name  of  a  prophet,  shall  receive  a  prophet's  reward ; 
"  and  he  that  receiveth  a  righteous  man  in  the  name  of  a  righteous  man, 
"  shall  receive  a  righteous  man's  reward.  Whosoever  shall  give  to  drink 
"  unto  one  of  these  little  ones  a  cup  of  cold  water  onlj^  in  the  name  of 
"  a  disciple,  verily  I  say  unto  you  he  shall  in  no  wise  lose  his  reward," 
'Matth.  X.  40,  41,  42.  Here  ye  may  see  how  Christ  encourages  his  dis- 
'  ciples,  and  them  that  receive  them.  And  John  saith,  "  Among  the  chief 
"  rulers  of  the  Jews  many  believed  in  Christ;  but  because  of  the  Phari- 
"  sees  they  did  not  confess  him,  lest  they  should  be  put  out  of  the  syna- 
"  gogue,"  John  xii.  42.     Too  many  such  believers  are  now-a-days,  who 

*  dare  not  confess  Christ,  lest  they  should  lose  the  favour  of  men.  But 
'  Christ  encourages  the  faithful  disciples,  and  told  them,  they  would  put 
'  them  out  of  their  synagogues ;  yea,  that  the  time  should  come,  that  who- 
'  soever  killed  them  would  think  they  did  God  service.     "  These  things," 

*  said  he,  "  will  they  do  unto  you,  because  they  have  not  known  the  Fa- 
"  ther,  nor  me.  But  these  things  have  I  told  you,  that  when  the  time 
"  shall  come  ye  may  remember  that  I  told  you  of  them,"  John  xvi.  2,  3,  4. 
'  Here  ye  may  see  what  Christ  told  his  Disciples  should  come  to  pass  to 
'  ihem.  And  Saul,  before  he  was  converted,  did  compel  the  Christians 
'  to  blaspheme,  and  make  havock  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  Acts  viii.  and 
'  chap.  22  and  2G.  Did  not  the  beast  in  the  Revelations  compel  both  small 
'and  great  to  worship  him  and  his  image?  And  did  not  all  worship  it, 
'  but  those  who  had  their  names  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  ?  Did 
'  not  Nebuchadnezzar  set  up  an  image  of  sixty  cubits  high,  and  six  cu- 
'bits  broad?  And  did  not  he  cause,  a  herald  to  cry  aloud,  "It  is  com- 
"  manded  that  all  people,  and  nations,  and  languages  fall  down  and  wor- 
"  ship  the  golden  image  that  Nebuchadnezzar  hath  set  up ;  and  whoso 
"  falleth  not  down  and  worshippeth  shall  the  same  hour  be  cast  into  the 
"  midst  of  the  fiery  furnace  ?"  And  were  not  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and 
'  Abednego  cast  into  the  furnace  1  Dan.  iii.  But  God  delivered  them. 
'  Therefore  it  is  good  to  be  faithful  to  God  and  his  worship  in  spirit  and 
'  truth.  The  Jews  agreed,  that  if  any  man  should  confess  Christ  he 
'  should  be  put  out  of  their  synagogue,  John  ix.  22.  So  it  was  for  Christ's 
'  sake  they  were  excommunicated  out  of  their  synagogues.  But,  as  it 
'  is  written,  "  Behold  I  lay  in  Sion  a  stumbling-stone,  and  a  rock  of  of- 
'  fence  ;  and  whoso  believes  on  him  shall  not  be  ashamed."  So  Christ  is 
'  a  stumbling-stone  and  a  rock  of  offence  to  all  the  unbelievers  in  the 

*  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ,  whether  they  be  Jews,  Christians,  or 

*  Gentiles.  The  Jews  did  believe  Christ  was  to  come,  from  the  scriptures, 
'  and  the  Christians  believe  he  is  come,  by  the  scriptures,  but  do  not  be- 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  563 

'  lieve  in  the  light  as  Christ  commands,  and  so  do  not  become  children 
'  of  the  light.  Therefore  ye  that  are  believers  in  the  light,  and  are  be- 
'  come  the  children  of  light,  walk  in  Christ,  your  way,  life,  and  salva- 
'  tion.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston,  the  fifth  month, 
'  1683.' 

Before  I  left  Kingston  something  further  opened  in  me,  which  I  was 
moved  to  write  and  send  amongst  friends ;  as  foUoweth. 

'  Dear  friends, 
'  My  love  is  to  you  all  in  the  holy  seed  that  reigns  over  all.  And  my 
'  desire  is  that  every  one,  both  male  and  female,  may  feel  the  seed  Christ 
'  in  you,  which  is  heir  of  the  promise  of  life  eternal,  that  ye  may  all  grow 
'  up  in  Christ  Jesus,  your  head,  and  be  built  upon  him  the  rock  and  foun- 
'  dation  that  God  hath  laid,  which  stands  sure  over  all  rocks  and  founda- 
'  tions  in  the  world.  That  ye  may  eat  and  drink  of  this  spiritual  rock, 
'  the  spiritual  water  and  food ;  so  that  ye  may  truly  and  inwardly  say, 
'  your  rock  and  foundation,  your  bread  and  water  of  life  is  from  heaven, 
'  and  your  bread  and  water  is  sure ;  also  that  ye  know  his  voice  that 
'  feeds,  and  leads  you  into  the  pastures  of  hfe,  which  are  always  fresh 
'  and  green.  In  this  your  affections  are  set  on  things  above,  seeking  that 
'  which  comes  down  from  above  more  than  that  which  is  from  below, 
'  where  Christ  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  making  intercession  for  you ; 
'  who  is  your  mediator,  making  peace  betwixt  God  and  you;  and  your 
'  heavenly  bishop  to  oversee  you,  that  ye  keep  in  his  light,  life,  and 
'  power,  and  do  not  go  astray  from  his  heavenly  fold  and  pasture,  that 
'  he  your  shepherd  may  feed  you  therein.  He  is  your  prophet,  to  open 
'  to  you  the  fulfilling  of  the  promises  and  prophecies,  himself  being  the 
'  substance ;  that  ye  may  live  in  him,  and  he  in  you,  yea,  and  reign  in 
'  your  hearts ;  there  to  exercise  his  offices,  his  prophetical,  priestly,  and 
'  kingly  office,  who  is  heavenly  and  spiritual.  That  ye  may  know  the 
'  three  that  bear  witness  in  the  earth,  the  Spirit,  the  Water,  and  the 
'  Blood,  which  is  the  Life  of  Christ,  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin ;  the 
'  Water  that  washes  and  relreshes  you,  the  Spirit  that  baptizes,  circum- 
'  cises,  and  leads  you  into  all  truth ;  that  ye  may  come  all  to  drink  into 
'  one  Spirit,  and  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  the 
'  heavenly  peace.  So  being  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  ye  are  his  sons  and 
'  daughters,  and  by  his  Spirit  will  come  to  know  the  three  that  bear  wit- 
'  ness  in  heaven,  the  Father,  the  Word,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  are 
'  the  three  witnesses  that  are  in  heaven,  that  bear  record  of  all  things  ; 
'  for  he  is  God  in  the  heaven,  and  God  in  the  earth.  Therefore  I  desire 
'  that  ye  may  all  feel  his  love  shed  in  your  hearts,  and  in  it  five,  above 
'  the  love  of  the  world,  which  is  enmity,  and  in  that  you  will  keep  in  the 
'  excellent  way.  For  love  edifies  the  body  of  Christ,  builds  his  church 
'  up,  and  keeps  out  of  the  enmity ;  for  it  is  above  it,  and  brings  and  keeps 
'  all  in  true  humanity,  and  in  the  true  divinity ;  and  to  be  courteous,  kind, 
'  and  tender  one  towards  another.  And  shew  forth  the  nature  of  Christ, 
'  and  true  Christianity,  in  all  your  lives  and  conversations,  that  the  bless- 
'  ings  of  the  Lord  may  rest  upon  you,  as  ye  all  live  in  the  seed  of  the  gos- 
'  pel,  the  seed  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  in  which  all  nations  are  blessed.  In 
'  that  ye  will  all  have  a  care  of  God's  glory.  There  is  the  hill  or  moun- 
'  tain  where  the  light  shines  to  the  answering  the  witness  of  God  in  all, 
'  and  the  salt  that  is  a  good  savour  to  the  witness  of  God  in  the  hearts  of 


564  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1683 

*  all ;  which  savour  and  salt  being  kept  in,  it  doth  not  come  under  the  feet 
'  of  men.  So  my  love  to  you  all  in  Christ  Jesus,  v/hom  God  hath  given 
'  to  be  a  sanctuary  for  all  his  people,  who  is  from  above,  and  not  of  this 

*  world,  in  whom  ye  have  life,  peace,  and  salvation.     In  him  God  Al- 

*  mighty  keep  and  preserve  you  all  to  his  glory.  Amen.     As  you  live  in 

*  the  peaceable  truth  of  God,  it  keeps  you  under  and  within  his  protection ; 
'  but  they  that  make  profession  of  the  scriptures  of  truth,  and  yet  Uve  out 
'  of  the  truth,  in  the  spirit  of  strife,  unquietness,  and  discontent,  in  a  con- 
'  triving,  plotting,  ravenous,  destroying  spirit,  which  is  of  the  devil,  and 

*  not  of  God,  that  spirit  is  judged  out  of  the  truth,  and  to  be  of  him  in 
'  whom  there  is  no  truth,  whose  portion  is  in  the  lake,  and  in  the  fire  that 

*  burns.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston,  the  27th  of  the 
'  5th  month,  1G83.' 

Having  visited  friends  at  and  about  Kingston  I  returned  to  London  ; 
for  it  being  a  suffering  time  with  friends  there,  I  had  not  freedom  to  be 
long  from  the  city.  I  went  to  the  m.ceting  at  the  Peel ;  which  but  a  httle 
before  the  justices  and  constables  had  broken  up,  and  had  carried  them- 
selves very  roughly ;  but  that  day  the  meeting  was  in  the  house,  and 
quiet,  and  a  glorious  meeting  it  was,  blessed  be  the  Lord. 

On  first-day  following  I  went  to  the  meeting  at  Gracechurch-street, 
where  I  found  three  constables  in  the  meeting-house,  who  kept  friends 
out ;  so  we  met  in  the  court.  After  I  had  been  some  time  in  the  meet- 
ing, I  stood  up,  and  spoke  to  the  people,  and  continued  speaking  a  pretty 
while.  Then  one  of  the  constables  came,  took  hold  of  my  hand,  and  said, 
'  I  must  come  down.'  I  desired  him  to  be  patient,  and  went  on  speaking 
to  the  people ;  but  after  a  little  time  he  plucked  me  down,  and  had  me 
into  the  meeting-house.  I  asked  them,  if  they  were  not  weary  of  this 
work?  One  of  them  said,  '  Indeed  they  were.'  They  let  me  go  into  the 
widow  Foster's  house,  which  joined  to  the  meeting-house,  where  I  staid, 
being  hot.  When  the  meeting  was  ended,  for  one  prayed  after  I  was 
taken  away,  the  constables  asked  some  friends,  '  Which  of  them  would 
pass  their  words  that  '  I  should  appear,  if  they  should  be  questioned  about 
'  me?'     But  the  friends  telling  them,  '  They  need  not  require  that,  for  I 

*  was  a  man  well  known  in  the  city  to  be  one  that  would  neither  fly  nor 
'  shrink ;'  they  came  not  to  me,  but  went  their  way,  and  I  heard  no 
further  of  it.  The  same  week  I  was  at  the  meeting  at  the  Savoy,  which 
used  to  be  kept  out  and  disturbed ;  but  that  day  it  was  within  doors  and 
peaceable,  and  a  precious  meeting  it  was.  The  first-day  after  it  was  upon 
me  to  go  to  the  meeting  at  Westminster,  where  used  to  be  great  disturb- 
ances: but  there  also  the  meeting  was  within  doors  that  day,  and  was 
very  large.  The  Lord's  power  was  over  all,  and  kept  all  quiet  and  still ; 
for  though  many  loose  spirits  were  there,  yet  they  were  bound  down  by 
the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  that  they  could  not  get  up  to  make 
disturbance. 

About  this  time  I  was  moved  to  write  the  following  epistle : 

'  Friends  and  brethren, 

'  Who  have  received  the  peaceable  truth,  let  the  fruits  of  its  peacea- 

'  bleness,  and  of  your  quiet  spirit  appear  in  all  your  meetings  and  in  all 

'  your  words  and  actions ;  for  he  that  inhabits  eternity  dwells  with  an 

'  humble  heart,  and  he  gives  grace  to  the  humble,  and  resisteth  the  proud 

*  Heaven  is  his  throne,  and  the  earth  ye  walk  upon  is  his  footstool :  happy 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  565 

*  are  ye  that  see  and  know  him  that  is  invisible.     And  now,  friends,  let 

*  all  things  be  done  in  your  meetings  and  otherwise,  in  love,  without 

*  strife,  or  vain-glory.     For  love  fulfils  the  law,  love  overcomes  and  edi- 

*  fies  the  body  of  Christ.     There  is  neither  self,  nor  envy  in  love,  neither 

*  is  it  pufled  up ;  but  abides  and  bears  all  things.     See  that  this  love  of 

*  God  have  the  sway  in  you  all,  and  over  you  all.  Christ  saith,  "  Blessed 
*'  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  blessed  are 
"  they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted.  Blessed  are  the  meek, 
"  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth.  Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst 
"  after  righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled.  Blessed  are  the  merciful, 
^'  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they 
**  shall  see  God.  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be  called 
"  the  children  of  God.  Blessed  are  they  that  are  persecuted  for  right- 
*'  eousness  sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed  are  ye 
*'  when  men  shall  revile  you  and  persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  manner 
'"  of  evil  against  you  falsely  for  my  sake ;  rejoice  and  be  exceeding  glad ; 
"  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven ;  for  so  persecuted  they  the  proph- 
""  ets  that  were  before  you."     Now  friends,  here  is  a  great  deal  in  these 

*  words.     All  must  be  in  these  states  and  conditions,  if  they  have  these 

*  blessings.  The  children  of  God  are  peace-makers,  and  strive  to  make 
^  peace  in  the  truth ;  and  to  live  in  peace  with  all  men,  if  it  be  possible. 

*  So  live  in  the  peace  and  the  good-will  to  all  men ;  which  good-will  is 

*  both  for  their  sanctification  and  salvation.  And  friends,  consider,  the 
'  wisdom  of  God,  which  is  from  above,  is  pure,  peaceable,  gentle,  and 
^  easy  to  be  intreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality 
'  and  without  hypocrisy.  Dear  friends,  let  this  pure,  peaceable,  gentle, 
^  wisdom  that  is  from  above,  that  is  easy  to  be  intreated,  and  is  full  of 
^  mercy  and  good  fruits,  be  exercised  and  practised  in  all  the  true 
'  churches  of  Christ ;  that  wisdom  may  be  justified  of  her  children.    For 

*  the  works  of  the  flesh,  or  fleshly  spirit,  are  hatred,  variance,  wrath, 

*  strife,  envyings,  drunkenness,  revellings,  adultery,  fornication,  lascivi- 

*  ousness,  uncleanness,  &c.  and  they  which  do  such  things,  shall  not  in- 
^  herit  the  kingdom  of  God.  But  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  of  God  are  love, 
'  joy,  peace,  long-sufiering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temper- 

*  ance,  &c.  So,  dear  friends  and  brethren,  strive  to  exceed  one  another 
'  and  all  people  upon  the  earth  in  humility,  in  meekness,  in  gentleness,  in 

*  temperance,  in  love,  in  patience,  in  pureness,  and  in  mercy;  then  ye 
'  will  shew  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  of  his  heavenly  wis- 
'  dom  that  is  from  above.     In  this,  wisdom  will  be  justified  of  her  chil- 

*  dren;  and  ye  will  be  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  a  light  to  the  world  set 

*  on  an  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid :  and  your  moderation  will  appear  to  all 

*  men.  Be  ye  just  and  righteous,  faithful  and  true  in  all  your  words,  deal- 

*  ings,  and  conversations ;  that  ye  may  answer  the  truth  in  all  people :  for 
'  Christ  saith,  his  father  is  glorified  by  such  as  bring  forth  fruits,  when 

*  men  see  their  good  works ;  for  he  that  doth  righteousness,  is  accepted 

*  with  God.     And  he  that  dwells  in  love,  dwells  in  God ;  for  love  is  his 

*  habitation.  Let  that  be  the  habitation  of  every  one  that  hath  received 
'  the  truth :  for  if  it  be  not,  such  do  not  dwell  in  God,  let  them  profess  what 

*  they  will.     Therefore  my  desire  is,  that  all  you,  who  have  received 

*  Christ  the  seed,  which  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  may  walk  in  him  your 

*  sanctuary,  life,  and  salvation,  your  rest  and  peace,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  14th  of  the 
«  6th  month,  1683.' 


566  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1683 

I  continued  yet  at  London,  labouring  in  the  work  and  service  of  the 
Lord  both  in  and  out  of  meetings  ;  sometimes  visiting  friends  in  prison 
for  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  encouraging  them  in  their  suirerings,  and  ex- 
horting them  to  stand  faithful  and  steadfast  in  the  testimony  which  the 
Lord  had  committed  to  them  to  bear :  sometimes  also  visiting  those  that 
were  sick  and  weak  in  body,  or  troubled  in  mind,  helping  to  bear  their 
spirits  up  from  sinking  under  their  infirmities.  Sometimes  our  meetings 
were  quiet  and  peaceable,  sometimes  they  were  disturbed  and  broken  up 
by  the  officers.  One  first-day  it  was  upon  me  to  go  to  the  meeting  at 
the  Savoy,  which  was  large :  for  many  professors  and  sober  people  were 
there.  The  Lord  opened  many  precious  weighty  things  in  m.e  to  the 
people,  which  I  declaimed  amongst  them,  and  '  directed  them  to  the  Spirit 
'  of  God  in  themselves,  which  the  Lord  had  given  them  a  measure  of; 
'  that  all  by  the  Spirit  might  understand  the  Scriptures,  which  were  giv- 

*  en  forth  from  the  Spirit  of  God ;  and  that  by  the  Spirit  of  God  they 
'  might  know  God,  and  Christ  whom  God  hath  sent,  whom  to  know  is 

*  eternal  life ;  and  that  by  the  Spirit  they  might  all  come  into  Christ,  and 

*  know  him  to  be  their  sanctuary,  v^ho  destroys  the  devil,  the  destroyer, 

*  and  his  works,  and  bruises  the  serpent's  head.  For  Christ  was  a  sanc- 
'  tuary  to  them  to  whom  he  was  a  Saviour,  whom  he  saved  from  the 
'  destroyer.  And  Christ  did  baptize  them  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
'  fire,  and  did  thoroughly  purge  his  floor,  and  burn  up  their  chaff  with 
'  unquenchable  fire ;  that  is,  sin  and  corruption,  wliich  is  got  into  man 
'  and  woman  by  their  transgression :  but  Christ  gathereth  his  wheat  into 
'  his  garner.     So  all  that  are  baptized  with  Christ's  baptism,  their  wheat 

*  is  in  God's  garner ;  and  no  spoiler  can  get  into  God's  garner  to  meddle 
'  with  the  wheat  there,  though  they  may  be  permitted  to  meddle  with  the 
'  outward  goods,'  &c.  As  I  was  speaking  in  the  power  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  people  were  greatly  affected  therewith,  on  a  sudden  the  constables, 
with  tlie  rude  people,  came  in  like  a  sea.  One  of  the  constables  said, 
'  Come  down,'  and  laid  hands  on  me.  I  asked  him,  '  Art  thou  a  chris- 
'  tian  ?  We  are  christians.'  He  had  hold  on  my  hand,  and  was  very 
fierce  to  pluck  me  down ;  but  I  stood  still,  and  spoke  a  few  words  to  the 
people;  desiring  of  the  Lord,  that  the  blessings  of  God  might  rest  upon 
them  all.  The  constable  still  called  upon  me  to  come  down,  and  at 
length  plucked  me  down,  and  bid  another  man  with  a  staff,  '  Take  and 
'  carry  me  to  prison.'  That  man  had  me  to  another  ofiicer's  house,  who 
was  more  civil ;  and  after  awhile  they  brought  in  four  friends  more, 
whom  they  had  taken.  I  was  very  weary,  and  in  a  great  sweat ;  and 
several  friends  hearing  where  I  was,  came  to  me  in  the  constable's 
house :  but  I  bid  tliem  all  go  their  ways,  lest  the  constables  and  inform- 
ers should  stop  them.  After  awhile  the  constables  had  us  almost  a  mile 
to  a  justice,  who  was  a  fierce,  passionate  man :  who,  after  he  had  asked 
me  my  name,  and  his  clerk  had  taken  it  in  writing,  upon  the  constable's 
informing  him,  '  That  I  preached  in  the  meeting,'  said  in  an  angry  man- 
ner, '  Do  not  you  know  that  it  is  contrary  to  the  king's  laws  to  preach 

*  in  such  conventicles,  contrary  to  the  liturgy  of  the  church  of  England?' 
There  was  present  one  Shad,  a  wicked  informer,  who  was  said  to  have 
broken  gaol  at  Coventry,  and  to  have  been  burnt  in  the  hand  at  London, 
who  hearing  the  justice  speak  so  to  me,  stepped  uj)  to  him,  and  told  him, 
'  That  lie  had  convicted  them  on  the  act  of  the  22d  of  king  Charles  the 
'  Second.'  '  What !  you  convict  them  V  said  the  justice.  '  Yes,'  said 
Shad,  '  I  have  convicted  them,  and  you  must  convict  them  too  upon  tiiat 


16831  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  567 

*  act.'     With  that  the  justice  was  angry  with  him,  and  said,  *  You  teach 

*  me  !  What  are  yon  1  I'll  convict  them  of  a  riot.'  The  informer  hear- 
ing that,  and  seeing  the  justice  angry,  went  away  in  a  fret ;  so  he  was 
disappointed  of  his  purpose.  I  thought  he  would  have  sworn  somebody 
against  me :  whereupon  I  said,  '  Let  no  man  swear  against  me,  for  it  is 

*  my  principle,  '  Not  to  swear ;'  and  therefore  I  would  not  have  any  man 

*  swear  against  me.'     The  justice  thereupon  asked  me,  '  If  I  did  not 

*  preach  in  the  meeting  V  I  told  him,  '  I  did  confess  what  God  and  Christ 
'  had  done  for  my  soul;  and  did  praise  God.  .1  thought  I  might  have 
'  done  that  in  the  streets,  and  in  all  places,  viz.  praise  God,  and  confess 
'  Christ  Jesus ;  which  I  was  not  ashamed  to  confess.     Neither  was  this 

*  contrary  to  the  liturgy  of  the  church  of  England.'  The  justice  said, 
'  The  laws  were  against  such  meetings  as  were  contrary  to  the  liturgy 

*  of  the  church  of  England.'     I  said,  *  I  knew  no  such  laws  against  our 

*  meetings ;  but  if  he  did  mean  that  act  that  was  made  against  such  as 

*  did  meet  to  plot,  contrive,  and  raise  insurrections  against  the  king,  we 

*  were  no  such  people,  but  did  abhor  all  such  actions ;  and  did  bear  true 

*  love  and  good-will  to  the  king,  and  to  all  men  upon  the  earth.'  The 
justice  then  asked  me,  '  If  I  had  been  in  orders  V  I  told  him,  No.  Then 
he  took  his  law-books,  and  searched  for  laws  against  us,  bidding  his  clerk 
take  the  names  of  the  rest  the  mean  time.  But  when  he  could  find  no 
other  law  against  us,  the  clerk  swore  the  constable  against  us.  Some 
of  the  friends  bid  the  constable  '  take  heed  what  he  swore,  lest  he  were 

*  perjured ;  for  he  took  them  in  the  entry,  and  not  in  the  meeting.'  Yet 
the  constable,  being  an  ill  man,  swore,  '  That  they  were  in  the  meeting.' 
However,  the  justice  said, '  Seeing  there  was  but  one  witness,  he  would 
'discharge  the  rest;  but  he  would  send  me  to  Newgate,  and  I  might 
'  preach  there.'  I  asked  him,  *  If  it  stood  with  his  conscience  to  send  me 
'  to  Newgate  for  praising  God,  and  for  confessing  Christ  Jesus  V  He 
cried, '  Conscience  !  conscience  !'  but  I  felt  my  words  touched  his  con- 
science.    He  bid  the  constable  '  take  me  away,  and  he  would  make  a 

*  mittimus  to  send  me  to  prison  when  he  had  dined.'     I  told  him,  '  I  de- 

*  sired  his  peace,  and  the  good  of  his  family ;  and  that  they  might  be  kept 

*  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.'  So  I  passed  away,  and  as  I  went  the  consta- 
ble took  some  friends'  word  that  I  should  come  to  his  house  the  next 
morning  by  the  eighth  hour.  Accordingly  I  did  go  with  those  friends, 
and  the  constable  told  us  he  went  to  the  justice  for  the  mittimus  after  he 
had  dined ;  and  the  justice  bid  him,  '  Come  again  after  the  evening  ser- 

*  vice ;'  which  he  did  ;  and  then  the  justice  told  him,  '  He  might  let  me 
'  go.'  So,  said  the  constable,  you  are  discharged.  I  blamed  him  for 
turning  informer,  and  swearing  against  us.  He  said,  '  He  would  do  so 
'  no  more.'  Next  day,  the  justice  meeting  with  Gilbert  Laty,  asked  him, 
'  If  he  would  pay  twenty  pounds  for  George  Fox's  fine  V  He  said, 
'  No.'     '  Then,'  said  the  justice,  '  I  am  disappointed ;  for,  being  but  a 

*  lodger,  I  cannot  come  by  his  fine ;  and  he  having  been  brought  before 

*  me  and  being  of  ability  himself,  I  cannot  lay  his  fine  on  any  other.' 

After  I  was  discharged,  I  went  into  the  city.  The  same  week  the 
sessions  coming  on,  where  many  friends  were  concerned,  some  as  pris- 
oners, and  some  on  trials  of  appeals  upon  the  conventicle  act,  I  went  to 
a  friend's  house  not  far  off,  that  I  might  be  in  readiness  to  assist  those 
friends  with  counsel,  or  otherwise,  as  occasion  should  offer ;  and  I  found 
service  in  it.  But  as  my  spirit  was  concerned  on  behalf  of  friends,  with 
respect  to  their  outward  sufferings  by  the  persecutors  without ;  so  an 


GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 


[1683 


exercise  also  came  weightily  upon  me  at  this  time,  in  the  sense  I  had  of 
the  mischievous  working  of  that  adulterated  spirit,  which,  being  gone 
out  from  the  heavenly  unity,  and  having  drawn  out  some  that  jDrofessed 
truth  into  enmity  and  opposition  against  friends,  endeavoured  to  trouble 
the  church  of  Christ  with  their  janghngs  and  contention.  And  as  a  fur- 
ther discovery  of  the  working  of  that  seducing  spirit,  and  a  warning  to 
all  friends  to  beware  of  it,  I  was  moved  to  write  the  following  epistle : 

'  To  all  the  elect,  faithful,  called,  and  chosen  of  God,  the  flock  and 
'  heritage  of  God,  who  have  been  acquainted  with  the  dealings 
'  of  the  Lord,  and  have  kept  your  habitations  in  his  life,  power, 
'  and  truth,  being  built  upon  the  holy  heavenly  Rock  and  Founda- 
'  tion  Christ  Jesus,  who  was  the  foundation  of  the  prophets  and 
'  apostles ;  which  foundation  stands  sure  : 

*  Many  foundations  have  been  laid  since  the  apostles'  days,  by  such  as 
'  have  gone  from  Christ  the  true  and  sure  foundation :  and  their  founda- 
'  tions  have  proved  rotten,  and  come  to  nought,  and  themselves  have  come 
'  to  loss.     Many  since  the  day  of  Christ,  and  the  truth  hath  appeared  in 

*  this  nation,  have  had  some  openings  and  sights,  and  come  among  us  for 

*  a  time,  and  then  gone  from  us  again ;  who  have  been  the  comers  and 
'  goers,  like  those  in  the  apostles'  days.  Such  had  an  outward  profession 
'  of  the  truth,  and  have  gone  from  the  true  foundation  Christ  Jesus,  and 

*  so  from  the  heavenly  society  and  unity  of  the  saints  in  light.     Then 

*  they  set  up  foundations  of  their  own,  and  having  a  form  of  godliness, 

*  but  out  of  the  power  thereof,  out  of  the  order  thereof,  such  have  turned 

*  to  janglings  and  vain  disputings.     This  spirit  you  have  been  acquainted 

*  with,  who  have  kept  your  habitations  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  First  and  the 
'  Last.  And  you  are  not  insensible  of  the  scurrilous  and  filthy  books  of 
'  lies  and  defamations  which  have  been  spread  abroad  in  this  nation  and 
'  beyond  sea  against  the  faithful.  It  is  very  well  that  the  Lord  hath 
'  suffered  them  to  publish  their  own  shame  in  print,  that  truth's  enemies 

*  may  be  discovered ;  their  fruits  and  spirits  have  appeared,  and  mani- 
'  fested  themselves  both  in  print  and  otherwise.  And  I  believe  the  Lord 
'  will  yet  suffer  this  spirit  so  to  publish  its  fruits,  its  shame  and  nakedness, 
'  to  professor  and  prophane,  and  to  all  sober,  moderate  and  innocent  peo- 

*  pie,  that  its  shame  and  nakedness  may  more  fully  appear.  Though  for 
'  a  time  it  hath  been  hid  and  covered  with  the  fig-leaves  of  an  outward 

*  profession,  and  sometimes  with  fawning  and  flattering  words,   as  at 

*  other  times  it  hath  discovered  itself  by  rough,  lying,  and  defaming 
'  words,  yet  the  Lord  God  will  blast  all  such  vain  talkers,  that  do  not 
'  walk  in  the  order  of  life,  truth,  and  the  gospel.  Therefore,  ye  that  are 
'  faithful,  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  you  free 

*  in  his  government.  It  is  upon  his  shoulders  :  he  bears  it  up :  of  the  in- 
'  crease  of  it  and  of  its  peace  there  is  no  end.  For  all  quarrellers  against 
'  his  order  and  government  are  not  in  him,  nor  in  his  heavenly,  spiritual 
'  government  and  peace.     Therefore,  ye  faithful  ones,  who  have  stood 

*  the  trial  through  many  persecutions,  imprisonments,  spoilings  of  goods, 

*  you  know  there  is  a  crown  of  glory  laid  up  for  you.  You  that  suffer 
'  with  Christ,  shall  reign  with  him  in  his  kingdom  of  glory;  ye  that  die 
'  with  Christ,  shall  live  with  him  in  eternal  Hfe,  in  the  world  that  hath  no 

*  end,  who  have  gone  through  the  sufferings  without,  and  within  by  false 

*  brethren,  by  comers  and  goers,  that  have  caused  the  way  of  truth  to  be 

*  evil  spoken  of,  and  have  been  persecutors  of  the  faithful  with  their 


1683]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  569 

*  tongues ;  and  by  printing  and  publishing  their  lying,  defaming  books 
'  against  the  faithful.     These  have  stirred  up  magistrates  and  priests, 

*  who  were  willing  to  get  any  occasion  to  speak  evil  of  the  right  way 
'  and  precious  truth  of  Christ,  by  which  his  people  are  made  free :  such 

*  had  better  never  have  been  born.  But  God  hath  brought  them  to  light, 
'  and  their  fruits  and  ravenous  spirit  are  seen,  savoured,  and  known ;  who 

*  are  become  Judas's  and  sons  of  perdition,  to  betray  Christ  now  within 

*  (where  he  is  made  manifest)  to  the  priests,  magistrates,  and  prophane,  as 
'  Judas  betrayed  Christ  without  to  the  priests  and  Pilate.  Though  some 
'  of  the  magistrates  and  sober  people  see  their  envy  and  folly,  and  that 

*  they  have  more  malice  than  matter  against  the  faithful.    The  Lord  will 

*  consume  this  Judas,  or  son  of  perdition !  The  Lord  will  consume  him 
'  with  the  Spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  destroy  him  with  ihe  brightness  of  his 
'  coming  !  So  let  all  the  faithful  look  unto  the  Lord.  And  let  that  wicked 

*  son  of  perdition  know,  though  he  may  be  got  as  Aigh  as  Judas,  who  was 
'  partaker  of  the  ministry  with  the  apostles,  "  tJie  Lord  will  consume 
"  him  with  the  Spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  destroy  him  with  the  brightness 
«  of  his  coming."    That  is  his  portion.    The  brightness  of  the  Lord  will 

*  destroy  him,  and  the  Spirit  of  his  mouth  will  consume  him.    And  when 

*  he  is  destroyed  and  consumed,  there  wiil  not  be  a  son  of  perdition  to 
«  betray  Christ  in  his  people,  and  his  people  that  live  and  walk  in  Christ, 

*  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  (mark,  in  heaven)  and  in  earth  given  to 

*  him ;  and  with  his  holy  and  doriou?  power  he  limits  and  orders ;  so 

*  that  nothing  shall  be  done  against  hi?  people,  but  what  is  suffered  for 
'  their  trial  and  their  good,  neither  by  apostates,  persecutors  with  the 
« tongue,  Judas's,  sons  of  perdition  to  betray,  or  the  outward  powers  to 

*  imprison,  or  spoil  goods :  all  tiiese  are  hmited  by  Christ  who  hath  all 

*  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him.     Every  one's  faith  is  to  stand 

*  in  him  and  his  power.     Su'ch  rejoice  in  his  power,  and  see  the  increase 

*  of  his  rio-hteous,  holy,  heavenly,  spiritual,  peaceable  government,  in 

*  which  the  glorious,  holy  order  of  life  is  Hved  and  walked  in  by  all 
'  his  sons  and  daughters ;  and  in  his  Spirit  is  the  holy  unity  and  bond  of 

*  peace.  Though  j  e  be  absent  in  body  one  from  another,  yet  all  joying 
'  and  rejoicing,  being  present  in  his  Spirit,  and  beholding  in  the  same 

*  Spirit  your  spiritual  order,  unity,  fellowship,  and  the  steadfastness  of 

*  vour  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  steadfast  for  ever,  the  First  and  the 
'  Last,  whose  presence  is  among  his  people,  and  who  is  their  head.  Here 

*  is  heavenly  Sion  known,  and  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  the  innumerable 
'  company  of  angels  (which  are  spirits)  and  the  spirits  of  the  just  men  made 

*  perfect.    Here  is  the  general  assembly,  or  general  meeting,  and  a  gene- 

*  ral  heavenly,  holy,  and  spiritual  joy  and  rejoicing,  lauding  and  praising 
'  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  and  the  Lamb  that  lives  for  evermore.  Amen. 

'G.  F.' 
'  London,  the  14th  of  the 
*  8th  month,  1683.' 

*  Read  this  in  your  assemblies  amongst  the  faithful.' 

I  tarried  a  little  in  London,  visiting  friends  and  meetings,  and  labour- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  And  being  on  a  first-day  at  the  Bull  and 
Mouth,  where  the  meeting  had  long  been  kept  without,  it  was  that  day 
in  the  house,  peaceable  and  large :  the  people  were  so  affected  with  the 
truth,  and  refreshed  with  the  powerful  presence  of  the  Lord,  that  when 
the  meeting  ended,  they  were  loth  to  go  away. 

3  W 


570  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1684 

After  some  time,  having  several  things  upon  me  to  write,  I  went  to 
Kingston,  that  I  might  be  free  from  interruptions.  When  I  came  there, 
I  understood  the  officers  had  been  very  rude  at  the  meeting,  abusing 
friends,  and  had  driven  them  out  of  the  meeting-place,  and  very  abusive 
they  continued  to  be  for  some  time.  Whilst  I  was  there,  I  wrote  a  little 
book  (printed  soon  after)  the  title  whereof  was :  '  The  saints'  heavenly 

♦  and  spiritual  worship,  unity,  and  communion,  &c.  wherein  is  set  forth 
'  what  the  true  gospel- worship  is,  and  in  what  the  true  unity  and  com- 
'  munion  of  the  saints  stands ;  with  a  discovery  of  those  that  were  gone 
'  from  this  holy  unity  and  communion,  and  were  turned  against  the  saints 

♦  that  abode  therein.' 

When  I  had  fimshed  the  services  for  which  I  went  thither,  and  had 
visited  the  friends,  1  returned  to  London,  and  visited  most  of  the  meet- 
ings in  and  about  the  city.  Afterwards  I  went  to  visit  a  friend  in  Essex ; 
and  returning  by  Dalston,  I  made  some  stay  at  the  widow  Slot's,  where 
I  wrote  an  epistle  to  fr'jends,  which  may  be  read  amongst  my  other 
printed  books. 

I  came  from  Dalston  to  London,  and  the  next  day  was  sent  for  in  haste 
to  my  son  Rouse's  at  Kingston;  whose  daughter  Margaret  lay  very  sick, 
and  had  a  desire  to  see  me.  I  \arried  at  Kingston  about  a  week,  and 
then  returned  to  London ;  where  I  continued  most  part  of  the  winter  and 
the  spring  following,  until  the  general  meeting  in  1684,  save  that  I  went 
once  as  far  as  Enfield,  to  visit  fviends  thereabouts.  In  this  time  I  ceased 
not  to  labour  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  being  frequent  at  meetings,  and 
visiting  friends  that  were  prisoners,  or  that  were  sick,  and  in  writing 
books  for  the  spreading  of  truth,  and  opening  the  understandings  of  peo- 
ple to  receive  it. 

The  yearly  meeting  was  in  the  third  month.  A  blessed,  weighty  meet- 
ing it  was,  wherein  friends  were  sweetly  refreshed  too-ether ;  for  the 
Lord  was  with  us,  and  opened  his  heavenly  trtasm-e?  amono-st  us.  And 
though  it  was  a  time  of  great  difficulty  and  danger,  by  reason  of  in- 
formers and  persecuting  magistrates,  yet  the  Lord  was  a  defence  and 
place  of  safety  to  his  people. 

Now  I  had  drawings  in  Spirit  to  go  into  Holland,  to  visit  the  seed  of 
God  in  those  provinces.  And  as  soon  as  the  yearly  meeting  was  over, 
I  prepared  for  my  journey.  There  went  with  me  from  London  Alexan- 
der Parker,  George  Watts,  and  Nathaniel  Brassey,  who  also  had  draw- 
ings into  that  country.  We  took  coach  the  31st  of  the  third  month  16Q4, 
and  got  to  Colchester  that  night.  Next  day,  being  first-day,  we  went  to 
the  meeting  there ;  and  though  there  was  no  notice  given  of  my  coming, 
our  being  there  was  presently  spread  over  the  town,  and  in  several 
places  in  the  country,  at  seven  and  ten  miles  distance  ;  so  that  abundance 
of  friends  came  in  double-horsed,  which  made  the  meeting  very  large. 
I  had  a  concern  and  travail  in  my  mind,  lest  this  great  gathering  should 
have  stirred  up  the  town,  and  been  more  than  the  magistrates  could  well 
bear ;  but  it  was  very  quiet  and  peaceable,  and  a  glorious  meeting  we 
had,  to  the  settling  and  stablishing  of  friends  both  in  the  town  and  coun- 
try :  for  the  Lord's  power  was  over  all ;  blessed  be  his  name  for  ever  ! 
Truly,  the  Lord's  power  and  presence  was  beyond  words ;  for  I  was  but 
weak  to  go  into  a  meeting,  and  my  face  (by  reason  of  a  cold)  was  sore : 
but  God  manifested  his  strength  in  us  and  with  us,  and  all  was  well ;  the 
Lord  have  the  glory  for  evermore  for  his  supporting  power.  After  the 
meeting,  came  I  think,  above  an  hundred  friends  of  the  town  and  coun- 


Ifflfl  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  571 

try  to  see  me  at  John  Furley's.  Very  glad  we  were  to  see  one  another, 
and  greatly  refreshed  we  were  together,  being  filled  with  the  love  and 
riches  of  the  Lord ;  blessed  be  his  name  for  ever ! 

We  tarried  at  Colchester  two  days  more ;  which  we  spent  in  visiting 
friends,  both  at  their  meetings  for  business,  and  at  their  houses.  Early 
in  the  morning  on  fourth-day  we  took  coach  for  Harwich,  where  we 
met  William  Bingley  and  Samuel  Waldenfield,  who  went  over  with  us. 
About  the  eighth  hour  at  night  we  went  on  board  the  packet-boat,  Rich- 
ard Gray,  master ;  but  by  reason  of  contrary  winds  it  was  the  first  hour 
in  the  morning  before  we  sailed.  We  had  a  very  good  passage  ;  and 
about  the  fifth  hour  in  the  afternoon  next  day  we  landed  at  the  Brill  in 
Holland,  where  we  staid  that  night.  Early  next  morning  we  went  to 
Rotterdam,  where  we  abode  some  days.  The  next  day  after  we  came 
to  Rotterdam,  one  Wilbert  Frouzen,  a  burgomaster,  and  kinsman  of 
Aarent  Sunneman's,  hearing  I  was  there,  invited  me  to  his  country- 
house,  having  a  desire  to  speak  with  me  about  some  business  relating  to 
Aarent  Sunneman's  daughters.  I  took  George  Watts  with  me,  and  a 
brother  of  Aarent  Sunneman's  had  us  thither.  The  burgomaster  re- 
ceived us  very  kindly,  was  glad  to  see  me,  and  entering  into  discourse 
about  his  kinsman's  daughters,  I  found  he  was  apprehensive  that,  their 
father  being  dead,  and  having  left  them  considerable  portions,  they  might 
be  stolen,  and  married  to  their  disadvantage.  Wherefore  I  told  him,  '  It 
'  was  our  principle  and  practice,  that  none  should  marry  amongst  us, 

*  unless  they  had  a  certificate  of  the  consent  of  their  relations  or  guar- 
'  dians ;  for  it  was  our  Christian  care  to  watch  over  and  look  after  all 

*  young  people  that  came  among  us,  especially  those  w^hose  relations 
'  were  dead.     And  as  for  his  kinsman's  daughters,  we  should  take  care 

*  that  nothing  should  be  offered  to  them  but  what  should  be  agreeable  to 
'  truth  and  righteousness,  and  that  they  might  be  preserved  in  the  fear 

*  of  God,  according  to  their  father's  mind.'  This  seemed  to  give  him 
great  satisfaction.  While  I  was  with  him,  there  came  many  great  peo- 
ple to  me ;  and  '  I  exhorted  them  all  to  keep  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  to 

*  mind  his  good  Spirit  in  them,  to  keep  their  minds  to  the  Lord.'  After 
I  had  staid  two  or  three  hours,  and  discoursed  with  them  of  several 
things,  I  took  my  leave,  and  he  very  kindly  sent  me  to  Rotterdam  in  his 
chariot. 

Next  day,  being  first-day,  w'e  were  at  the  meeting  at  Rotterdam, 
which  was  pretty  large,  and  declared  to  the  people  by  an  interpreter.- 
The  day  following  alderman  Gaul  came  to  speak  with  me,  with  whom 
we  had  much  discourse  about  religious  matters ;  wherewith  he  seemed 
to  be  well  satisfied,  and  was  very  tender.  Several  other  persons  of  ac- 
count intended  to  have  come  to  speak  with  me,  but  being  hindered  by 
extraordinary  business  (as  I  understood)  they  came  not. 

We  went  next  day  from  Rotterdam  to  Amsterdam,  where  we  had  a 
large  and  very  precious  meeting.  In  the  afternoon  I  was  at  another 
meeting  with  friends  there,  about  business. 

There  is  a  yearly  meeting  at  Amsterdam  for  the  friends  of  Holland 
and  Germany,  &c.  which  begun  now  the  eighth  of  the  fourth  month, 
and  ended  the  twelfth.  Here  we  had  a  fine  opportunity  of  seeing  friends 
from  divers  parts,  and  of  being  refreshed  together  in  the  love  of  God. 
After  this  meeting,  before  those  that  came  out  of  the  several  provinces 
were  gone,  we  had  a  meeting  with  some  particular  friends,  about  the 
places  and  countries  into  which  we,  who  came  out  of  England  in  the 


572  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1684 

work  of  the  ministry,  were  to  travel ;  and  to  inquire  who  among  them 
were  suitable  persons  to  go  along  with  us  as  interpreters.  This  con- 
cluded on,  William  Bingley  and  Samuel  Waldenfield  took  shipping  for 
Friesland,  with  Jacob  Claus  their  interpreter. 

Alexander  Parker  and  George  Watts  remained  with  me.  We  tarried 
a  few  days  longer  at  Amsterdam,  where  I  had  further  service.  Before 
I  left  Amsterdam,  I  went  to  visit  Galenus  Abrahams,  a  teacher  of  chief 
note  among  the  Mennonites,  or  Baptists.  I  had  been  with  him  when  I 
was  in  Holland  about  seven  years  before ;  and  William  Penn  and  George 
Keith  had  disputes  with  him.  He  was  then  very  high  and  very  shy,  so 
that  he  would  not  let  me  touch  him,  nor  look  upon  him  (by  his  good- 
will) but  bid  me  "  Keep  my  eyes  off  him ;  for,"  he  said,  "  they  pierced 
"  him."  But  now  he  was  very  loving  and  tender,  and  confessed  in  some 
measure  to  truth :  his  wife  also  and  daughter  were  tender  and  kind,  and 
we  parted  from  them  very  lovingly.  Feeling  our  spirits  drawn  tovv-ards 
Friesland,  Alexander  Parker,  George  Watts,  and  I,  having  John  Claus 
of  Amsterdam  with  us  for  our  interpreter,  took  shipping  at  Amsterdam 
for  Friesland,  and  having  sailed  nine  or  ten  leagues,  we  left  the  ship  and 
travelled  through  Friesland,  visiting  friends  and  tender  people  in  the 
towns  and  villages,  having  commonly  one,  sometimes  two  meetings  in  a 
day.  After  we  had  been  at  Leuwarden,  we  passed  by  Franeker  to 
Harlingen  in  West-Friesland,  which  was  the  furthest  place  we  went  to 
that  way.  And  having  been  out  six  days  from  Amsterdam,  and  had 
very  good  service  in  that  time,  in  visiting  friends  and  publishing  truth 
amongst  the  people,  we  took  ship  at  Harlingen  for  Amsterdam  the  26th 
of  the  fourth  month,  and  arrived  there  that  night.  The  first-day  follow- 
ing we  wei*e  at  the  meeting  at  Amsterdam,  which  was  very  large  and 
precious.  Many  of  the  people  were  there,  and  some  of  their  teachers, 
some  great  persons  also.  They  seemed  very  attentive,  and  a  good  op- 
portunity we  all  had,  one  after  another,  to  declare  the  word  of  the  Lord 
and  open  the  way  of  truth  amongst  them,  John  Claus  interpreting  for 
us.  I  tarried  the  next  day  at  Amsterdam ;  but  George  Watts  went  to 
a  burial  at  Harlem,  where  many  hundreds  of  people  were;  amongst 
whom  he  had  a  good  opportunity,  and  came  back  at  night  to  us. 

The  day  following  we  went  by  boat  to  Osanoverton  in  Waterland, 
and  from  thence  in  another  small  boat  about  a  league  over  a  small  river, 
where  we  passed  over  and  by  an  hundred  bridges,  and  so  to  Lansmeer 
to  a  friend's,  whose  name  was  Timon  Peters ;  where  we  had  a  very 
good  meeting.  We  returned  to  Amsterdam  at  night,  and  were  at  the 
meeting  there  next  day.  Many  were  at  tiiis  meeting  besides  friends, 
among  the  rest  the  great  Baptist-teacher  Galenus,  who  was  very  atten- 
tive to  the  testimony  of  the  truth,  and  when  the  meeting  was  done  came 
and  got  me  by  the  hand  very  lovingly. 

We  went  next  day  by  boat  to  Alkmaer,  about  eight  leagues  from  Am- 
sterdam, passing  through  Sardam,  the  great  town  of  ship-carpenters, 
and  several  other  towns  in  the  way.  At  Alkmaer,  which  is  a  pretty 
city,  we  staid  and  had  a  meeting  next  day  at  William  Williams's.  There 
were,  besides  friends,  many  very  sober  people  at  this  meeting,  who  were 
very  attentive  to  the  testimonies  of  truth  that  were  borne  by  Alexander 
Parker,  George  Watts,  and  myself,  John  Claus  being  our  interpreter 
This  was  on  a  sixth-day,  and  on  the  seventh  we  returned  to  Amsterdam, 
being  willing  to  be  at  the  meeting  on  first-day,  because  it  was  like  to  be 


1684]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  573 

the  last  meeting  we  should  have  there.  Accordingly  we  were  at  it,  and 
a  very  large  and  open  meeting  it  was.  Many  great  persons  were  pres- 
ent, some  earls,  we  were  told,  with  their  attendants,  out  of  Germany, 
who  were  very  grave  and  sober ;  and  the  everlasting  gospel  was  preach- 
ed unto  them. 

After  this  meeting  we  took  leave  of  the  friends  of  Amsterdani,  and 
next  morning  departed  to  Harlem,  where  we  had  a  meeting  at  a  friend's, 
whose  name  is  Abraham  Frondenberg.  Great  numbers  of  people  were 
at  this  meeting,  and  of  great  service  it  was.  After  the  meeting,  a  watch- 
maker of  Amsterdam,  who  with  his  wife  was  at  the  meeting,  desired  to 
speak  with  me  concerning  religion.  I  had  pretty  much  discourse  with 
him,  and  both  he  and  she  were  very  low  and  tender,  received  with  glad- 
ness what  I  spoke  to  them,  and  seemed  to  depart  well  satisfied. 

We  went  next  day  to  Rotterdam,  where  we  tarried  two  meetings, 
and  the  sixteenth  of  the  fifth  month  went  to  the  Brill,  to  take  ship  for 
England. 

About  four  in  the  afternoon,  we  went  on  board  the  packet-boat,  Wil- 
liam Sherman,  master,  and  set  sail  from  the  Brill  When  we  had  gone 
over  the  Mase  about  a  league,  we  cast  anchor  at  a  place  called  the  Pit, 
because  it  is  near  the  sands,  where  we  tarried  till  about  four  next  morn- 
ing ;  when  having  a  pretty  fair  wind,  and  the  tide  with  us,  we  weighed 
anchor,  and  by  four  next  day  were  within  five  leagues  of  Harwich,  over 
against  Alborough  castle ;  but  the  wind  falling  short,  and  the  tide  being 
weak,  it  was  the  first  hour  in  the  afternoon  before  we  came  so  near 
Harwich  that  boats  could  come  to  receive  the  passengers  and  goods. 
There  were  on  board  about  forty  passengers  in  all,  of  which  some  were 
English,  some  Scots,  some  Dutch,  some  French,  some  Spanish,  some 
Flemish,  and  some  Jews. 

I  spent  a  day  with  friends  at  Harwich,  while  Alexander  Parker  and 
George  Watts  went  to  visit  friends  at  Ipswich,  and  returned  at  night. 
Next  morning  early  we  all  took  coach  for  Colchester,  and  were  at  the 
meeting  there,  which  was  large  and  peaceable ;  after  the  meeting  we 
travelled  to  Witham  and  lodged  there  that  night.  Next  day,  William 
Mead  meeting  us  on  the  way  at  Harestreet,  I  went  with  him  to  his 
house,  and  the  other  friends  went  for  London. 

Here,  being  weak  with  travel  and  continual  exercise,  I  spent  some 
time  to  rest  myself  and  recover  my  health ;  visiting  in  the  meantime 
friends  in  that  part  of  the  country  as  I  was  able  to  get  abroad.  When 
I  was  a  little  recovered  I  went  to  Enfield,  visiting  friends  there  and 
thereabouts,  so  to  Dalston  to  see  the  widow  Stot,  and  from  thence  to 
London ;  some  friends  being  come  over  from  New-Jersey  in  America 
about  business  which  I  was  desired  to  be  present  at. 

It  was  the  latter  end  of  the  summer  when  I  came  to  London,  where 
I  staid  the  winter  following ;  save  once  or  twice,  my  wife  being  in  town 
with  me,  I  went  with  her  to  her  son  Rouse's  at  Kingston.  And  though 
my  body.was  very  weak,  yet  I  was  in  continual  service  either  in  publick 
meetings,  when  I  was  able  to  boar  them,  or  in  particular  businesses  among 
friends,  and  visiting  those  that  were  sufierers  for  truth,  either  by  impris- 
onment or  loss  of  goods.  Many  things  also  in  this  time  I  wrote,  some 
for  the  press  and  some  for  particular  service ;  as  letters  to  the  king  of 
Denmark,  and  one  to  the  duke  of  Holstein,  on  behalf  of  friends  that 
were  sufferers  in  his  dominions ;  whereof  the  following  is  a  copy  : 


574  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1684 

'  For  the  duke  of  Holstein ; 

'  Whom  I  do  intreat  in  the  love  of  God  to  read  over  this  which  is  sent 

'  in  love  to  him. 

'  I  UNDERSTAND  that  formerly,  by  some  evil-minded  persons,  it  was  re- 

*  ported  to  thee,  when  Elizabeth.  Hendricks  came  to  Frederickstadt  to 
'  visit  the  people  called  Quakers,  "  that  it  was  a  scandal  to  the  christian 
"  religion  that  a  woman  should  be  suftered  to  preach  in  a  publick  assem- 
"  bly  religiously  gathered  together,"  «fec.  Upon  which  thou  gavest  forth 
'  an  order  to  the  rulers  of  Frederickstadt,  "  to  make  the  said  people  leave 
"  that  place  forthwith,  or  to  send  them  away."  But  the  said  rulers  be- 
'  ing  Arminians,  and  they  or  their  fathers  being  come  to  live  there  as  a 
'  people  persecuted  in  Holland,  not  much  above  threescore  years  ago, 
'  made  answer  to  the  duke,  "  they  were  not  willing  to  persecute  others 
"  for  conscience-sake,  who  had  looked  upon  persecution  on  that  account 
"  in  their  own  case  as  antichristian,"  &c.  But  after  that,  the  people  of 
'  God,  in  scorn  called  Quakers,  did  write  to  thee,  from  Frederickstadt ; 
'  and  since  that  time  they  have  had  their  liberty,  and  their  meetings 

*  peaceable,  to  serve  and  worship  God  almost  these  twenty  years  at 
'  Frederickstadt  and  thereabouts,  freely  without  molestation ;  which  lib- 
'  erty  they  have  acknowledged  as  a  great  favour  and  kindness  from  thee. 

'  And  now,  O  duke,  thou  professing  Christianity  from  the  great  and 
'  mighty  name  of  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords, 

*  and  the  holy  scriptures  of  truth  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  do  not 

*  you  use  many  women's  w^ords  in  your  service  and  worship  out  of  the 
'  Old  and  New  Testament?  The  apostle  saith,  "Let  your  women  keep 
"  silence  in  the  churches ;"  and  that  he  "  did  not  permit  a  woman  to 
"  speak,  but  to  be  under  obedience ;  and  if  she  will  learn  any  thing,  to 
"  ask  her  husband  at  home ;  for  it  is  a  shame  for  a  woman  to  speak  in 
"  the  church."  And  1  Tim.  ii.  11,  12.  "Women  are  to  learn  in  silence, 
"  and  not  suffered  to  teach,  nor  to  usurp  authorit}'^  over  the  man,  but  to 
"  be  in  silence,"  1  Cor.  xiv.  34.  Here  the  duke  may  see  what  sort  of 
'  women  were  to  be  in  silence  and  subjection,  whom  the  law  commands 
'  to  be  silent,  and  not  to  usurp  authority  over  the  man,  nor  to  speak  in 

*  the  church ;  these  were  unruly  women.  In  the  same  chapter  he  com- 
'  mands  "  not  to  plait  nor  broider  their  hair,  nor  to  wear  gold,  pearls,  or 
"  costly  array."  These  things  were  forbidden  by  the  apostle,  and  women 
'  that  wear  such  things  are  to  learn  in  silence  and  to  be  subject,  and  not 
'  to  usurp  authority  over  the  men ;  for  it  is  a  shame  for  such  to  speak  in 
'  the  church.  But  do  not  such  women  as  these  that  wear  gold  and  sil- 
'  ver,  pearls  and  gaudy  apparel,  or  costly  array,  and  plait  and  broider 
'  their  hair,  speak  in  your  church,  when  your  priest  sets  them  to  sing 
'psalms?  Don't  tliey  speak  when  they  sing  psalms?  Consider  this,  O 
'  duke !  Yet  you  say,  "  Your  women  must  keep  silence  in  the  church, 
"  and  must  not  speak  in  the  church ;"  but  when  they  sing  psalms  in  your 
'  churches,  are  they  silent  ?  Though  the  apostle  forbids  such  women  as 
'  before-mentioned  to  speak  in  the  church,  yet  in  another  place  he  en- 
'  courages  the  good  or  holy  women  to  be  teachers  of  good  things.  Tit. 

*  ii.  3,  4.  The  apostle  also  said,  "  I  intreat  thee,  true  yoke-fellow,  help 
"  those  women  which  laboured  with  me  in  the  gospel,  and  with  other  my 
"  fellow-labourers,  whose  names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life."     Here 

*  he  owns  these  holy  women,  and  encourages  them  which  laboured  with 
'  him  in  the  gospel,  and  did  not  forbid  them,  Phil.  iv.  2,  3.     He  likewise 


16841  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  675 

'  commends  Phcebe  unto  the  church  of  the  Romans,  calls  her  a  "  servant 
"  unto  the  church  of  Cenchrea,"  sends  his  epistle  by  her  to  the  Romans 
'  from  Corinth,  and  desires  the  church  at  Rome  to  "  receive  her  in  the 
"  Lord,  as  becometh  saints ;"  and  to  assist  her,  "  in  whatsoever  business 
"  she  had  need  of;  for  she  had  been  a  succourer  of  many,  and  of  him 
"  also :"  And  he  said,  "  Greet  Priscilla  and  Aquila,  my  helpers  in  Christ 
"  Jesus,  who  have  for  my  life  laid  down  their  necks ;  unto  whom  not 
"  only  I  o-ive  thanks,  but  also  all  the  churches  of  the  Gentiles."  Now 
'  here  the  duke  may  see,  these  were  good  holy  women,  whom  the  apos- 
'  tie  did  not  forbid  speaking,  Rom.  xvi.  1,  2,  3,  4.  but  commended  them. 
'  And  Priscilla  and  Aquila  "  instructed  and  expounded  unto  Apollos  the 
^*  way  of  God  more  perfectly,"  Acts  xviii.  26.  So  here  Priscilla  was  an 
'  instructor  as  well  as  Aquila,  which  holy  women  the  apostle  doth  not 
'  forbid.  Neither  did  he  forbid  Philip's  four  daughters,  who  were  virgins, 
'  to  prophesy.  Women  might  pray  and  prophesy  in  the  church,  1  Cor. 
'  xi.  5.  The*  apostles  shewed  to  the  Jews  the  fulfilling  of  Joel's  prophecy: 
"  That  in  the  last  days  God  would  pour  out  of  his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh, 
"  and  their  sons  and  daughters,  servants  and  handmaids,  should  prophesy 
"  with  the  Spirit  of  God."     So  the  apostle  encourages  daughters  and 

*  handmaids  to  prophesy,  as  well  as  sons ;  and  if  they  do  prophesy,  they 
«  must  speak  to  the  church  or  people,  Joel  ii.  28.  Acts  xvii.  18.  Did  not 
<  Miriam  the  prophetess  sing  unto  the  Lord,  and  all  the  women  with  her, 

*  when  the  Lord  had  delivered  the  children  of  Israel  from  Pharaoh?  Did 
'  not  she  praise  the  Lord,  and  prophesy  in  the  congregation  of  the  chil- 
'  dren  of  Israel?  Was  not  this  in  the  church?  Exod.  xv.  21.  Moses  and 
'  Aaron  did  not  forbid  her  prophesying  or  speaking ;  but  Moses  said, 
"  Would  God  all  the  Lord's  people  were  prophets !"  And  the  Lord's 
'  people  are  women  as  well  as  men.  Deborah  was  a  judge  and  a  pro- 
'  phetess ;  and  do  not  you  make  use  of  Deborah's  and  Miriam's  words  in 
'  your  service  and  worship?  See  Jud.  v.  1  to  31.  Deborah's  large  speech 
'  or  song.     Barak  did  not  forbid  her,  nor  none  of  the  Jewish  priests.  Did 

*  not  she  make  this  speech  or  song  in  the  congregation  or  church  of 
'  Israel  ?  In  the  book  of  Ruth  there  are  good  speeches  of  those  good 
'  women,  which  were  not  forbidden.  Hannah  prayed  in  the  temple  be- 
'  fore  Eli,  and  the  Lord  answered  her  prayer.  See  what  a  speech  Han- 
'  nah  makes,  and  a  praising  of  God  before  Eli  the  high-priest,  who  did 
'  not  forbid  her,  1  Sam.  ii.  1  to  10.  Josiah  the  king  sent  his  priest,  with 
'  several  others,  to  ask  counsel  of  Huldah  the  prophetess,  who  dwelt  at 
'  Jerusalem  in  the  college,  2  King.  xxii.  14.  2  Chron.  xxxiv.  22.  So  here 
'  the  king  and  his  priests  did  not  despise  the  counsel  of  this  prophetess ; 
'  and  she  prophesied  to  the  congregation  of  Israel,  as  may  be  seen  in 

*  these  chapters.  In  Luke  i.  41  to  55.  see  what  a  godly  speech  Elizabeth 
'  made  to  Mary,  and  what  a  large  godly  speech  Mary  made  also.  Mary 
'  said,  "  that  the  Lord  did  regard  the  low  estate  of  his  handmaid,"  &c. 
'  And  don't  you  make  use  in  your  worship  and  service  of  Mary's  and 
'  Elizabeth's  words  from  Luke  ii.  41  to  55.  in  your  churches,  and  yet 
'  forbid  women's  speaking  in  your  churches,  and  but  to  be  in  silence  ? 

*  Yet  all  sorts  of  women  speak  in  your  churches  when  they  sing,  and 
'  say  Amen.  .  In  Luke  ii.  there  was  Anna  the  prophetess,  a  widow,  of 
'  about  fourscore  and  four  years,  who  departed  not  from  the  temple,  but 
'  served  God  with  fasting  and  prayer  night  and  day.  Did  not  she  con- 
'  fess  Christ  Jesus  in  the  temple,  and  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  "  and  speak 
"  of  Christ  to  all  that  looked  for  redemption  in  Jerusalem  ?  Luke  ii.  36, 


576  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1684 

'  37,  38.  So  such  holy  women  were  not  forbidden  to  speak  in  the  church, 
'  neither  in  the  law  nor  gospel.     Was  it  not  Mary  Magdalen  and  other 

*  women  that  first  preached  Christ's  resurrection  to  the  apostles?  The 
'  woman  indeed  (namely  Eve)  was  first  in  transgression ;  so  they  were 

*  women  that  first  preached  the  resurrection  of  Christ  Jesus ;  for  Christ 

*  said  to  Mary,  &c.  "  Go  to  my  brethren  and  say  unto  them,  I  ascend 
"  unto  my  Father  and  to  your  Father,  and  to  my  God  and  to  your  God," 
'  John  XX.  17.  And  Luke  xxiv.  10.  It  was  Mary  Magdalen,  Johanna, 
'  and  Mary  the  mother  of  James,  and  other  women  with  them,  who  told 
'  the  apostles  "  Christ  was  risen  from  the  dead ;  and  their  words  and 
"  these  women's  words  were  as  idle  tales  to  the  apostles,  and  they  be- 
"  lieved  them  not,"  ib.  11.  Ver.  22.  "Certain  women  also  of  our  com- 
"  pany  made  us  astonished,"  they  said.     So  here  it  may  be  seen  that  the 

*  women's  preaching  the  resurrection  of  Christ  did  astonish  the  apostles. 
'  Christ  sent  these  women  to  preach  his  resurrection ;  so  it  is  no  shame 
'  for  such  women  to  preach  Christ  Jesus,  neither  are  they  to  be  silent 
'  when  Christ  sends  them.  The  apostle  says,  "  Every  tongue  shall  con- 
"  fess  to  God,"  Rom.  xiv.  11,  and  "  Every  tongue  shall  confess  that  Jesus 
"  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father,"  Philip,  ii.  11.  So  here 
'  it  is  clear  that  women  must  confess  Christ  as  well  as  men,  if  every 
'  tongue  must  confess.  And  the  apostle  saith,  "  There's  neither  male  nor 
"  female,  for  ye  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus,"  Gal.  iii.  28. 

*  And  whereas  it  is  said,  "  women  must  ask  their  husbands  at  home," 
'  &c.  the  duke  knows  very  well,  virgins  have  no  husbands,  nor  widows ; 
'  for  Anna,  the  prophetess,  was  a  widow ;  and  if  Christ  be  the  husband, 
'  men  must  ask  counsel  of  him  at  home,  as  well  as  women,  before  they 

*  teach.     And  set  the  case  that  a  Turk's  wife  should  be  a  Christian,  or  a 
Papist's  wife  should  be  a  Lutheran,  or  a  Calvinist,  must  they  ask  and 

'  learn  of  their  husbands  at  home  before  they  confess  Christ  Jesus  in  the 
'  congregation  of  the  Lord?  Their  counsel  will  be  to  them  to  turn  Turks 
'  or  Papists. 

*  I  intreat  the  duke  to  consider  these  things.     I  intreat  him  to  mind 

*  God's  grace  and  truth  in  his  heart,  that  is  come  by  Jesus  Christ,  that 
'  by  his  Spirit  of  grace  and  truth  he  may  come  to  serve  and  worship  God 

*  in  his  Spirit  and  truth ;  so  that  he  may  serve  the  living  eternal  God  that 
'  made  him,  in  his  generation,  and  have  his  peace  in  Christ  that  the  world 

*  cannot  take  away.     And  I  do  desire  his  good,  peace,  and  prosperity  in 

*  this  world,  and  his  eternal  comfort  and  happiness  in  the  world  that  is 
'  everlasting.  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  26th  of  the 
'  8th  month,  1684.' 

Besides  the  foregoing,  I  wrote  also  epistles  to  friends ;  one  of  which 
the  following  is  a  copy  of: 

'  Friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

'  In  whom  you  have  life,  peace,  and  salvation;  walk  in  him  who  is 

'  your  heavenly  Rock  and  Foundation,  that  stands  sure,  who  hath  all 

'  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  unto  him.     So  his  power  is  over  all. 

'  Let  your  faith  stand  in  his  power,  which  is  over  all  from  everlasting  to 

*  everlasting,  over  the  devil  and  his  power ;  that  in  the  holy  heavenly 
'  wisdom  of  God  ye  may  be  preserved  and  kept  to  God's  glory,  out  of 
'  all  snares  and  temptations ;  that  God's  wisdom  may  be  justified  of  all 

*  his  children  in  this  day  of  his  power,  and  they  all  may  be  faithful,  serv- 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  577 

'  ing  and  worshipping  God  in  spirit  and  truth,  and  valiant  for  it  upon  the 
'  earth.  For,  as  the  apostle  saith,  "  They  that  believe  are  entered  into 
"  their  rest,  and  have  ceased  from  their  own  works,  as  God  did  from 
"  his."  Now  this  rest  is  an  eternal  rest  in  Christ,  the  eternal  Son  of  God, 
'  in  whom  every  true  behever  hath  everlasting  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  their 
'  rest  and  everlasting  day.  For  Christ  the  rest  bruiseth  the  serpent's  head, 
'  and  through  death  destroyeth  death,  and  the  devil,  the  power  of  death, 
'  and  his  works.  He  is  the  eternal  rest,  that  giveth  eternal  life  to  his  sheep. 
'  Christ  fulfilleth  the  prophets,  and  all  the  figures,  shadows,  and  ceremo- 
'  nies,  as  in  the  Old  Testament ;  and  all  the  promises  are  yea  and  amen 
'  in  Christ,  who  was  the  eternal  rest  to  all  true  believers  in  the  apostles' 
'  days,  and  ever  since,  and  is  so  now.     Christ  is  the  beginning  and  the 

*  ending,  the  first  and  last,  ascended  above  all  principalities,  powers, 

*  thrones,  and  dominions,  that  he  might  fill  all  things.  For  by  "  Jesus 
"  Christ  all  things  were  made  and  created,  whether  they  be  things  in 
"  heaven  or  things  in  the  earth ;"  and  he  is  the  Eternal  Rest.  They  that 
'  believe  are  entered  into  Christ,  their  Eternal  Rest,  in  whom  they  have 
'  eternal  life,  and  peace  with  God.     Wherefore  I  say  again,  in  him  who 

*  is  your  Rest  live  and  abide ;  for  in  him  ye  are  happy,  and  his  blessings 

*  will  rest  upon  you.  God  Almighty  keep  and  preserve  you  all,  his  true 
'  believers,  in  Christ  your  Rest  and  Peace  this  day.     Amen. 

G.  F.' 
*  London,  the  18th  of  the 
'  12th  month,  1684-5.' 

About  a  month  after  I  got  a  little  out  of  London,  visiting  friends  at 
South-street,  Ford-green,  and  Enfield,  where  I  had  meetings.  Afterwards 
I  went  to  Waltham-abbey,  and  was  at  a  meeting  there  on  a  first-day ; 
which  was  very  large  and  peaceable.  Then  returning  through  Enfield, 
and  about  Edmonton-side,  I  came  back  to  London  in  the  third  month,  to 
advise  with  and  assist  friends  in  laying  their  sufierings  before  the  parlia- 
ment then  sitting ;  and  we  drew  up  a  short  account  of  our  sufferings, 
which  we  caused  to  be  printed  and  spread  amongst  the  parHament-men. 

The  yearly  meeting  coming  on,  I  was  much  concerned  for  friends 
that  came  up  to  it  out  of  the  country,  lest  they  should  meet  with  any 
trouble  or  disturbance  in  their  passage  up  or  down ;  and  the  rather,  be- 
cause about  that  time  a  great  bustle  arose  in  the  nation  upon  the  duke 
of  Monmouth's  landing  in  the  West.  But  the  Lord,  according  to  his 
wonted  goodness,  was  graciously  pleased  to  preserve  friends  in  safety, 
and  gave  us  a  blessed  opportunity  to  meet  together  in  peace  and  quiet- 
ness, and  accompanied  our  meeting  with  his  living,  refreshing  presence : 
blessed  for  ever  be  his  holy  name  ! 

Considering  the  hurries  that  were  in  the  nation,  it  came  upon  me  at 
the  close  of  this  meeting  to  write  a  few  lines  to  friends,  '  to  caution  all 
'  to  keep  out  of  the  spirit  of  the  world,  in  which  trouble  is,  and  to  dwell 
'  in  the  peaceable  truth ;'  as  followeth : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren, 
'  Whom  the  Lord  hath  called  and  chosen  in  Christ  Jesus,  your  Life 
'  and  Salvation,  in  whom  ye  have  rest  and  peace  with  God ;  the  Lord 
'  by  his  mighty  power,  which  is  over  all,  hath  preserved  and  supported 

*  you  to  this  day,  to  be  a  peculiar  holy  people  to  himself,  so  that  by  his 
'  eternal  Spirit  and  power  ye  might  be  all  kept  out  of  the  world ;  for  in 

*  the  world  is  trouble.     In  this  great  day  of  the  Lord  God  Almighty,  he 

3X 


578  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1685 

'  is  shaking  the  heavens  and  the  earth  of  outward  professions,  their  ele- 
'  ments  are  in  a  heat,  their  sun  and  their  moon  are  darkened,  the  stars 
'  falUng,  and  the  mountains  and  hills  shaking  and  tottering,  as  it  was 
'  among  the  Jews  in  the  day  of  Christ's  appearing.  Therefore,  dear 
'  friends  and  brethren,  dwell  in  the  Seed,  Christ  Jesus,  the  Rock  and 
'  Foundation,  that  cannot  be  shaken ;  that  ye  may  s^e  with  the  light  and 
'  Spirit  of  Christ,  that  ye  are  as  fixed  stars  in  the  firmament  of  God's 
'  power ;  and  in  this  his  power  and  light  you'll  see  over  all  the  wander- 
'  ing  stars,  clouds  without  water,  and  trees  without  fruit.  That  which 
'  may  be  shaken  will  be  shaken,  as  will  all  that  are  wandered  from  the 
'  firmament  of  God's  power. 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  you  that  are  redeemed  from  the  death 
'  and  fall  of  Adam,  by  Christ  the  second  Adam,  in  him  ye  have  life,  rest, 
'  and  peace ;  for  Christ  saith,  "  In  me  ye  shall  have  peace,  but  in  the 
"  world  trouble."  And  the  apostle  saith,  "  They  that  believe  are  entered 
"  into  their  Rest,"  namely  Christ,  who  hath  overcome  the  world,  bruiseth 
'  the  serpent's  head,  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  fulfils  the 
'  types,  figures,  and  shadows  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  prophets.  In 
'  whom  the  promises  are  Yea  and  Amen;  who  is  the  First  and  Last,  Be- 
'  ginning  and  Ending,  the  Eternal  Rest.  So  keep  and  walk  in  Christ, 
'  your  Rest,  every  one  that  have  received  him. 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  whatever  bustlings  and  trouble,  tumults 
'  or  outrages,  quarrels  and  strife,  arise  in  the  world,  keep  out  of  them  all ; 
'  concern  not  yourselves  with  them  ;  but  keep  in  the  Lord's  power  and 
'  peaceable  truth,  that  is  over  all  such  things ;  in  which  power  ye  seek 
'  the  peace  and  good  of  all  men.  Live  in  the  love  which  God  hath  shed 
'  abroad  in  your  hearts  through  Christ  Jesus ;  in  which  love  nothing  is 
'  able  to  separate  you  from  God  and  Christ,  neither  outward  sufferings, 
'  persecutions,  nor  any  outward  thing  that  is  below  and  without ;  nor  to 
'  hinder  or  break  your  heavenly  fellowship  in  the  light,  gospel,  and  spirit 
'  of  Christ,  nor  your  holy  communion  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  proceeds 
'  from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  which  leads  you  into  all  truth.  In  this 
'  Holy  Ghost,  in  which  is  your  holy  communion,  that  proceeds  from  the 
'  Father  and  the  Son,  you  have  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
'  and  one  with  another.  This  is  it  which  links  and  joins  Christ's  church 
'  or  body  together  to  him  the  heavenly  and  spiritual  head,  and  in  unity 
'  in  his  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  peace  to  all  his  church  and  living 
'  members,  in  whom  they  have  eternal  rest  and  peace  in  Christ,  and 
'  with  God  everlasting,  who  is  to  be  blessed  and  praised  for  ever.  Amen  ! 

'  Dear  friends,  forsake  not  the  assembling  of  yourselves  together,  who 
'  are  gathered  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  your  prophet,  whom  God  has  raised 
'  up  in  the  New  Testament,  to  be  heard  in  all  things ;  who  opens  to  you, 
'  and  no  man  can  shut,  who  shuts  and  no  man  can  open ;  He  is  your 
'  priest,  made  higher  than  the  heavens  by  the  power  of  an  endless  life ; 

*  by  him  you  are  made  a  royal  priesthood,  to  offer  up  to  God  spiritual 
'  sacrifice ;  He  is  the  bishop  of  your  souls,  to  oversee  you,  that  you  do  not 

*  go  astray  from  God;  He  is  the  good  shepherd  that  hath  laid  down  his 
'  life  for  his  sheep,  and  they  hear  his  voice  and  follow  him,  and  he  gives 
'  to  them  eternal  life. 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  abide  in  Christ  the  vine,  that  ye  may 
'  bring  forth  fruit  to  the  Glory  of  God.     As  every  one  hath  received 

*  Christ,  walk  in  him,  who  is  not  of  the  world  that  lies  in  wickedness ;  so 
'  that  ye  may  be  preserved  out  of  the  vain  fashions  and  customs  of  the 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  579 

'  world  which  satisfy  the  lust  of  the  eye,  the  lust  of  the  fiesh,  and  the  pride 
'  of  life,  which  are  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the  world  that  passes  away. 
'  Whoever  joins  to  that  which  is  not  of  the  Father,  or  encourages  it, 
'  draws  the  mind  from  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There- 
'  fore  let  Christ  rule  in  your  hearts,  that  your  minds,  souls,  and  spirits 
'  may  be  kept  out  of-  the  vanities  of  the  world  in  their  words,  ways,  and 
'  "actions,  that  ye  may  be  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works,  serv- 
'  ing  the  Lord  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God  ;  that 

*  by  the  Word  of  his  grace  your  words  may  be  gracious,  and  in  your 
'  lives  and  conversations  ye  may  shew  forth  righteousness,  holiness,  and 
'  godhness,  that  God  Almighty  may  be  glorified  in  you  all,  and  through 
'  you  all,  who  is  above  all,  blessed  and  praised  for  ever,  Amen. 

G.  F.' 
*  London,  the  11th  of  the 
'  4th  month,  1685.' 

I  wrote  several  other  letters  to  friends,  in  divers  foreign  countries, 
from  whom  I  had  received  letters  about  the  affairs  of  truth.  Which  when 
I  had  dispatched,  I  got  a  little  way  out  of  town,  being  much  spent  with 
the  heat  of  the  weather,  throngs  in  meetings,  and  continual  business.  I 
went  at  first  to  South-street,  where  I  abode  some  days.  And  a  great 
sense  entered  me  of  the  growth  and  increase  of  pride,  vanity,  and  excess 
in  apparel,  and  that  not  only  amongst  the  people  of  the  world,  but  too 
much  also  in  some  that  came  among  us,  and  seemed  to  make  profession 
of  the  truth.  In  the  sense  I  had  of  the  evil  thereof,  it  came  upon  me  to 
give  forth  the  following,  as  a  reproof  and  check  thereunto. 

'  The  apostle  Peter  saith  (in  1  Pet.  iii.)  of  the  women's  adorning ; 
"  Let  it  not  be  (mark,  let  it  not  be :  this  is  a  positive  prohibition)  that 
"  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and  of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of 
"  putting  on  of  apparel ;  but  let  it  be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  in  that 
"  which  is  not  corruptible,  even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit, 
"which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price;  for  after  this  manner  in 
"  old  time  the  holy  women  also,  who  trusted  in  God,  adorned  them- 
"  selves." 

'  Here  ye  may  see  M^hat  is  the  ornament  of  the  holy  women,  which 
'  was  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price,  which  the  holy  women  who 
'  trusted  in  God  adorned  themselves  with.  But  the  unholy  women,  that 
'  trust  not  in  God,  their  ornament  is  not  a  meek  and  a  quiet  spirit ;  they 
'  adorn  themselves  with  plaiting  the  hair,  putting  on  of  apparel,  and  wear- 
'  ing  of  gold,  which  is  forbidden  by  the  apostle  in  his  general  epistle  to 
'  the  church  of  Christ,  the  true  Christians. 

'  The  apostle  Paul  sahh,  1  Tim.  ii.  9.  10,  "  In  like  manner  also  that 
"  women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness  and 
"  sobriety,  not  with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array ; 
"  but,  which  becometh  women  professing  godliness,  with  good  works." 

'  Here  ye  may  see  what  the  women  were  not  to  adorn  themselves 
'  with  who  professed  godliness:  they  were  not  to  adorn  themselves  with 
'  broidered  hair,  nor  gold,  nor  pearls,  nor  costly  array ;  for  this  was  not 
'  looked  upon  to  be  modest  apparel  for  holy  women  that  professed  godli- 
'  ness  and  good  works.  But  this  adorning  or  apparel  is  for  the  immodest, 

*  unshamefaced,  unsober  women,  that  profess  not  godliness,  neither  fol- 
'  low  those  good  works  that  God  commands.  Therefore  it  doth  not  be- 
'  come  men  and  women,  who  profess  true  Christianity  and  godhness,  to 


680  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1685 

'  be  adorned  with  gold,  or  chains,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array,  or  with 
'  broidered  hair;  for  these  things  are  for  the  lust  of  the  eye,  the  lust  of 
'  the  flesh,  and  pride  of  life,  which  is  not  of  the  Father.     All  holy  men 

*  and  women  are  to  mind  that  which  is  more  precious  than  gold ;  "  being 
"  redeemed  not  with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your 
"  vain  conversation,  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  a  lamb 
"  without  blemish  and  without  spot.  Therefore  as  obedient  children  to 
"  God,  not  fashioning  yourselves  according  to  your  former  lusts  in  your 
"  ignorance,  but  as  he  which  hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all 
"  manner  of  conversation,"  1  Pet.  i.  14,  15. 

'  Christ  saith,  "  The  life  is  more  than  meat,  and  the  body  is  more  than 
"  raiment,"  Luke  xii.  23. 

'  I  read  of  a  wise  moral  philosopher,  who,  meeting  a  woman  with  her 
'  neck  and  breast  bare,  laid  his  hand  upon  her  and  said,  "  Woman,  wilt 
"  ihou  sell  this  flesh  ?"  and  she  replying.  No :  "  Then  pray,"  said  he, 
"  shut  up  thy  shop"  (meaning  her  bare  breasts  and  neck.)  So  they  were 
'  looked  upon  as  harlots  that  went  with  their  necks,  breasts,  and  backs 
'  bare,  and  not  modest  people,  even  among  the  moral  heathens.  There- 
'  fore  those  that  profess  the  knowledge  of  true  Christianity  should  be 
'  ashamed  of  such  things.     You  may  see  a  book  written  by  the  very 

*  Papists,  and  another  by  Richard  Baxter  the  Presbyterian,  against  bare 

*  breasts  and  bare  backs.  They  that  were  but  in  an  outward  profession 
'  did  declare  against  such  things,  therefore  they  who  are  in  the  posses- 
'  sion  of  truth  and  true  Christianity  should  be  ashamed  of  such  things. 
'  Read,  I  pray  you,  the  third  of  Isaiah.  There  you  may  see  the  holy 
'  prophet  was  grieved  with  the  foolish  women's  vain  attire,  and  -was  sent 

*  by  the  Lord  to  reprove  them.  Envious,  persecuting  Jezebel,  her  attired 
'  head  and  bravery,  like  a  painted  harlot  out  of  the  truth,  did  not  keep 
'  her  from  the  judgments  of  God,  when  the  Lord  stirred  up  Jehu  against 
'  her.     Doth  not  pride  go  before  a  fall,  and  a  haughty  mind  before  de- 

*  struction?    "  God  resisteth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  humble." 

*  Solomon  saith,  "  The  Lord  will  destroy  the  house  of  the  proud,"  Prov. 
'  XV.  25.  "  For  the  day  of  the  Lord  shall  be  upon  every  one  that  is  proud 
"  and  lofty,  &c.  and  he  shall  be  brought  low,"  Isa.  ii.  12.  and  Mai.  iv. 

*  Therefore  take  heed  of  calling  the  proud  happy ;  for  "  the  Lord  will 
"  scatter  the  proud  in  the  imagination  of  their  own  hearts,  and  exalt 
"  them  of  low  degree."  You  may  read  in  the  Revelations  (Chap.  xvii.  4. 
'  and  xviii.  16.)  of  the  false  church,  how  she  was  outwardly  decked,  but 
'  full  of  abomination,  and  came  to  a  downfall  at  last.     Therefore  it  is 

*  good  for  all  that  profess  the  truth,  to  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it ; 
"  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away,  but  the  word  of  the  Lord 
"  endureth  for  ever.  The  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  his  people,  he  will 
"  beautify  the  meek  with  salvation,"  Psal.  cxlix.  4.  All  that  know  the 
'  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  are  to  be  beautified  and  clothed  with  this  salva- 

*  tion,  w^hich  salvation  is  a  strong  wall  or  a  bulwark  against  that  spirit 

*  that  would  lead  you  further  into  the  fall  from  God,  into  those  things 

*  which  the  fallen  man  and  woman  delight  in,  beautify,  or  adorn  them- 

*  selves  with.     Therefore,  all  that  profess  the  truth,  be  circumspect,  sin- 

*  cere,  and  fervent,  following  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  not  of  this 
'  world ;  in  wiiom  ye  have  life  and  peace  with  God. 

«G.F.' 
"  South-street,  the  2 1th  of  the 
"  4th  month,  1685." 


16851  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  581 

After  some  weeks  I  returned  to  London.  Among  other  services  that 
I  found  there,  one  was  to  assist  in  drawing  up  a  testimony  to  clear  our 
friends  of  being  concerned  in  the  late  rebellion  in  the  west,  and  from 
all  plots  against  the  government;  which  accordingly  was  done,  and  de- 
livered to  the  chief  justice,  who  was  then  to  go  into  the  west  with  com- 
mission to  try  prisoners. 

I  tarried  some  time  in  London,  visiting  meetings,  and  labouring  among 
friends  in  the  service  of  truth.  But  finding  my  health  much  impaired  for 
want  of  fresh  air,  I  went  to  Charles  Bathurst's  country-house  at  Epping- 
forest,  where  I  staid  a  few  days.  There  it  came  upon  me  to  write  the 
following  epistle  to  friends : 

'  Dear  friends, 
*  Who  are  called,  chosen  and  faithful  in  this  day  of  trial,  temptations, 

*  and  sufferings,  whom  the  Lord  by  his  right  hand  hath  upholden  in  all 

*  your  sufferings  (and  some  to  death)  for  the  Lord  and  his  truth's  sake. 

*  Christ  saith,  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  I  have  overcome  the  world ;  in  me 
"  ye  have  peace,  but  in  the  world  ye  have  trouble."  The  children  of  the 
'  Seed,  which  be  heirs  of  the  kingdom,  know  this  is  true.  And  though 
'  ye  have  trials  by  false  brethren,  Judases,  and  sons  of  perdition,  that  are 
'  got  into  the  temple  of  God,  and  exalted  above  all  that  is  called  God, 

*  whom  the  Lord  will  destroy  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth  and  the 
'  brightness  of  his  coming ;  and  though  ye  be  tried  by  powers  and  prin- 

*  cipalities,  yet  there  is  nothing  able  to  separate  you  from  the  love  of 
'  God  which  ye  have  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  that  love  dwell,  which  bears  all 

*  things,  and  fulfils  the  law ;  in  which  edify  one  another,  and  be  court- 
'  eous,  kind,  and  humble ;  for  to  such  God  giveth  his  grace  plentifully, 
'  such  he  teacheth.  And  pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  proceeds  from 
'  the  Father  and  the  Son ;  in  it  keep  your  holy  communion  and  unity  in 
'  the  Spirit,  the  bond  of  peace,  which  is  the  King  of  kings'  heavenly 
'  peace.     In  that  you  are  all  bound  to  good  behaviour,  to  keep  peace 

*  among  yourselves,  to  seek  the  peace  of  all  men,  and  to  shew  forth  the 
'  heavenly,  gentle,  and  peaceable  wisdom  to  all,  in  righteousness  and 
'  truth,  answering  the  good  in  all  people  in  your  lives  and  conversations 
'  (for  the  Lord  is  glorified  in  your  bringing  forth  spiritual  fruit :)  that  ye 
'  may  eye  and  behold  the  Lord  in  all  your  actions,  that  the  blessings  of 
'  the  Lord  ye  may  all  feel  to  rest  upon  you.  Whether  ye  be  the  Lord's 
'  prisoners  for  his  name  and  truth's  sake,  or  at  liberty,  in  all  things  la- 
'  hour  to  be  content,  for  that  is  a  continual  feast ;  and  let  no  trouble 
'  move  you;  then  ye  will  be  as  Mount  Sion  that  cannot  be  removed.    In 

*  all  things  exercise  the  word  of  patience,  which  word  will  sanctify  all 

*  things  to  you.     Study  to  be  quiet,  and  do  the  Lord's  business  that  he 

*  requires  of  you,  and  your  own,  in  truth  and  righteousness.  Whatsoever 
'  ye  do,  let  it  be  done  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God  in  the  name  of 
'  Jesus  Christ.     All  that  make  God's  people  suffer,  make  the  seed  sufler 

*  in  their  own  particulars,  and  imprison  the  just  there.  Such  will  not 
'  visit  the  seed  in  themselves,  but  cast  it  into  prison  in  others,  and  not 
'  visit  it  in  prison.  You  may  read  that  Christ  saith,  "  Such  must  go  into 
"  everlasting  punishment."     That  is  a  sad  punishment  and  prison.     All 

*  such  as  are  become  apostates  and  backsliders,  that  crucify  to  them- 
<  selves  Christ  afresh,  put  him  to  open  shame,  trample  under  feet  the 

*  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  by  which  they  were  cleansed,  and  come  to  be 

*  unclean ;  such  grieve,  vex,  quench,  and  rebel  against  the  Spirit  of  God 


68^  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  P685 

*  in  themselves,  and  then  such  rebel  against  them  that  walk  in  the  Spirit 
'  of  God.  Such  are  unfaithful  to  God  and  man,  and  are  enemies  to  every 
'  good  work  and  service  of  God ;  but  their  end  will  be  according  to  their 

*  works,  who  are  like  the  earth  that  hath  often  received  rain,  but  brings 

*  forth  briers  and  thorns,  which  are  to  be  rejected,  and  are  for  the  fire. 
'  Therefore,  dear  friends,  in  all  your  sufferings  feel  the  Lord's  eternal 

*  arm  and  power,  which  hath  supported  you  to  this  day,  and  will  to  the 
'  end,  as  your  faith  stands  in  it,  and  as  you  are  settled  upon  the  rock  and 

*  foundation  Christ  Jesus,  that  cannot  be  removed,  in  whom  ye  have  life 

*  and  peace  with  God.     The  Lord  God  Almighty,  in  him,  give  you  do- 

*  minion,  and  preserve  you  all  to  his  glory,  that  in  all  your  sufferings  ye 
'  may  feel  his  presence,  and  that,  when  ye  have  finished  your  testimony, 

*  ye  may  receive  the  crown  of  glory  which  God  hath  laid  up  for  them 

*  that  fear  and  serve  him,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  The  15th  of  the  7th 
'  month,  1685.' 

Having  spent  about  a  week  in  the  country,  I  returned  to  London ; 
where  I  continued  about  two  months,  visiting  meetings,  and  labouring  to 
get  relief  for  friends  from  their  sufferings,  which  yet  lay  heavy  upon 
them  in  many  parts  of  the  nation.  I  also  wrote  several  papers  relating 
to  the  service  of  truth,  one  of  which  was  concerning  order  in  the  church 
of  God,  which  some  that  were  gone  out  of  the  unity  of  friends  did  much 
oppose.     It  was  as  followeth : 

'  Among   all  societies,  or  families,  or  nations  of  people  in  the  world, 

*  they  have  among  them  some  sort  of  order.     There  was  the  order  of 

*  Aaron  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  there  was  the  order  of  Melchisedeck 
'  before  that,  after  whose  order  Christ  Jesus  came,  and  he  did  not  despise 
'  that  order.  God  is  a  God  of  order  in  his  whole  creation,  and  in  his 
'  church ;  and  all  believers  in  the  light,  the  life  in  Christ,  that  pass  from 
'  death  to  life,  are  in  the  order  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  power,  light,  life,  and 

*  government  of  Christ  Jesus,  of  the  increase  whereof  there  is  no  end. 
'  This  is  a  mystery  to  all  those  disorderly  people,  who  have  written  and 
'  printed  so  much  against  order,  which  the  Lord's  power  and  Spirit  hath 
'  brought  forth  among  his  people.  And  you  that  cry  so  much  against 
'  order,  is  it  not  manifest  that  you  are  gone  into  a  land  of  darkness, 

*  thick  as  darkness  itself,  and  of  the  shadow  of  death,  into  disorder,  and 
'  where  the  light  is  as  darkness  1     Is  not  this  your  condition  seen  by  all 

*  them  that  live  and  walk  in  the  truth,  and  whose  conversations  are  ac- 
'  cording  to  the  gospel  of  life  and  salvation  ? 

'  The  devil,  Satan,  dragon,  the  first  and  second  beast,  the  whore  and 
'  false  prophets,  and  their  worshippers  and  followers,  all  are  out  of  the 
'  truth,  abode  not  in  it,  nor  in  the  order  of  it :  and  the  truth  is  over  them 
'  all.  In  Salem  is  God's  tabernacle ;  and  his  tabernacle  is  in  Shiloh  : 
'  these  are  far  beyond  the  tabernacles  of  Ham,  Psalm  Ixxvi.  and  Ixxviii. 

'  All  the  figures  and  shadows  were  and  are  comprehended  in  time  ; 
'  but  Christ  the  substance  is  the  beginning  and  the  ending.  And  all  trials, 

*  troubles,  persecutions,  and  temptations  came  up  in  time :  but  the  Lord's 
'power,  which  is  everlasting,  is  over  all  such  things;  in  which  is  safety. 

'  The  black  world  of  darkness  lieth  in  wickedness,  and  by  their  wis- 

*  dom  know  not  God  that  made  the  world  and  all  things  tlierein:  for  the 
'  god  of  the  world  and  prince  of  the  air  ruleth  in  the  hearts  of  all  that 

*  disobey  the  living  God  who  made  them.     So  the  god  of  this  wicked 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  583 

*  world  hath  blinded  the  eyes  of  the  infidels  or  heathen ;  so  that  this 

*  wicked  world  by  their  wisdom  doth  not  know  the  living  God. 

'  In  the  Old  Testament  the  Lord  said,  "  With  all  thy  offerings  thou 
"  shalt  offer  salt,"  Levit.  ii.  13.  And  Christ  saith  in  his  new  covenant, 
"  Every  one  shall  be  salted  with  fire,  and  every  sacrifice  shall  be  salted 
"  with  salt.  Salt  is  good ;  but  if  the  salt  have  lost  its  saltness,  wherewith 
"  will  you  season  it  1  Have  salt  in  yourselves,  and  have  peace  one  with 
«  another,"  Mark  ix.  48,  49,  50. 

'  We  have  received  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  earnest  of 
'  the  inheritance  that  fadeth  not  away.  For  God  poureth  out  of  his  Spirit 
'  upon  all  flesh.     It  is  God's  Spirit,  which  is  above  our  natural  spirit,  by 

*  which  alone  we  do  not  know  God ;  for  it  is  by  the  Spirit  of  God  that 
'  we  know  the  things  of  God.  And  the  Spirit  of  God  doth  witness  to  our 
'  souls  and  spirits,  that  itself  is  the  earnest  of  an  eternal  inheritance. 
"  God  opens  his  people's  ears  to  discipline,  and  commands  that  they  turn 
"  from  iniquity.  If  they  obey  and  serve  him,  they  shall  spend  their  days 
"  in  prosperity,  and  their  years  in  pleasure :  but  if  they  obey  him  not, 
"  they  shall  perish  by  the  sword,  and  they  shall  die  without  knowledge," 
'Job  xxxvi.  10,  11,  12.  So  the  disobedient,  that  do  not  turn  from  their 
'  iniquity,  have  not  this  prosperity  and  pleasure ;  but  die  without  the 
'  knowledge  of  God ;  and  their  ears  are  shut  to  this  discipline,  which  God 

*  opens  to  his  people.  G.  F.' 

When  I  had  been  about  two  months  in  London,  I  was  sent  for  to  my 
son  Rouse's  at  Kingston,  to  visit  a  daughter  of  his,  who  at  that  time  lay 
very  sick ;  but  recovered.  Whilst  I  staid  there,  I  had  several  meetings 
with  friends :  and  returning  by  Hammersmith,  staid  the  first-day  meet- 
ing there,  which  was  large  and  peaceable.  Having  visited  friends  there- 
abouts, I  came  back  to  London  again ;  being  very  intent  upon  the  busi- 
ness of  getting  redress  for  suffering  friends.  In  this  and  other  services 
I  continued  at  London  till  the  latter  end  of  the  eleventh  month ;  save  that 
I  went  to  visit  an  ancient  friend  at  Bethnal-Green,  with  whom  I  tarried 
three  or  four  days.  While  I  was  there,  I  was  much  exercised,  in  the 
sense  of  the  enemy's  working,  to  draw  from  the  holy  way  of  truth  into 
a  false  liberty,  and  so  into  the  world's  ways  and  worships  again.  And 
the  example  of  the  backsliding  Jews  coming  before  me,  I  was  moved  to 
write  the  following,  as  a  warning  to  all  such : 

*  You  may  see,  when  the  Jews  rebelled  against  the  good  Spirit  of  God, 

*  which  he  gave  to  instruct  them,  they  forsook  him  and  his  law,  way, 
'  and  worship,  went  a  whoring  after  Balaam's  ways,  and  became  like  the 
"  wild  ass's  colt,  snuffing  up  the  wind,"  Jer.  ii.  24.  In  Jer.  iii.  see  how 
'  Judah  played  the  harlot  under  every  green  tree,  and  upon  every  high 
'  mountain ;  therefore  the  Lord  divorced  Judah,  as  he  had  divorced  Is- 
'  rael  when  she  forsook  his  way,  and  followed  the  ways  of  the  heathen. 
'  Though  the  Lord  had  fed  them  to  the  full,  yet  they  "  forsook  him,  com- 
*'  miffed  adultery,  and  assembled  themselves  together  in  harlots'  houses," 

*  Jer.  V.  7.  "  And  with  their  whoredom  they  defiled  the  land,  and  com- 
"  mitted  adultery  with  stocks  and  stones,"  Jer.  iii.  9.  Here  you  may  see, 
'  when  they  forsook  the  living,  eternal  God,  they  followed  the  religions 
'  and  worships  of  other  nations,  whose  gods  were  made  of  stocks  and 

*  stones,  which  the  Jews  worshipped,  and  committed  adultery  withal. 

*  When  they  forsook  the  living  God,  and  his  way  and  worship,  they  for- 

*  sook  the  worship  at  Jerusalem  at  the  temple,  and  followed  the  heathens' 


584  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1685 

*  worships  in  the  mountains  and  fields :  So  it  was  called  adultery  and 

*  whoredom,  to  join  with  other  religions,  and  forsake  God,  Jer.  xiii.  27. 

'  And  now,  if  the  children  of  the  New  Jerusalem  that  is  above  would 

*  forsake  the  worship  that  Christ  in  his  New  Testament  set  up,  (which  is 

*  in  Spirit  and  in  truth)  and  follow  the  worship  of  nations,  which  men 

*  have  set  up ;  will  not  they  commit  adultery  with  them,  in  forsaking 
'  God's  worship,  and  Christ  the  new  and  living  way  ? 

'  In  Jer.  xliv.  ye  may  see  how  the  children  of  Judah  provoked  the 

*  Lord  against  them,  by  worshipping  the  works  of  their  own  hands,  and 

*  following  the  gods  of  the  land  of  Egypt.     In  this  they  committed  adVil- 

*  tery,  forsaking  the  living  God,  their  husband,  and  his  worship ;  and 
'  there  ye  may  see  God's  judgments  pronounced  against  them  to  their 

*  destruction.     What  will  become  of  those  that  forsake  the  worship  in 

*  Spirit  and  truth,  which  Christ  set  up ;  and  worship  the  works  of  their 
'  own  hands  in  spiritual  Egypt,  and  follow  spiritual  Egypt's  will-worship, 

*  which  they  invented  ?  May  not  this  be  called  whoredom  in  them  that 
'  forsake  Christ,  the  new  and  living  way,  his  pure  religion,  and  the  wor- 
'  ship  that  he  hath  set  up?  And  they  that  forsake  the  Lord's  way  and 

*  his  worship,  and  follow  the  world's  ways  and  worships,  do  not  they, 

*  whose  way  they  follow,  become  at  last  their  enemies?  as  in  Lament.  1. 
'  See  how  the  Jews  forsook  the  Lord's  way  and  worship,  and  doted  on 
'  other  lovers  (the  Assyrians.  &c.)  and  with  all  their  idols  were  defiled  ; 
'  and  how  they  retained  the  whoredoms  brought  from  Egypt,  and  were 
'  polluted  with  the  Babylonians'  bed :  read  Ezek.  xxiii.  When  they  for- 
'  sook  the  Lord,  his  way,  and  worship,  and  followed  the  way  and  wor- 
'  ship  of  the  heathen ;  then  it  was  said,  "  They  went  a  whoring  after 
"  others,  and  committed  adultery  with  them." 

'  Ye  may  see  Ezek.  xvi.  the  state  of  the  Jews  was  likened  to  that  of 
'  their  sister  Sodom,  which  had  played  the  harlot  with  the  Assyrians, 
'  committed  fornication  with  the  Egyptians,  and  increased  their  whore- 

*  doms,  in  following  their  abominable  idols ;  therefore  the  Lord  carried 
'  away  the  two  tribes,  that  forsook  him,  into  Babylon ;  see  Ezek.  xvii.  20. 

*  And  they  that  forsake  Christ,  the  new  and  living  Way,  and  the  worship 
'  of  God  in  Spirit  and  truth,  which  Christ  set  up  in  his  New  Testament, 
'  go  into  captivity  in  spiritual  Babylon. 

'  Hosea  ii.  you  may  see  how  the  prophet  discovers  the  whoredoms  and 
'  idolatry  of  the  Jews  who  forsook  the  Lord,  and  compares  them  to  an 
'  harlot.  And  in  chap.  iii.  ye  may  see  the  destruction  threatened  against 
'  the  Jews  for  their  impiety  and  idolatry.  In  ch.  ix.  also  the  distress  and 
'  captivity  of  the  Jews  is  threatened  for  their  sins  and  idolatry ;  and 
'  again  they  are  reproved  and  threatened  for  their  impiety  and  idolatry, 
'  Hos.  X.     This  was  for  forsaking  the  Lord  and  his  way,  and  following 

*  the  ways  of  their  own  inventions,  and  the  ways  of  the  heathen. 

'  Doth  not  Isaiah  say,  "  That  the  Lord  would  visit  Tyre,  and  that  she 
"  should  commit  fornication  with  all  the  kingdoms  upon  the  face  of  the 
"  earth  ?"  therefore  the  Lord  threatened  destruction  upon  her,  ch.  xxiii. 
'  In  ch.  Ivii.  you  may  see  how  the  Lord  reproved  the  Jews  for  their 
'  whorish  idolatry,  saying,  "  Upon  an  high  and  lofty  mountain  hast  thou 
"  set  thy  bed,  even  thither  wentest  thou  up  to  offer  sacrifices.  Thou 
"  hast  enlarged  thy  bed,  and  made  a  covenant  with  them,  thou  lovest 
"  their  bed  where  thou  sawest  it."  This  was  a  joining  to  the  heathen's 
'  religions,  altars,  and  sacrifices,  and  forsaking  the  Lord's  altar  and  sacri- 
'  fices,  which  he  commanded  in  the  law ;  and  therefore  that  was  com- 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  585 

'  mitting  whoredom  with  the  heathen,  and  a  going  into  their  beds  from 
'  the  Living  God  that  made  them.    And  now  in  the  New  Testament  God 

*  having  "  poured  his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,"  that  by  it  all  might  come 
'  to  be  a  "  royal  priesthood,  to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices  to  God  by  Je- 
"  sus  Christ ;"  all  that  err  from  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  rebel  against  it, 
'  are  not  like  to  offer  spiritual  sacrifices  to  God ;  the  sacrifice  of  such 
'  God  doth  not  accept,  no  more  than  he  did  that  of  the  heathens  or  the 
'  Jews,  who  rebelled  against  his  good  Spirit  that  he  gave  them  to  instruct 

*  them. 

'  You  may  see  in  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th  chapters  of  the  Revelation 
'  the  punishment  of  the  great  whore,  Babylon,  the  mother  of  harlots,  and 
'  the  victory  of  the  Lamb,  and  how  he  calleth  God's  people  out  of  Baby- 

*  Ion ;  for  "  in  her  was  found  the  blood  of  the  prophets,  and  of  the  saints, 
"  and  of  all  that  w^ere  slain  upon  the  earth."  There  ye  may  read  her 
'judgment  and  downfall.  This  whore  are  they  that  are  whored  from  the 
'  Spirit  of  God,  and  so  from  God,  from  his  holy  worship  in  spirit  and 
'  truth,  from  the  pure  undefiled  rehgion  that  keeps  from  the  spots  of  the 
'  world,  from  the  new  and  living  way  of  Christ  Jesus ;  these  are  whored 
'  from  the  Spirit  of  God  into  false  religions,  ways,  and  worships,  and  so 
'  have  corrupted  the  earth  with  her  abominations.  But  her  judgment  and 

*  downfal  are  seen,  over  whom  Christ  hath  the  victory ;  and  the  mar- 
'  riage  of  the  Lamb  is  come,  glory  to  the  Lord  for  ever !  And  God's 

*  pure  religion,  and  pure  worship  in  Spirit  and  truth  Christ  hath  set  up, 
'  as  it  was  in  the  apostles'  days.  Hallelujah.  G.  F.' 

I  soon  returned  to  London,  but  made  no  long  stay  there,  my  body  not 
being  able  to  bear  the  closeness  of  the  city  long  together.  While  I  was 
in  town,  besides  the  usual  services  of  '  visiting  friends,  and  taking  care 
'about  their  sufferings  to  get  them  eased,'  I  assisted  the  friends  of  the 
city  in  distributing  certain  sums  of  money,  which  our  friends  of  Ireland 
had  charitably  and  very  liberally  raised,  and  sent  over  hither  for  the  re- 
lief of  their  brethren  who  suffered  for  the  testimony  of  a  good  con- 
science ;  which  monies  were  distributed  amongst  poor  suffering  friends 
in  the  several  counties  in  proportion,  according  as  we  understood  their 
need. 

Before  I  left  the  city,  I  heard  of  a  great  doctor  lately  come  from  Po- 
land, whom  I  invited  to  my  lodging,  and  had  a  great  deal  of  discourse 
with  him.  After  I  had  informed  myself  by  him  of  such  things  as  I  had 
a  desire  to  know,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  the  king  of  Poland  on  behalf  of 
friends  at  Dantzick,  who  had  long  been  under  grievous  sufferings.  A 
copy  whereof  follows : 

'  To  John  the  third,  king  of  Poland,  great  duke  of  Lithuania,  Russia, 
'  and  Prussia,  defender  of  the  city  of  Dantzick,  &c. 

'  Concerning  the  innocent  and  afflicted  people  in  scorn  called  Qua- 
'  kers,  who  are  now  fed  with  bread  and  water  in  Bridewell  of  the 
*  aforesaid  city,  under  close  confinement,  where  their  friends, 
'  wives,  and  children  are  hardly  suffered  to  come  to  see  them. 

'  Oh  king ! 
'  The  magistrates  of  the  city  of  Dantzick  say  it  is  thy  order  and  com- 

*  mand  that  these  innocent  and  afflicted  people  should  suffer  such  oppres- 

*  sion.     Now  this  punishment  is  inflicted  upon  them  only  because  they 

3  Y 


586  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [I6S5 

*  come  together  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  their  Redeemer  and  Sa- 
'  viour,  who  died  for  their  sins,  and  is  risen  from  the  dead  for  their  justi- 
'  fication,  who  is  their  prophet,  whom  God  hath  raised  up  Hke  unto  Mo- 
'  ses ;  whom  they  ought  to  hear  in  all  things  in  this  day  of  the  gospel  and 
'  new  covenant ;  who  went  astray  like  scattered  sheep,  but  now  are  re- 
'  turned  to  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  their  Souls,  1  Pet.  ii.  25, 
"  Who  has  given  his  life  for  his  sheep,  and  they  hear  his  voice  and  follow 
"  him ;"  who  leads  them  into  his  "  pastures  of  life,"  John  x. 

'  Now,  O  king !  I  understand  thou  openly  professest  Christianity,  and 
'  the  great  and  mighty  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  King  of  kings  and 

*  Lord  of  lords,  to  whom  is  given  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth,  who 

*  rules  all  nations  with  a  rod  of  iron.  Therefore,  O  king,  it  seems  hard 
'  to  us,  that  any  who  openly  confess  Christ  Jesus  (yea  the  magistrates  of 

*  Dantzick  do  the  same)  should  inflict  those  punishments  upon  an  innocent 

*  and  harmless  people,  by  reason  of  their  tender  consciences  only,  be- 

*  cause  they  come  together  to  serve  and  worship  the  Eternal  God,  who 

*  made  them,  in  Spirit  and  in  truth ;  which  worship  Christ  Jesus  has  set 
'  up  sixteen  hundred  years  ago,  as  we  read  in  John  iv.  23,  24. 

'  I  beseech  the  king  that  he  would  consider,  whether  Christ  in  the  New 
'  Testament  ever  gave  such  a  command  to  his  apostles  that  they  should 
'  shut  up  any  in  prison,  and  feed  them  with  bread  and  water,  who  were 
'  not  conformable  in  every  particular  to  their  religion,  faith,  and  wor- 

*  ship  ?  Where  did  the  apostles  exercise  such  things  in  the  true  church 
'  after  Christ's  ascension  1  Is  not  this  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the  apos- 
'  ties,  that  Christ's  followers  should  love  their  enemies,  and  pray  for  them 
'  that  hate,  persecute,  and  "  despitefully  use  them  ?"  Mat.  v. 

'  Is  it  not  a  shame  to  Christendom  among  the  Turks  and  others,  that 
'  one  Christian  should  persecute  another  for  the  doctrine  of  faith,  wor- 
'  ship,  and  religion  ?  They  cannot  prove  that  Christ  ever  gave  them  such 
'  a  command,  whom  they  profess  to  be  their  Lord  and  Master.  For 
'  Christ  says,  that  his  believers  and  followers  should  "  love  one  another  ;'* 
'  and  by  this  they  should  be  known  to  be  his  disciples.  And  did  not 
'  Christ  reprove  those  who  would  have  "  fire  to  come  down  from  hea- 
"  ven"  to  destroy  them  who  would  not  receive  him  ?  Did  not  he  tell  them, 
"  they  did  not  know  what  spirit  they  were  of?"  Have  all  who  have  per- 

*  secuted  men,  or  taken  away  their  lives  because  they  would  not  receive 

*  their  religion,  known  what  spirit  they  were  or  are  of?  Is  it  not  good 
'  for  all  to  know  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ  what  spirit  they  are  of?  The 
'  apostle  says,  Rom.  viii.  9.  "  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
"  he  is  none  of  his."  And  2  Cor.  x.  4.  "  The  weapons  of  our  warfare 
"  are  not  carnal,  but  spiritual,  &c.  We  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and 
•'  blood,  but  against  spiritual  wickedness,"  &c.  Thus  we  see,  the  fight 
'  of  the  first  Christians  and  their  weapons  in  the  days  of  the  apostles  were 
'  spiritual. 

'  Would  not  the  king  and  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick  think  it  con- 

*  trary  to  their  consciences,  if  they  should  be  forced  by  the  Turk  to  his 
'  religion  ?  Would  it  not  in  like  manner  seem  hard  to  the  magistrates  of 
'  Dantzick,  and  contrary  to  their  consciences,  if  they  should  be  forced 

*  to  the  religion  of  the  king  of  Poland  ?  or  the  king  of  Poland,  if  he 
'  should  be  compelled  to  the  religion  of  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick  ? 

*  And  if  they  would  not  be  subject  thereunto,  that  they  should  be  ban- 
'  ished  from  their  wives  and  families,  and  out  of  their  native  country,  or 

*  otherwise  be  fed  with  bread  and  water  under  strict  confinement  ? 


1585]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  587 

'  We  beseech  the  king  with  all  Christian  humihty,  and  the  magistrates 

*  of  Dantzick,  that  tliey  would  order  their  proceedings  in  this  matter  ac- 
'  cording  to  the  royal  law  of  God,  which  is,  "  to  do  unto  others  as  they 
*'  would  have  others  do  unto  them,  and  to  love  their  neighbour  as  them- 
"  selves."  For  we  have  this  charity,  that  we  hope  and  believe  the  king 
'  of  Poland  and  his  people,  with  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick,  own  the 
'  writings  of  the  New  Testament  as  well  as  of  the  Old ;  therefore  we  be- 

*  seech  the  king  and  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick,  to  take  heed  that  their 

*  work  of  imprisoning  an  innocent  people,  for  nothing  but  their  meeting 
'  together  in  tenderness  of  conscience  to  serve  and  worship  God,  their 

*  Creator,  may  not  be  contrary  and  opposite  to  the  royal  law  of  God,  and 
'  to  the  glorious  and  everlasting  gospel  of  truth. 

'  We  desire  tiie  king,  in  Christian  love,  earnestly  and  weightily  to  con- 
'  sider  these  things,  aud  to  give  order  to  set  the  innocent  prisoners,  our 
'  friends,  called  Quakers,  at  liberty  from  their  strict  confinement  in  Dant- 
'  zick,  that  they  may  have  freedom  to  serve  and  worship  the  Living  God 
'  in  Spirit  and  in  truth,  and  go  home  to  their  habitations,  and  follow  their 

*  trades  and  calling,  to  maintain  their  wives,  children  and  families.  And 
'  we  believe  that  the  king,  in  doing  such  a  noble,  glorious,  yea  Christian 
'  work,  will  not  go  unrewarded  from  the  Great  God  who  made  him, 
'  whom  we  serve  and  worship,  who  has  the  hearts  of  kings,  and  their 

*  Uves  and  length  of  days  in  his  hand. 

'  From  him  who  desires  the  king  and  all  his  ministers  may  be  preserv- 

*  ed  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  receive  his  word  of  wisdom,  by  which 

*  all  things  were  made  and  created,  that  by  it  he  may  come  to  order 
'  all  things  to  the  glory  of  God,  which  God  has  put  under  his  hand ; 
'  that  both  he  and  they  may  enjoy  the  comforts  and  blessings  of  the 

*  Lord  in  this  life,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come  life  eternal,  Amen. 

'  G.  F.' 
*  London,  the  10th  of  the  3d  month, 
'  commonly  called  May,  1685.' 

'  POSTSCRIPT. 

'  The  king  may  please  to  consider  that  his  and  all  men's  consciences 

*  are  the  prerogative  of  God.' 

After  this  I  went  into  Enfield,  where,  and  in  the  country  thereabouts 
several  friends  had  country-houses,  amongst  whom  I  tarried  some  time 
visiting  and  being  visited  by  friends,  and  having  meetings  with  them. 
Several  things  I  wrote  in  this  time  relating  to  the  service  of  truth,  one 
whereof  was  concerning  judging ;  for  some,  who  had  departed  from  the 
truth,  were  so  afraid  of  truth's  judgment,  that  they  made  it  much  of  their 
business  to  cry  out  against  judging.  Wherefore  I  wrote  a  paper,  prov- 
ing by  the  scriptures  of  truth,  that  the  church  of  Christ  hath  power  and 
ability  to  judge  those  that  profess  to  be  of  it,  not  only  with  respect  to 
outward  things  relating  to  this  world,  but  with  respect  to  religious  mat- 
ters also.     A  copy  of  which  follows : 

Concerning  Judging. 

"  The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for 
"  they  are  foolishness  to  him,  neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they 
"  are  spiritually  discerned ;  but  he  that  is  spiritual  judgeth  all  things 
"=  (mark)  all  things,  yet  he  himself  is  judged  of  no  man,"  1  Cor.  ii.  14,  15. 


588  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1685 

*  So  the  natural  man  cannot  judge  of  those  things  he  receives  not,  for 
'  they  are  fooHshness  to  him ;  but  he  is  comprehended  by  the  spiritual 
'  man,  and  his  foolishness,  and  is  judged,  though  he  cannot  judge  the 
'  spiritual  man. 

"Do  not  ye  judge  them  that  are  within?"  saith  the  apostle.  This 
'  power  the  church  had  and  hath,  "  therefore  put  away  from  amongst 
"  yourselves  that  wicked  person."     Did  not  this  wicked  person,  think 

*  you,  profess  and  plead  for  hberty  for  his  wickedness,  and  his  freedom, 
'  as  he  was  a  Christian,  who  was  looked  upon  as  a  member  of  the  church? 

'  The  apostle  saith,  "For  I  verily,  as  absent  in  body,  yet  present  in 
"  Spirit,  have  judged  already,  as  though  I  were  present,  concerning  him 
"  that  hath  done  this  wicked  deed,"  1  Cor.  v.  3.  12.  Here  the  apostle 
'  did  judge,  though  afar  ofi',  and  set  up  judgment  in  the  church  against 

*  false  liberty,  under  what  pretence  soever  it  was. 

'  And  the  apostle  saith,  "  Dare  any  of  you,  having  a  matter  against  a 
"  brotJier,  go  to  law  before  the  unjust  and  not  before  the  saints  ?"  Here 
'  the  saints,  the  church,  are  to  judge  of  things  amongst  themselves,  and 
'  not  the  unjust  to  judge  of  their  matters.  "  Do  ye  not  know  the  saints 
"  shall  judge  the  world  ?"  So  the  saints  are  to  judge  the  unjust,  and  not 
'  the  unjust  to  judge  their  matters. 

'  And  farther  the  apostle  saith,  "  If  the  world  shall  be  judged  by  you 
"  (to  wit,  the  saints)  are  you  unworthy  to  judge  the  smaller  matters 
"  amongst  you  ?" 

'  It  is  clear  that  the  saints  have  a  judgment  given  them  of  Christ,  by 
'  his  power  and  Spirit,  light  and  wisdom,  to  judge  the  world,  and  not  to 

*  carry  their  matters  before  the  unjust,  but  to  judge  of  them  amongst 
'  themselves;  and  if  they  carry  them  before  the  unjust,  they  shew  their 
'  unworthiness  of  the  saints'  judgment. 

'  Again,  "  Know  ye  not,  that  we  shall  judge  the  angels  ?  (and  angels 
"  are  spirits)  how  much  more  the  things  which  pertain  to  this  life  ? 

"  If  ye  then  have  judgment  of  things  pertaining  to  this  life,  set  them 
"  up  to  judge  who  have  least  esteem  in  the  church,"  1  Cor.  iv.  6.  Here 
'  it  is  clear  the  church  of  Christ  has  a  judgment  in  the  power  and  Spirit 
'  of  God,  not  only  to  judge  in  "  things  that  pertain  to  this  life  ;"  but  also 
'  to  judge  of  things  betwixt  brethren,  without  brother  going  to  law  with 

*  brother  before  unbelievers ;  which  w^as  a  fault,  and  to  be  judged,  if 
'  they  did  so. 

'  But  all  the  saints  have  a  judgment  to  judge  angels  that  kept  not  their 

*  habitations,  and  the  world.  Jude  "judged  the  angels  that  kept  not  their 
"  habitations,  their  first  state."  Did  not  he  judge  in  divine  matters  here? 
'  He  judged  the  state  of  Cain,  Balaam,  and  Core,  and  such  Christians  as 

*  were  got  into  their  steps,  and  were  gone  as  far  as  they,  though  they 
'  professed  themselves  Christians  ?  Here  again  he  judged  in  divine  mat- 
'  ters,  and  of  their  states  and  beings,  who  stood  in  the  divine  principle, 

*  and  who  were  fallen  from  it. 

'  The  aposde  saith,  "  Try  the  spirits,  and  beheve  not  every  spirit,"  1 
'  John  4.  Here  again  was  a  judgment  in  divine  matters ;  and  he  judged 
'  such  as  went  out  from  them,  which  whilst  they  were  with  them  they 
'  had  sight  of  things  and  openings,  but  when  they  went  from  them,  they 
'  went  from  the  anointing;  therefore  he  exhorts  the  saints  to  keep  to  the 

*  anointing.  Such  as  went  from  them  that  had  the  anointing,  came  to  be 
'  the  seducers  and  false  prophets  that  went  into  the  world. 

*  John  had  a  judgment  to  try  sacrifices,  and  distinguished  Cain's  from 


1686]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  589 

'  Abel's,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God  knew  which  God  accepted,  and  which 

*  he  did  not  accept,  1  John  iii.  12.  Paul  judged  and  tried  such  messen- 
'  gers  and  apostles,  and  transformers  of  themselves  like  to  the  apostles 
'  of  Christ,  and  would  have  the  church  to  try  such,  and  have  the  same 
'  judgment  as  he  had,  2  Cor.  xi. 

'  Peter  judged  Ananias  and  Sapphira,  and  the  thoughts  of  Simon  Ma- 
'  gus,  who  would  have  been  a  worker  of  miracles  for  money.  Was  not 
'  all  this  judgment  in  divine  matters  1  The  apostle  Paul  judged  the 
'  preachers  of  circumcision  both  in  the  Romans  and  Galatians,  For  it 
'  was  the  faith  and  liberty  of  those  preachers  to  preach  up  circumcision, 
'  though  it  was  a  wrong  faith.  Did  not  the  apostle  here  again  judge  in 
'  divine  matters  1 

'  James  judged  in  matters  of  faith,  and  manifested  the  living  faith  from 

*  the  dead  one.  He  also  judged  in  matters  of  religion,  the  vain  religion 
'  from  the  pure  religion,  and  distinguished  them. 

'  Paul  judged  of  the  "  false  brethren  that  would  spy  out  the  liberty  of 
"  the  true,  to  whom  he  would  give  no  place  by  subjection,  no  not  for  an 
"  hour,  that  the  truth  of  the  gospel  might  continue  with  the  saints,"  Gal. 
'  ii.  Did  not  the  apostle  here  judge  in  divine  matters  1  And  he  judged 
'  concerning  the  matters  of  the  gospel,  when  some  came  to  pervert  them 
'  with  another  gospel,  and  said,  "  The  gospel  which  I  received  is  not  of 
"  man,  neither  was  I  taught  it,  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ," 
'  Gal.  i.  12.  So  here  was  a  judgment  to  distinguish  the  gospel  of  Christ 
'  from  all  other  gospels  which  were  accursed,  which  after  man  are  re- 
'  ceived  of  man,  and  taught  of  man,  and  not  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus 
'  Christ,  Gal.  i.  And  he  had  judgment  to  know,  "  Who  made  the  gospel 
"  chargeable,  and  who  kept  it  without  charge." 

'  He  set  up  a  judgment  in  the  church,  that  the  believers  should  not  be 

*  unequally  yoked,  and  to  see  when  men  had  a  communion  in  the  light, 
'  and  when  they  had  it  in  darkness,  when  with  Christ  and  when  with 
'  Baal,  with  the  believer  and  unbeliever,  with  the  temple  of  God  and  with 
'  Idols,  as  in  2  Cor.  6.  Did  he  not  set  up  a  clear  judgment  here  in  divine 
'  matters  in  the  church? 

'  And  the  apostle  judged  such  libertines  through  their  knowledge  that 
'  could  sit  at  meat  in  the  idol-temple,  which  caused  the  weak  brother  to 
'  perish,  through  his  knowledge  and  liberty,  for  whom  Christ  died. 
'  These,  it  is  like,  did  profess  it  was  their  faith  and  their  liberty,  yet  did 
'  not  keep  in  the  unity  of  the  true  faith,  but  went  astray  to  destroy  it, 
'  1  Cor.  viii. 

*  Peter  gives  judgment  upon  the  angels  that  sinned  and  were  cast  down 
'  into  hell,  of  the  state  of  the  old  world,  and  of  Sodom,  and  the  state  of 

*  the  false  prophets  then  amongst  them,  that  could  speak  great  sweUing 
'  words  of  vanity,  and  whilst  they  promised  them  liberty  were  themselves 
'  the  servants  of  corruption.  Had  not  Peter  here  a  judgment  in  divine 
'  matters  1  These  were  such,  whose  work  was  to  bring  into  bondage, 
'  being  like  the  dog  and  sow  that  M'ere  washed ;  which  shews  that  they 
'  had  been  washed,  but  were  turned  into  the  mire  again.  The  apostle 
'  Paul  had  a  judgment  upon  such  with  their  fair  words  and  men's  wis- 

*  dom,  that  deceived  the  hearts  of  the  simple,  and  upon  such  as  "  served 
"  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  their  own  bellies,  and  were  enemies  to 
"  the  cross  of  Christ."  He  had  a  judgment  and  discerning  who  lived  in 
'  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  who  did  not,  and  exhorted  all  to  live  in  the  cross 

*  of  Christ,  the  righteous  power  of  God,  that  slew  all  deceit  and  the  deeds 


590  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1685 

*  of  the  old  man ;  agreeable  to  Christ's  words,  "  He  that  will  be  my  dis- 
*'  ciple,  must  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me."     Was  not  here  a  judg- 

*  ment  again  in  divine  matters,  of  such  as  walked  in  the  divine  power, 

*  and  such  as  did  not  1 

'  Christ  sets  up  a  judgment  in  his  seven  churches,  and  commends  them 

*  that  did  keep  in  his  judgment,  and  had  tried  them  which  said,  "  They 
"  were  apostles,"  who  might  pretend  they  were  sent  of  God  and  Christ, 

*  and  were  not ;  but  the  Church  of  Christ  had  found  them  liars.     Christ 

*  commended  this  judgment  of  the  church  of  Ephesus,  because  they  had 
"  not  borne  with  them  that  were  evil,  but  had  tried  those  false  apostles ;" 

*  and  Christ  commends  this  church,  for  that  they  had  "  hated  the  deeds 
"  of  the  Nicolaitans,  which  he  also  hated ;"  and  had  not  these  Nicolai- 

*  tans  sprung  from  Nicholas,  one  of  the  deacons  1  and  were  not  those  be- 

*  come  a  sect  of  Christians  ?  Though  they  might  talk  and  preach  of  Christ, 

*  yet  Christ  hated  their  doctrine. 

'  Christ  saith  to  the  Church  of  Smyrna,  "  I  know  the  blasphemy  of 
*'  them  which  say  they  are  Jews,  and  are  not ;  but  are  of  the  synagogue 
"  of  Satan."     So  the  Church  is  to  have  a  judgment  upon  these  blasphe- 

*  mers,  and  are  to  distinguish  the  Jews  in  the  Spirit  from  such  as  are  not, 

*  but  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan. 

'  The  Church  in  Pergamos  Christ  had  a  "  few  things  against,  because," 

*  said  he,  "  thou  hast  there  them  that  hold  the  doctrines  of  Balaam,  &c. 
■"  And  also  them  that  hold  the  doctrine  of  the  Nicolaitans,  which  I  hate." 
^  These  that  held  the  doctrine  of  Balaam,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  Nico- 
^  laitans,  were  got  into  the  church,  and  might  look  upon  themselves  to  be 
■*  high  Christians,  and  take  great  liberty  to  go  into  Balaam's  and  Nicho- 

*  las's  doctrine,  which  was  hated  by  Christ ;  but  the  church  was  to  keep 
'  a  spiritual  and  divine  judgment  upon  the  heads  of  all  these. 

'  To  the  church  of  Thyatira,  saith  Christ,  "  I  have  a  few  things  against 
"  thee,  because  thou  sufferest  the  woman  Jezebel  to  teach,  which  seduces 
*'  my  people,"  &c.     Here  was  a  suffering  which  should  have  been  a 

*  judgment  by  Christ's  Spirit  upon  that  Jezebel  which  was  erred  from  his 

*  Spirit,  and  so  from  Christ.  Such  as  these  were  high  preachers.  Is 
-*  not  the  church  to  beware  of  suffering  such  now,  lest  she  should  come 
'  under  the  reproof  of  Christ  for  not  passing  judgment  against  the  false 

*  teacher  and  seducer  1 

*  The  church  of  Sardis  "  had  a  name  to  live,  but  was  dead,  and  her 
"  works  were  not  found  perfect  before  God."  There  is  a  judgment  to  be 
'  set  up  in  the  church,  to  judge  all  imperfect  works,  and  such  as  would 

*  have  a  name,  but  not  the  nature ;  a  name  to  live  yet  are  dead.  The 
'  living  of  every  member  of  the  true  church  must  be  in  Christ  their  hfe. 

*  These  hving  members  live  to  his  name.  This  church  had  a  few  names, 
*'  who  had  not  defiled  their  garments,  that  did  walk  in  white ;"  but  such 

*  as  have  a  name  to  live  but  are  dead,  whilst  they  are  in  a  dead  state 

*  cannot  walk  in  white,  nor  judge  in  divine  matters.     "  Behold,"  said 

*  Christ,  "  I  will  make  them  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan,  which  say  they 
*'  are  Jews,  but  are  not,  but  do  he ;  behold,  I  will  make  them  to  come 
"  and  to  worship  before  thy  feet." 

*  And  to  the  church  of  Laodicea,  that  was  "  neither  hot  nor  cold,  but 
"  lukewarm ;  I  would  thou  wert  either  hot  or  cold :  I  will  spew  thee  out 
"  of  my  mouth,  because  thou  saidst  thou  wast  rich,  and  wanted  nothing ;" 

*  when  they  were  "  wretched,  miserable,  poor,  blind,  and  naked."     This 

*  was  for  want  of  living  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  Christ.     These  could 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  591 

talk  of  high  experiences  and  great  enjoyments,  but  were  naked,  miser- 
able, and  blind ;  so  lived  not  in  the  power,  Spirit,  light,  and  righteousness 
of  Christ,  by  which  they  might  be  clothed,  and  have  the  eternal  riches. 
So  the  church  of  Christ  had  a  spiritual  judgment  given  to  them  that  are 
faithful  in  his  power  and  Spirit  and  light,  to  judge  of  temporal  things 
and  the  things  of  this  life,  and  to  judge  of  eternal  and  divine  things  and 
states,  and  of  angels  and  wicked  men,  and  such  as  go  from  truth,  and 
of  the  states  of  election  and  reprobation,  yea  and  of  the  devils  who  are 
out  of  truth ;  these  being  in  Christ  Jesus  who  is  the  First  and  Last,  from 
whom  they  have  the  eternal  judgment,  to  judge  eternal,  spiritual,  and 
divine  things ;  and  in  this  word  of  power  and  wisdom,  by  which  all 
things  were  made  and  are  upheld,  to  order  all  things  to  God's  glory, 
and  to  judge  of  all  things  in  righteousness. 

'  The  apostle  judged,  and  set  up  a  judgment  in  the  church,  of  gifts,  of 
prophecies,  of  mysteries,  of  faith,  and  of  giving  the  body  to  be  burned, 
and  of  giving  goods  to  the  poor,  and  of  speaking  with  tongues  of  men 
and  angels ;  that  yet,  if  they  had  not  love,  all  this  was  nothing,  but  as 
a  sounding  brass  and  tinkling  cymbal.  Therefore  they  are  to  be  tried 
by  the  fruits  of  the  good  Spirit,  which  is  love.  The  apostle  not  only 
judged  himself  in  divine  matters,  but  set  up  a  judgment  in  the  church  in 
those  spiritual  and  divine  matters. 

'  The  apostle  James  judges  of  fountains  and  of  fig-trees,  of  the  wisdom 
below,  and  of  the  wisdom  from  above,  and  the  fruits  of  both,  James  iii. 
And  Paul  judged  in  divine  matters,  when  he  said,  "  The  Spirit  spoke 
'  expressly,  that  in  the  latter  times  some  should  depart  from  the  faith," 
1  Tim.  iv.  He  judged  in  divine  matters,  when  he  judged  all  those 
teachers  that  were  high-minded,  and  had  got  the  form  of  godliness,  but 
denied  the  power,  and  termed  them  like  Jannes  and  Jambres,  which 
withstood  Moses  coming  out  of  outward  Egypt,  as  these  with  their 
form  of  godliness  oppose  Christ  and  his  power  that  brings  them  out  of 
spiritual  Egypt  now.  Was  not  he  a  judge  here  in  divine  matters,  who 
judged  such  as  had  gotten  the  form  of  godliness  but  denied  the  divine 
power  1  2  Tim.  iii. 

'  When  the  apostle  Paul  said,  "  The  priesthood  of  Aaron  was  changed, 
'  and  the  law  was  changed,  and  the  commandment  disannulled,  that  gave 
'  them  their  tythes,"  did  not  he  judge  in  divine  and  spiritual  matters'?  and 
was  not  the  law  spiritual,  which  served  till  the  Seed  cam«  ? 

'  Did  not  the  apostle  judge  in  divine  and  spiritual  matters  in  the  sixth 
of  the  Hebrews,  where  he  saith,  "  Let  us  go  on  to  perfection,  not  laying 
'  again  the  foundation  of  repentance  from  dead  works,  and  of  faith  to- 
'  wards  God,  and  of  the  doctrine  of  baptisms,  and  of  laying  on  of  hands, 
'  and  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal  judgment:  and  this 
*  will  we  do,  if  God  permit,"  &c.  and  does  not  the  apostle  judge  here, 
'  That  it  was  impossible  for  those  who  were  once  enlightened,  and  tast- 
'  ed  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  were  partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
'  had  tasted  of  the  good  word  of  God,  and  of  the  power  of  the  world  to 
'  come,  if  they  shall  fall  away,  to  renew  them  again  unto  repentance, 
'  seeing  they  crucify  to  themselves  the  Son  of  God  afresh,  and  put  him 
to  open  shame  ?"  Heb.  vi.  Were  not  these  spiritual,  eternal,  and  divine 
matters  and  states  that  the  apostle  judged  of?  and  have  not  the  saints 
the  same  judgment  given  unto  them  in  the  same  spirit  ?  Have  not  the 
apostles  and  the  church  a  spiritual  judgment  to  judge  of  prophets,  mys- 
teries, faith,  apostles,  angels,  world,  and  the  devil  ?  And  is  not  this  judg- 


692  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1686 

*  ment  given  them  of  God  in  divine  matters,  besides  the  judgment  given 

*  them  in  matters  pertaining  unto  this  hfe  ? 

'  And  had  not  they  judgment  to  discern  the  true  gospel  from  the  false  ? 

*  and  all  such  as  had  a  profession  of  the  form,  and  did  not  live  in  the 
'  power  ?  and  such  as  spoke  of  the  things  of  God,  in  the  words  that 
'  man's  wisdom  did  teach  1  which  things  of  God  were  not  to  be  spoken 
'  in  the  wisdom  which  man's  words  taught;  but  in  the  word  which  the 

*  Holy  Ghost  taught.     Therefore  did  not  the  apostle  exhort  to  know  the 

*  power,  and  that  their  faith  might  stand  in  the  power  of  God  1  that  the 
'  kingdom  of  God  stands  not  in  word,  but  in  power  ? 

'  Had  not  all  the  prophets  a  judgment  to  judge  in  divine  .matters  ?  as 
'  Jeremiah,  when  he  judged  the  prophets ;  and  Ezekiel  judged  all  such 

*  as  came  with  a  pretence  of  the  Word  of  the  Loi'd,  using  their  tongues, 
'  and  saying,  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord ;  when  the  Lord  never  spoke  unto 
*'  them."  Jeremiah  xxiii.  Ezekiel  xiii.  and  many  other  places  might  be 
'  instanced.  Did  he  not  judge  Hananiah,  who  prophesied  falsely  1  and 
'  did  not  this  Hananiah  pretend  to  speak  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  the 

*  priests  and  people  1  Jeremiah  xxviii. 

'  Did  not  Isaiah  judge  in  divine  matters,  when  he  judged  the  watch- 

*  men  and  the  shepherds  ?  Isa  Ivi.     Did  not  Micah  judge  in  divine  and 

*  spiritual  matters,  when  he  said  he  "  was  full  of  the  power  by  the  Spirit 
"  of  the  Lord  and  of  judgment  ?"  Did  not  he  judge  of  priests,  prophets, 

*  and  judges,  though  they  would  lean  upon  the  Lord,  and  say,  Is  not  the 

*  Lord  amongst  us,  and  no  evil  can  come  unto  us ;  yet  did  not  he  let 
'  them  see  their  states  and  conditions,  and  "  divided  the  precious  from  the 
"  vile  ?"  Mic.  iii.     And  so  the  rest  of  the  prophets.     You  may  see  they 

*  judged  for  God  in  his  divine  matters,  "  who  served  him,  and  who  serv- 
"  ed  him  not ;  who  lived  in  truth,  and  who  not ;"  and  likewise  the  apos- 
'  ties.     And  this  divine,  spiritual,  heavenly  judgment  was  given  of  God 

*  to  his  holy  men  and  women. 

'  They  that  judge  in  God's  divine  matters,  must  live  in  his   divine 

*  Spirit,  power,  and  light  now,  as  they  did  then ;  which  spiritual  and 
'  divine  judgment  Christ  has  given  to  his  Church,  the  living  stones,  and 
'  living  members,  that  make  up  his  spiritual  household;  to  try  Jews,  apos- 
'  ties,  and  prophets ;  to  try  faiths  and  religions,  trees  and  fruits,  shep- 

*  herds  and  teachers,  and  to  try  spirits.  So  the  living  members  have  a 
'  living  divine  judgment  in  the  church  of  Christ,  which  he  is  the  Head  of, 
'  the  judge  of  all. 

'  Nay,  the  church  has  a  power  given  them,  which  is  farther  than  a 
'  judgment :  for  what  they  "  bind  on  earth,  is  bound  in  heaven  by  the 
*'  power  of  God ;"  and  what  they  loose  on  earth  is  loosed  in  heaven  by 
"  the  power  of  God."     This  power  has  Christ  given  to  his  living  mem- 

*  bers,  the  church. 

«  G.  F.  to  friends.' 
«  The  20th  of  the  12th 
*  month,  1685-6.' 

I  returned  to  London  in  the  first  month  1686,  and  set  myself  with  all 
diligence  to  look  after  friends'  sufferings,  which  we  had  now  some  hopes 
of  getting  relief  from.  The  sessions  came  on  in  the  second  month  at 
Hick's  Hall,  where  many  friends  had  appeals  to  be  tried ;  with  whom  I 
was  from  day  to  day  to  advise,  and  see  that  no  opportunity  was  slipt, 
nor  advantage  lost :  and  they  generally  succeeded  well.    Soon  after,  the 


1685]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  693 

king  was  pleased,  upon  our  often  laying  our  suflerings  before  him,  '  To 
'  give  order  for  the  releasing  all  that  were  imprisoned  for  conscience 
'  sake ;  which  were  in  his  power  to  discharge.'  Whereby  the  prison- 
doors  were  opened,  and  many  hundreds  of  friends,  some  of  whom  had 
been  long  in  prison,  were  set  at  liberty.  Some  of  them,  who  had  many 
years  been  restrained  in  bonds,  came  up  to  the  yearly  meeting,  which 
Avas  in  the  third  month  this  year.  This  caused  great  joy  to  friends,  to 
see  our  ancient,  faithful  brethren  again  at  liberty  in  the  Lord's  work, 
after  their  long  confinement.  And  indeed  a  precious  meeting  we  had  ; 
the  refreshing  presence  of  the  Lord  appearing  plentifully  with  us  and 
amongst  us.  After  the  meeting  I  was  moved  to  write  a  few  Unes,  to  be 
sent  amongst  friends ;  the  tenour  whereof  was  thus ; 

'  Dear  friends,  » 

'  My  love  is  to  you  all  in  the  holy  Seed  Christ  Jesus,  that  bruises  the 
'  serpent's  head,  and  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works ;  and  who  hath  all 
'  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him.     Let  every  one's  faith  stand 

*  in  him,  and  in  his  power,  who  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  your  faith. 
'  To  you  who  have  been  partakers  of  his  power,  and  are  sensible  of  it  in 

*  this  day  of  his  power,  which  is  over  darkness  and  its  power ;  by  whose 
'  power  the  hearts  of  the  king  and  rulers  have  been  opened ;  and  by 
'  which  your  outward  prison-doors  have  been  set  open  for  your  liberty. 
'  My  desires  are,  that  all  maybe  preserved  in  humility  and  thankfulness, 

*  in  the  sense  of  the  mercies  of  the  Lord;  and  live  in  the  peaceable  truth 
'  that  is  over  all :  that  ye  may  answer  God's  grace,  and  his  light  and 
'  Spirit  in  all ;  in  a  righteous,  godly  life  and  conversation.  Let  none  be 
'  lifted  up  by  their  outward  liberty,  neither  let  any  be  cast  down  by  suf- 

*  fering  for  Christ's  sake ;  but  all  live  in  the  seed  (which  is  as  wheat) 
'  which  is  not  shaken  nor  blown  away  by  the  winds  and  storms,  as  the 

*  chatF  is.  Which  Seed  of  life  none  below  can  make  higher  or  lower : 
'  for  the  children  of  the  Seed  are  the  children  of  the  everlasting,  un- 
'  changeable  kingdom  of  Christ  and  God.  Li  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God 
'■  hath  given  you  for  a  sanctuary,  God  Almighty  keep  you,  in  whom  ye 
'  have  life  everlasting,  and  wisdom  from  above,  which  is  pure,  peacea- 
'  ble,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  intreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits ;  that 
'  all  may  be  exercised  in  it,  and  may  practise  this  wisdom  in  holy  fives 
'  and  convei«ations ;  that  this  wisdom  may  be  justified  of  ah  her  children, 
'  and  they  exercised  and  preserved  in  it  in  this  day  of  the  power  of 
'Christ;  in  which  all  his  people  are  made  a  wilfing  people,  to  serve 
'  and  worship  God  in  righteousness  and  holiness,  in  the  Spirit  and  truth. 

'  Let  none  abuse  the  power  of  the  Lord,  nor  grieve  his  Spirit,  by  which 
'  you  are  sealed  and  kept  to  the  day  of  salvation  and  redemption ;  but 
'  always  exercise  yourselves  to  have  a  "  good  conscience  void  of  offence 
''  towards  God  and  towards  all  men ;"  being  exercised  in  hofiness,  godli- 

*  ness,  and  righteousness,  in  the  truth,  and  in  the  love  of  it.  All  study  to 
'  be  approved  unto  God  in  innocency,  virtue,  simplicity,  and  faithfulness, 
'  labouring  and  studying  to  be  quiet  in  the  will  of  God.  "  And  whatso- 
"  ever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giv- 
"  ing  thanks  to  God  the  Father  by  him :"  That  he,  who  is  over  all,  may 
'  have  the  praise  for  all  his  mercies  and  blessings,  with  which  he  hath 
'  refreshed  his  people,  and  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power  hath  kept  and 
'  preserved  them  to  this  day.  Glory  to  his  name  over  all  forever,  Amen ! 
'  Christ  has  called  you  by  his  grace  into  one  body,  to  him  the  holy  head ; 

3Z 


594  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1686 

'  therefore  live  in  charity,  and  in  the  love  of  God,  which  is  the  bond  of 
'  perfectness  in  his  body;  which  love  edifies  the  body  of  Christ:  which 

*  body  and  all  its  members  are  knit  together,  and  increased  with  the  in- 
'  crease  of  God,  from  whom  they  receive  nourishment.  For  by  one 
'  Spirit  w^e  are  all  baptized  into  one  body,  and  have  been  made  all  to 
'  drink  into  one  Spirit ;  in  which  Spirit  the  body  and  all  its  members  have 
'  fellowship  with  Christ  the  head,  and  one  with  another.  The  unity  of 
'  this  holy  Spirit  is  the  bond  of  peace  of  all  the  living  members  of  Christ 

*  Jesus,  of  which  he  is  the  spiritual  head,  rock,  and  foundation.     In  the 

*  midst  of  his  church  of  living  members  Christ  exercises  his  spiritual  pro- 

*  phetical  office,  to  open  to  them  the  mysteries  of  his  kingdom.  He  is  a 
'  spiritual  bishop  to  oversee  them,  that  they  do  not  go  astray  from  the 

*  living  God  that  made  them;  a  shepherd  that  feeds  them  with  bread  and 
'  water  of  life  from  heaven,  and  nc^ne  is  able  to  pluck  his  sheep  out  of  his 

*  hands.    He  is  a  priest  that  died  for  them,  sanctifieth  them,  and  presents 

*  them  to  God,  who  ruleth  in  their  hearts  by  the  divine  faith,  which  he  is 

*  the  author  and  finisher  of.  His  living  members  praise  God  through 
'  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  they  have  hfe  and  salvation,  who  reconciles  them 
'  to  God,  that  they  can  say  they  have  "  peace  with  God  through  Jesus 
"  Christ ;"  and  so  praise  God  through  him  that  was  dead  and  is  alive, 
'  reigns  over  all,  and  liveth  for  evermore,  blessed  for  ever.  Hallelujah, 

*  Amen ! 

'  Greet  one  another  with  an  holy  kiss  of  charity.  Love  or  charity 
'beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all 

*  things.     It  envieth  not,  vaunteth  not  itself,  nor  is  pufled  up,  nor  doth  it 

*  behave  itself  unseemly.     It  rejoices  not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoices  in  the 

*  truth.  Charity  is  not  easily  provoked,  and  thinks  no  evil,  but  sufFereth 
'  long  and  is  kind.  Charity  never  faileth.  I  say,  greet  one  another  with 
'  this  holy  kiss  of  charity,  and  peace  be  with  you  all  that  are  in  Christ 
'  Jesus,  your  life  and  salvation.  G.  F.' 

'  The  30th  of  the  3d 
'  month,  1686.' 

I  remained  most  part  of  this  year  in  London,  save  that  sometimes  I 
got  to  Bethnal-green  for  a  night  or  two,  sometimes  as  far  as  Enfield  and 
thereabouts  amongst  friends,  and  once  or  twice  to  Chiswich,  where  an 
ancient  friend  had  set  up  a  school  for  the  educating  of  friends'  children ; 
in  all  which  places  I  found  service  for  the  Lord.  At  Loftdon  I  spent 
my  time  amongst  friends,  either  in  publick  meetings,  as  the  Lord  drew 
me,  or  visiting  such  as  were  not  well,  and  in  looking  after  the  sufferings 
of  friends.  For  though  many  were  released  out  of  prison,  yet  some  re- 
mained prisoners  still  for  tythes,  &c.  and  sufferings  of  several  sorts  lay 
heavy  on  friends  in  many  places.  Yet  inasmuch  as  many  who  had  been 
prisoners  were  now  set  at  liberty,  I  felt  a  concern  upon  me  that  none 
might  look  too  much  at  man,  but  might  eye  the  Lord  therein,  from  whom 
deliverance  comes.  Wherefore  I  wrote  an  epistle  to  friends,  as  fol- 
loweth ; 

*  Friends, 
'  The  Lord  by  his  eternal  power  hath  disposed  the  heart  of  the  king 
'  to  open  the  prison-doors,  by  which  about  fifteen  or  sixteen  hundred  are 
'  set  at  liberty,  and  hath  given  a  check  to  the  informers,  so  that  in  many 
'  places  our  meetings  are  pretty  quiet.  My  desires  are,  that  both  liberty 
'  and  sufferings  may  be  sanctified  to  his  people,  that  friends  may  prize 


1686]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  595 

'  the  mercies  of  the  Lord  in  all  things,  and  to  him  be  thankful,  who  stilleth 
'  the  raging  waves  of  the  sea,  allayeth  the  storms  and  tempests,  and 
'  maketh  a  calm.  Therefore  it  is  good  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  cast 
'  your  care  upon  him  who  careth  for  you.  For  when  ye  were  in  gaols 
'  and  prisons  the  Lord  did  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power  uphold  you,  and 
'  sanctified  them  to  you ;  unto  some  he  made  them  as  a  sanctuary,  and 
'  tried  his  people  as  in  a  furnace  of  affliction,  both  in  prisons  and  spoiling 
'  of  goods.  In  all  this  the  Lord  was  with  his  people,  and  taught  them  to 
'  know  that  "  the  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof;"  and  that 
'  he  was  in  all  places  "  who  crowneth  the  year  with  his  goodness," 
'  Psal.  Ixv.  Therefore  let  all  God's  people  be  diligent,  and  careful  to 
'  keep  the  camp  of  God  holy,  pure,  and  clean,  and  to  serve  God  and 
'  Christ,  and  one  another  in  the  glorious,  peaceable  gospel  of  life  and  sal- 
'vation;  which  glory  shines  over  God's  camp,  and  his  great  Prophet, 
'  Bishop  and  Shepherd  is  among,  or  in  the  midst  of  them,  exercising  his 
'  heavenly  offices  in  them ;  so  that  you  his  people  may  rejoice  in  Christ 

*  Jesus,  through  whom  you  have  peace  with  God.  For  he  that  destroyeth 
'  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  is  all  God's  peoples' 
'  heavenly  foundation  and  rock  to  build  upon ;  which  was  the  holy  proph- 
'  ets'  and  apostles'  rock  in  days  past,  and  is  now  the  rock  of  our  age ; 
'  which  rock,  the  foundation  of  God,  standeth  sure.  Upon  this  the 
"  Lord  God  establish  all  his  people,"  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  25th  of  the 
'  7th  month,  1686.' 

Divers  other  epistles  and  papers  I  wrote  this  year,  whereof  one  was 
by  way  of  exhortation  to  '  friends  to  keep  in  unity  in  the  truth,  in  which 
'  there  is  no  division  nor  separation :'  thus, 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

'  In  whom  ye  have  all  peace  and  life,  in  whom  there  is  no  division, 
'  schism,  rent,  strife,  nor  separation :  for  Christ  is  not  divided,  and  there 
'  can  be  no  separation  in  the  truth,  nor  in  the  light,  grace,  faith,  and 
'  Holy  Ghost,  but  unity,  fellowship,  and  communion.  For  the  devil  was 
'  the  first  that  went  out  of  the  truth,  separated  from  it,  and  tempted  man 
'  and  woman  to  disobey  God,  and  to  go  from  the  truth  into  a  false  liber- 
'  ty,  to  do  that  which  God  forbad.  So  it  is  the  serpent  now  that  leads 
'  men  and  women  into  a  false  liberty,  even  the  God  of  the  world,  from 
'  which  man  and  woman  must  be  separated  by  the  truth,  that  Christ  the 
'  truth  may  make  them  free,  and  then  they  are  free  indeed.  Then  they 
'  are  to  stand  fast  in  that  liberty  in  which  Christ  hath  made  them  free, 
'  and  in  him  there  is  no  division,  schism,  rent,  nor  separation ;  but  peace, 
'  life,  and  reconciliation  to  God  and  to  one  another.  So  in  Christ  male 
'  and  female  are  all  one ;  for  whether  they  be  male  or  female,  Jew  or 
'  Gentile,  bond  or  free,  they  are  all  one  in  Christ.  And  there  can  be  no 
'  schism,  rent,  or  division  in  him,  nor  in  the  worship  of  God  in  his  holy 
'  Spirit  and  truth,  nor  in  the  pure  and  undefiled  religion  that  keeps  from 

*  the  spots  of  the  world,  nor  in  the  love  of  God  that  beareth  and  endureth 
'  all  things,  nor  in  the  word  of  God's  grace,  for  it  is  pure  and  endureth 

*  for  ever.  Many,  you  see,  have  lost  the  word  of  patience,  and  the  word 
'  of  wisdom,  that  is  pure,  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  intreated. 
'  Then  they  run  into  the  wisdom  that  is  below,  that  is  "  earthly,  sensual, 
"  and  devilish,"  and  very  uneasy  to  be  intreated.  They  go  from  the  love 


598  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1686 

'  of  God  that  beareth  all  things,  endureth  all  things,  thinks  no  evil,  and 
'  doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly ;  then  they  cannot  bear,  but  grow  brit- 
'tle,  are  easily  provoked,  run  into  unseemly  things,  and  are  in  that,  that 
'  vaunteth  itself,  are  puffed  up,  rash,  heady,  high-minded,  and  fierce,  and 
'  become  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal ;  but  this  is  contrary  to 
'  the  nature  of  the  love  of  God.  Therefore,  dear  friends  and  brethren, 
'  dwell  in  the  love  of  God ;  for  those  who  dwell  in  love  dwell  in  God, 
'  and  God  in  them.  Keep  in  the  word  of  wisdom,  that  is  gentle,  pure, 
'  and  peaceable :  and  in  the  word  of  patience  that  endureth  and  beareth 
'  all  things;  which  word  of  patience  the  devil,  and  the  world,  and  all  his 
'  instruments  can  never  wear  out :  it  will  wear  them  all  out ;  for  it  was 
'  before  they  were,  and  will  be  when  they  are  gone,  the  pure,  holy  word 
'  of  God,  by  which  all  God's  children  are  born  again,  and  feed  on  the 
'  milk  thereof,  and  hve  and  grow  by  it.    My  desires  are,  that  ye  may  all 

*  be  of  one  heart,  mind,  soul,  and  spirit  in  Christ  Jesus,  Amen. 

'  G.  F.' 

Soon  after  this,  finding  those  apostates  whom  the  enemy  had  drawn 
into  division  and  separation  from  friends  continued  their  clamour  and 
opposition  against  our  monthly,  quarterly,  and  yearly  meetings,  it  came 
upon  me  to  write  another  short  epistle  to  friends  to  put  them  in  mind  of 
the  '  evidence  and  seal  they  had  received  in  themselves  by  the  Spirit  of 
'  the  Lord,  that  those  meetings  were  of  the  Lord  and  accepted  by  him,' 
that  they  might  not  be  shaken  by  the  adversaries.   I  wrote  as  followeth : 

'  My  dear  friends  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ! 

*  All  you  that  are  gathered  in  his  holy  name  know  that  your  meetings 
'  for  worship,  your  quarterly  meetings,  monthly  meetings,  women's  meet- 
'  ings,  and  yearly  meetings,  are  set  up  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the 
'  Lord  God,  and  witnessed  by  his  Spirit  and  power  in  your  hearts :  and 
'  by  the  Spirit  and  power  of  the  Lord  God  they  are  estabUshed  to  you, 
'  and  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  you  are  established  in 
'  them.  The  Lord  God  hath  with  his  Spirit  sealed  to  you  that  your 
'  meetings  are  of  his  ordering  and  gathering,  and  he  hath  owned  them 
'  by  honouring  you  with  his  blessed  presence  in  them ;  and  you  have  had 
'  great  experience  of  his  furnishing  you  with  wisdom,  life,  and  power, 
"  and  heavenly  riches  from  his  treasure  and  fountain,  by  which  many 
'  thanks  and  praises  have  been  returned  in  your  meetings  to  his  holy, 
'  glorious  name.    He  hath  sealed  your  meetings  by  his  Spirit  to  you,  and 

*  that  your  gathering  together  hath  been  by  the  Lord,  to  Christ  his  Son, 
'  and  in  his  name,  and  not  by  man.     So  the  -Lord  hath  the  glory  and 

*  praise  of  them  and  in  them,  who  hath  upheld  you  and  them  by  the  arm 
'  of  his  power  against  all  opposers  and  backsliders  and  their  slanderous 
'  books  and  tongues.     For  the  Lord's  power  and  seed  doth  reign  over 

*  them  all,  in  which  he  doth  preserve  his  sons  and  daughters  to  his  glory, 

*  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power,  in  his  work  and  service,  as  a  willing 

*  people  in  the  day  of  his  power,  without  being  weary  or  fainting,  but 

*  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  valiant  for  his  glorious  name  and  precious 

*  truth,  and  his  pure  religion ;  that  ye  may  serve  the  Lord  in  Christ 

*  Jesus,  your  rock  and  foundation,  in  your  age  and  generation,  Amen. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  London,  the   3d  of  the 
'11th  month,  168G-7.' 


1686]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  597 

.  A  little  after  it  came  upon  me  to  write  something  concerning  the  state 
of  the  church  and  the  true  members  thereof;  as  followeth: 

*  Concerning  the  church  of  Christ  being  clothed  with  the  sun  and  having 

'  the  moon  under  her  feet. 

'  They  are  living  members,  Uving  stones,  built  up  a  spiritual  house- 
'  hold,  the  children  of  the  promise,  and  of  the  seed  and  flesh  of  Christ ; 
'  as  the  apostle  saith,  "  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and  bone  of  his  bone."     They 

*  are  the  good  seed,  the  children  of  the  everlasting  kingdom  written  in 

*  heaven,  who  have  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     They  sit  together  in 

*  heavenly  places  in  Christ,  are  clothed  with  the  Sun  of  righteousness, 

*  Christ  Jesus,  and  have  the  moon  under  their  feet,  Revel,  xii.     So  all 

*  changeable   things   that   are    in  the  world,  all  changeable  religions, 

*  changeable   worships,   changeable  ways,   fellowships,   churches,    and 

*  teachers  in  the  world,  are  as  the  moon ;  for  the  moon  changes,  but  the 

*  sun  doth  not  change.     The  Sun  of  righteousness  never  changeth,  or 

*  sets,  nor  goes  down ;  but  all  the  ways,  religions,  worships,  fellowships 

*  of  the  world,  and  the  teachers  thereof,  change  Uke  the  moon.     But  the 

*  true  church,  which  Christ  is  the  head  of,  which  is  in  God  the  Father, 

*  and  is  called  "the  pillar  and  ground  of  truth,"  whose  conversation  is  in 

*  heaven ;  this  church  is  clothed  with  the  Sun,  Christ  Jesus  her  head, 

*  who  doth  not  change,  and  hath  all  changeable  things  under  her  feet. 
'  These  are  the  living  members,  born  again  of  the  immortal  seed  by  the 

*  word  of  God,  w*ho  feed  upon  the  immortal  niilk,  and  live  and  grow  by 

*  it.     Such  are  the  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  makes  all  things 

*  new%  and  sees  the  old  things  pass  away.     His  church,  his  members 

*  which  are  clothed  wdth  the  sun,  their  worship  is  in  the  Spirit  and  in  the 

*  truth,  which  doth  not  change,  which  truth  the  devil,  the  foul,  unclean 
'  spirit,  is  out  of,  and  cannot  get  into  this  worship  in  Spirit  and  truth. 
'  Their  religion  is  pure  and  undefiled  before  God,  that  keeps  from  the 
'  spots  of  the  world,  and  their  way  is  the  new  and  living  way,  Christ 
'  Jesus.  So  the  church  of  Christ,  that  is  clothed  with  the  Sun,  that  hath 
'  the  moon  and  all  changeable  religions  and  ways  under  her  feet,  hath  an 

*  unchangeable  worship,  religion  and  way,  an  unchangeable  rock  and 

*  foundation,  Christ  Jesus,  an  unchangeable  high  priest,  and  so  are  chil- 
'  dren  of  the  New  Testament,  and  in  the  everlasting  covenant  of  light 

*  and  life. 

'  All  that  profess  the  scriptures  both  of  the  New  and  Old  Testament, 
'  and  are  not  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  apostle  tells  them  they  are  "  reprobates 
"  if  Christ  be  not  in  them."  These  that  are  not  in  Christ  cannot  be 
'  clothed  v/ith  Christ,  the  Sun  of  righteousness,  that  never  changes.  They 
'  are  under  the  changeable  moon  in  the  world,  in  the  changeable  things, 

*  the  changeable  religions,  ways,  woi'ships,  teachers,  rocks,  and  founda- 

*  tions.     But  Christ,  the  Son  of  God  and  Sun  of  righteousness,  doth  not 

*  change  ;  in  whom  his  people  are  gathered,  and  sit  together  in  heavenly 
'  places  in  him,  clothed  with  Christ  Jesus,  the  Sun,  who  is  the  mountain 
'  that  fiUeth  the  whole  earth  with  his  divine  power  and  light.  So  all  his 
'  people  see  him  and  feel  him  both  by  sea  and  land.     He  is  in  all  places 

*  of  the  earth  felt  and  seen  of  all  his.  He  saith  to  the  outward  professors, 
'  the  Jews,  "  I  am  from  above,  ye  are  from  below,  ye  are  of  this  world." 

*  So  their  religions,  worships,  ways,  teachers,  faiths,  beliefs,  and  creeds, 

*  are  made  by  men,  and  are  below,  of  this  world  that  changeth  like  the 
'  moon.     You  may  see  their  religions,  ways,  worships,  and  teachers,  are 


598  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL  [1685 

*  all  changeable  like  the  moon ;  but  Christ,  the  Sun,  with  which  the 
'  church  is  clothed,  doth  not  change,  nor  his  church ;  for  they  are  spirit- 
'  ually-mindcd,  and  their  way,  worship,  and  religion  is  spiritual,  from 
'  Christ,  who  is  from  above  and  not  of  this  world.  Christ  hath  redeemed 

*  you  from  this  world,  their  changeable  rudiments  and  elements,  and  old 

*  things,  and  their  changeable  teachers,  and  from  their  changeable  faiths 

*  and  beliefs.  For  Christ  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  his  church's  faith, 
'  who  saith,  "  Believe  in  the  Light,  that  ye  may  become  children  of  the 
"  Light."  And  it  is  given  them  not  only  to  believe,  but  to  suffer  for  his 
'  name.  So  this  faith  and  behef  is  above  all  faiths  and  beliefs,  which 
'  change  like  the  moon.  God's  people  are  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  peo- 

*  pie,  a  spiritual  household,  and  royal  priesthood,  offering  up  spiritual 

*  sacrifice  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  are  zealous  of  righteousness,  god- 
'  ly,  good  works,  and  their  zeal  is  for  that  which  is  of  God  against  the 
'  evil  which  is  not  of  God.  Christ  took  upon  him  the  seed  of  Abraham, 
'  he  doth  not  say  the  corrupt  seed  of  the  Gentiles ;  so  according  to  the 
'  flesh  he  was  of  the  holy  seed  of  Abraham  and  David,  and  his  holy  body 
'  and  blood  was  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 

*  world,  as  a  lamb  without  blemish,  whose  flesh  saw  no  corruption.  By 
'  the  one  offering  of  himself  in  the  New  Testament  or  New  Covenant,  he 

*  has  put  an  end  to  all  the  offerings  and  sacrifices  amongst  the  Jews  in 

*  the  Old  Testament.  Christ,  the  holy  Seed,  was  crucified,  dead,  and 
'  buried  according  to  the  flesh,  and  raised  again  the  third  day,  and  his 
'  flesh  saw  no  corruption.  Though  he  was  crucified  in  the  flesh,  yet 
'  quickened  again  by  the  Spirit  and  is  alive,  and  liveth  for  evermore,  and 
'  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him,  and  reigneth  over 
'  all,  and  is  the  One  Mediator  between  God  and  Man,  even  the  Man 

*  Christ  Jesus.  Christ  said,  "  He  gave  his  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world ;" 
'  and  the  apostle  saith,  "  his  flesh  saw  no  corruption ;"  so  that  which  saw 
'  no  corrruption  he  gave  for  the  life  of  the  corrupt  world  to  bring  them 

*  out  of  corruption.  Christ  said  again,  "  He  that  eateth  my  flesh  and 
"  drinketh  my  blood  hath  eternal  life ;  for  my  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and 
"  my  blood  is  drink  indeed.  And  he  tliat  eateth  my  flesh,  and  drinketh 
"  my  blood,  dwelleth  in  me,  and  I  in  him."  He  that  eats  not  his  flesh 
'  and  drinks  not  his  blood,  which  is  the  life  of  the  flesh,  hath  not  eternal 
'  life.  As  the  apostle  saith,  "  All  died  in  Adam ;"  then  all  are  dead.  Now 
'  all  coming  spirituall}^  to  eat  the  flesh  of  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  and 

*  drink  his  blood,  his  blood  and  flesh  gives  all  the  dead  in  Adam  life,  and 
'  quickens  them  out  of  their  sins  and  trespasses  in  which  they  were 
'dead;  so  they  come  to  sit  together  in  the  heavenly  places  in  Christ 
'  Jesus,  and  are  living  members  of  the  church  of  Christ  that  he  is  the 
'  head  of,  and  are  clothed  with  the  Sun  of  ri2;hteousness,  the  Son  of  God, 
'  that  never  changes,  and  have  the  changeable  moon  under  their  feet, 
'  and  all  changeable  worldly  things,  inventions,  and  works  of  men's 

*  hands.     These  see  the  people  how  they  change  from  one  worship  to 

*  another,  from  one  religion  to  another,  from  one  way  to  another,  and 
'  one  church  to  another,  yet  their  hearts  are  not  changed.  The  letter  of 
'  the  scripture  is  read  by  the  Christians  like  the  .Tews,  but  the  mystery  is 
'  hid ;  they  have  the  sheep's  clothing,  the  outside,  but  are  inwardly  rav- 
'  ened  from  the  Spirit,  which  should  bring  them  into  the  Lamb's  and 
'  Sheep's  nature.  The  scripture  saith,  "  All  the  uncircumcised  must  go 
"  down  into  the  pit;"  therefore  all  must  be  circumcised  with  the  Spirit 

*  of  God,  which  puts  off  the  body  of  death  and  sins  of  the  flesh,  that 


1686]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  599 

'  came  into  man  and  woman  by  their  disobedience  and  transgressing 
'  God's  commands.  I  say,  all  must  be  circumcised  with  the  Spirit,  which 
'  puts  off  the  body  of  death  and  sins  of  the  flesh,  before  they  come  up 
'  into  Christ,  their  Rest,  that  never  fell,  and  be  clothed  with  him  the  Sun 

*  of  righteousness.  G.  F.' 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  this  year  I  went  to  my  son  Rouse's  near 
Kingston.  While  I  was  there  I  wrote  a  paper  concerning  the  '  failing 
'  awa.y,'  foretold  by  the  apostle  Paul,  2  Thess.  ii.  3.  as  followeth : 

'  The  apostle  saith  that  there  must  be  "  a  falling  away"  first  before 
'  the  wicked  one,  and  man  of  sin,  the  son  of  perdition,  be  revealed,  which 
'  betrayeth  Christ  within,  as  the  son  of  perdition  betrayed  Christ  with- 
'  out ;  and  they  that  betray  Christ  within  crucify  to  themselves  Christ 
'  afresh,  and  put  him  to  open  shame.     Before  the  apostles  deceased,  this 

*  man  of  sin  and  son  of  perdition  was  revealed;  for  they  saw  antichrist 
'  come,  the  false  prophets,  false  apostles,  and  deceivers  come,  having  a 

*  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power  thereof  They  saw  the  wolves 
'  dressed  in  the  sheep's  clothing,  and  such  as  went  in  Cain's,  Corah's,  and 
'  Balaam's  way,  and  Jezebel's,  and  the  whore  of  Babylon,  the  whore  of 
'  confusion,  the  mother  of  harlots,  and  such  as  were  enemies  to  the  cross 
'  of  Christ,  that  served  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  but  their  own  bellies. 
'  These  Christ  saw  should  come,  and  said,  "  If  it  were  possible  they 
"  should  deceive  the  elect,"  and  commanded  his  followers  not  to  go  after 
'  them.     The  apostle  said,  "  Turn  away  from  such,"  and  Christ  and  his 

*  apostles  warned  the  church  of  Christ  of  such.  In  this  day  of  Christ 
'  and  his  gospel,  after  the  long  night  of  apostacy  from  the  hght,  grace, 
'  truth,  life,  and  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus,  the  son  of  perdition,  the  wicked 
'  one,  the  man  of  sin  is  revealed  again,  and  the  inwardly  ravening  wolves 
'  in  sheep's  clothing,  and  the  spirit  of  Cain,  Corah,  Balaam,  Jezebel,  the 
'  antichrists,  false  prophets,  and  false  apostles,  and  such  as  are  enemies 
'  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  who  serve  not  the  Lord  Jesus,  but  their  own  bel- 

*  lies,  and  crucify  Christ  to  themselves,  and  put  him  to  open  shame.  This 
'  spirit  have  we  seen  in  this  gospel-day  of  Christ ;  but  Christ  will  con- 
'  sume  them  with  the  Spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  destroy  them  with  the 
'  brightness  of  his  coming.  But  God's  people,  whom  he  hath  chosen  unto 
'  salvation  in  Christ  from  the  beginning,  through  the  sanctification  of  the 
'  Spirit  and  the  belief  of  the  truth,  stand  steadfast  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
'  are  thankful  to  God  by  and  through  his  Son,  their  rock  and  salvation, 
'  their  happiness,  and  eternal  inheritance. 

'  The  apostle  saith,  *'  Ye  were  as  sheep  going  astray,  but  are  now  re- 
"  turned  to  the  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  your  Souls."  So  when  people 
'  are  returned  to  Christ,  their  Shepherd,  they  know  his  voice  and  follow 
'  him,  and  are  returned  to  the  Bishop  of  their  Souls ;  then  they  believe 
'  in  him,  and  receive  wisdom  and  understanding  from  him  who  is  from 
'  above,  heavenly  and  spiritual.  Then  they  act  like  spiritual  holy  men 
'  and  women,  and  come  to  be  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ.  Then 
'  a  spiritual  care  cometh  upon  the  elders  in  Christ,  that  all  the  members 
'  w^alk  in  Christ,  in  his  light,  grace,  Spirit,  and  truth,  that  they  may  adorn 

*  the  confession  and  profession  of  Christ,  and  see  that  all  walk  in  the  or- 
'  der  of  the  holy  Spirit,  and  the  everlasting  gospel  of  peace,  life,  and  sal- 
'  vation.  This  order  keeps  out  of  confusion ;  for  the  gospel  of  peace, 
'  the  power  of  God,  was  before  confusion  was.    All  the  heirs  of  the  gos- 

*  pel  are  heirs  of  its  order,  and  are  in  this  gospel  which  brings  life  and 


600  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1686 

immortality  to  light  in  them,  by  which  all  men  and  women  may  see 
their  work  and  service  in  it,  to  look  after  the  poor  widows  and  father- 
less, to  see  that  nothing  be  lacking,  and  that  all  honour  the  Lord  in  their 
lives  and  conversations. 

*  When  the  whole  house  of  Israel  were  in  their  graves  and  sepulchres, 
and  were  called  "  the  scattered,  dry  bones,"  yet  they  could  speak,  and 
say  "  their  bones  were  dry,  their  hope  was  lost,  or  they  were  without 
'  hope,  and  they  were  cut  off."  They  were  alive  outwardly,  and  could 
speak  outwardly.  So  that  which  is  called  Christendom  may  very  well 
be  called  "  the  scattered  dry  bones,"  and  be  said  to  be  in  their  graves 
and  sepulchres,  dead  from  the  heavenly  breath  of  life,  the  Spirit  and 
word  of  life,  that  gathereth  to  God.  Though  they  can  speak,  and  are 
alive  outwardly,  yet  they  remain  in  the  congregations  or  churches  of 
the  dead,  that  want  the  virtue  of  hfe.  For  the  Jews,  whom  God  poured 
his  Spirit  upon  and  gave  them  his  law,  when  they  rebelled  against  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  turned  from  God  and  his  law,  they  came  to  be  dry 
scattered  bones,  and  were  turned  into  their  graves  and  sepulchres.  So 
Christendom  that  is  turned  from  the  grace,  truth,  and  light  of  Christ, 
and  the  Spirit  that  God  poureth  upon  all  flesh,  they  are  become  the 
scattered  dry  bones,  are  in  their  graves  and  sepulchres,  and  are  the 
congregations  or  churches  of  the  dead,  though  they  can  speak  and  are 
alive  outwardly. 

'  Christ  saith,  "  I  am  come  that  they  might  have  life,  and  that  they 
'  might  have  it  more  abundantly.  He  gave  his  flesh  for  the  life  of  the 
'  world."  And  he  saith,  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life.  I  am  the 
'  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life ;  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by 
'  me."  Christ  is  the  quickening  Spirit.  All  being  dead  in  Adam  are  to 
be  quickened  and  made  ahve  by  Christ,  the  second  Adam.  And  when 
they  are  quickened  and  made  alive  by  him,  they  meet  together  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  their  Saviour,  who  died  for  their  sins  and  is  risen 
for  their  justification,  and  so  was  dead  and  is  alive,  and  liveth  for  ever- 
more. All  whom  he  hath  quickened  and  made  alive  (even  all  the  living) 
meet  in  the  name  of  Jesus  who  is  ahve,  and  he  their  living  Prophet, 
Shepherd,  and  Bishop  is  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  is  their  living  Rock 
and  Foundation,  and  a  living  Mediator  between  them  and  the  living 
God.  So  the  living  praise  the  living  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  through 
whom  they  have  peace  with  God.  All  the  living  have  rest  in  Christ 
their  life,  he  is  their  sanctification,  their  righteousness,  their  treasure  of 
wisdom,  knowledge,  and  understanding,  wliich  is  spiritual  and  heavenly. 
He  is  the  spiritual  tree  and  root,  which  all  the  believers  in  the  light,  the 
life  in  Christ,  that  pass  from  the  death  in  Adam  to  the  life  in  Christ, 
and  overcome  the  world,  and  are  born  of  God,  are  grafted  into  Christ, 
the  heavenly  tree,  which  beareth  all  the  spiritual  branches  or  grafts. 
These  meet  in  his  name,  are  gathered  in  him,  and  sit  together  in  hea- 
venly places  in  Christ  Jesus,  their  Life,  who  hath  quickened  and  made 
them  alive.  So  all  the  living  worship  the  living  God  in  his  holy  Spirit 
and  truth,  in  which  they  live  and  walk.  Into  this  worship  the  foul,  un- 
clean spirit,  the  devil,  cannot  get ;  for  the  holy  Spirit  and  truth  is  over 
him,  and  he  is  out  of  it.  Tliis  is  the  standing  worship  which  Christ  set 
up  in  his  new  covenant.  And  they  that  are  quickened  by  Christ  are 
the  living  stones,  living  members,  and  spiritual  household  and  church, 
or  congregation  of  Christ,  who  is  the  living  head  and  husband.  They 
that  are  made  alive  by  Christ  are  a  living  church,  have  a  living  head, 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  601 

*  and  are  come  from  the  congregations  or  churches  of  the  dead  in  Adam, 

*  where  death  and  destruction  talk  of  God,  and  of  his  prophets  and  apos- 

*  ties,  in  their  wisdom  that  is  below,  earthly,  and  devilish,  in  the  know- 
'  ledge  that  is  brutish,  and  in  the  understanding  that  comes  to  nought. 

*  For  what  they  know  is  natural,  by  their  natural  tongues,  arts,  and 

*  sciences,  in  which  tliey  corrupt  themselves.     This  is  the  state  of  the 
'  dead  in  Adam ;  but  the  quickened,  that  are  made  alive  by  Christ,  dis- 

*  cern  between  the  living  and  the  dead.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston  upon  Thames,  the 
'  12th  month,  1686-7.' 

While  I  was  at  Kingston,  I  wrote  another  paper,  shewing,  "  That  the 
*'  Lord  in  all  ages  called  the  righteous  from  amongst  the  wicked,  before 
"  he  destroyed  them ;"  after  this  manner : 

<  Noah  and  his  family  were  called  into  the  ark,  before  the  old  world 

*  was  destroyed  with  the  flood.  And  all  the  faithful  generation,  that  lived 

*  before,  were  taken  away,  and  died  in  the  faith,  before  that  flood  of  de- 

*  struction  came  upon  the  wicked  old  world. 

'  The  Lord  did  call  Lot  out  of  Sodom,  before  he  did  destroy  and  con- 

*  sume  it,  and  the  wicked  there. 

'  Christ  said ;  "  It  cannot  be,  that  a  prophet  perish  out  of  Jerusalem ;" 

*  and  he  said ;  "  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which  killest  the  prophets,  and 
"  stonest  them  that  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered 
"  thy  children  together,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  brood  under  her  wings ! 
"  but  ye  would  not,"  Luke  xiii.  33,  34.  And  he  said  to  the  Jews ;  "  There- 
'  fore  also  said  the  wisdom  of  God,  I  will  send  them  prophets  and  apos- 
"  ties,  and  some  of  them  they  shall  slay  and  persecute ;  that  the  blood 
"  of  all  the  prophets,  which  was  shed  from  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
"  may  be  required  of  this  generation ;  from  the  Wood  of  Abel,  unto  the 
"  blood  of  Zacharias,  which  perished  between  the  altar  and  the  temple. 
"  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  it  shall  be  required  of  tins  generation,"  Luke 
'  xi.  49,  50,  51.  And  he  said  to  the  Jews,  "  Behold,  your  houses  shall  be 
"  left  unto  you  desolate,"  Matth.  xxiii.  34,  &c,  Christ  told  his  disciples, 
'  that  the  temple  at  Jerusalem  should  be  thrown  down,  and  there  should 
'  not  be  one  stone  left  upon  another,  that  should  not  be  thrown  down, 
'  Matth.  xxiv.  2.  Also,  that  he  must  go  1:0  Jerusalem,  and  "  sufl'er  many 
"  things  of  the  Jews,  elders,  and  chief  priests,  and  be  killed,  and  raised 
"  again  the  third  day,"  Matth.  xvi  21.  And  Christ  said,  "  When  ye 
*'  shall  see  Jerusalem  compassed  with  armies,  then  know,  the  desolation 
"  thereof  is  nigh."  He  foretold,  tbat  the  Jews  should  fall  by  the  edge  of  the 
'  sword,  and  should  be  led  away  "  captive  into  all  nations ;  and  Jerusa- 
"  lem  should  be  trodden  dovn  of  the  Gentiles,"  Luke  xxi.  20.  24.     Here 

*  you  may  see  how  Jerusalem  was  often  warned  by  Christ,  and  how  often 
'  he  would  have  "  gathered  them,  but  they  would  not,"  before  they  were 

*  scattered  over  or  into  all  nations,  their  houses  left  desolate,  and  their 
'  temple  and  Jerusalem  besieged  with  armies,  destroyed,  and  thrown 

*  down.  And  though  the  disciples  and  apostles  of  Christ  did  meet,  with 
'  the  elders  and  church  at  Jerusalem,  after  Christ  was  risen,  yet  Eusebius 
'  reporteth  in  his  Ecclesiastical  History,  that  the  Christians  at  Jerusalem 
'  had  a  vision,  or  a  revelation  to  depart  out  of  Jerusalem.  Being  fore- 
'  warned  also  by  Christ,  that  "  when  they  should  see  Jerusalem  com- 
"  passed  with  armies,  its  desolation  was  nigh ;  and  that  the  temple  should 
"  be  thrown  down,  and  not  one  stone  left  upon  another ;"  it  is  said,  the 

4  A 


602  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

*  Christians  did  depart  out  of  bloody  Jerusalem,  before  it  and  the  temple 

*  were  destroyed  by  Titus  the  emperor,  who  besieged  it  with  his  armies- 

*  He  was  of  the  Gentiles,  and  destroyed  the  temple  and  Jerusalem,  as 

*  Christ  had  forespoken  to  his  disciples,  because  of  the  wickedness  of  the 

*  Jews,  and  the  innocent  blood  that  they  had  shed  in  it.     So  the  Lord 

*  called  his  people  out  of  bloody  Jerusalem,  before  he  destroyed  it-     And 

*  it  is  said,  Titus  destroyed  the  temple  and  Jerusalem  about  two-and-forty 

*  years  after  Christ  was  crucified  and  risen  again,  and  that  with  so  great 

*  a  destruction,  that  the  Jews  never  did  build  again  the  city  of  Jerusalem, 
'  nor  the  temple,  as  Sodom  was  never  built  again,  nor  the  cities  of  the 
'  old  world.      But  the  Jews  for  above  these  thousand  years  have  been, 

*  and  are  a  scattered  people  in  all  nations  to  this  day ;  and  Christ,  whom 
'  they  crucified,  and  his  doctrine  is  preached,  and  set  over  them :  and 

*  the  Gentiles,  whom  they  hated,  have  received  and  do  receive  him  and 

*  his  doctrine,  and  praise  God  for  it  through  Jesus  Christ,  Amen. 

'  God  called  his  people  out  of  Egypt,  after  he  had  poured  out  his  ten 

*  plagues  upon  the  Egyptians ;  when  he  had  destroyed  the  first-born  of 

*  Egypt,  then  the  Lord  brought  his  people  out  of  Egypt.     And  after  the 

*  Lord  had  clearly  brought  his  people  out,  he  destroyed  Pharaoh,  with 

*  all  his  hosts  and  chariots. 

*  John  saith,  he  heard  a  voice,  saying ;  "  Come  out  of  her,  my  people 
"  (to  wit,  out  of  Babylon,  the  false  church)  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of 
"  her  sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues :  for  her  sins  have 
"  reached  to  heaven,  and  God  hath  remembered  her  iniquities,"  Rev. 
'  xviii.  4,  5.  Here  ye  may  see,  that  God  did  call  his  people  out  of  spirit- 
'  ual  Babylon  before  he  destroyed  her,  and  cast  her  down,  to  be  utterly 
'  burnt  with  fire,  ver.  8,  9  and  21. 

'  Was  not  Nebuchadnezzar's  empire  thrown  down  and  ended  by  Cyrus 
'  and  Darius,  who  were  of  the  seed  of  the  Medes,  before  Cyrus  and  Da- 
'  rius  gave  forth  their  proclamation  for  all  the  Jews  to  go  into  their  own 
'  land  out  of  Babylon's  captivity]  and  was  there  not  a  prophecy  of  Cy- 
'  rus,  "  That  he  should  subdue  nations,  and  that  the  Lord  would  loose  the 
"  loins  of  kings  before  him,  and  break  in  pieces  the  gates  of  brass,  and 
"  cut  in  sunder  the  bars  of  iron,  and  open  the  two-leaved  gates ;  and  that 
"  the  gates  should  not  be  shut '!"  And  the  Lord  said ;  "  This  is  for  Jacob, 
"  my  servant's  sake,  and  for  Israel  mine  elect,"  Isa.  xlv.  Was  not  this 
'  fulfilled  in  Cyrus's  and  Darius's  tiune  1  For  did  not  then  the  Jews  go  out 
'  of  captivity  into  their  own  land  ?  Ezra  i.  2,  3,  4,  and  chap.  vi.  1.  and  12. 
'  and  Isa.  xliv.  28.  and  xlv.  13.  Was  t^t  this  prophecy  of  Isaiah  fulfill- 
'  ed,  when  the  children  of  Israel  came  out  of  Babylon  1  Were  not  the 
'  Assyrians,  that  carried  away  the  ten  tribes,  subdued  1  and  the  Babylo- 
'  nians,  that  carried  away  the  two  tribes,  were  they  not  subdued  in  the 
'  days  of  Cyrus  and  Darius,  in  whose  days  the  ''loins  of  kings  were  loos- 
"  ed,  and  the  two-leaved  gates  of  brass  and  iron  were  opened  ?"  and 
'  had  not  Israel  and  Jacob  their  liberty  by  them  in  their  days,  to  go  into 
'  their  own  land  1 

'  And  here  in  England,  was  it  not  observed,  that  most  of  the  honest 

*  and  sober  people  were  turned  out  of  the  army,  and  their  commissions, 

*  offices,  and  places  taken  from  them,  because  they  could  not  join  with 
'  others  in  their  cruelty  and  persecuting?  and  others  laid  down  their  com- 
'  missions  themselves,  and  came  out  from  amongst  those  persecutors,  be- 
'  fore  they  were  overthrown,  and  brought  to  confusion.  All  that  are 
'  wise,  see  these  things,  and  learn  by  such  examples  and  way-marks  to 


I 

I 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  603 

*  shun  such  bogs.     The  righteous  are  safe,  that  keep  in  Christ,  their 

*  everlasting  sanctuary,  that  changes  not;  in  whom  tliey  have  rest  and 

*  peace  with  God,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston,  the  29th  of  the 
'  12th  month,  1G86-7.' 

While  I  was  at  Kingston,  one  day  meditating  on  the  things  of  God, 
some  particular  observations  arose  in  my  mind  concerning  the  first,  and 
the  '  second  or  last  Adam.     As  that 

'  The  first  man  Adam  was  made  on  the  sixth  day  of  the  w^eek ;  and 

*  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  was  crucified  on  the  sixth  day  of  the  week. 

'  The  first  Adam  was  betrayed  by  the  serpent  in  the  garden  of  Eden : 

*  Christ  our  Saviour,  the  second  Adam,  was  betrayed  by  Judas  in  a  gar- 

*  den  near  Jerusalem. 

'  Christ  arose  from  the  dead  on  the  first-day  of  the  week ;  and  they 
'  that  do  believe  on  him  are  entered  into  Christ  their  rest :  the  christians 
'  meet  together  to  worship  God  on  the  first  day  of  the  week ;  and  on  the 
'  first  day  of  the  week  it  was,  that  God  said,  "  Let  there  be  fight,  and 
"  there  was  light."  The  Jews'  rest  was  on  the  seventh  day  of  the  week, 
'  which  was  given  to  them  as  a  sign  of  the  eternal  rest  of  the  Lord, 
'  sanctifying  them,  after  they  came  out  of  the  land  of  Eg}^t :  for  before 
« that  time  the  Lord  had  not  given  to  man  and  woman  his  outw-ard  Sab- 

*  bath-day  to  keep,  neither  in  the  old  world,  nor  after  in  Abraham's  time, 
'  nor  in  Isaac's,  nor  in  Jacob's  time ;  until  the  Jews  came  out  of  Egypt 
'  to  Mount  Sinai  in  the  wilderness.  Then  the  Lord  gave  the  law,  and 
<  his  Sabbath,  as  a  sign  in  the  old  covenant,  of  Christ  the  eternal  rest  in 
'  the  new  coveiiant :  and  they  that  believe  do  enter  into  Christ  their  rest. 

'  Adam,  the  first  man,  is  the  root  from  whence  we  all  spring  natural- 
'  ly :  and  Christ  is  called  the  last  or  second  Adam,  because  he  is  the  be- 

*  ginning  and  root  of  all  that  are  spiritual. 

'  The  first  Adam  was  made  a  Uving  soul :  and  Christ  the  last  Adam 

*  is  a  quickening  Spirit. 

'  Christ  by  the  grace  of  God  tasted  death  for  every  man,  that  they 
'might  all  come  into  favour  with  God;  and  that  every  tongue  should 

*  confess,  that  "Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 

I  wrote  also  a  paper  there,  concerning  the  two  seeds,  distinguishing 
the  seed  wherein  the  blessing  is  received,  from  the  seed  which  the  curse 
remains  upon.     Of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

'  The  Lord  said  to  Abraham,  "  In  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of  the 
"  earth  be  blessed,"  Gen.  xxii.  18.  "  And  thy  seed  shall  be  as  the  stars 
"  of  heaven,  and  as  the  sand  which  is  upon  the  sea-shore,  and  as  the 
"  dust  of  the  earth,  that  cannot  be  numbered,"  chap.  xiii.  16.  and  xv.  5. 
'  and  xxii.  17.     In  this  seed  all  nations  and  families  of  the  earth  are 

*  blessed ;  but  not  in  the  seed  of  evil-doers  and  of  falsehood,  nor  in  the 
'  seed  of  adultery  and  the  whore,  Isa.  i.  4,  and  Ivii.  3,  4.  "  For  the  seed 
"  of  the  wicked*^shall  be  cut  ofl;  saith  the  Lord,"  Psal.  xxxvii.  28.  The 
'  Lord  said  to  David,  "  That  his  seed  should  endure  for  ever,"  Psal. 
'  Ixxxix.  38.  And  again  it  is  said,  Psal.  cii.  28,  "  The  children  of  thy 
"  servants  shall  continue,  and  their  seed  shall  be  established  before  thee." 

*  Here  is  a  distinction  betwixt  the  two  seeds :  for  the  seed  of  evil-doers, 

*  of  the  adulterer,  whore,  and  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off*;  so  it  is  not 

*  blessed.  But  Christ  bruises  the  head  of  the  serpent  and  his  seed,  which 
'  he  sovveth  in  them,  that  disobey  and  transgress  God's  command,  and 


604  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1667 

'  rebel  against  God's  good  Spirit.  This  wicked  seed  of  the  serpent  is 
'  curst,  and  is  an  enemy  to  the  seed,  in  whom  all  are  blessed.  But  Christ 
'  bruises  the  head  of  this  cursed  seed  of  enmity,  and  destroys  the  devil 
'  and  his  works ;  and  in  his  seed  are  all  blessed,  and  all  are  in  unity  in 
'  this  seed.     All  the  children  of  the  seed  are  the  children  of  the  kingdom 

*  of  God  and  Christ,  and  are  blessed  with  faithful  Abraham.  Whoever 
'  are  of  the  saving,  divine,  precious  faith,  are  of  Abraham,  walk  in  the 

*  steps  of  the  seed  and  faith  of  Abraham,  and  are  blessed  with  him,  yea, 
'  of  all  nations,  and  all  the  families  of  the  earth. 

'  The  Lord  said  to  Abraham,  "  Thy  seed  shall  be  a  stranger  in  a  land 
"  that  is  not  theirs,  and  shall  serve  them ;  and  they  shall  afflict  them  four 
"  hundred  years:  and  that  nation,  whom  they  shall  serve,  will  I  judge; 
"  and  afterwards  shall  they  (to  wit,  God's  seed)  come  out  with  great  sub- 
"  stance,"  Gen.  xv.  13,  14.     Here  ye  may  see,  that  which  afflicts  God's 

*  seed,  he  will  judge,  and  did  judge ;  for  he  did  destroy  the  first-birth  of 
'  Pharaoh,  and  overthrew  him  and  his  host. 

'  An  holy  man  said ;  "  Except  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth  had  left  us  a  seed 
"  or  remnant,  we  had  been  as  Sodom,"  &c.  that  is  destroyed.  But  in 
'  the  seed,  which  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  bruises  the  head 
'  of  the  serpent  and  his  seed,  are  all  nations  and  families  of  the  earth 

*  blessed. 

'  Christ,  according  to  the  flesh,  was  of  Abraham  and  of  David :  for  he 

*  took  not  on  him  the  nature  of  angels,  but  the  seed  of  Abraham ;  in  which 
'  seed  all  nations  and  families  of  the  earth  are  blessed.  And  so  they, 
'  that  are  of  his  seed,  are  of  the  generation  of  Christ;  are  "flesh  of  his 
"  flesh,  and  bone  of  his  bone." — Now  all  nations  and  families  of  the  earth 
'  must  be  in  this  holy  seed,  if  they  have  the  blessings,  and  are  blessed. 
'  And  "  out  of  the  mouth  of  this  seed's  seed  shall  not  God's  word  depart ;" 
'  but  shall  remain  and  abide  in  the  mouth  of  this  seed's  seed,  in  which 
'  they  are  blessed,  Isa.  Ux.  21.  So  it  is  not  the  first-birth's  talking  of  the 
'  words  of  Christ,  the  seed,  in  whose  mouth  the  word  of  God  doth  not 
'  abide,  that  makes  an  outward  profession,  like  the  Jews,  that  did  kill  and 

*  persecute  the  prophets,  and  crucify  Christ  the  seed  and  substance  of  the 
'  law  and  prophets,  which  the  Jews  professed  in  words,  but  they  denied 
'  Christ,  the  seed  and  life.  All  Christians  (so  called)  that  profess  the 
'  scriptures  in  words,  and  are  not  in  the  seed  Christ,  are  in  the  confusion, 
'  and  are  like  the  Jews.  So  neither  Jews  nor  Christians  are  blessed,  ex- 
'  cept  they  be  in  Christ,  the  seed  of  life. 

'  But  though  Christ  is  said  to  be  the  seed  of  David,  and  of  Abraham, 
'  as  his  generation  is  declared  by  Matthew  and  Luke ;  yet  Christ  was 
'  not  born  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. 
'  For  he  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin,  and  sup- 
'  posed  to  be  the  son  of  Joseph,  but  was  the  son  of  God.  His  name  was 
'  called  Jesus,  because  he  should  "  save  his  people  from  their  sins ;"  and 
'  Emanuel,  God  with  us.  Chi'ist  took  not  upon  him  the  nature  of  an- 
'  gels,  but  the  seed  of  Abraham  (as  I  said  before)  and  so  was  made  of 
'  the  seed  of  David  according  to  the  flesh,  and  "  declared  to  be  the  Son 
"  of  God  with  power,  according  to  the  spirit  of  holiness,  by  the  resur- 
"  rection  from  the  dead,"  Rom.  i.  4.     So  the  generation  of  Christ  is  a 

*  mystery.  Christ  saw  his  seed  or  word  grow  up  in  his  disciples  ;  and 
"  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory,"  the  apostle  calls  "  the  mystery,  which 
"  hath  been  hid  from  ages  and  generations ;  but  now  is  made  manifest 
*'  to  the  saints,  or  sanctified  ones,"  Col.  i.  26,  27.     "  Whom  we  preach  ; 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  605 

"  warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every  man  in  all  wisdom,  that 
"  we  may  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus,"  v.  28.  For 
'  in  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  all  are  made  perfect  and  complete :  and 
'  in  Adam  in  the  fall,  all  are.  deformed  and  made  imperfect ;  so  out 
'  of  Christ  all  mankind  are  imperfect  and  deformed ;  let  them  paint 
'  and  dress  themselves  with  the  sheep's  clothing,  and  with  the  form 
'  of  godliness,  of  the  prophets',  Christ's  and  his  apostles'  words  never  so 

*  much ;  yet  if  Christ  be  not  in  them,  they  are  incomplete,  imperfect, 
'  deformed,  reprobates.  But  the  apostle  tells  the  church  of  Christ,  "  Ye 
"  are  complete  in  Christ,  which  is  the  head  of  all  principality  and  pow- 
"  er,"  Col.  ii.  10.  (for  he  hath  "  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to 
"  him,"  Matth.  xxviii.  18.)  So  all  the  saints  are  made  perfect  and  com- 
'  plete  in  Christ  Jesus ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  God  over  all  for  ever, 
'  through  Jesus  Christ,  Amen,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

*  Kingston,  the  15th  of  the 
*  1st  month,  1686-7.' 

Quickly  after  this  I  returned  to  London,  and  continued  there  a  month 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord ;  being  daily  exercised  either  in  public  meet- 
ings, or  more  particular  services  relating  to  the  church  of  Christ :  as 
visiting  such  as  were  sick  or  afflicted,  writing  books  or  papers  for  the 
spreading  of  truth,  or  refuting  of  error.  As  it  was  a  time  of  general 
liberty,  the  Papists  appeared  more  open  in  their  worship  than  formerly, 
and  many  unsettled  people  going  to  view  them,  a  great  talk  there  was 
of  their  praying  to  saints,  and  by  beads,  «fec.  whereupon  I  wrote  a  short 
paper  concerning  prayer;  as  followeth: 

'  Christ  Jesus,  when  he  taught  his  disciples  to  pray,  said  unto  them, 
"  When  ye  pray,  say ;  Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be 
"  thy  name,"  &c.  Christ  doth  not  say,  they  should  pray  to  Mary,  the 
'  mother  of  Christ ;  nor  doth  he  say,  they  should  pray  to  angels,  or  to 
'  saints  that  were  dead.     Christ  did  not  teach  them  to  pray  to  the  dead, 

*  nor  for  the  dead.  Neither  did  Christ  or  his  apostles  teach  the  believers 
'  to  pray  by  beads,  nor  to  sing  by  outward  organs ;  but  the  apostle  said, 
'  he  would  sing  and  pray  in  the  spirit :  for  the  Spirit  itself  "  maketh 
"  intercession ;  and  the  Lord,  that  searcheth  the  heart,  knoweth  the 
"  mind  of  the  spirit." 

'  To  take  counsel  of  the  dead,  was  forbidden  by  the  law  of  God  ;  they 

*  were  to  take  counsel  of  the  Lord.  He  hath  given  Christ  in  the  new 
'  covenant,  in  his  gospel-day,  to  be  a  counsellor  and  a  leader  to  all  be- 
'  lievers  in  his  lio-ht.  Men  are  not  to  run  to  the  dead  for  the  livino-;  for 
'  the  law  and  testimony  of  God  forbids  it.  Those  Jews,  that  refused  the 
'  running  waters  of  Shiloh,  the  floods  and  waters  of  the  Assyrians  and 
'Babylonians  came  over  them,  and  carried  them  into  captivity:  and 
'  they  that  refuse  the  waters  of  Christ,  are  overflowed  with  the  flood  of 
'  the  world,  that  lieth  in  wickedness.  They  that  asked  counsel  of  stocks 
'  and  stones,  were  in  the  spirit  of  error  and  whoredom ;  they  were 
"gone  a  whoring  from  God,"  Hosea  iv.  12.  And  they,  that  "joined 
"  themselves  to  Baal-Peor,  and  ate  the  sacrifices  of  the  dead,  provoked 
"  the  Lord's  anger,  and  brought  the  Lord's  displeasure  upon  them," 
'  Psal.  cvi.  28,  29.  So  here  ye  may  see,  the  sacrifices  of  the  dead  were 
'  forbidden.  The  living  know  that  they  shall  die ;  but  the  dead  know  not 
'  any  thing,  neither  have  they  any  more  a  reward :  for  the  memory  of 

them  is  forgotten,  Eccles.  ix.  5.     "  Wo  to  the  rebellious  children,  saith 


606  GEORGE  FOXS  JOURNAL.  [1687 

*'  the  Lord,  that  take  counsel,  but  not  of  me ;  and  that  cover  with  a  cov- 
*'  ering,  but  not  of  my  Spirit,  that  they  may  add  sin  to  sin,"  Isa.  xxx.  1. 

'  G.  F.' 
When  I  had  staid  about  a  month  in  London,  I  got  out  of  town  again. 
For  by  reason  of  the  many  hardships  I  had  undergone  in  imprisonments, 
and  other  sufferings  for  truth's  sake,  my  body  was  grown  so  infirm  and 
weak,  that  I  could  not  bear  the  closeness  of  the  city  long  together ;  but 
was  fain  to  go  a  little  into  the  country,  where  I  might  have  the  benefit 
of  the  fresh  air.  At  this  time  I  went  with  my  son-in-law  William  Mead, 
to  his  country-house  called  Gooses  in  Essex,  where  I  staid  about  two 
weeks ;  and  among  other  services,  that  I  had  there,  I  wrote  the  follow- 
ing paper : 

*'  A  Distinction  between  the  true  offering  and  sacrifice,  and  the  false,  in 
"  the  old  and  new  covenant. 

'  The  Lord  saith,  "  He  that  sacrificeth  to  any  god,  save  unto  the 
*'  Lord  only,  he  shall  be  utterly  destroyed,"  Exod.  xxii.  20.  So  no  god 
'  is  to  be  minded,  nor  sacrificed  to,  but  the  Lord  God.  It  is  death  to  sac- 
'  rifice  to  any  other  god,  save  the  Lord.  The  Lord  saith  also,  "  Thou 
"  shalt  not  offer  the  blood  of  my  sacrifice  with  leavened  bread,"  Exod. 

*  xxiii.  18.  So  that  sour  heavy  leaven  must  not  be  offered  with  the  Lord's 

*  sacrifice.  Again  the  Lord  saith ;  "  Thou  shalt  not  build  an  altar  of 
"  hewn  stone :  for  if  thou  lift  up  thy  tool  upon  it,  thou  hast  polluted  it," 

*  Exod.  XX.  2.5.     Therefore  have  a  care  of  polluting  the  altar  with  your 

*  own  tools,  you  that  profess  to  offer  the  spiritual  sacrifice. 

'  Jonah  said ;  "  He  would  sacrifice  unto  the  Lord  with  the  voice  of 
"  thanksgiving,"  when  he  was  in  the  fish's  belly;  and  there  he  prayed 

*  unto  the  Lord,  Jonah  ii.     For  Jonah  in  the  whale's  belly  had  no  lambs, 

*  nor  rams,  nor  outward  sacrifices  to  offer. 

'The  Lord  forbids  his  people  to  sacrifice  with  harlots,  Hosea  iv.  14. 

*  And  the  Lord  forbids  his  people  to  offer  sacrifice  of  the  blind,  lame,  sick, 
"  or  that  which  was  deformed,  or  had  any  blemish :  as  in  Mai.  i.  and 
^  many  other  places.  So  they  that  offer  spiritual  sacrifice,  must  not  offer 
"the  blind,  lame,  blemished,  or  deformed  sacrifice  to  God. 

'  The  scribe  saith  unto  Christ,  "  To  love  God  with  all  the  heart,  and 
"  with  all  the  understanding,  and  with  all  the  soul,  and  with  all  the 
"'  strength,  and  to  love  his  neighbour  as  himself,  is  more  than  all  whole 
"  burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices,"  Mark  xii.  33.  "  And  when  Jesus  saw, 
"  that  he  answered  discreetly,  he  said  unto  him ;  Thou  art  not  far  from 
"  the  kingdom  of  God,"  v.  34.  To  love  God,  and  their  neighbour  as 
'  themselves,  was  more  than  whole  burnt-offerings  and  sacrifices  in  the 
'  time  of  the  law ;  therefore  all  offerings  and  sacrifices  in  the  tinie  of  the 
'  gospel,  if  there  be  not  love  to  God  and  to  their  neighbour  as  themselves, 

*  avail  nothing. 

'  David  said,  "  Let  them  sacrifice  a  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving,  and  de- 
"  clare  his  works  with  rejoicing,"  Psal.  cvii.  22.  These  are  the  sacri- 
'  fices  that  the  lord  requires  of  his  people,  more  than  outward  sacrifices. 
'  David  said,  "  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before  thee  as  incense ;  and 
"  the  lifting  up  of  mine  hands  as  the  evening  sacrifice,"  Psal.  cxli.  2. 
^  Here  David  looks  upon  his  prayer  to  the  Lord,  and  the  lifting  up  of  his 
'  hands  to  him,  to  be  accepted  with  the  Lord,  as  much  as  the  outward 
'  incense,  and  the  outward  evening  sacrifice.  Again  David  says,  "  The 
"  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit ;  a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart, 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  607 

"  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise,"  Psal.  li.  17.  (See  also  Isa.  Ivii.  15.  and 
'  chap.  Ixvi.  2.)  These  are  the  sacrifices  that  David  said  God  would  ac- 
'  cept,  and  not  despise ;  which  are  beyond  the  unbroken  spirit,  and  un- 
'  contrite  heart,  with  outward  offerings  and  sacrifices. 

'  The  adversaries  of  the  Jews  would  have  joined  with  them  towards 
'  the  building  of  the  temple,  saying,  "  Let  us  build  with  you,  for  we  seek 
"  your  God,  as  ye  do ;  and  we  do  sacrifice  unto  him."  But  the  Jews  re- 
'  fused  them,  and  said ;  "  Ye  have  nothing  to  do  with  us,  to  build  an 
"  house  unto  our  God,"  Ezra  iv.  2,  3.  Here  ye  may  see  God's  people 
'  refused  their  building  with  them,  and  their  sacrifice.  Solomon  saith, 
"  The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord,"  Prov.  xv. 
"  8.  (See  also  Isa.  i.  11.  and  chap.  Ixvi.  3.)  Solomon  also  saith,  "  Better 
"  is  a  dry  morsel,  and  quietness  therewith,  than  an  house  full  of  sacri- 
"  fices  with  strife,"  Prov.  xvii.  I.  Now  let  all  people  consider  what  good 
'  your  house  full  of  sacrifices  doth  with  strife,  when  a  dry  morsel,  and 
'  quietness  therewith,  is  better  1  Consider  all  people,  if  ye  live  in  wicked- 
'  ness,  your  sacrifice  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord. 

'  Again,  Solomon  speaking  of  the  sacrifice  of  fools,  saith ;  "  They  con- 
"  sider  not,  that  they  do  evil,"  Eccles.  v.  1.  Fools  are  such  as  do  not 
'  walk  in  the  Spirit  of  God,  or  begin  in  the  spirit,  and  end  in  the  flesh, 
'  like  the  foolish  Galatians :  for  the  Spirit  of  God  is  the  Spirit  of  wisdom 
'  and  understanding,  and  cannot  join  with  the  sacrifices  of  the  dead,  nor 
'of  the  fools,  nor  of  the  wicked,  whose  sacrifice  is  abominable;  who 
'  grieve  and  quench  the  Spirit  of  God :  by  which  the  spiritual  and  right- 
'  eous  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ. 

'  The  apostle  Paul  saith,  he  was  the  "  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
"  Gentiles,  ministering  the  gospel  of  God,  that  the  offering  up  of  the  Gen- 
"  tiles  might  be  acceptable,  being  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost,"  Rom. 
'  XV.  16.  So  ye  may  see,  that  all  the  acceptable  offerings  and  sacrifices 
'  to  God  must  be  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  same  apostle  saith 
'  to  the  Corinthians ;  "  Ye  are  bought  Avith  a  price ;  therefore  glorify 
"  God,  in  your  body,  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God's,"  1  Cor.  vi.  20. 
"  And  to  the  Romans,  he  saith ;  "  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the  mer- 
"  cies  of  God,  that  you  present  your  bodies  a  Hving  sacrifice,  holy,  ac- 
"  ceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service,"  Rom.  xii.  1. 
'  This  is  the  duty  of  all  true  Christians. 

'  Peter  also  saith,  in  his  general  epistle  to  the  church  of  Christ ;  "  Ye 
"  also,  as  lively  stones,  are  built  up  a  spiritual  house,  an  holy  priesthood, 
"  to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ,"  1 
'  Pet.  ii.  5.  So  every  man  and  woman  must  come  to  the  Spirit  of  God 
'  in  their  own  hearts,  if  they  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to, 
'  God  by  Jesus  Christ.  For  as  Christ  saith,  "  Every  sacrifice  shall  be 
"  salted  with  salt,"  Mark  ix.  49.  And  in  the  Old  Testament  ye  may  see, 
'  all  their  outward  offerings  they  were  "  to  season  with  salt,"  Levit.  ii. 
'  13.  A  type  and  figure  of  Christ,  who  "  gave  himself  for  us,  an  offering 
"  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  a  sweet-smelhng  savour,"  Ephes.  v.  2. 
'  Therefore  all  his  people  must  be  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
*  fire,  that  they  may  be  salted  with  fire,  and  every  sacrifice  salted  with 
'  salt,  with  the  Spirit  of  grace,  that  is  poured  upon  all :  so  that  they  may 
'  offer  up  this  spiritual  sacrifice,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ. 

'  Samuel  said  to  king  Saul ;  "  Hath  the  Lord  as  great  delight  in  burnt- 
"  offerings  and  sacrifices,  as  in  obeying  the  voice  of  the  Lord  1  behold  to 
•'  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice ;  and  to  hearken,  than  the  fat  of  rams,"  1 


608  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

'  Sam.  XV.  22.  So  ye  may  see,  all  offerings  and  sacrifices  are  nothing, 
'  if  there  be  not  an  hearkening  to  the  Lord  in  his  Spirit,  and  an  obeying 
'  of  his  voice.  Christ  told  the  Jews,  who  were  outward  sacrificers,  that 
'  he  would  have  mercy  and  not  sacrifice :  and  bid  them  "  go  and  learn 
"  what  that  meaneth,"  Matth.  ix.  13.  G.  F.' 

'  Gooses,  the  28th  of  the 
'  2d  month,  1687.' 

The  beginning  of  the  third  month  I  returned  to  London,  and  continued 
there  till  after  the  yearly  meeting,  which  began  the  sixteenth,  and  was 
very  large ;  friends  having  more  freedom  to  come  up  out  of  the  countries 
to  it,  by  reason  of  the  general  toleration  and  liberty  now  granted.  The 
meeting  lasted  several  days ;  and  at  the  close  thereof  it  was  upon  me  to 
write  the  following  lines,  to  be  dispersed  among  friends  every-where, 

as "  A  word  of  counsel  and  caution  to  them  to  walk  circumspectly 

*•  in  this  time  of  liberty." 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ; 

•  The  Lord  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power  having  supported  you  in  all 
'  your  sufferings,  great  spoiling  of  goods,  and  tedious  imprisonments, 
'  only  for  serving  and  worshipping  the  hving  God  that  made  you ;  who 
'  gave  up  wife  and  children  and  goods,  and  suffered  the  spoil  of  them, 
'  and  imprisonment  for  his  truth  and  name's  sake ;  the  Lord,  by  his  infi- 

*  nite  power  and  mercy,  having  been  pleased  to  open  the  king's  heart  to- 
'  wards  you,  by  which  you  are  set  at  liberty  from  gaols,  and  the  spoilers 
'  of  your  goods  are  stopt,  whereby  ye  may  follow  your  callings,  confess 
'  Christ  Jesus,  and  call  him  Lord  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  your  assemblies, 
'  without  being  cast  into  gaols,  or  having  your  goods  spoiled.  Dear 
'  brethren,  a  great  concern  lies  upon  me  from  the  Lord  to  write  unto 
'  you,  "  That  none  may  abuse  this  liberty,  nor  the  mercies  of  the  Lord, 
"  but  prize  them ;"  for  there  is  great  danger  in  time  of  liberty,  of  getting 
'  up,  and  getting  into  ease,  looseness,  and  false  liberty.  And  now,  seeing, 
'  that  ye  have  not  the  outward  persecutors  to  war  with  in  sufferings,  with 
'  the  spiritual  weapons  keep  down  that  which  would  not  be  subject  to 
'  Christ ;  that  he,  the  holy  One,  may  reign  in  your  hearts ;  that  your 
'  lives,  conversations,  and  words  may  preach  righteousness  and  truth ; 
'  that  ye  may  all  shew  forth  good  ensamples  of  true  believers  in  Christ,  in 
'  virtue  and  holiness,  answering  that  which  may  be  known  of  God  in  all 
'  people,  that  ye  are  the  sons  and  daughters  of  God ;  standing  fast  in  that 
'  righteous,  holy  liberty  in  Christ,  the  just  and  holy  One,  that  has  made 
'  you  free,  over  the  loose  or  false ;  shunning  the  occasions  of  vain  dis- 
'  putes,  and  foolish  questions  of  men  of  corrupt  minds :  for  the  serpent  was 
'  the  first  questioner  of  Eve,  who  drew  her  and  Adam  out  of  the  truth. 
'  Therefore  as  ye  have  received  Christ,  five  and  walk  in  him,  who  bruises 
'  the  serpent's  head,  who  is  your  safe  sanctuary ;  in  whom  ye  have  elec- 

*  tion,  reconciliation,  and  peace  with  God.  Therefore  live  in  the  peace 
'  which  ye  have  from  Christ,  which  is  not  of  this  world ;  be  at  peace  one 

*  with  another,  and  seek  the  peace  of  all  men  in  Christ  Jesus :  for  blessed 
'  are  the  peace-makers.  Labour  to  exercise  a  good  conscience  towards 
'  God,  in  obedience  to  him  in  what  he  requires,  and  in  doing  to  all  men 
'  the  thing  that  is  just  and  honest;  in  your  conversations  and  words  giv- 

*  ing  no  offence  to  Jew  or  Gentile,  nor  to  the  church  of  God.  So  ye  may 

*  be  as  a  city  set  on  God's  Sion-Hill,  which  cannot  be  hid ;  and  may  be 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  609 

'  lights  to  the  dark  world,  that  they  may  see  your  good  fruits,  and  glo- 
'  rify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven :  for  he  is  glorified  in  your  bring- 
'  ing  forth  good  fruits,  as  ye  abide  in  Christ,  the  vine,  in  this  his  day  of 
'  life,  power,  and  light,  that- shineth  over  all.  Thereipre  all  that  believe 
'  in  the  light,  walk  in  the  light,  as  children  of  the  light  and  of  Christ's 
'  everlasting  day ;  that  in  the  light  ye  may  have  fellowship  with  the 
'  Father  and  the  Son,  and  one  with  another ;  keeping  in  the  unity  of  his 
'  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  bond  of  his  holy  peace,  in  his  church,  that  he  is  head 
'  of.  My  desire  is,  that  God's  wisdom  every-where  may  be  justified  of 
'  her  children,  and  that  it  may  be  shewed  forth  in  meekness,  and  in  the 
'  fear  of  the  Lord  in  this  his  day,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

By  that  time  the  yearly  meeting  was  over,  I  was  very  much  wearied 
and  spent :  wherefore  about  a  week  after  I  got  out  of  town  to  a  friend's 
house  a  little  beyond  Edmonton,  where,  and  at  South-street,  I  abode 
some  time,  and  had  meetings  amongst  friends  there ;  and  at  Winchmore- 
hill  and  Berry-street.  Having  my  mind  continually  exercised  in  the 
things  of  God,  the  sense  of  his  infinite  goodness  and  mercy  to  mankind, 
in  visiting  them,  after  they  had  transgressed  and  rebelled  against  him, 
and  providing  a  way  and  means  for  their  return  to  him  again,  was  very 
much  upon  me ;  and  in  the  opening  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  I  writ  the  fol- 
lowing paper  on  that  subject : 

'  God,  who  made  all  men  and  women,  though  they  have  transgressed 
'  his  commands  and  laws,  rebelled  against  him,  hated  his  light,  grieved 
'  his  Spirit,  and  walked  despitefully  against  his  Spirit  of  grace ;  yet  he 
'  who  is  merciful,  would  have  all  to  be  saved,  and  come  to  the  know- 

*  ledge  of  the  truth.  All  that  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  must 
'  know  it  in  their  inward  parts ;  I  say,  the  grace  and  truth,  which  comes 
'  by  Jesus,  all  that  know  and  find  it,  know  and  find  it  in  their  hearts. 
'  Such  find  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  the  pearl,  the  leaven,  the  lost 
'  piece  of  silver,  and  the  kingdom  of  heaven  within.  For  until  all  come 
'  to  the  light  and  truth  in  their  hearts,  they  have  been  strangers  to  these 
'  things,  in  Adam  in  the  fall,  from  the  image  of  God,  his  light,  power  and 
'  spirit,  and  kingdom.  But  Christ,  that  never  fell,  brings  man  and  woman 
'  again,  that  follow  him,  to  know  these  things,  and  to  know  the  truth, 
'  him  the  Saviour,  and  brings  them  into  his  image,  and  his  everlasting 

*  kingdom. 

'  The  devil,  who  is  out  of  the  truth,  tempted  man  and  woman  to  diso- 
'  bey  God ;  and  so  drew  them  into  the  fall  from  the  truth.  It  is  the  devil 
'  that  hath  stopped  men's  eyes,  ears,  and  hearts  from  the  truth,  who  is 

*  called  the  god  of  the  world ;  who  hath  blinded  the  eyes  of  infidels,  or 
'  heathen.  But  Christ,  who  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  and  destroys  the 
'  devil  and  his  works,  doth  open  men's  hearts,  eyes,  and  ears,  who  is 
'  their  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  and  giveth  life  eternal  to  his  people,  that 
'  obey  him  and  his  truth.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  ever  through  Jesus 
'  Christ,  who  hath  tasted  death  for  all  men,  to  bring  them  out  of  the 
'  death  of  Adam  ;  and  is  a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world, 
'  and  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  of  in  due  time.  For 
'  as  by  Adam's  transgression  and  disobedience  death  and  condemnation 
'  came  upon  all  men,  so  by  Christ's  obedience  unto  death,  justification 
'of  life  is  come  upon  all  men:  and  "he  that  believeth  in  Christ  hath 
"  eternal  life ;  but  he  that  doth  not  is  condemned  already."    But  God 

4B 


610  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

*  would  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  come  unto  the  knowledge  of  the 

*  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  who  is  their  Saviour ;  and  in  him  there  is  no  con- 
'  demnation.  G.  F.' 

After  I  had  been  awhile  here,  I  went  to  a  monthly  meeting  at  Enfield, 
and  from  thence  with  some  friends  to  Hertford ;  where  I  staid  three  or 
four  days,  visiting  friends  both  at  their  public  meetings  on  first-day,  and 
at  their  quarterly  meetings  of  men  and  women :  and  good  service  for 
the  Lord  I  had  amongst  them.  Then  passing  to  Waltham-Abbey,  I  had 
a  very  good  meeting  with  friends,  and  the  next  day  went  to  another 
place,  to  compose  a  difference,  which,  for  want  of  a  right  understanding 
of  each  other,  had  happened  between  some  friends.  I  returned  to  Wal- 
tham  that  night :  and  the  next  day  went  with  some  friends  to  William 
Mead's  house  in  Essex. 

Here  I  staid  some  weeks,  yet  was  not  idle,  but  often  visited  meetings 
thereabouts :  as  at  Wanstead,  Barking,  and  at  John  Harding's.  Betwixt 
meeting  and  meeting  I  wrote  many  things  for  spreading  truth,  and  open- 
ing people's  understandings  to  receive  it.  One  was  a  paper,  proving 
from  the  scriptures  that  people  must  repent  before  they  can  receive  the 
gospel,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  kingdom  of  God,  or  be  baptized ; 
after  this  manner : 

'  John  the  Baptist  came  preaching  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea,  saying, 
"  Repent  ye ;  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,"  Matth.  iii.   12. 

*  When  John  the  Baptist  was  cast  into  prison,  Mark  says ;  "  That  Jesus 
"  came  into  Galilee,  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  and 
"  saying,  the  time  is  fulfilled,  and  the  kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand ;  re- 
"pent  ye,  and  believe  the  gospel,"  Mark  i.  14,  15.  Matthew  also  says; 
"  From  that  time  Jesus  began  to  preach  and  to  say,  repent,  for  the  king- 
"dom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,"  Matth.  iv.  17.  "And  when  Christ  sent 
"  forth  his  twelve  disciples,  two  and  two,  they  went  out,  and  preached, 
"  that  men  should  repent,"  Mark  vi.  12.  Christ  said  to  the  Jews,  "  Ex- 
"  cept  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish,"  Luke  xiii.  3,  5.  when  the 
'  publicans  and  sinners  came  to  hear  Christ,  and  the  Pharisees  and  Scribes 
'  murmured,  saying,  "  This  man  receiveth  sinners,  and  eateth  with  them," 
'  Luke  XV.  1,2.  Christ  reproved  them  by  a  parable,  and  then  told  them ;  "Joy 
"  shall  be  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  more  than  over  ninety 
"  and  nine  just  persons,  which  need  no  repentance,"  ver.  7.  Adding, 
*'  There  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  that 
"repenteth,"  ver.  10.  Christ,  after  he  was  risen,  said  unto  his  disciples, 
"  That  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name 
"  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem,"  Luke  xxiv.  47.  Peter  said 
'  to  the  Jews,  "  Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name 
"  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins ;  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift 
"  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  Acts  ii.  38.  Paul  said,  "  The  times  of  this  igno- 
"  ranee  God  winked  at ;  but  now  commandeth  all  men  every-where  to 
"  repent,"  Acts  xvii.  30.     Simon  Magus  was  called  to  repentance,  if  he 

*  had  regarded  it.  Acts  viii.  22.     The  apostle  Paul  did  preach  at  Damas- 

*  cus,  at  Jerusalem,  and  throughout  all  the  coasts  of  Judea,  and  then  to 
'  the  Gentiles,  turning  them  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ,  and  from 
'  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,  that  they  should  "  repent  and  turn  to  God, 
'*  and  do  works  meet  for  repentance,"  Acts  xxvi.  20. 

'  Here  ye  may  see  people  must  repent  before  they  believe  and  are  bap- 
tized, and  before  they  receive  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  kingdom  of  God. 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  611 

'  They  must  repent  of  their  vain  life  and  conversation  before  they  re- 
'  ceive  the  gospel,  and  must  be  turned  from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ, 
'  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  before  they  receive  his  holy  Spirit 
'  and  his  gospel  of  life  and  salvation.  The  Lord  doth  command  all  men 
'  eveiy- where  to  repent,  and  do  v^^orks  meet  for  repentance.  They  must 
'  shew  that  their  hves,  conversations,  and  tongues  are  changed,  and  that 
'  they  serve  God  in  newness  of  life,  with  new  tongues  and  new  hearts. 

'G.  F.' 
'  Gooses,  the  6th  month, 
*  1687.' 

Another  short  paper  I  wrote  about  the  same  time,  shewing  '  wherein 
'  God's  people  should  be  like  unto  him.'     Thus : 

*  God  is  righteous,  and  he  would  have  his  people  to  be  righteous,  and 
'  to  do  righteously.  God  is  holy,  and  he  would  have  his  people  holy, 
'  and  to  do  holily.     God  is  just,  and  he  would  have  his  people  to  be  just, 

*  and  to  do  justly  to  all.  God  is  light,  and  his  children  must  walk  in  his 
'  light.  God  is  an  eternal,  infinite  Spirit,  and  his  children  mAist  walk  in 
'  the  Spirit.  God  is  merciful,  and  he  would  have  his  people  to  be  merci- 
'  ful.  God's  sun  shines  upon  the  good  and  the  bad,  and  he  causes  the 
'  rain  to  fall  upon  the  evil  and  the  good ;  so  should  his  people  do  good 
'  unto  all.  God  is  love,  and  they  that  dwell  in  love  dwell  in  God.  Love 
'  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbour,  therefore  "  Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the 
"  law,"  Rom.  xiii.  10.  The  apostle  saith,  "  All  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  one 
"  word,  even  in  this.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself,"  Gal.  v. 

*  14.  "  As  the  Father  hath  loved  me,  so  I  have  loved  you;  continue  ye 
"  in  my  love,"  John  xv.  9.  This  should  be  the  practice  of  all  God's 
'  people.  G.  F.' 

'  Gooses,  the  6th  month, 
'  1687.' 

And  because  most  people  would  confess,  that  God's  people  should  be 
thus,  but  few  know  how  to  come  to  this  state,  therefore  in  the  openings 
of  the  Spirit  of  truth  I  wrote  another  short  paper,  directing  to  '  the  right 
'  way  and  means  whereby  people  might  come  unto  Christ,  and  so  be 
'  made  like  unto  God.     Thus : 

'  Christ  saith,  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life ;  no  man  cometh 
"  unto  the  Father  but  by  me,"  John  xiv.  6.  And  again,  "  No  man  can 
*'  come  to  me,  except  the  Father  which  hath  sent  me  draw  him,"  John 

*  vi.  44.  Now,  what  is  the  means  by  which  God  doth  draw  his  people 
'  to  his  Son,  but  by  his  holy  Spirit,  who  "  poureth  out  of  his  Spirit  upon 
"  all  flesh,"  that  is,  all  men  and  women.  By  this  holy  Spirit  the  holy  and 
'  righteous  God  doth  draw  people  from  their  unrighteousness  and  unholi- 
'  ness  to  Christ,  the  righteous  and  holy  One,  the  great  Prophet  in  his  New 
'  Covenant  and  New  Testament,  whom  Moses  in  the  Old  Covenant  and 
'  Testament  said,  God  would  raise  up  like  unto  him,  whom  people  should 
"  hear  in  all  things ;  and  they  that  would  not  hear  him  should  be  cut  off?' 
'  They  that  do  not  hear  the  Son  of  God,  the  great  Prophet,  do  not  mind 
'  the  drawing  of  the  Father  by  his  holy  Spirit  to  his  Son ;  but  they  that 
'  mind  the  drawings  of  the  good  Spirit  of  the  Father  to  his  Son,  the 
'  Spirit  doth  give  them  understanding  to  know  God  and  Jesus  Christ, 
'  which  is  eternal  life.  Then  they  know  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  way,  the 
'  truth,  and  the  life,  and  that  none  can  come  unto  God  but  by  and  through 


612  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

'  his  Son,  who  is  their  shepherd  to  feed  them  in  his  pastures  and  springs 
'  of  life ;  and  his  sheep  know  his  holy  voice,  in  whom  there  was  no  sin, 

*  and  in  whose  mouth  there  was  no  guile,  and  an  hirehng  they  will  not 
'  hear,  for  he  careth  not  for  the  sheep :  for  they  are  not  the  hireling's  but 
'  Christ's,  who  hath  laid  down  his  life  for  his  sheep.     He  that  robs  and 

*  steals  his  neighbour's  words,  climbeth  up  another  way,  and  cntereth  not 
'  by  the  door,  is  a  thief  and  a  robber ;  but  Christ  is  the  door  into  his 
'  sheepfold,  for  his  sheep  to  enter  in  by.  They  know  that  Christ  is  the 
'  bishop  of  their  souls,  to  see  that  they  do  not  go  astray  from  God  nor 

*  out  of  his  pastures  of  life.  They  know  that  Christ  is  their  mediator, 
'  who  makes  their  peace  with  God.  They  know  that  Christ  is  their  high- 
'  priest,  made  higher  than  the  heavens,  and  hath  died  for  their  sins,  and 
'  doth  cleanse  them  with  his  blood,  and  is  risen  for  their  justification, 
'  and  is  able  to  the  utmost  to  save  all  that  come  to  God  by  him. 

'  G.  F.' 
'  Gooses,  the  6th  month, 
'  1687.' 

Before  I  left  this  place  I  wrote  another  paper,  the  scope  whereof  was 
to  shew,  by  many  instances  taken  out  of  the  holy  scriptures,  that  the 
kingdom  of  God,  which  most  people  talk  of  at  a  distance  and  refer  alto- 
gether to  another  life,  is  in  some  measure  to  be  known  and  entered  into 
in  this  life ;  but  that  none  can  know  an  entrance  thereinto,  but  such  as 
are  regenerated  and  born  again.    Of  that  paper  the  following  is  a  copy : 

'  Christ  saith,  "  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
"  dom  of  God,"  John  iii.  3.  "  That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh, 
*'  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  Spirit,"  ver.  6.  So  "except  a 
"  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit  he  cannot  enter  into  the  king- 
"  dom  of  God,"  ver.  5.  And  John,  writing  to  the  seven  churches  of 
'  Asia,  calls  himself  their  "  brother,  and  companion  in  tribulation,  and  in 
"  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ,"  Rev.  i.  9.  Here  you  may 
'  see  that  John  was  in  the  kingdom,  so  he  w'as  born  again :  for  he  did 

*  not  only  see  the  kingdom,  but  was  in  it. 

'  And  John  saith,  "  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  be- 
"  stowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God ;  therefore 
"  the  world  knoweth  us  not,  because  it  knew  him  not,"  1  John  iii.  1. 
"  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,"  ver.  2.  "  If  ye  know  that  he 
*'  is  righteous,  ye  know  that  every  one  that  doeth  righteousness  is  born 
"  of  him,"  chap.  ii.  29.  "  Whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit 
"  sin,  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him,  and  he  cannot  sin  because  he  is  born 
"  of  God,"  chap.  iii.  9.  "  Let  us  love  one  another,  for  love  is  of  God ; 
"  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  He  that 
*'  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God ;  for  God  is  love,"  chap.  iv.  7,  8.  "  Who- 
*'  soever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  is  born  of  God,"  chap.  v.  1. 
"  Whosoever  is  born  of  God,  overcometh  the  world ;  and  this  is  the  vic- 
"  tory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith,"  ver.  4.  Were  not 
'  these  that  were  born  of  God  in  the  kingdom  of  God  ?  And  seeing  John 
'says,  "Every  one  that  doth  righteousness  is  born  of  God ;"  do  not 

*  such  see  the  kingdom  of  God,  that  stands  in  righteousness,  and  enter 

*  into  it  ? 

'  Peter,  in  his  first  general  epistle  to  the  church  of  Christ,  saith,  "As 
"  new-born  babes  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,  that  ye  may  grow 
"  thereby,"  1  Pet.  ii.  2.     And  he  tells  them  they  were  "  a  chosen  genera- 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  613 

"  tion,  a  royal  priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people,"  that  they 

*  should  "  shew  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  had  called  them  out  of 
"  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light,"  ver.  9.  And  that  "  as  lively  stones 
*'  they  were  built  up  a  spiritual  house,  an  holy  priesthood  to  otier  up  spir- 
"  itual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ,"  ver.  5.     Did  not 

*  these  new-born  babes,  these  lively  stones,  spiritual  household,  royal 

*  priesthood,  holy  nation,  and  chosen  generation,  who  were  called  out  of 

*  darkness  into  Christ's  marvellous  light,  see  and  enter  into  his  holy  king- 

*  dom,  being  heirs  of  the  same  ?  who  were  "  born  again,  not  of  corrupt- 
"  ible  seed  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  word  of  God  which  liveth  and 
"  abideth  for  ever,"  1  Pet.  i.  23.  And  had  not  such  an  entrance  minis- 
'  tered  to  them  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 

*  Jesus  Christ  ? 

*  James,  in  his  general  epistle  to  the  church  of  Christ,  saith,  "  Hath 
"  not  God  chosen  the  poor  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the 
"  kingdom  which  he  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him  V  James  ii.  5. 

*  The  apostle  Paul  saith,  "  God  sent  forth  his  son  made  of  a  woman,  &c. 
"  to  redeem  them  that  were  under  the  law,  that  we  may  receive  the  adop- 
*'  tion  of  sons ;  and  because  ye  are  sons,  God  hath  sent  forth  the  Spirit 
"  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Fatiier.  V/herefore  thou 
'"  art  no  more  a  servant  but  a  son,  and  if  a  son  then  an  heir  of  God 
"  through  Christ,"  Gal.  iv.  4,  5,  6,  7.  The  same  apostle  saith,  "  As  many 
*'  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  they  are  the  sons  of  God ;"  and  tells 

*  the  saints  at  Rome,  "  Ye  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  whereby 
"  we  cry  Abba,  Father.  The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit, 
^'  that  we  are  the  children  of  God ;  and  if  children,  then  heirs,  heirs  of 
"  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ :  if  so  be  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we 
"  may  be  also  glorified  together,"  (namely  with  Christ)  Rom.  viii.  14,  15, 

*  16,  17.  Now  seeing  they  are  the  sons  of  God  that  are  led  by  the  Spirit 
'  of  God,  and  the  Spirit  beareth  witness  unto  their  spirit  that  they  are 
'  the  children  of  God,  heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ,  are  not 
'  all  these  children  of  God  heirs  of  the  righteous  glorious  kingdom  of 

*  God  1  And  do  they  not  see  it  and  enter  into  it  1 

'  The  Lord  saith  in  Hosea  i.  10,  "Where  it  was  said  unto  them,  ye 
"  are  not  my  people,  there  it  shall  be  said  unto  them,  ye  are  the  sons  of 
"  the  Living  God."  Did  not  this  relate  to  the  gospel-days  of  the  New 
'  Covenant  1  See  Rom.  ix.  26.     And  what  the  Lord  said  by  the  prophet 

*  Jeremiah,  chap.  xxxi.  1.  the  apostle  applies  to  the  gospel-days,  and  says, 
''  Be  ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing;  and 
"  I  will  receive  you,  and  will  be  a  father  unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my 
"  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  Almighty,"  2  Cor.  vi.  16.  Are  not 
'  these  the  children  that  see  and  enter  into  the  righteous  kingdom  of  God, 
^  that  separate  from  that  which  is  unclean  and  touch  it  not  t 

'  The  Lord  saith  also  by  Isaiah,  "  I  will  say  to  the  north,  give  up,  and 
*'  to  the  south,  keep  not  back ;  bring  my  sons  from  far,  and  my  daughters 

*  from  the  ends  of  the  earth,"  Isa.  xliii.  6.  Then  doth  not  he  bring  them 
'  to  his  kingdom  of  glory,  that  stands  in  righteousness  and  peace,  and  joy 

*  in  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

'  The  Lord  said  to  Job,  "  When  the  morning-stars  sang  together,  and 
"  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy,"  Job  xxxviii.  7.     Where  did  these 

*  sons  of  God  shout  for  joy  1  Was  it  not  in  his  kingdom  of  glory  ? 

'  Christ  saith,  "  The  least  in  the  kingdom  of  God  is  greater  than  .John," 
'Luke  vii.  28.     And  in  chap.  xvi.  16.  he  says,  "The  law  and  the  pro- 


614  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

"  phets  were  until  John ;  since  that  time  (viz.  since  the  law  and  the  pro- 
"  phets  and  John)  the  kingdom  of  God  is  preached,  and  every  man 
"  presseth  into  it." 

'  The  good  seed  are  the  children  of  the  kingdom,  Matt,  xiii.  38.  And 
"  the  righteous  shall  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Fa- 
"  ther,"  ver.  43.  Christ  said  unto  his  disciples,  '•  Unto  you  it  is  given  to 
"  know  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of  God,"  Mark  iv.  1 1.     Christ  Ufted 

*  up  his  eyes  upon  his  disciples,  and  said,  "  Blessed  be  ye  poor,  for  yours 
"  is  the  kingdom  of  God,"  Luke  vi.  20.  The  apostles  preached  the  king- 
'  dom  of  God.  These  were  born  again,  that  saw  and  knew  the  kingdom 
'  of  God  and  preached  it. 

'  Christ  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Fear  not  little  flock,  for  it  is  your  Fa- 
"  ther's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom,"  Luke  xii.  32.  "  I  ap- 
"  point  to  you  a  kingdom,"  said  Christ,  "  as  my  Father  hath  appointed  to 
"  me,"  chap.  xxii.  29.  The  Lord  said,  "  He  that  overcometh  shall  inherit 
"  all  things,  and  I  will  be  his  God  and  he  shall  be  my  son,"  Rev.  xxi.  7. 
'  And  John  saith,  "  I  have  written  unto  you,  young  men,  because  ye  are 
"  strong,  and  the  word  of  God  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  have  overcome 
"  the  wicked  one,"  1  John  ii.  14.  And  Christ,  by  whom  are  all  things,  is 
'  said  "  to  bring  many  sons  to  glory,"  Heb.  ii.  10. 

*  He  said,  "  Wo  unto  you  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites,  for  ye 
"  shut  up  the  kingdom  of  heaven  against  men ;  for  ye  neither  go  in  your- 
"  selves,  neither  suffer  ye  them  that  are  entering  to  go  in,"  Matt,  xxiii.  13. 
"  Wo  unto  you,  lawyers,  for  ye  have  taken  away  the  key  of  knowledge ; 
"  ye  entered  not  in  yourselves,  and  them  that  were  entering  in  ye  hin- 
"  dered,"  Luke  xi.  52.  Christ  gives  unto  his  children  the  keys  of  the 
'  kingdom,  his  Spirit ;  but  the  scribes,  pharisees,  and  lawyers,  great  pro- 
'  fessors,  who  were  erred  from  the  Spirit,  hke  the  great  professors  in  our 
'  age,  that  scoff  at  the  Spirit,  and  draw  people  from  the  Spiiit  of  God 
'  within,  these  shut  up  the  kingdom  from  men,  and  draw  people  from  the 
'  key  of  knowledge,  and  the  key  of  the  kingdom.  "  For  no  man  knows 
"  the  things  of  God,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  God  ;"  for  the  things  of  God  are 
'  spiritually  discerned.  The  vSpirit  is  the  key,  by  which  the  kingdom  of 
'  God  and  the  things  of  God  are  revealed,  discerned,  and  known,  accord- 
'  ing  to  1  Cor.  ii.  10,  11,  13,  14.  The  apostle  names  some  in  his  epistle 
'  to  the  Colossians,  and  says,  "  These  are  my  fellow-workers  unto  the 
"kingdom  of  God,"  Col.  iv.  11.  And  he  tells  that  church,  that  "God 
"  hath  delivered  us  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  hath  translated  us 
"  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,"  chap.  i.  13.  So  ye  may  see  these 
'  were  born  again  that  were  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and 

*  were  fellow- workers  unto  the  kingdom  of  God. 

'  Christ  exhorts  his  disciples  to  love  and  to  do  good,  that  they  might 
'  be  the  children  of  their  Father,  which  is  in  heaven.  Matt.  v.  45.  He 
'  bids  them  be  perfect,  even  as  their  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect, 
'  ver.  48.  The  apostle  saith  to  the  church  at  Philippi,  "  That  ye  may  be 
*'  blameless  and  harmless,  the  sons  of  God,  without  rebuke,  in  the  midst 
"  of  a  crooked  and  perverse  nation ;"  amongst  whom  ye  shine  as  lights 
'  in  the  world,  holding  forth  the  word  of  life,  &c.  Phil."  ii.  15,  16.  And 
'  writing  to  the  church  of  the  Thessalonians,  he  puts  them  in  mind  how 
'  he  had  exhorted  them  that  they  would  "  walk  worthy  of  God,  who  had 
"  called  them  into  his  kingdom  and  glory,"  1  Thess.  ii.  12. 

'The  Lord  had  promised  by  the  prophet  Joel,  that  he  would  "pour 
"  out  his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,"  and  that  "  Sons  and  daughters  should  pro- 


I 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  615 

"  phesy,  old  men  should  dream  dreams,  and  young  men  see  visions," 

*  Joel  ii.  28.  The  cause  that  sons  and  daughters,  hand-maids,  servants, 
'  young  men,  and  old  men  have  not  these  heavenly  visions,  dreams,  and 

*  prophecies,  is  because  they  are  "  erred  from  the  Spirit  of  God,"  which 

*  he  poureth  upon  them ;  but  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  are 

*  the  sons  of  God. 

'  John  saith  Clirist  was  the  true  light,  "  which  lighteth  every  man  that 
"  Cometh  into  the  world,"  John  i.  9.  And  that  "  as  many  as  received 
"  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  ver.  12.  which 
"  were  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God,"  ver.  13. 

*  The  reason  why  people  do  not  become  the  sons  of  God,  is  because 
'  they  do  not  receive  Christ.     The  Jews,  the  great  professors,  who  had 

*  the  promises,  prophecies,  figures,  and  shadows  of  hirini,  would  not  re- 

*  ceive  him  when  he  came.  And  now  the  priests  and  high  professors 
'  of  Christ  are  so  far  from  receiving  the  light  of  Christ,  and  believing  in 
'  it,  that  they  hate  the  light  and  scoff  at  it,  calling  it  a  natural  conscience, 
'  and  some  "  Jack  in  the  lanthorn."  Such  are  not  like  to  become  the  sons 
'  of  God,  nor  to  see  the  glorious  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  stands  in 
'  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.     For  the  light  that 

*  shines  in  the  heart  gives  the  "  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 
"  God  in  the  face  of  Christ  Jesus."     They  that  do  not  receive  Christ 

*  Jesus,  but  hate  his  light  (which  is  the  life  in  him)  and  yet  profess  him 
'  in  words,  neither  know  the  children  of  the  light,  nor  true  fellowship  in 
'  the  light,  nor  the  kingdom  of  God,  that  stands  in  righteousness,  peace, 

*  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  but  by  the  hght  they  are  condemned.  "  And 
"  this  is  the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  and  men 
"  love  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil.  For  every 
"  one  that  doeth  evil  hateth  the  light,  neither  cometh  to  the  light,  lest  his 
"  deeds  should  be  reproved,"  John  iii.  19,  20.  But  the  children  of  the  light, 
'  that  walk  in  the  light,  come  to  heavenly  Jerusalem,  to  the  city  of  the 
'  Living  God,  to  the  innumerable  company  of  angels,  and  to  the  general 
'  assenibly  and  church  of  the  first-born,  that  are  written  in  heaven,  and 

*  can  sing  Hallelujah.  G.  F.' 

'  Gooses,  the  2d  of  the 
'  7th  month,  1687. 

Having  been  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  year  in  the  country,  I  returned 
to  London  somewhat  better  in  health  than  formerly,  having  received 
much  benefit  by  the  country  air.  And  it  being  a  time  of  general  liberty 
and  great  openness  amongst  the  people,  I  had  much  service  for  the  Lord 
in  the  city,  being  almost  daily  at  publick  meetings,  and  fi^equently  taken 
up  in  visiting  friends  that  were  sick,  and  in  other  services  of  the  church. 
I  continued  at  London  about  three  months ;  then  finding  my  strength 
much  spent  with  continual  labouring  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  my 
body  much  stopped  for  want  of  fresh  air,  I  went  to  my  son  Rouse's  by 
Kingston,  where  I  abode  some  time,  and  visited  friends  at  Kingston. 
While  I  was  there,  it  came  upon  me  to  write  a  paper  concerning  the 
Jews,  shewing,  '  How  by  their  disobedience  and  rebellion  they  lost  the 

*  holy  city  and  land.'  By  which  example  the  professed  Christians  may 
see  what  they  are  to  expect,  if  they  continue  to  disobey  and  provoke  the 
Lord.     The  copy  here  foUoweth : 

*  The  Lord  gave  the  Jews  in  the  Old  Testament  the  land  of  Canaan, 

*  and  they  built  the  temple  at  Jerusalem  to  worship  in.     It  was  called 


616  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

"  the  Holy  temple,"  and  Jerusalem  was  called  "  the  Holy  City,"  and  Ca- 
'  naan  "  the  Holy  Land."  But  when  the  Jews  rebelled  against  the  good 
'  Spirit  which  God  gave  them  to  instruct  them,  and  rebelled  against  his 
'  law,  and  set  up  idols  and  images,  and  defiled  the  land  and  the  city,  the 
'  Lord  sent  his  prophets  to  cry  against  them,  to  bring  them  back  again 
'  to  his  Spirit,  and  to  his  law,  and  so  to  God,  to  serve  and  worship  him, 

*  that  they  might  not  worship  images  and  idols,  the  works  of  their  o\vn 
'  hands.  But  instead  of  hearkening  to  God's  prophets,  they  persecuted 
'  them,  and  at  last  killed  his  Son  Christ  Jesus,  and  persecuted  his  apos- 
'  ties.  But  Christ  told  the  Jews  that  both  their  city  and  temple  should  be 
'  laid  waste,  and  they  should  be  scattered  over  all  nations ;  and  it  was  so. 
'  Titus  the  Roman  Emperor  came  and  took  Jerusalem,  and  desti-oyed 
'  the  city  and  temple,  which  was  a  day  of  vengeance  upon  the  Jews  for 

*  all  their  idolatries,  their  wickedness,  and  for  the  innocent  blood  they 
'  had  shed  both  in  the  city  and  country ;  and  they  were  driven  out  of 

*  their  own  city  and  land,  and  scattered  over  all  nations.  The  Jews  had 
'  never  power  to  get  the  land  since,  nor  to  build  Jerusalem  nor  the  tem- 
'  pie ;  but  the  Turk  hath  both  the  land  of  Canaan  and  that  which  is  called 
"  the  City  of  Jerusalem."  Now  the  Turk  neither  makes  images  nor 
'  worships  images ;  so  it  is  a  just  hand  of  the  Lord  that  he  should  be 
'  over  the  persecuting,  idolatrous  Jews,  so  that  they  cannot  defile  the 
'  land  of  Canaan  now  with  images  and  idols,  for  the  Turk  hath  not,  who 
'  neither  makes  images  nor  idols,  nor  worships  them.  The  Jews  must 
'  never  hope,  believe,  nor  expect,  that  ever  they  shall  go  again  into  the 
'  land  of  Canaan,  to  set  up  an  outward  worship  at  Jerusalem,  and  there 
'  for  their  priests  to  offer  outward  sacrifices  of  rams,  sheep,  and  heifers, 
'  &c.  for  burnt-offerings ;  for  Christ,  the  one  offering,  hath  offered  himself 
'  once  for  all,  and  by  this  one  offering  he  hath  perfected  for  ever  them 
'  that  are  sanctified.  And  Christ  hath  changed  the  priesthood  of  Aaron, 
'  that  offered  sacrifices,  which  was  made  after  the  power  of  a  carnal 
'  commandment ;  but  Christ  was  made  after  the  power  of  an  endless  life, 
'  a  priest  for  ever,  who  was  holy,  harmless,  and  separate  from  sinners, 
'  and  is  a  priest  made  higher  than  the  heavens.  This  is  the  priest  that 
'  gives  power  to  all  that  receive  him  to  become  the  sons  and  daughters 
'  of  God ;  and  Jerusalem  that  is  above  is  the  mother  of  all  the  sons  and 
'  daughters  of  God,  which  is  free  ;  but  Jerusalem  that  is  below  is  in 
'  bondage  with  her  children.  They  that  are  the  children  of  Jerusalem 
'  that  is  above  do  not  look  down  at  Jerusalem  that  is  below ;  but  they 
'  look  at  Jerusalem  that  is  above,  which  is  their  mother.  Christ  said, 
"  Neither  at  outward  Jerusalem,  nor  in  the  mountain  of  Samaria  should 
"  God  be  worshipped ;  but  God  should  be  worshipped  in  Spirit  and  in 
"  truth :  for  he  is  a  Spirit,  and  such  he  seeks  to  worship  him,"  John  iv. 
'  This  is  the  worship  that  Christ  set  up  above  sixteen  hundred  years  ago  ; 
'  therefore  the  idolatrous  Jews  must  never  think  to  offer  their  outward 
'  offerings  and  sacrifices,  nor  set  up  their  outward  worship  at  Jerusalem, 
'  in  the  holy  land  of  Canaan  more.  For  Christ,  by  the  offering  up  of 
'  himself  once  for  all,  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  hath  ended  all  the 
'  Jews'  offerings,  and  changed  the  priesthood,  and  the  law  by  which  it 
'  was  made,  and  hath  blotted  out  the  hand-writing  of  ordinances,  which 
'  commanded  both  priests  and  offerings,  and  triumphed  over  them.  So 
'  he  is  the  offering  and  sacrifice  of  all  the  children  of  the  New  Testa- 
'  ment.  New  Covenant,  and  heavenly  New  Jerusalem  that  is  above.  He 
'  is  their  Prophet  that  openeth  to  them,  their  Shepherd  that  feeds  them, 


1 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  617 

'  their  Bishop  that  oversees  them,  and  Priest  that  died  for  their  sins  and 

*  is  risen  for  their  justification,  M^ho  sanctifies  and  presents  them  to  God. 
'  He  is  the  one  Mediator  betwixt  God  and  man,  even  the  Man  Christ 
'Jesus.  G.  F.' 

*  Kingston,  the  9th  of  the 
*  10th  month,  1687.' 

After  this  I  went  to  Guildford  to  visit  friends  there,  and  staid  three 
days  with  them,  and  had  a  large  and  very  good  meeting  on  first-day. 
After  which  I  came  back  to  Kingston  again,  and  tarried  about  two 
weeks  longer,  visiting  friends  and  having  meetings  amongst  them,  both 
at  their  publick  meeting-house  and  in  their  families.  Many  things  I 
wrote  while  I  was  at  Kingston ;  amongst  which  the  following  was  one : 

"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that 

*  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  not  perish  (mark,  not  perish)  but  have 
"  everlasting  life,"  John  iii.  16.  Again  he  saith,  "  He  that  believeth  on 
"  the  Son  of  God  hath  (mark,  hath)  everlasting  life,"  ver.  36.  So  these 
'  believers  have  everlasting  life  while  they  are  upon  the  earth.  And  "  he 
"  that  believeth  on  Christ  is  not  condemned ;  but  he  that  believeth  not  is 
"  condemned  already,  and  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him.  He  that 
"  heareth  Christ's  word,  and  believeth  on  God  that  sent  him,  hath  (mark, 
"  hath)  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not  come  into  condemnation ;  but  is 
"  passed  from  death,"  the  death  in  the  first  Adam,  "  to  life,"  the  life  in 
'  Christ  the  second  Adam,  John  v.  24.  And  that  meat  which  Christ  doth 
'  give  endureth  unto  everlasting  life,  as  in  John  vi.  27.  And  the  water 
'  that  Christ  doth  give  shall  be  in  him  that  drinks  it  "  a  well  of  water 
"  springing  up  into  everlasting  life,"  John  iv.  14.  Christ  said  to  the  Jews^ 
"  Search  the  scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life ;  and 
"  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me :  And  ye  will  not  come  to  me  that 
"  ye  might  have  life;"  John  v.  39,  40.  Here  ye  may  see,  the  eternal  life 
'  is  to  be  found  in  Christ,  and  not  in  the  scriptures  which  testify  of  him, 
'  the  life.  Christ's  sheep  that  hear  his  voice,  know,  and  follow  him  ;  he 
'  gives  unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they  shall  not  perish,  neither  shall  any 
'  pluck  them  out  of  his  hand.  They  shall  not  pluck  Christ's  sheep,  to 
'  whom  he  hath  given  eternal  life,  out  of  his  eternal  hand.  Christ  said 
'  to  Martha,  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life ;  he  that  believeth  in  me, 
"  though  he  were  dead  (mark,  though  he  were  dead)  yet  shall  he  five 
"  (mark,  live  though  he  were  dead) ;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth 
"  in  me  shall  never  die.  Believest  thou  this  ?"  Martha  said,  "  Yea,  Lord," 
'  John  XXV.  26.  This  is  the  true  substantial  belief,  which  they  that  be- 
'  lieve  shall  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  John  saith,  "  This  is 
"  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  fife,  and  this  life  is  in  his 
"  Son,"  1  John  v.  11.  The  life  was  manifested,  and  we  have  seen  it, 
"  and  bear  witness,  and  shew  unto  you  that  eternal  life,  which  was  with 
•'  the  Father,  and  was  manifested  unto  us,"  1  John  i.  2.  So  these  were 
'  the  believers  that  had  eternal  life  in  the  Son  of  God,  and  shewed  it  unto 
'  others.  "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life,"  saith  John,  "  and  he  that 
"  hath  not  the  Son  of  God  hath  not  life,"  1  John  v.  12.  Christ  saith, 
"  Every  one  that  hath  forsaken  houses,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father, 
"  or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or  lands  for  my  name's  sake,  shall  re- 
"  ceive  an  hundred  fold,  and  shall  inherit  everlasting  fife,"  Matt.  xix.  29. 

*  The  wicked  that  do  not  receive  Christ  shall  go  into  everlasting  punish- 
'  ment,  but  the  righteous  into  everlasting  life.    The  true  servants  of  God 

4C    . 


618  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

'  have  their  fruits  unto  holiness,  and  their  end  is  everlasting  life.  For 
"  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  but  the  gift  of  God  is  everlasting  life,  thi'ough 
"  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."     Such  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not 

*  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  Therefore  I  desire  that  God's 
'  people  may  endure  all  things,  that  they  may  obtain  this  salvation  which 

*  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  eternal  glory.     For  Christ,  being  made  perfect, 

*  became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  that  obey  him.  This 

*  eternal  salvation  is  above  an  external  salvation ;  for  they  come  to  re- 
'  ceive  an  eternal  inheritance,  and  live  in  the  possession  of  the  everlast- 
'  ing  gospel  of  joy,  comfort,  peace,  and  salvation,  having  everlasting  life 
'  in  Christ  Jesus.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston,  the  6th  of  the 
'  nth  month,  1687.' 

Another  paper  I  wrote  concerning  the  stone  spoken  of  by  Daniel, 
chap.  ii.  which  became  a  great  mountain  and  filled  the  whole  earth, 
shewing  '  That  thereby  was  set  forth  the  kingdom  and  power  of  Christ.' 

'  When  Christ,  the  stone  that  became  a  great  mountain,  and  filled  the 
'  whole  earth,  had  broke  to  pieces  the  head  of  gold,  the  breast  of  silver, 
'  the  belly  of  brass,  the  legs  of  iron,  and  the  feet  part  iron  part  clay, 
'  which  were  the  four  monarchies,  the  Babylonian  and  Mede,  the  Gre- 

*  cian,  and  the  Roman,  and  had  ended  the  outward  Jews'  typical  king- 
*dom,  Daniel  saith,  "In  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the  God  of  heaven 
"  set  up  a  kingdom  which  shall  never  be  destroyed,"  Dan.  ii.  44.  Christ 
'  saith,  "  All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth,"  Matth. 
'xxviii.  18.  And  "My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,"  John  xviii.  36. 
"  Christ  is  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-born  of  every  crea- 
"  ture ;  for  by  him  were  all  things  created  that  are  in  heaven  and  that 
"  are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones,  or  domin- 
"  ions,  or  principalities,  or  powers ;  all  things  were  created  by  him  and 
"  for  him,  and  he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist,"  Col. 
'XV.  16,  17.  Here  ye  may  see  all  things  consist  by  Jesus  Christ,  and 
'  all  things  were  created  by  Christ  and  for  him,  whether  they  be  things 

*  in  heaven  or  things  in  earth,  visible  or  invisible ;  yea  thrones,  do- 
'  minions,  principalities,  or  powers,  these  were  all  created  by  him  and 
'  for  him.  Christ  is  "  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,"  Rev.  xix.  16. 
'  The  "  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,"  chap.  i.  5.  Out  of  his  mouth 
'  goes  a  sharp  sword,  with  which  he  shall  sinite  the  nations,  and  he  shall 
'  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ;  as  the  vessel  of  a  potter  shall  they  be 
'  dashed  in  pieces  who  do  not  obey  him,  the  "  King  of  kings  and  Lord 
"  of  lords."  This  is  Christ,  who  saith,  "  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 
"  Beginning  and  the  Ending,  the  First  and  the  Last ;"  so  he  is  over  all 
'  nations,  and  above  them  all.  We  must  understand  this  rod  of  iron,  by 
'  which  Christ  doth  rule  the  nations,  is  a  f  gurative  speech  of  Christ  who 
'  is  ascended  into  heaven,  and  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  All  power 
'  in  heaven  and  earth  is  given  unto  him,  and  all  things  were  created  by 

*  him  and  for  him :  so  then  they  are  Christ's,  and  he  hath  power  over  all 
'  things ;  for  all  are  his.  So,  as  the  scripture  saith,  "  By  me  kings  reign 
"  and  princes  decree  justice,"  Prov.  viii.  15.  But  if  they  abuse  his  power 
'  and  do  not  do  justice,  as  is  decreed  by  Christ,  the  "  King  of  kings  and 
"  Lord  of  lords,  the  First  and  the  Last,"  they  must  feel  the  weight  of  his 
'rod  of  iron,  by  which  he  will  rule  such  as  abuse  his  power.    That  is 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  619 

'  decreed  by  him,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him, 
'  and  rules  in  the  kingdoms  of  men.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston,  the  11th 
'  month,  1687. 

Several  other  things  I  wrote  while  I  was  at  Kingston ;  for  my  spirit 
being  continually  exercised  towards  God,  I  had  many  precious  openings 
of  divine  matters ;  and  divers  places  of  scripture,  both  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament and  in  the  New,  relating  to  the  state  of  regeneration  and  sancti- 
fication,  &c.  were  brought  to  my  remembrance  by  the  Holy  Spirit; 
some  of  which  I  committed  to  writing,  as  followeth : 

*  They  that  touched  the  dead  were  unclean,  and  were  to  be  cleansed 

*  by  the  water  of  purification,  Numb.  xix.  And  they  which  touch  the 
'  dead  doctrines  or  faiths,  and  let  them  in,  burden  the  pure,  defile  and 

*  make  themselves  unclean,  until  the  spring  of  the  water  of  the  Word  do 

*  arise  and  wash  and  clean  them ;  for  all  the  dead  in  Adam  in  the  fall 

*  are  unclean,  and  they  must  be  washed  by  Christ,  in  his  blood  and  water 
'  of  life,  who  quickeneth  and  makes  alive. 

'  A  dwarf  might  not  come  near  to  offer  upon  God's  altar ;  but  he 
'  might  eat  of  the  holy  bread,  that  he  might  grow,  Lev.  xxi.  20,  &c.  So 
'  the  new-born  babes  may  eat  of  the  milk  of  the  Word,  that  they  may 
'  grow  thereby  and  increase.     He  that  had  any  blemish  might  not  come 

*  near  to  offer  upon  God's  altar ;  neither  might  any  thing  be  offered  upon 
'  God's  altar  that  had  any  blemish,  or  was  unclean.  Lev.  xxi.  And  it  is 
'  said,  "  The  ungodly  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment,  nor  sinners  in  the 
*'  congregation  of  the  righteous,"  Psa.  i.  5.  But  God  standeth  in  the  con- 
'  gregation  of  the  mighty,  Psal.  Ixxxii.  1. 

'  The  camp  of  God  was  to  be  kept  clean  and  holy.  That  which  was 
'  unclean,  or  defiled,  was  to  be  kept  out  of  God's  camp  in  the  Old  Testa- 
'  ment.  And  in  the  New  Testament,  all  that  is  defiled  and  unclean  must 
'  be  kept  out  of  God's  kingdom,  the  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem  that  is 

*  from  above.  All  was  to  pass  through  the  fire,  even  of  those  things  that 

*  would  bear  the  fire,  and  to  be  purified  by  fire  and  water,  before  the 

*  people  might  come  into  God's  camp,  Numb.  xxxi.  So  all  must  be  cir- 
'  cumcised,  and  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  fire,  cleansed  with  the 

*  blood  of  Christ,  and  washed  with  the  water  of  the  Word,  before  they 
«  come  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  into  heavenly  Jerusalem. 

'  The  apostle  Paul  saith,  "  We  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this 
"  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not 
"  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  For  in  this  we  groan,  earn- 
"  estly  desiring  to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which  is  from  heaven, 
"  that  mortality  might  be  swallowed  up  of  life,  2  Cor.  v.  1,2,  4.     Here 

*  is  "  [WE  in  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle ;"  which  [WE]  are 
'  they  that  have  received  Christ,  are  become  the  sons  of  God,  new  crea- 
'  tures,  and  children  of  the  light,  that  beheve  in  Christ's  light ;  who  have 

*  an  eternal  house  in  the  heavens,  where  mortality  is  swallowed  up  of  life, 
'  in  which  house  from  heaven  they  will  not  groan. 

'  Peter  said,  "  I  think  it  meet,  as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle,  to 
"  stir  you  up  by  putting  you  in  remembrance,  knowing  that  shortly  I 
"  must  put  off  this  my  tabernacle,  even  as  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath 
"  shewed  me,"  2  Pet.  i.  13,  14.     Peter  knew  he  must  put  off  this  taber- 

*  nacle  shortly :  but  as  long  as  he  was  in  it,  he  did  stir  up  the  saints  to 


620  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1687 

'  their  duty  in  holiness,  that  they  might  remember  it  after  he  was  de- 
'  ceased. 

'  Paul  saith,  "  The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthly,"  (mark,  earthly) 
'  1  Cor.  XV.  47.  "  And  as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly,  we 
"  shall  also  bear  the  image  of  the  heavenly,"  (mark,  the  heavenly)  ver. 
'  49.  And  "  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,"  &c.  2  Cor.  iv.  7. 
''  And  I  live,"  said  he,  "  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  hveth  in  me,"  Gal.  ii.  20. 

*  who  is  the  life  of  all  God's  people. 

*  Christ  said  to  the  Jews,  "  That  the  dead  are  raised,  even  Moses 
"  shewed  at  the  bush,  when  he  calleth  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Abraham, 
"  and  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob ;  for  he  is  not  the  God  of 
"  the  dead,  but  of  the  living,  for  all  live  unto  him,"  Luke  xx.  37,  38.  So 
"  none  of  us  liveth  to  himself,  and  no  man  dieth  to  himself;  for  whether 
"  we  live,  we  hve  unto  the  Lord,  and  whether  we  die,  we  die  unto  the 
"  Lord.  Whether  we  live  therefore  or  die  we  are  the  Lord's.  For  to 
"  this  end  Christ  both  died  and  rose,  that  he  might  be  Lord  both  of  the 
"  dead  and  hving,"  Rom.  xiv.  7,  8,  9.  For  all  died  in  Adam :  and  Christ 
'  by  the  grace  of  God  tasted  death  for  every  man,  that  they  might  come 
'  out  of  the  death  in  Adam  to  the  eternal  life  in  Jesus  Christ:  who  is  also 
'  a  quickening  Spirit;  for  as  in  Adam  all  died,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all 
'  be  made  alive.  So  Christ  that  died  and  rose  again,  is  Lord  both  of  the 
'  living  and  of  the  dead ;  for  the  living  live  to  the  Lord,  and  die  in  him, 
'  and  are  blessed. 

'  All  Christendom  say,  that  they  believe  in  God  and  in  Christ,  and  that 
'  they  believe  Moses  and  the  prophets,  and  preach  Christ,  Moses,  and  the 
'prophets;  so  their  words  and  writings  are  preached  and  printed,  and 
'  ye  say  ye  believe  them.  But  what  life  do  ye  live  'I  Are  ye  through  the 
'  law  dead  to  the  law,  that  ye  may  live  unto  God?  Are  ye  crucified  with 
'  Christ  ?  Doth  Christ  live  in  you  1  Is  the  life  that  ye  now  live  in  the 
'  flesh  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  ye  do  not  live,  but  Christ 
'  hveth  in  you,  who  gave  himself  for  you '?  Is  this  your  present  life  1  for 
"  the  just  live  by  the  faith"  which  Christ  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of; 
'  by  which  holy,  divine,  precious  faith  they  have  victory  over  that  which 
'  is  vile,  unholy,  and  not  divine ;  and  in  this  faith  they  please  God,  and 
'  have  access  to  God  and  his  Son,  who  fulfilleth  the  law  and  the  proph- 

*  ets.     For  the  law  and  the  prophets  were  until  John,  and  since  that  the 

*  kingdom  of  God  hath  been  preached,  and  men  press  into  it ;  and  the 
'  least  in  the  kingdom  of  God  is  greater  than  John,  though  he  was  the 
"  greatest  prophet  born  of  a  woman.  See  whether  ye  are  in  the  kingdom 
'  that  stands  in  peace  and  righteousness  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  or 
'  not.  Christ,  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  first-born  of  every  crea- 
'  ture,  was  before  any  creature ;  for  by  him  were  all  things  created  that 
'  ai-e  in  heaven  and  in  the  earth,  visible  or  invisible,  whether  they  be 
'  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers,  "  all  things  were 
'*  created  by  him  and  for  him,  and  he  was  before  all  things,  and  by  him 
"•  all  things  consist :  and  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church,  and  is 
"  the  beginning,  the  first-born  from  the  dead."  Here  ye  may  see  that 
'  all  things  were  made  by  Christ  Jesus,  and  all  things  were  created  for 
'  Christ  Jesus,  and  by  him  all  things  consi^st  and  have  their  being,  who 
'  is  the  first-born  from  the  dead,  and  dieth  no  more.  It  pleased  the  Fa- 
'  ther  that  in  him  all  fulness  should  dwell,  and  by  Christ  to  reconcile  all 
'  things  unto  himself,  whether  they  be  things  in  heaven  or  things  in  the 
'  earth.     "  In  him  arc  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge," 


1687]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  621 

*  who  is  the  head  of  all  principaUty  and  power ;  for  *'  all  power  in 
"  heaven  and  earth  is  given  to  him,"  the  first-born  of  every  creature,  and 

*  the  first-born  from  the  dead,  who  liveth  for  evermore  in  his  power  over 

*  all,  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  While  the  world's 

*  spirit  rules  in  men's  hearts,  they  do  not  know  Christ,  nor  the  begin- 

*  ning  nor  ending  of  the  work  of  God.     Christ  was  outwardly  crucified 

*  and  slain  without  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  by  the  disobedient  Jews ;  and 

*  they  that  hate  the  light  of  Christ,  disobey  his  gospel,  quench  his  Spirit, 

*  and  are  erred  from  his  faith,  "  crucify  to  themselves  Christ  afresh." 

*  So  Adam  and  Eve,  and  their  children  that  disobeyed  God,  did  slay  the 

*  Lamb ;  the  blind  Jews,  that  disobeyed  God,  crucified  Christ  Jesus ;  and 
'  the  outward  Christians,  that  five  and  walk  not  in  Christ,  but  in  sin  and 

*  evil,  though  they  make  an  outward  profession  of  Christ,  yet  crucify  to 
'  themselves  Christ  afresh.  As  to  Chnlst  himself,  he  is  "  ascended  far 
"  above  all  principalities,  thrones,  powers,  and  dominions ;"  so  that  they 
'  cannot  put  him  to  death,  or  crucify  him  any  more,  as  to  himself:  but 

*  what  the  killers,  crucifiers,  and  persecutors  do  now  upon  the  earth,  is 
'  against  Christ  in  themselves,  and  in  his  members ;  as  Christ  said  to 

*  Saul,  "  Why  persecutest  thou  me  ?"  Acts  ix.  4.     For  what  is  done 

*  to  his  members,  Christ  takes  as  done  to  himself,  Matth.  xxv.  40,  and 

*  45.     And  they  that  did  not  visit  Christ,  but  persecuted  him  in  his  mem- 

*  bers,  persecuted  Christ  in  themselves  first. 

'  The  serpent,  that  enemy  to  man  and  woman,  the  destroyer,  the  god 

*  of  the  world,  and  prince  of  the  air,  that  ruleth  in  the  hearts  of  the  dis- 
'  obedient,  got  in  by  disobedience.  But  Christ  bruises  his  head,  breaketh 
'  his  power  to  pieces,  and  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works ;  and  through 

*  death  destroys  death,  and  the  devil,  the  power  of  death.  So  Christ,  the 
'  light  and  life,  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth ;  and  openeth  the 
'  prison  doors,  and  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  and  takes  captive  hiin  that  hath 
'  led  into  captivity,  and  gives  gifts  unto  men.  So  Christ  bindeth  the 
'  strong  man  of  sin,  and  spoils  his  goods,  and  casts  him  out ;  Hallelujah ! 
'  For  the  strong  man  of  sin  is  the  god  of  the  world,  and  his  house  is  that 
'  whole  world  that  lieth  in  wickedness.  And  this  god  of  the  world  hath 
'  kept  his  house,  and  his  goods  have  been  in  peace :  until  a  stronger  than 
'  he  come,  and  binds,  and  casts  him  out :  and  then  destroys  him  and  his 

*  goods.  So  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  who  is  stronger  than  the  devil,  hav- 
'  ing  destroyed  the  devil  and  his  works,  setteth  up  his  own  house.  All 
'  believers  in  the  light  are  the  children  of  light,  are  of  the  Son  of  God's 
'  spiritual  house,  and  the  Son  of  God  is  over  his  house  for  evermore : 

*  glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Amen ! 

'  God  spake  by  the  mouth  of  his  holy  prophets   concerning  Christ 

*  Jesus,  his  Son,  the  holy  One :  so  they  were  holy  men,  and  not  unholy, 
'  that  God  spake  by.     All  that  name  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

*  are  to  depart  from  iniquity.  G.  F.' 

'  Kingston  upon  Thames,  the 
'  11th  month,  1687.' 

I  returned  to  London  towards  the  latter  end  of  the  eleventh  month 
1687,  visiting  friends  in  the  way  at  Chisvvick  and  Hammersmith,  where 
I  had  two  meetings,  one  upon  a  feast-day,  and  the  other  on  occasion  of 
a  marriage ;  at  which  were  many  people  of  other  denominations, 
amongst  whom  I  had  a  very  seasonable  opportunity  of  opening  the  way 
of  truth. 


622  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1688 

Being  come  to  London,  I  visited  meetings  in  and  about  the  city,  as 
the  Lord  led  me ;  in  whose  service  I  continued  labouring  till  the  middle 
of  the  first-month  1687-8.  At  which  time  I  went  towards  Enfield,  and 
visited  friends  there  and  thereabouts,  and  at  Barnet,  Waltham- Abbey, 
and  other  places ;  where  I  had  many  meetings,  and  very  good  service, 
in  which  1  spent  several  weeks.  I  then  returned  to  London,  where  I 
continued  labouring  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  till  after  the  yearly  meet- 
ing, which  this  year  was  about  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  month.  A 
precious  meeting  it  was.  A  very  refreshing  season  friends  had  together, 
the  Lord  vouchsafing  to  honour  our  assemblies  with  his  living  glorious 
presence  in  a  very  plentiful  manner.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting 
I  felt  a  concern  upon  my  spirit  to  give  forth  the  following  paper,  to  be 
dispersed  amongst  friends. 

# 

'  All  you  believers  in  the  light,  that  are  become  children  of  the  light, 
'  walk  as  children  of  the  light,  and  of  the  day  of  Christ,  as  a  city  set  on 
'  a  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid.  Let  your  light  so  shine,  that  people  may  see 
'  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father,  which  is  in  heaven.    For  a 

*  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good  fruit ;  therefore  be  ye  trees  of  righteous- 

*  ness,  the  planting  of  the  Lord,  having  fruits  unto  holiness ;  and  then 
'  your  end  will  be  everlasting  fife.  Such  are  the  wells  and  cisterns  that 
'  hold  the  living  water,  which  springs  up  in  them  to  eternal  life.  Ye  may 
'  all  drink  water  out  of  your  own  cisterns,  running  water  out  of  your 
'  own  wells ;  and  eat  every  one  of  his  own  fig-tree,  and  of  his  own  vine ; 

*  having  salt  every  one  in  yourselves,  to  season  every  one's  sacrifice,  ac- 
'  ceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ ;  like  wise  virgins,  that  have  oil  in 
'  their  lamps,  follow  the  Lamb,  and  enter  in  with  the  bridegroom.  Now 
'  is  the  time  to  labour,  while  it  is  day  (yea,  the  day  of  Christ)  to  stir  up 
'  every  one's  pure  mind,  the  gift  of  God  that  is  in  them;  and  to  improve 
'  your  talents,  that  Christ  hath  afforded  you,  that  ye  may  profit ;  and  to 
'  walk  every  one  according  to  the  measure  that  Christ  hath  given  you ; 
'  for  "  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  of  God  is  given  to  every  one  to 
"  profit  withal."  Consider  what  you  have  profited  in  spiritual  and  hea- 
'  venly  things,  with  the  heavenly  Spirit  of  God.  Be  not  like  the  wicked 
'  and  slothful,  that  hid  his  talent ;  from  whom  it  was  taken,  and  he  cast 
'  into  utter  darkness.  A  dwarf,  or  one  that  had  any  blemish,  was  not  to 
'  come  nigh  to  offer  upon  God's  altar ;  therefore  mind  the  word  of  wis- 
'  dom,  to  keep  you  out  of  that  which  will  corrupt  and  blemish  you ;  and 
'  that  ye  may  grov/  in  grace,  in  faith,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
'  Jesus  Christ :  and  feeding  upon  the  milk  of  the  Word,  may  grow  by  it, 
'  that  ye  may  not  be  dwarfs;  and  so  offer  your  spiritual  sacrifice  upon 
'  God's  holy  altar.     For  the  field  or  vineyard  of  the  slothful  grows  over 

*  with  thorns  and  nettles,  and  his  walls  go  down.  Such  are  they  that  are 
'  not  diligent  in  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  the  power,  which  is  the  wall,  a 
'  sure  fence.  The  Spirit  of  God  will  weed  out  all  thorns,  thistles,  and 
'  nettles  out  of  the  vineyard  of  the  heart.     And  you  that  are  keepers  of 

*  others'  vineyards,  see  that  you  keep  your  own  vineyards  clean  with  the 
'  Spirit  and  power  of  Christ.  Sanctify  yourselves,  and  sanctify  the  Lord 
'  in  your  hearts,  that  ye  may  be  a  holy  people  to  the  Lord,  who  saith ; 
"  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy ;"  that  ye  may  be  the  holy  members  of  the 
'  church  of  Christ,  that  is  clothed  with  the  sun,  and  hath  the  moon  under 

*  her  feet;  the  changeable  world,  with  all  her  changeable  worships,  re- 

*  ligions,  churches,  and  teachers.     Be  ye  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem's 


1588]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  623 

'  children  ;  for  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem,  that  is  above,  is  the  mother 

*  of  all  the  children  of  light,  that  are  born  of  the  Spirit.     These  are  they 

*  that  have  been  persecuted,  and  have  suffered  by  the  false  church,  mys- 
'  tery  Babylon,  the  mother  of  harlots. 

'  And  now  all  heavenly  Jerusalem's  and  Sion's  children,  that  are  from 
'  above,  labour  in  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  the  seed  in  which  all  na- 

*  tions,  and  all  the  families  of  the  earth  are  blessed ;  which  seed,  Christ, 

*  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works,  and  over- 

*  comes  the  whore,  the  false  church,  the  beast,  and  the  false  prophet.  He 

*  takes  away  the  curse,  and  the  vail  that  is  spread  over  all  nations,  and 
'  over  all  the  families  of  the  earth,  and  brings  the  blessing  upon  all  (if 

*  they  will  receive  it)  saying,  "  In  thy  seed  shall  all  nations  and  all  the 
'  families  of  the  earth  be  blessed."     This  is  the  gospel  of  God  preached 

'  to  Abraham,  before  Moses  wrote  his  five  books ;  and  was  preached  in 
'  the  apostles'  days,  and  is  now  preached  again ;  which  brings  life  and 

*  immortality  to  light ;  and  is  the  gospel  of  peace,  life,  and  salvation  to 
'  every  one  that  believes  it.     So  all  nations,  all  the  families  of  the  earth 

*  must  be  in  Christ,  the  seed,  if  they  be  blessed,  and  be  partakers  of  the 
'  blessing  in  the  seed.  This  gospel  was  revealed  by  Christ  to  his  apos- 
'  tics,  who  preached  it ;  which  is  not  of  man,  nor  from  man.  Now,  God 
'  and  Christ  hath  revealed  the  same  gospel  unto  me,  and  many  others  in 
'  this  age,  I  say  the  gospel,  and  the  seed,  in  which  all  nations  and  fami- 
'  lies  of  the  earth  are  blessed ;  in  which  gospel  I  have  laboured,  and  do 
'  labour,  that  all  may  come  into  this  blessed  seed,  Christ,  who  bruises  the 

*  head  of  the  serpent,  that  in  it  they  might  have  peace  with  God.  This 
'  everlasting  gospel  is  preached  again  to  them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth ; 

*  and  they  that  beheve  it,  and  receive  it,  receive  the  blessing,  the  peace, 
'joy,  and  comfort  of  it,  the  stability  in  it,  and  the  life  and  immortaUty 
'  which  it  brings  to  light  in  them  and  to  them.  Such  can  praise  the  ever- 
'  lasting  God  in  his  everlasting  gospel. 

'  And  friends,  all  seek  the  peace  and  good  of  all  in  Christ :  for  truth 
'  makes  no  Cains,  Corahs,  Balaams,  nor  Judases ;  for  they  come  to  be 
'  such,  that  go  out  of  the  peaceable  truth.  Therefore  walk  in  the  peace- 
'  able  truth,  and  speak  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

'  G.  F.' 

Some  time  after  the  yearly  meeting  I  went  to  my  son  Mead's  in  Es- 
sex, and  abode  some  weeks ;  often  visiting  friends'  meetings  near,  and 
sometimes  at  Barking.  After  I  had  been  awhile  there,  I  went  to  visit 
friends  at  Waltham- Abbey,  Hodsdon,  Enfield,  South-street,  Ford-Green, 
and  Winchmore-hill ;  where  I  had  several  very  serviceable  meetings ; 
the  Lord  opening  many  deep  and  weighty  things  through  me,  for  the  in- 
forming the  understandings  of  inquirers,  and  building  up  those  that  were 
gathered  into  the  truth,  and  establishing  them  therein. 

In  the  seventh  month  I  returned  to  London,  having  been  near  three 
months  in  the  country  for  my  health's  sake,  which  was  very  much  im- 
paired ;  so  that  I  was  hardly  able  to  stay  in  a  meeting  the  whole  time, 
and  often  after  a  meeting  was  fain  to  lie  down  upon  a  bed.  Yet  did  not 
my  weakness  of  body  take  me  off'  from  the  service  of  the  Lord ;  but  I 
continued  to  labour  in  and  out  of  meetings  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  as 
he  gave  me  opportunity  and  ability. 

I  had  not  been  long  in  London,  before  a  great  weight  came  upon  me, 
and  a  sight  the  Lord  gave  me  of  the  great  bustles  and  troubles,  revolu- 
tion and  change,  which  soon  after  came  to  pass.     In  the  sense  whereof, 


624  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

and  in  the  movings  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  I  wrote,  "  A  general  epistle 
"  to  friends,  to  forewarn  them  of  the  approaching  storm ;  that  they  might 
"  all  retire  to  the  Lord,  in  whom  safety  is,"  as  foUoweth : 

'  My  dear  friends  and  brethren  every-where,  who  have  received  the 
'  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  he  has  given  power  to  become  his  sons  and 
'  daughters ;  in  him  ye  have  life  and  peace,  and  in  his  everlasting  king- 

*  dom,  that  is  an  estabUshed  kingdom,  and  cannot  be  shaken,  but  is  over 
'  all  the  world,  and  stands  in  his  power,  and  in  righteousness  and  joy  in 

*  the  Holy  Ghost,  into  which  no  unrighteousness,  nor  the  foul  unclean 
'  spirit  of  the  devil  in  his  instruments  can  enter.   Dear  friends  and  breth- 

*  ren,  every  one  in  the  faith  of  Jesus,  stand  in  his  power,  who  has  all 
'  power  in  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him,  and  will  "  rule  the  nations 
"  with  his  rod  of  iron,  and  dash  them  to  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel," 

*  that  are  not  subject  and  obedient  to  his  power :  whose  voice  will  shake 

*  the  heavens,  and  the  earth,  that  that  which  may  be  shaken  may  be  re- 

*  moved,  and  that  which  cannot  be  shaken  may  appear.  Stand  in  him  ; 
'  and  all  things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  him, 

*  And  now,  dear  friends  and  brethren,  though  these  waves,  storms,  and 

*  tempests  be  in  the  world,  yet  you  may  all  appear  the  harmless  and  in- 
'  nocent  lambs  of  Christ,  walking  in  his  peaceable  truth,  and  keeping  in 
'  the  Word  of  power,  wisdom,  and  patience ;  and  this  Word  will  keep 
'  you  in  the  day  of  trials  and  temptations,  that  will  come  upon  the  whole 
'  world,  to  try  them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth.     For  the  Word  of  God 

*  was  before  the  world,  and  all  things  were  made  by  it :  it  is  a  tried 
'  Word,  which  gave  God's  people  in  all  ages  wisdom,  power,  and  pa- 
'  tience.  Therefore  let  your  dwelling  and  walking  be  in  Christ  Jesus, 
'  who  is  called  the  Word  of  God ;  and  in  his  power,  which  is  over  all. 

*  Set  your  affections  on  things  that  are  above,  where  Christ  sits  at  the 
'  right  hand  of  God  (mark)  on  those  things  which  are  above,  where 

*  Christ  sits ;  not  those  things  that  are  below,  which  will  change  and  pass 
'  away.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  who  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power 
'  hath  gathered  a  people  to  himself,  and  hath  preserved  his  faithful  to  him- 
'  self  through  many  troubles,  trials,  and  temptations :  his  power  and  seed, 
'  Christ,  is  over  all,  and  in  him  ye  have  life  and  peace  with  God.  There- 
'  fore  in  him  all  stand,  and  see  your  salvation,  who  is  first  and  last,  and 
'  the  Amen.  God  Almighty  preserve  and  keep  you  all  in  him,  your  ark 
'  and  sanctuary ;  for  in  him  you  are  safe  over  all  floods,  storms,  and 
'  tempests :  for  he  was  before  they  were :  and  will  be  when  they  are  all 
'  gone.  *G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  17th  of  the 
'  8th  month,  1688.' 

About  this  time  great  exercise  and  weights  came  upon  me,  as  had 
usually  done  before  great  revolutions  and  changes  of  government,  and 
my  strength  departed  from  me ;  so  that  I  reeled,  and  was  ready  to  fall 
as  I  went  along  the  streets ;  and  at  length  I  could  not  go  abroad  at  all, 
I  was  so  weak  for  a  pretty  while ;  till  I  felt  the  power  of  the  Lord  to 
spring  over  all,  and  had  received  an  assurance  from  him,  that  he  would 
preserve  his  faithful  people  to  himself  through  all. 

In  the  time  that  I  kept  within,  I  wrote  a  paper,  shewing ;  "  Moses,  as 
"  a  servant,  was  faithful  in  all  his  house,  in  the  Old  Testament ;  and 
*'  Christ,  as  a  Son,  is  over  his  house,  in  the  New  Testament." 


1C883  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  625b 

'  The  house  of  Israel  was  called  God's  vineyard,  in  Isa.  v.  7,  and  all 

*  the  Israelites  were  called  the  house  of  Israel.  Israel  signifies,  "  a  prince 
"  with  God,  and  a  prevailer  with  men,"  Gen.  xxxii.  28,     When  Peter 

*  preached  Christ  to  the  house  of  Israel,  he  said ;  "  Let  all  the  house  of 
"  Israel  know  assuredly,  that  God  hath  made  the  same  Jesus,  whom  ye 
"  have  crucified,  both  Lord  and  Christ,"  Acts  ii.  36.     So  they  were  all 

*  called  the  house  of  Israel.  And  it  is  said,  "  Moses  was  faithful  in  all 
•'  his  house  (to  wit,  this  house  of  Israel)  as  a  servant ;  for  a  testimony 
"  of  those  things  which  were  to  be  spoken  after :  but  Christ,  as  a  son, 
"  over  his  own  house;  which  house  are  we,  if  we  hold  fast  the  confi- 
"  dence,  and  the  rejoicing  of  the  hope  firm  unto  the  end,"  Hebr.  iii.  5,  6. 
'  Here  it  is  manifest,  that  Moses  was  faithful  in  all  his  house,  as  a  ser- 
'  vant,  viz.  in  the  house  of  Israel,  in  the  Old  Testament :  but  Christ 
'  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  is  over  his  house  in  his  New  Testament  and 
'  covenant :  and  all  his  true  believers  are  of  his  house.    The  apostle  tells 

*  the  Ephesians,  who  w^ere  a  church  of  Christ,  they  were  "  fellow-citi- 
*'  zens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the  household  of  God,"  Eph.  ii.  19.  And 
'  the  saints  are  called  "  the  household  of  faith,"  Gal.  vi.  10.     Peter,  in 

*  his  general  epistle,  tells  the  church  of  Christ,  they  were  "  a  chosen 
"  generation,  a  royal  priesthood,  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people,"  1  Pet. 

*  ii.  9.  And  that  as  lively  stones,  they  were  built  up  "  a  spiritual  house, 
"  an  holy  priesthood,  to  ofler  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God 
"  by  Jesus  Christ,"  ver.  5.  The  apostle  saith  to  the  church  of  Christ  at 
'  Corinth ;  "  If  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we 
*'  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
"  heavens,"  2  Cor.  v.  1.  And  Christ  said  to  his  disciples;  "  Let  not  your 
"  hearts  be  troubled :  ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me.  In  my  Fa- 
"  ther's  house  are  many  mansions ;  (a  mansion  is  a  dwelling  or  abiding- 
"  place)  if  it  were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a 
"  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
"  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself,  that  where  I  am,  there  ye 
"  may  be  also,"  John  xiv.  1,  2,  3.  The  Psalmist  saith  ;  "  Those  that  be 
"  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our 
"  God :  they  shall  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age ;  they  shall  be  fat  and 
*'  flourishing,"  Psal.  xcii.  13,  14.  Again;  "  Holiness  becomes  thine  house, 
"  O  Lord,  for  ever,"  Psal.  xciii.  5.  Isaiah  also  said  by  way  of  prophecy ; 
"  It  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's 
*'  house  shall  be  established  in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  shall  be  ex- 
"  alted  above  the  hills,  and  all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it,"  Isa.  ii.  2.  Is  not 
'  that  a  great  house  1  Is  not  this  mountain  Christ,  who  is  over  his  house 
'  in  the  New  Testament  and  new  covenant  ?  To  this  mountain  and  house 
'  all  the  children  of  the  New  Testament  or  new  covenant  flow  in  these 
'latter  days;  so  that  it  is  come  to  pass,  which  was  prophesied  of  by 

*  Isaiah.  For  he  said ;  "  Many  people  shall  go  and  say.  Come  ye,  and 
"  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  God  of 
"  Jacob,  and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths  • 
"  for  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from 
"  Jerusalem.  And  he  shall  judge  among  the  nations,  and  shall  rebuke 
"  many  people ;  and  they  shalf  beat  their  swords  into  plow-shares,  and 
"  their  spears  into  pruning-hooks :  nation  shall  not  lift  up  sw^ord  against 
"  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more.  O  house  of  Jacob,  come 
"  ye,  and  let  us  walk  in  the  light  of  the  Lord,"  ver.  3,  4,  5.     Here  ye 

*  may  see,  they  that  come  to  the  mountain  of  the  house  of  God,  and  to 

4D 


626  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1688 

*  God's  teaching,  they  must  walk  in  the  Hght  of  the  Lord ;  yea,  the  house 
'  of  Jacob.     Jacob  signifies  a  supplanter :  he  supplanted  prophane  Esau, 

*  who  is  hated,  and  Jacob  is  loved.  Now  these  two  births  must  be  known 

*  within  :  they  that  walk  in  the  light  of  the  Lord,  and  come  to  Christ,  the 
<  mountain  of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  established  above  all  mountains  and 
*'  hills,  break  their  swords  into  plow-shares,  and  their  spears  into  pruning- 

*  hooks :  and  in  Christ,  this  mountain  and  house  of  the  Lord,  there  are 
'  no  spears  nor  swords  to  hurt  one  another  withal.     Christ,  the  Son  of 

*  God,  is  over  his  house  and  great  family,  the  children  of  the  light,  that 
'  believe  in  it,  and  walk  in  it,  the  children  of  the  day  of  Christ,  his  holy 
'  and  royal  priesthood,  that  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifice  to  God  by  him. 
'  All  such  are  of  Christ's  (the  spiritual  man's)  house ;  who  are  born  of 
'  God,  and  led  by  his  Spirit :  they  are  of  the  Lord  of  lords  and  King  of 
'  kings'  house  and  family,  which  he  is  over ;  and  are  of  the  household  of 
'  the  holy,  divine,  pure,  and  precious  faith,  which  Christ  is  the  author 
'  and  finisher  of.     And  they  that  be  of  the  Son's  house,  are  pure,  right- 

*  eous,  and  holy,  and  can  do  nothing  against  the  truth,  but  for  it,  in  their 
'  words,  lives,  and  conversations ;  and  so  are  a  chosen  generation,  a  holy 

*  nation,  a  peculiar  people,  that  they  should  shew  forth  the  praise  of  him 
'  who  hath  called  them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light.  These 
'  are  Christ's  lively  stones,  that  build  up  a  spiritual  house,  which  he 
'  (Christ,  the  spiritual  Man,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords)  is  over. 

G.  F.' 
'  London,  the  10th  month, 
'  1688.' 

Some  time  after  this,  my  body  continuing  weak,  I  went  with  my  son 
Mead  to  his  house  in  Essex ;  where  I  staid  some  weeks.  In  which  time 
I  writ  many  things  relating  to  the  service  of  truth,  some  were  printed 
soon  after ;  others  were  spread  abroad  in  manuscript ;  and  amongst  other 
things,  a  few  lines  to  this  purpose : 

'  That,  while  men  are  contending  for  thrones  here  below,  Christ  is 
'  on  his  throne,  and  all  his  holy  angels  are  about  him,  who  is  the  begin- 
'  ning  and  the  ending,  the  first  and  last,  over  all.  And  that  the  Lord  will 
'  make  way  and  room  for  himself,  and  for  them  that  are  born  of  his 
'  Spirit,  which  are  heavenly  Jerusalem's  children,  to  come  home  to  their 
'  free  mother.' 

A  fev/  words  also  I  writ  concerning  the  world's  teachers,  and  the 
emptiness  of  their  teaching.     Which  were  thus : 

'  Doth  not  that  which  is  called  Christendom  live  in  talking  of  Christ's, 
'  of  the  apostles',  and  prophets'  words,  and  the  letter  of  the  Scriptures  ? 
'  And  do  not  their  priests  minister  the  letter,  with  their  own  conceptions 
'  thereupon,  for  money,  though  the  holy  Scriptures  were  freely  given 
'  forth  from  God,  Christ,  the  prophets,  and  apostles  ?  Yet  the  apostle 
'  saith,  "  The  letter  killcth,  but  the  Spirit  giveth  life,"  2  Cor.  iii.  6.  The 
'  ministers  of  the  New  Testament  are  not  ministers  of  the  letter,  but  of 
'  the  S])irit,  and  they  sow  to  the  Spirit,  and  of  the  Spirit  reap  life  eternal. 
'  But  people's  spending  time  about  old  authors,  and  talking  of  them,  and 
'  of  the  outward  letter,  doth  not  feed  their  souls.  For  talking  of  victuals 
'  and  clothes  doth  not  clothe  the  body,  nor  feed  it.  No  more  are  their 
'  souls  and  spirits  fed  and  clothed,  except  they  have  the  bread  and  water 
'  of  life  from  heaven  to  feed  them,  and  the  righteousness  of  Christ  to 


ie88]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  627 

*  clothe  them.     Talking  of  outward  things  and  spiritual  things,  and  not 

*  possessing  them,  may  starve  both  their  bodies  and  their  souls.     There- 

*  fore  quench  not  the  spirit  of  God,  which  will  lead  to  be  diligent  in  all 

*  tilings.' 

With  this  I  writ  another  short  paper,  shewing,  *'  The  hurt  they  did, 
*'  and  the  danger  they  run  into,  who  turned  people  from  the  inward  mani- 
*'  festation  of  Christ  in  the  heart." 

'  The  Jews  were  commanded  by  the  law  of  God,  "  not  to  remove  the 
"  outward  landmark,"  Deut.  xix.  14.     They  that  did  so,  or  that  caused 

*  the  blind  to  wander,  were  cursed  in  the  old  covenant,  Deut.  xxvii.  17. 

*  In  the  new  covenant  the  apostle  saith ;  "  Let  him  be  accursed  that 
"  preacheth  any  other  gospel,  than  that  which  he  had  preached,"  Gal.  i. 
"  8.  The  gospel  that  he  preached  was  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation, 
"  to  every  one  that  believeth,"  Rom.  i.  16.  And  the  gospel  that  was 
'  preached  to  Abraham  was,  That  in  his  "  seed  all  nations,  and  all  the 
"  families  of  the  earth  should  be  blessed."  In  order  to  bring  men  to  this 
'  blessed  state,  God  poureth  out  of  his  Spirit  upon  all  flesh ;  and  Christ 
'  doth  enlighten  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world;  and  the  grace  of 
'  God,  which  bringeth  salvation,  hath  appeared  unto  all  men,  and  teach- 
'  eth  Christians,  the  true  believers  in  Christ ;  and  God  doth  write  his  law 
'  in  the  true  Christians'  hearts,  and  putteth  it  in  their  minds,  that  they  may 
"  all  know  the  Lord,  from  the  greatest  to  the  least ;"  and  he  giveth  his 

*  word  in  their  hearts  to  obey  and  do,  and  the  anointing  within  them ; 
'  so  that  they  need  not  any  man  to  teach  them,  but  as  the  anointing  doth 

*  teach  them.     Now  all  such  as  turn  people  from  the  light.  Spirit,  grace, 

*  word,  and  anointing  wdthin,  remove  them  from  the  heavenly  land-mark 
'  of  their  eternal  inheritance,  and  make  them  blind,  and  cause  the  blind 

*  to  wander  from  the  living  way  to  their  eternal  house  in  the  heavens, 

*  and  from  the  new  and  heavenW  Jerusalem.     So  they  are  cursed  that 

*  cause  the  blind  to  wander  out  of  their  way,  and  remove  them  from 

*  their  heavenly  land-mark.  G.  F.' 

I  writ  also  a  paper  to  shew,  by  instances  taken  out  of  the  holy  scrip- 
tures, that  "  many  of  the  holy  men  and  prophets  of  God,  and  of  the  apos- 
"  ties  of  Christ,  were  husbandmen  and  tradesmen :  by  which  people  might 
*'  see  how  unlike  to  them  the  world's  teachers  now  are." 

'  Righteous  Abel  was  a  shepherd,  "  a  keeper  of  sheep,"  Gen.  iv.  2. 
•■  Noah  was  an  husbandman,  and  he  was  a  "  just  man,  and  perfect  in  his 
"  generation,  and  walked  with  God,"  Gen.  ix.  20.  and  vi.  9.     Abraham, 

*  the  father  of  the  faithful,  was  an  husbandman,  and  had  great  flocks  of 

*  cattle ;  just  Lot  was  an  husbandman,  and  had  great  flocks  and  herds, 
'  Gen.  xiii.  Isaac  was  an  husbandman,  and  had  great  "  flocks  and  herds 
"  of  cattle,  and  store  of  corn,"  Gen.  xxvi.  12.  14.  And  the  promise  was 
'  with  Isaac :  for  the  Lord  said  to  Abraham,  "  In  Isaac  shall  thy  seed  be 
"  called,"  Gen.  xxi.  12.  Jacob  was  an  husbandman,  and  his  sons  *'  keep- 
"  ers  of  flocks  of  cattle,"  Gen.  xlvi.  32.  34.  and  God  loved  Jacob.  Moses 
'  kept  sheep,  Exod.  iii.  1.  The  Lord  spake  to  him,  wiien  he  was  keeping 
'  sheep,  ver.  4.  and  sent  him  to  Pharaoh,  to  bring  God's  people,  or  sheep, 
'  out  of  Egypt.     And  by  the  hand  and  power  of  the  Lord,  he  and  Aaron 

*  his  brother  brought  them  out  of  Egypt,  a  land  of  anguish,  bondage, 

*  darkness,  and  perplexity.    And  Moses  kept  the  Lord's  people,  or  sheep, 

*  forty  years  in  the  wilderness :  a  meek  shepherd  of  God  he  was,  and 


628  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL. 

kept  his  great  flock  of  sheep ;  though  some  of  them  were  scabbed  with 
the  leprosy  of  contention  and  murmuring,  and  were  destroyed  in  the 
wilderness. 

'  David,  though  he  afterwards  came  to  be  a  king,  was  a  keeper  of 
his  father's  sheep  in  the  wilderness,  1  Sam.  xvii.  15.  28.  The  Lord 
called  him  from  the  sheep-cotes  to  feed  his  sheep,  the  house  of  Israel, 
and  to  defend  them  from  the  spiritual  wolves,  bears,  and  lions ;  and  he 
did  it  to  purpose,  who  was  a  man  after  God's  own  heart. 

'  Elisha  was  a  plowman,  1  Kings  xix.  19.  He  was  called  from  the 
plow,  to  teach  God's  people,  the  children  of  Israel,  to  plow  up  the  fal- 
low-ground of  their  hearts,  that  they  might  bring  forth  seed  and  fruits 
to  God  their  Creator. 

'  The  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Amos,  when  he  was  among  the 
herdsmen  of  Tekoa,  Amos  i.  1  Amaziah,  the  priest  of  Bethel,  said  to 
Amos,  "  Prophesy  not  again  any  more  at  Bethel :  for  it  is  the  king's 
'  chapel,  and  it  is  the  king's  court,"  chap.  vii.  13.  Amos  answered,  "  I 
'  was  no  prophet,  neither  was  I  a  prophet's  son :  but  I  was  an  herdsman, 
'  and  a  gatherer  of  sycamore-fruit ;  and  the  Lord  took  me  as  I  followed 
'  the  flock.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me.  Go,  prophesy  unto  my  people 
'  Israel,"  ver.  14,  15.  Here  ye  may  see,  the  Lord  made  use  of  a  poor 
man,  and  called  him  from  following  the  outward  flock,  and  from  gathei*^- 
ing  of  outward  fruits,  to  gather  his  fruits,  and  to  follow  his  people  or 
flock,  the  children  of  Israel. 

'  Christ  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his  brother,  when  "  casting  their  net 
'  into  the  sea  (for  they  were  fishers :)  and  he  said  unto  them.  Follow  mo, 
'  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men,"  Matth.  iv.  18,  19.  Christ  like- 
wise called  James  and  John  his  brother,  when  they  were  in  a  ship,  with 
Zebedee  their  father,  "  mending  their  nets  ;  and  they  immediately  left 
'  the  ship,  and  their  father,  and  followed  him,"  ver,  21,  22.  He  gave 
them  power  (a  net  that  will  hold,  and  not  M'ant  mending)  and  made 
them  fishers  of  men,  to  fish  them  out  of  the  great  sea,  the  world  of 
wickedness.  We  read,  when  Peter,  Thomas,  Nathaniel,  the  sons  of 
Zebedee,  and  other  disciples  went  a  fishing  together,  and  that  night 
caught  nothing,  in  the  morning  Jesus  appeared,  and  said,  "  Cast  the  net 
'  on  the  right  side  of  the  ship,  and  ye  shall  find."  They  did  so,  and 
catched  so  great  a  multitude,  they  were  not  able  to  draw  them  to  the 
shore.  When  thereupon  one  of  the  other  disciples  said  to  Peter,  "  It 
'  is  the  Lord ;"  Peter,  hearing  that,  "  girded  his  fisher's  coat  unto  him," 
John  xxi.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7.  This  was  after  Christ  was  risen.  So  here  ye 
may  see,  Peter  had  not  laid  aside  his  fisher's  coat  all  the  while  that  he 
had  been  preaching  before  Christ's  death. 

*  Jesus  saw  Matthew  "  sitting  at  the  receipt  of  custom,  and  he  said 
'  unto  him,  follow  me.  And  he  arose,  and  followed  him,"  Matth.  ix.  9. 
And  Christ  employed  Matthew  to  gather  his  people,  that  were  scatter- 
ed from  God ;  another  manner  of  treasure  than  the  outward  custom  of 
the  Romans.  Luke  was  a  physician,  whom  Christ  made  a  physician 
spiritual ;  which  was  better  than  outward. 

'  Paul  was  a  tent-maker ;  and  being  of  the  same  craft  with  Aquila  and 
Priscilla,  "  he  abode  with  them  at  Corinth,  and  wrought ;  for  by  their 
«  occupation  they  were  tent-makers,"   Acts  xviii.  3.  G.  F.' 

*  Gooses,  the  first  month, 

'  1688-9.' 


1689]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  629 

It  was  now  a  time  of  much  talk,  and  people  too  much  busied  their 
minds,  and  spent  their  time,  in  hearing  and  telling  news.  To  shew 
them  the  vanity  thereof,  and  to  draw  them  from  it,  I  writ  the  following 
Hnes : 

'  In  the  low  region,  in  the  airy  life,  all  news  is  uncertain ;  there  is  no- 

*  thing  stable ;  but  in  the  higher  region,  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  all 
'  things  are  stable  and  sure,  and  the  news  always  good  and  certain.  For 
'  Christ,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  given  unto  him, 

*  i'uleth  in  the  kingdoms  of  men :  and  he,  who  doth  inherit  the  heathen, 

*  and  possess  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  with  his  divine  power  and 
'  light,  rules  all  nations  with  his  rod  of  iron,  and  "  dashes  them  to  pieces 
"  like  a  potter's  vessels,"  the  vessels  of  dishonour,  and  the  leaky  vessels 

*  that  will  not  hold  his  living  water  of  life ;  and  he  doth  preserve  his 

*  elect  vessels  of  mercy  and  honour.  His  power  is  certain  and  doth  not 
'  change,  by  which  he  doth  remove  the  mountains  and  hills,  and  shakes 

*  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  Leaky,  dishonourable  vessels,  the  hills  and 
'  mountains,  and  the  old  heavens  and  the  earth,  are  all  to  be  shaken,  re- 
'  moved,  and  broken  to  pieces,  though  they  do  not  see  it  nor  him  that 
'  doth  it ;  but  the  elect  and  faithful  both  see  it,  and  know  him  and  his 
'  power  that  cannot  be  shaken,  and  changeth  not.  G.  F. 

'  The  5th  of  the  1st  month, 
'  1688-9.' 

About  the  middle  of  the  first  month,  1688-9,  I  went  to  London,  the 
parliament  then  sitting,  and  being  then  about  the  bill  of  indulgence. 
Though  I  was  weak  in  body,  and  not  well  able  to  stir  to  and  fro,  yet  so 
great  a  concern  was  upon  my  Spirit  on  behalf  of  truth  and  friends,  that 
I  attended  continually  for  many  days,  with  others,  at  the  parliament- 
house,  labouring  with  the  members,  that  the  thing  might  be  done  com- 
prehensively and  eftectually. 

In  this  and  other  services  I  continued  till  towards  the  end  of  the  second 
month,  when  being  much  spent  with  continual  labour,  I  got  out  of  town 
for  a  little  while,  as  far  as  Southgate  and  thereabouts.  While  I  was 
there  I  wrote  a  letter  to  Peter  Hendricks,  a  friend,  at  Amsterdam,  in 
which  I  inclosed  an  epistle  to  friends  at  Dantzick,  in  Poland,  who  at  this 
time  were  under  great  persecution.  And  I  wrote  unto  them  to  encour- 
age and  strengthen  them  in  their  testimony,  and  to  comfort  them  in  their 
sufferings  for  the  truth.  I  also  wrote  a  paper  to  their  persecutors,  the 
magistrates  of  Dantzick,  laying  before  them  the  evil  of  persecution,  per- 
suading them  to  Christian  moderation,  and  '  to  do  unto  othei^,  in  mat- 
'  ters  of  religion,  as  they  would  be  done  unto.' 

'  To  Peter  Hendricks  at  Amsterdam ;  and  to  friends  at  Dantzick,  who 
'  are  under  persecution. 

'  Dear  friend  P.  H. 
'  With  my  love  to  thee  and  thy  wife,  J.  Clause,  and  J.  Roeloffs,  and 
'  all  the  rest  of  friends  every-where  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  reigns  over  all. 

*  I  am  glad  to  hear  friends  are  well  in  all  those  provinces  and  places 
'  every-where,  except  Dantzick,  and  that  you  were  so  diligent  in  spread- 
'  ing  my  papers  to  the  strengthening  of  friends.  I  have  lately  printed  the 
'  Life  of  William  Caton,  but  have  not  made  a  collection  of  his  books.     I 

*  think  to  send  some  of  them  to  you,  which  you  may  translate  and  print 


630  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1689 

'  if  you  will ;  they  may  be  serviceable  among  friends,  especially  them 

*  that  knew  him. 

'  Concerning  friends  at  Dantzick,  whom  the  Lord  hath  supported  with 

*  his  eternal  arm  and  power  to  this  day,  I  hope  by  the  same  arm  and 

*  power  he  will  support  them,  and  in  it  they  will  feel  his  blessed  presence 
'  with  them  in  all  their  sufferings ;  who  is  over  the  cruelty  of  their  per- 
'  secutors,  who  will  hardly  let  them  breathe  outwardly  or  inwardly,  in 
'  the  common  air  of  their  native  soil.     Which  shews  their  immorality, 

*  inhumanity,  and  unchristianity,  and  that  they  want  the  counsel  of  a 
'  Gamahel  amongst  them ;  whose  actions  are  below  the  law  of  God,  to 
"  do  unto  others  as  tliey  would  have  others  do  unto  them ;"  God  will  not 

*  bless  the  doings  of  such.     However  I  desire  that  friends  may  mind  the 

*  Lord's  power  that  is  over  all,  be  vahant  for  his  truth,  and  keep  upon 
'  their  rock  and  foundation  Christ  Jesus,  that  stands  sure  in  the  time  of 
'  the  heat  of  persecution  which  is  so  hot  upon  you,  that  they  will  not 
'  suffer  you  to  have  so  much  as  your  houses  to  work  and  sleep  in,  nor  to 
'  meet  nor  serve  God  in.  The  Lord  beholds  all  such  actors  and  their 
'  actions.  Therefore  look  over  all  to  him,  who  is  able  to  deal  with  them, 

*  and  reward  them  according  to  their  works.     God  Almighty  preserve 

*  you  all  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  whom  you  have  rest,  life  and  peace,  Amen. 

'  G.  F.' 

*  Southgate,  the  28th  of  the 

'  2d  month,  1689.' 

*  To  the  magistrates  of  Dantzick : 

*  Christian  Shroder,  president  of  the  council,  Emanuel  Dilger,  N.  Ga- 

'  decken,  and  N.  Fraterus,  deputy  of  the  council,  and  the  rest  of  the 
*  magistrates  and  priests. 

*  We  have  seen  your  order,  and  your  breathing  out  persecution  against 

*  that  little  flock,  the  lambs  of  Christ,  that  live  under  your  jurisdiction  in 
'  the  city  of  Dantzick,  and  that  you  have  imprisoned  and  banished  two 
'  by  the  hangman  out  of  the  government  of  your  city ;  and  others  you 

*  threaten  to  do  the  same  to,  with  great  punishment  if  they  return.  Like- 
'  wise  you  threaten  those  with  punishment  they  rent  their  houses  of,  if 
'  they  let  them  have  their  houses  either  to  live  in,  or  meet  in  to  serve 

<  and  worship  the  Lord  that  made  them.  Truly,  I  am  heartily  sorry  for 
'  both  your  magistrates  and  priests,  that  go  under  the  name  of  Christians, 

*  and  shew  such  immoral,  inhuman,  unchristian  actions,  below  the  royal 
'  law  of  God,  which  is  "  to  do  to  others  as  you  would  have  them  do 
•'  unto  you."     For  would  you  think  it  was  moral,  human,  or  christian, 

<  or  according  to  the  law  of  God,  if  the  king  of  Poland,  who  is  of  another 
'  religion  than  you,  should  banish  you  out  of  your  city  by  the  hangman, 

*  and  call  you  murderers  of  souls  1  Could  you  say  but  this  was  accord- 
'  ing  to  the  law  of  God,  "  to  do  unto  you  as  you  would  have  done  unto 
'•  others'?"  If  you  say,  you  have  the  sword,  the  horn,  and  the  power: 
'  blessed  be  the  Lord  that  hath  shortened  your  sword,  your  power,  and 

*  your  horn,  that  it  reaches  no  further  than  your  jurisdiction  of  Dantzick : 

*  and  you  do  not  know  how  long  God  may  suffer  you  to  have  your  horn, 

*  your  power  and  your  sword.     We  are  sure  you  have  not  the  mind  nor 

*  Spirit  of  Christ;  and  the  apostle  saith,  "  They  that  have  not  the  Spirit 
"  of  Christ  are  none  of  his,"  Rom.  viii.  And  Christ  bids  Peter  "  put  up 
*'his  sword;"  they  that  draw  the  sword  concerning  him,  to  defend  hini 


1689]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  631 

'  and  his  worship  and  faith,  should  perish  w'ith  the  sword.  Peter  and  the 
'  apostles  never  drew  the  outward  sword  after,  but  said,  their  weapons 
'  were  spiritual  not  carnal,  and  tJiey  did  not  wrestle  with  flesh  and  blood. 

*  Christ  never  gave  any  such  command,  that  they  should  banish  any  by 

*  the  hangman,  that  were  not  of  their  rehgion,  nor  would  not  receive  it. 
'  Are  not  you  worse  than  the  Turks,  who  let  many  religions  be  in  their 
'  country,  yea  Christians,  and  to  meet  peaceably  ?  Yea,  the  Turkish 
'  patroons  let  our  friends  that  were  captives  meet  together  at  Algiers, 
'  and  said,  "  It  was  good  so  to  do."  You  are  worse  than  those  barbar- 
'  ous  people  at  Salee,  who  do  not  profess  Christianity ;  for  you  profess 

*  Christ  in  words,  but  in  works  deny  him.     Did  you  ever  find,  either  in 

*  scripture  or  history,  that  any  persecutors  prospered  long  ?  You  are 
'  worse  than  they  are  in  the  Mogul's  country,  who  they  say  permits 

*  sixty  religions  in  his  dominions ;  and  many  others  might  be  mentioned, 
'  which  you  are  worse  than  them  all  in  your  cruelty  and  persecution  of 
'  God's  people  only  for  meeting  together  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  serv- 

*  ing  and  worshipping  God,  their  Creator.    No,  they  must  not  breathe  in 

*  their  natural  aiv,  neither  natural  or  spiritual,  in  your  dominions.  I  pray, 
'  where  had  you  these  commands  from  1  Neither  from  Christ  nor  his 
'  apostles.     Do  not  you  profess  the  scriptures  of  the  New  Testament  to 

*  be  your  rule  1  But  I  pray  you,  what  scripture  have  you  for  this  prac- 
'  tice  ?  It  is  good  for  you  to  be  humble,  to  do  justice,  love  mercy,  call 
'  home  your  banished,  and  love  and  cherish  them ;  yea,  though  they  were 
'  your  enemies,  you  are  to  obey  the  command  of  Christ,  and  love  them. 
'  I  wonder  how  you  and  your  wives  and  families  can  sleep  quietly  in 
'  your  beds,  that  do  such  cruel  actions,  without  thinking  the  "  Lord  may 
"  do  to  you  the  same !"     You  cannot  be  without  sense  and  feeling,  ex- 

*  cept  you  be  given  over  to  reprobation,  and  your  consciences  seared 
'  with  a  hot  iron.     But  Christian  charity  doth  hope  that  you  are  not  all 

*  in  that  state ;  but  that  there  may  be  some  relenting  or  consideration  of 

*  your  actions  among  some  of  you,  either  according  to  the  law  of  God 
'  or  his  gospel. 

'  From  him  that  desires  your  temporal  and  eternal  good  and  salvation, 

'  and  not  destruction,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Middlesex,  the  28th  of  the 
'  2d  month,  1689.' 

*  Peter,  Thou  may'st  translate  this  into  High  Dutch,  and  send  them  ; 
*  and  you  may  print  it,  if  you  will,  and  send  it  abroad :  and  trans- 
'  late  that  part  of  the  letter  that  is  to  friends  into  High  Dutch,  and 
'  send  to  them.' 

Having  staid  in  the  country  about  three  weeks,  I  returned  to  London 
a  little  before  the  yearly  meeting,  which  was  in  the  third  month  this  year, 
and  was  a  very  solemn,  weighty  meeting ;  the  Lord,  as  formerly,  visit- 
ing his  people,  and  honouring  the  assembly  with  his  glorious  presence, 
to  the  great  satisfaction  and  comfort  of  friends.  After  the  business  of 
the  meeting  was  over,  it  was  upon  me  to  add  a  few  lines  to  the  epistle, 
which  went  from  the  meeting  to  friends,  after  this  manner : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren, 
'  Who  have  known  the  Lord's  eternal  arm  and  power,  that  hath  pre- 

*  served  you  upon  the  heavenly  rock  and  foundation,  and  hath  built  your 


632  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1689 

'  house  upon  it ;  you  have  known  many  winds,  tempests,  and  storms  that 
'  have  risen  out  of  tlie  sea,  where  the  beast  rose,  and  many  raging  storms 
'  that  have  risen  by  apostates  of  several  sorts ;  but  the  seed  that  bruises 
'  the  serpent's  head,  and  is  the  foundation  of  God's  people,  stands  sure. 
'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  though  there  be  great  shakings  in  the  world, 

*  the  Lord's  power  is  over  all,  and  his  kingdom  cannot  be  shaken.  There- 

*  fore,  all  ye  children  of  God,  children  of  the  light,  and  heirs  of  his  king- 
'  dom,  a  joyful,  peaceable  habitation  keep  in ;  keeping  out  of  all  the  heats, 
'  contentions,  and  disputes  about  things  below.  "  Lay  hand  on  no  man, 
"  nor  nothing  suddenly,"  lest  they  should  be  puffed  up  with  that  which 
'  fades,  and  so  come  to  loss ;  but  mind  the  Lord's  power  tliat  keeps  open 
'  your  heavenly  eye,  to  see  things  present  and  to  come,  and  in  that  ye 
'  will  see  and  handle  the  word  of  life.  Dear  friends  every-where,  have 
'  power  oyer  your  own  spirits.  As  God  hath  blessed  you  with  his  out- 
'  ward  things,  have  a  care  of  trusting  in  them,  or  falling  into  difference 

*  one  with  another  about  these  outward  things  that  are  below,  which  will 
'  pass  away.  But  all  live  in  the  love  of  God,  and  in  that  live  in  peace 
'  with  God,  and  one  with  another.     Follow  the  works  of  charity,  and 

*  overcome  the  evil  with  the  good  to  all ;  for  what  good  have  all  the 
'  tinklers  done,  with  their  cymbals  and  sounding  brass  ?  They  always 
'  bred  confusion,  and  never  did  good  in  any  age ;  tinkling  with  their  cym- 
'  bals,  and  sounding  with  their  brass,  to  draw  out  the"  simple  to  follow 
'  them.  It  is  good  for  all  the  children  of  God  to  keep  in  their  possessions 
'  of  life,  and  in  the  love  of  God  that  is  everlasting.  As  for  all  the  tumults 
'  of  the  world,  and  the  apostates  from  the  truth,  the  Lord's  power  is  over 
'  theni  all,  Christ  reigns,  and  the  Lord  saith,  "  No  weapon  that  is  formed 
"  against  thee  shall  prosper,"  Isa.  Hv.  17.  Friends,  you  are  not  insensi- 
'  ble  how  many  weapons  have  been  formed  against  us  who  are  sons  and 

*  daughters  of  God,  and  the  Lord  hath  resti^ained  them  according  to  his 

*  promise ;  they  "  have  not  prospered."  The  Lord  said,  "  Every  tongue 
"  that  shall  rise  up  in  judgment  against  thee,  thou  shalt  condemn ;"  so 
'  God  hath  given  such  a  power  to  his  children  to  condemn  all  the  tongues 

*  that  shall  rise  up  in  judgment  against  them,  and  this  is  the  heritage  of 
'  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  "  Their  righteousness  is  of  me,"  saith  the 

*  Lord.  You  are  not  insensible  of  the  many  tongues  that  have  risen  up 
'  against  us  in  judgment,  yea  of  apostates  and  prophane ;  but  in  and  with 
'  the  truth,  the  power  of  God,  according  to  the  promise  of  God,  "  Every 
"  tongue  that  riseth  against  thee  thou  shalt  condemn."     It  is  not  one 

*  tongue  only  thou  shalt  condemn ;  but  every  tongue  that  shall  rise  up  in 

*  judgment  against  thee  thou  shalt  condemn.  The  Lord  giveth  this  power 
'  to  his  servants  and  children  to  judge  the  evil  tongues,  and  he  doth  re- 
'  strain  the  weapons  formed  against  them,  so  that  they  shall  not  prosper 
'  against  his  children  that  he  hath  begotten.     Praises  and  honour  be  to 

*  his  holy  name  for  ever !  Amen !  G.  F.' 

Soon  after  this  the  yearly  meeting  began  at  York,  which,  because  of 
the  largeness  of  that  county,  and  for  the  conveniency  of  friends  in  the 
northern  parts,  had  for  some  years  been  held  there.  And  inasmuch  as 
there  had  been  some  hurt  done  in  that  place,  by  some  that  were  gone  out 
of  the  unity  of  friends,  it  was  upon  me  to  write  a  few  lines  to  that  meet- 
ing, to  '  exhort  them  to  keep  in  pure  heavenly  love,  which  brings  into  and 

*  keeps  in  the  true  unity.'     Which  was  thus : 


1689]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  633 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  Christ  Jesus, 
'  Whom  the  Lord  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power  hath  preserved  to  this 

*  day,  all  walk  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of  God,  that  is  over  all,  in  love 
'  and  unity;  for  love  overcomes,  builds  up,  and  unites  all  the  members  of 

*  Christ  to  him  the  Head.     Love  keeps  out  of  all  strife,  and  is  of  God. 

*  Love,  or  charity,  never  fails,  but  keeps  the  mind  above  all  outward 
'  things,  and  strife  about  outward  things.  It  overcomes  evil,  and  casts 
'  out  all  false  fears.     It  is  of  God,  and  unites  all  the  hearts  of  his  people 

*  together  in  the  heavenly  joy,  concord,  and  unity.  The  God  of  love 
'  preserve  you  all,  and  estabhsh  you  in  Christ  Jesus,  your  life  and  salva- 

*  tion,  in  whom  ye  have  all  peace  with  God.     So  walk  in  him,  that  ye 

*  may  be  ordered  in  his  peaceable,  heavenly  wisdom,  to  the  glory  of  God, 

*  and  the  comfort  one  of  another,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  27th  of  the 
'  3d  month,  1689.' 

Being  much  wearied  and  spent  with  many  large  meetings,  and  much 
business  with  friends  during  the  time  of  the  yearly  meeting,  and  finding 
my  health  much  impaired  thereby,  I  went  out  of  town  with  my  daughter 
Rouse  to  their  country-house  near  Kingston,  and  tarried  there  most  of  the 
remaining  part  of  the  summer.  In  which  time  I  sometimes  visited  friends 
at  Kingston,  and  wrote  divers  things  for  the  service  of  truth  and  friends. 
One  was  an  epistle  to  friends  at  Barbadoes ;  as  followeth : 

*  To  all  friends  in  Barbadoes  that  are  convinced  of  God's  truth. 

*  My  desires  are  that  ye  may  live  and  walk  in  his  peaceable  truth,  and 
'  shew  forth  that  ye  are  children  of  the  light  and  of  the  truth ;  for  the 
'  heavenly,  gentle,  peaceable  wisdom  is  justified  of  her  children.  But 
'  debate,  strife,  wilfulness,  laying  open  one  another's  nakedness  and  weak- 

*  ness,  is  not  the  practice  of  heavenly  wisdom's  children,  but  of  Ham's, 

*  nor  from  the  Spirit  of  Christ ;  neither  such  as  bite  and  tear  one  another ; 

*  that  is  from  a  devouring  spirit,  not  the  Spirit  of  Jesus,  which  covers 

*  that  which  is  uncomely,  and  can  forgive.  My  friends,  you  profess  that 
'  truth  which  is  beyond  all  the  world's  ways,  therefore  see  that  you  excel 
'  them  in  the  heavenly  gentle  wisdom,  that  is  easy  to  be  intreated;  for 
'  the  wisdom  of  the  world  is  not  easy  to  be  intreated,  and  sometimes  will 
'  not  be  intreated  at  all.     Pray  see  you  excel  the  world  in  wisdom,  in 

*  virtue,  in  kindness,  in  love  that  is  over  hatred,  in  meekness,  humility, 
'  sobriety,  civility,  and  modesty,  in  temperance  and  patience,  and  in  all 
'  morality  and  humanity ;  which  will  not  act  any  thing  below  men  nor 

*  unmanly.     Shew  forth  true  Christianity,  and  that  ye  are  the  converted 

*  and  translated  believers  in  Christ,  dwelling  in  the  love  of  God  that  bear- 
'  eth  all  things,  endureth  all  things,  is  not  puffed  up,  and  envies  not.  For 
'  they  that  are  out  of  this  love  of  God,  and  Christian  charity,  are  nothing 
'  but  as  a  tinkling  cymbal  and  as  sounding  brass,  and  are  discontented, 

*  murmurers  and  complainers,  full  of  doubts,  questions,  and  false  jealous- 
'  ies.     Keep  that  spirit  out  of  the  camp  of  God  :  for  do  not  you  read  in 

*  the  scriptures,  both  of  the  New  and  Old  Testament,  that  the  end  of  such 

*  was  misery?  Therefore,  in  the  love  of  God,  build  up  one  another;  for 

*  love  edifies  the  body  of  Christ,  and  he  commands  his  believers  to  love 

*  enemies,  and  to  love  one  another ;  by  this  they  are  known  to  be  the 

*  disciples  of  Christ.     But  to  live  in  envy,  strife,  and  hatred,  is  a  mark 

*  that  they  are  no  disciples  of  Christ ;  "  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother 

4  E 


634  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1699 

"  abides  in  death,  and  whosoever  hates  his  brother  is  a  murderer,  and 
"  ye  know  that  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life  abiding  in  him.  But  they 
"  that  love  the  brethren  are  passed  from  death  to  life,"  1  John  iii.  14,  15. 

*  And,  "  If  a  man  say,  I  love  God,  and  hateth  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar ; 
"  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he  love 
"  God,  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ?  And  this  commandment  have  we  from 
"  God,  that  he  who  loveth  God  loves  his  brother  also,"  chap.  iv.  20,  21. 

*  Therefore  "  love  one  another ;"  for  love  is  of  God,  and  hatred  is  of  the 

*  devil,  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God,  and  knows  God.     All 

*  are  children  of  God  by  creation,  therefore  in  that  state  they  are  to  love 

*  their  neighbours  as  themselves,  and  "  to  do  unto  all  men  as  they  would 
*'  have  them  do  unto  them."     Secondly,  God  pouring  his  Spirit  upon  all 

*  flesh  (or  all  men  and  women)  all  that  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  are 

*  the  Sons  of  God,  heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ,  and  are  in 
'  fellowship  in  the  everlasting  gospel,  and  in  unity  in  the  Spirit,  the  bond 

*  of  peace.     They  that  go  out  of  this  unity,  out  of  the  bond  of  peace, 

*  and  do  not  keep  it,  break  the  King  of  kings'  peace ;  but  they  that  keep 
'  in  the  unity  and  fellowship  in  the  Spirit,  and  walk  in  the  light,  have  fel- 

*  lowship  one  with  another,  and  with  the  Father  and  the  Son.     It  is  not 

*  every  one  that  talks  of  the  light  of  the  world,  of  righteousness,  of  Christ, 

*  and  of  God,  but  he  that  "  doth  the  will  of  God."   Therefore,  my  friends, 

*  strive  to  excel  one  another  in  love,  in  virtue,  in  good  life  and  conver- 
'  sation ;  and  strive  all  to  be  of  one  mind,  heart,  and  judgment  in  the 
'  Spirit  of  God ;  for  in  Christ  all  are  one,  and  are  in  peace  with  him.  The 
'  Lord  God  Almighty  preserve  you  in  him,  your  rock  and  foundation, 

*  that  is  heavenly  and  stands  sure ;  that  ye  may  be  valiant  for  the  truth 
'  upon  earth,  for  the  Lord  and  his  glorious  name ;  that  ye  may  all  serve 
'  him  in  your  generation,  and  in  his  new  creation  in  Christ  Jesus,  Amen. 

'  And  now  that  you  are  come  into  so  much  favour  with  the  magis- 
'  trates  and  powers,  that  they  let  you  serve  the  office  of  a  constable,  &c. 
'  without  swearing  or  taking  any  oaths,  hereby  Christ's  doctrine  and 
'  command,  and  his  apostle's  is  set  up.  I  therefore  desire  that  you  may 
'  double  your  diligence  in  your  offices,  in  doing  that  which  is  just,  true, 
'  and  righteous ;  so  that  ye  may  excel  and  exceed  all  that  are  tied  or 
'  bound  by  oaths  to  pei'form  their  offices ;  and  you  can  do  it  upon  your 
'  Yea  and  Nay ;  so  say  and  so  do,  according  to  Christ's  doctrine  and 
'  command.  For  Adam  and  Eve,  by  disobeying  the  command  of  God, 
'  fell  under  condemnation ;  and  they  that  disobey  the  command  of 
'  Christ,  in  taking  oaths  and  swearing,  go  into  evil,  and  fall  into  condem- 
'  nation,  Mat.  v.  and  James  v.     My  love  in  the  Lord  is  to  you  all. 

« G.  F.' 

*  Kingston  upon  Thames,  the  10th 
'  of  the  5th  month,  1689.' 

I  staid  at  Kingston  till  the  beginning  of  the  seventh  month,  where  not 
only  friends  came  to  visit  me,  but  some  considerable  people  of  the  world, 
with  whom  I  discoursed  about  the  things  of  God.  Then  leaving  Kings- 
ton, I  went  to  London  by  water,  visiting  friends  as  I  went,  and  taking 
Hammersmith-meeting  in  my  way.  Having  recovered  some  strength 
by  being  in  the  country,  when  I  was  come  to  London  I  went  from  meet- 
ing to  meeting,  labouring  diligently  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  opening 
the  divine  mysteries  of  the  heavenly  things,  as  God  in  his  Spirit  opened 
them  to  me.     But  I  found  my  body  would  not  long  bear  the  city ;  where- 


1689]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  635 

fore,  when  I  had  travelled  amongst  friends  there  about  a  month,  I  went 
to  Tottenham-High-Cross,  and  from  thence  to  Edward  Man's  country- 
house  near  Winchmore-hill,  and  to  Enfield;  spending  three  weeks 
amongst  friends  thereabouts,  and  had  meetings  at  all  those  places.  Then, 
being  a  little  refreshed  in  the  country,  I  returned  to  London ;  where  I 
tarried,  labouring  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  till  the  middle  of  the  ninth 
month ;  at  which  time  I  went  with  my  son  Mead  to  his  house  in  Essex, 
and  abode  there  all  the  winter.  During  which  time  I  stirred  not  much 
abroad,  unless  sometimes  to  the  meeting  to  which  that  family  belonged, 
which  was  about  half  a  mile  from  thence ;  but  I  had  meetings  often  in 
the  house  with  the  family  and  those  friends  that  came  thither.  Many 
things  also  I  wrote  while  I  was  there,  some  of  which  follow.  One  was 
an  epistle  to  the  quarterly  and  yearly  meetings  of  friends  in  Pennsylvania, 
New-England,  Virginia,  Maryland,  the  Jerseys,  Carolina,  and  other 
plantations  in  America.     Which  was  thus : 

*  My  dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

'  Who,  by  believing  in  his  light,  are  become  children  of  his  light  and 
'  of  his  day ;  my  desires  are,  that  you  may  all  walk  in  the  light  and  in 
'  the  day,  and  keep  the  feast  of  Christ,  our  passover,  who  is  sacrificed 
'  for  us,  not  with  old  leaven,  neither  with  the  leaven  of  malice  and  wick- 

*  edness ;  but  let  all  that  be  purged  out,  that  ye  may  be  a  new  lump, 
'  keeping  the  feast  of  Christ,  our  passover,  with  the  unleavened  bread  of 

*  sincerity  and  truth.  Let  no  leavened  bread  be  found  in  your  houses, 
'  nor  in  your  meetings,  nor  in  the  camp  of  God,  or  household  of  faith, 

*  which  are  the  household  of  Christ ;  but  all  that  sour,  old  leaven,  which 

*  makes  people's  hearts  sour,  and  burn  one  against  another,  must  be 
'  purged  out  of  the  camp  of  God,  and  kept  out.  For  the  feast  of  Christ, 
'  our  passover,  must  be  kept  in  the  New  Covenant  with  his  heavenly  un- 

*  leavened  bread  of  life.    The  Jews'  feast  in  the  Old  Testament  was  kept 

*  with  outward  unleavened  bread ;  and  now  in  the  New  Testament,  in 
'  the  gospel-day,  our  feast  is  to  be  kept  with  the  heavenly  unleavened 

*  bread  of  sincerity  and  truth.     Therefore  friends,  I  desire  you  seriously 

*  to  consider,  and  to  keep  this  feast  which  the  apostle  directed  the  church 

*  of  Christ  to  keep.  Do  not  you  see  Christendom,  so  called,  keep  their 
"  feasts  with  the  leavened  bread  of  maUce  and  wickedness  1  which  makes 

*  them  so  sour,  and  their  hearts  so  to  burn  one  against  another,  that  they 
'  have  destroyed,  and  do  destroy  one  another  about  religion.     Therefore 

*  all  live  in  the  love  of  God,  which  keeps  above  the  love  of  the  world ;  so 

*  that  none  of  your  hearts  may  be  choaked  or  surfeited  with  these  out- 

*  ward  things,  or  with  the  cares  of  the  world  which  will  pass  away;  but 

*  mind  ye  the  world  and  the  life  that  is  without  end,  that  ye  may  be  heirs 

*  of  it.     And,  friends,  you  should  strive  to  excel  all,  both  professor  and 

*  prophane,  in  morality,  humanity,  and  Christianity,  modesty,  sobriety, 

*  and  moderation,  and  in  a  good,  godly,  righteous  life  and  conversation ; 
'  shewing  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  that  you  are  the  chil- 

*  dren  of  the  living  God,  children  of  light  and  of  day,  and  not  of  the 

*  night.     And  serve  God  in  newness  of  life ;  for  it  is  the  life,  and  a  living 

*  and  walking  in  the  truth,  that  must  answer  the  witness  of  God  in  all 
'  people,  "  that  the}^  seeing  our  good  works,  may  glorify  our  Father 
*'  which  is  in  heaven."     Therefore  be  valiant  for  God's  holy  pure  truth, 

*  and  spread  it  abroad  among  both  professors  and  prophane,  and  the  In- 

*  dians.     And  you  should  write  over  once  a  year,  from  all  your  yearly 


636  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1689 

*  meetings,  to  the  yearly  meeting  here,  concerning  your  diligence  in  the 
'  truth,  and  of  its  spreading,  and  of  people's  receiving  it,  both  professors 
'  and  prophane,  and  the  Indians ;  and  concerning  the  peace  of  the  church 
'  of  Christ  amongst  yourselves.  For,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  truth  doth  get 
'  gi'ound  in  these  parts,  many  are  made  very  loving  to  friends,  and  the 
'  Lord's  povv^er  and  seed  is  over  all :  in  which  God  Almighty  keep  all  his 

*  people  to  his  glory.  Amen.  G.  F. 

«  Gooses,  the  28th  of  the  11th 
;       '-month,  1689.' 

While  I  was  in  the  city  I  had  a  concern  upon  my  spirit  with  respect 
to  a  twofold  danger  that  attended  some  who  professed  truth;  one  was 
of  young  people's  running  into  the  fashions  of  the  world,  and  the  other 
was  of  old  people's  going  into  the  earth.  And  that  concern  coming  now 
again  weightily  upon  me,  I  was  moved  to  give  forth  the  following  as  a 
reproof  to  such,  and  an  exhortation  and  warning  to  all  friends  to  beware 
of  and  keep  out  of  those  snares. 

'  To  all  that  profess  the  truth  of  God. 

'  My  desires  are  that  you  walk  humbly  in  it ;  for  when  the  Lord  first 
"  called  me  forth,  he  let  me  see  that  young  people  grew  up  together  in 

*  vanity  and  the  fashions  of  the  world,  and  old  people  went  downwards 
'  into  the  earth,  raking  it  together ;  and  to  both  these  I  was  to  be  a 
'  stranger.  And  now,  friends,  I  do  see  too  many  young  people  that  pro- 
'  fess  tlie  truth  grow  up  into  the  fashions  of  the  world,  and  too  many  pa- 
'  rents  indulge  them ;  and  amongst  the  elder  some  are  declining  down- 
'  wards  and  raking  after  the  earth.  Therefore,  take  heed  that  you  are 
'  not  making  your  graves  w^hile  you  are  alive  outwardly,  and  loading 
'  yourselves  with  thick  clay,  Hab.  ii.  6.  For  if  you  have  not  power  over 
'  the  earthly  spirit,  and  that  which  leadeth  into  a  vain  mind,  and  the 
'  fashions  of  the  world,  and  into  the  earth ;  though  you  have  often  had 

*  the  rain  fall  upon  your  fields,  you  will  but  bring  forth  thistles,  briers, 
'  and  thorns,  which  are  for  the  fire.     Such  will  become  brittle,  peevish, 

*  fretful  spirits,  that  will  not  abide  the  heavenly  doctrine,  the  admoni- 
'  tions,  exhortations,  and  reproofs  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  heavenly  Spirit 
'  of  God ;  which  would  bring  you  to  be  conformable  to  the  death  of 
'  Christ,  and  to  his  image,  that  ye  might  have  fellowship  with  him  in  his 
'  resurrection.  Therefore  it  is  good  for  all  to  bow  to  the  name  of  Jesus, 
'  their  Saviour,  that  all  may  confess  him  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 
'  For  I  have  had  a  concern  upon  me,  in  a  sense  of  the  danger  of  young 

*  people's  going  i'lto  the  fashions  of  the  world,  and  old  people's  going 
'  into  the  earth,  and  many  going  into  a  loose  and  false  liberty,  till  at 
'  last  they  go  quite  out  into  the  spirit  of  the  world  as  some  have  done. 
'  The  house  of  such  hath  been  built  upon  the  sand  on  the  sea-shore,  not 

*  upon  Christ  the  Rock ;  that  are  so  soon  in  the  world  again,  under  a 
'  pretence  of  liberty  of  conscience.  But  it  is  not  a  pure  conscience,  nor 
'  in  the  Spirit  of  God,  nor  in  Christ  Jesus ;  for  in  the  liberty  in  the  Spirit 
'  there  is  the  unity,  which  is  the  bond  of  peace ;  and  all  are  one  in  Christ 

*  Jesus,  in  whom  is  the  true  liberty :  and  this  is  not  of  the  world,  for  he 

*  is  not  of  the  world.  Therefore  all  are  to  stand  fast  in  him,  as  they  have 
'  received  him;  for  in  him  there  is  peace,  who  is  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
'  but  in  the  world  there  is  trouble.     For  the  spirit  of  the  world  is  a  trou- 


1690]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  637 

*  blesome  spirit,  but  the  Spirit  of  Christ  is  a  peaceable  Spirit :  in  which 
'  God  Ahnighty  preserve  all  the  faithful,  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Gooses,  the  1st  of  the 
'  2d  month,  1690.' 

Another  I  wrote  while  I  was  here  concerning  the  Ensign  which 
Isaiah  prophesied  the  Lord  should  set  up  for  the  Gentiles,  which  I 
shewed  was  Christ.     Of  which  follows  a  copy : 

'  The  Lord  saith,  "  They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy 
"  mountain ;  for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as 
"  the  waters  cover  the  sea,"  Isa.  xi.  9.  "  And  in  that  day  there  shall  be 
"  a  root  of  Jesse,  which  shall  stand  for  an  ensign  of  the  people ;  to  it 
"  shall  the  Gentiles  seek,  and  his  rest  shall  be  glorious,"  ver.  10.  And  he 
"  shall  reign  over  the  Gentiles,  and  in  him  shall  the  Gentiles  trust,"  Rom. 
'  XV.  12.  _This  Ensign  is  Christ,  who  was  prophesied  of  by  the  prophet; 
'  which  prophecy  the  apostle,  who  was  a  minister  to  the  Gentiles,  shew- 

*  eth  was  fulfilled  in  the  New  Testament.  In  this  day  of  Christ,  Isaiah 
'  saith,  "  The  Lord  shall  set  his  hand  again  the  second  time  to  recover 
*'  the  remnant  of  his  people,  which  shall  be  left,  from  Assyi'ia  and  from 
"  Egypt,  &c.  And  he  shall  set  up  an  ensign  for  the  nations,  and  shall 
*'  assemble  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  and  gather  together  the  dispersed  of 
"  Judah  from  the  four  corners  of  the  earth,"  ver.  11,  12.  This  is  in  the 
'  day  of  Christ,  and  his  gospel  of  life  and  salvation,  which  is  preached  to 

*  every  creature  under  heaven,  who  "  enlighteneth  every  man  that  com- 
"  eth  into  the  world,"  both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  that  by  his  heavenly  di- 
'  vine  light  they  may  see  Christ,  their  Ensign  and  Captain  of  their  salva- 
'  tion ;  so  Christ  is  one  Ensign  both  to  the  Jews  and  Gentiles.  Isaiah 
'  saith,  "  The  Redeemer  shall  come  to  Sion,"  &c.  Isa.  Hx.  20.  And, 
"  This  is  my  covenant  with  them,  saith  the  Lord,  my  Spirit  that  is  upon 
"  thee  (to  wit,  Christ)  and  my  words,  which  I  have  put  in  thy  mouth, 
"  shall  not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed,  nor 
*'  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed's  seed,  saith  the  Lord,  from  henceforth 
"  and  for  ever,"  ver.  21.  "  Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the 
"  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee,"  chap.  Ixi.  1.  "  And  the  Gentiles 
"  shall  come  to  thy  light,"  ver.  3.  "  And  the  abundance  of  the  sea  shall 
"  be  converted  unto  thee,"  ver.  5.  (the  sea  is  the  world).  "  The  Lord 
•'  shall  be  thy  everlasting  light,"  ver.  20.  And,  "  Thou  shalt  call  thy 
"walls,  salvation,  and  thy  gates,  praise,"  ver.  18.  And  the  Lord  saith, 
"  I  will  make  the  place  of  my  feet  glorious,"  ver.  13.  "  Heaven  is  his 
"  throne,  and  earth  is  his  footstool,"  chap.  Ixvi.  1.  "  And  he  that  puts  his 
"  trust  in  me,  saith  the  Lord,  shall  possess  the  land,  and  shall  inherit  my 
"  holy  mountain,"  chap.  Ivii.  13.  Which  mountain  is  established  above 
'  all  the  mountains  and  hills,  Isa.  ii.  2.  The  Lord  saith,  speaking  of 
'  Christ,  "  I  have  put  my  spirit  upon  him,  he  shall  bring  forth  judgment 
*'  to  the  Gentiles,"  Isa.  xlii.  1.  "I  will  give  thee  for  a  covenant  of  the 
"  people,  for  a  light  of  the  Gentiles ;  to  open  the  blind  eyes,  to  bring  out 
"  the  prisoners  from  the  prison,  and  them  that  sit  in  darkness,  out  of  the 
"  prison-house.  I  am  the  Lord,  that  is  my  name,  and  my  glory  will  I 
"  not  give  to  another,  neither  my  praise  to  graven  images,"  ver.  6,  7,  8. 

*  So  Christ  the  Light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen,  and  the 
'  Gentiles  are  come  to  the  light  of  Christ.  This  pi'ophecy  of  Isaiah  con- 
'  corning  Christ,  many  of  the  Gentiles  witness  fulfilled,  that  "  salvation  is 
"  come  to  the  Gentiles,"  Rom.  xi.  11.     God  gave  his  glory  to  his  Son; 


638  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1690 

*  and  Christ  saith,  "  The  glory  which  thou  gavest  me,  I  have  given  them 
"  (namely  his  believers  and  followers)  that  they  may  be  one,  even  as  we 
"  are  one,"  John  xvii.  22.     Here  you  may  see  the  promises  and  prophe- 

*  cies  are  fulfilled  in  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God  hath  given  for  an  Ensign 
'  both  to  the  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  the  Captain  of  their  Salvation ;  and 

*  he  doth  enlighten  every  one  that  cometh  into  the  world :  that  with  his 

*  heavenly  divine  light  they  might  see  Christ,  the  Lord  from  heaven,  their 

*  Captain  and  Ensign,  and  trust  in  him,  their  Conqueror;  who  bruises  the 

*  serpent's  head,  and  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works :  and  Christ  and 
'  his  followers  overcome  the  dragon,  beast,  and  false  prophet.  Therefore 
'  all  Jews,  Gentiles,  and  Christians,  that  come  to  believe  in  Christ,  are  to 

*  stand  to  their  Ensign,  Christ,  who  is  also  the  Captain  of  their  Salvation, 

*  above  all  ensigns  and  captains  below,  for  he  is  from  above ;  therefore 

*  all  are  to  trust  in  him,  for  he  is  certain  and  able  to  save  to  the  utmost. 
'  He  is  the  same  Ensign  and  Captain  to-day  as  he  was  yesterday,  and  so 

*  for  ever,  the  First  and  Last,  the  Beginning  and  Ending,  the  Lord  of 
'  lords,  and  King  of  all  kings  upon  the  earth;  and  there  is  nothing  cer- 

*  tain  to  be  trusted  in  below  Christ  Jesus  who  is  from  above.  You  see 
'  in  the  scriptures,  there  were  many  ways  and  religions  among  the 
'  heathen,  as  there  were  many  sects  among  the  Jews  when  Christ  came ; 
'  and  now  there  are  many  sects  or  religions  among  the  Christians,  who 
'  believe  from  the  scriptures  "  that  he  is  com.e,"  as  the  Jews  behoved 
*'  he  was  to  come."     But  they  that  close  their  eyes,  and  stop  their  ears 

*  to  the  light  of  Christ,  are  not  like  to  see  Christ  who  hath  enlightened 
'  them,  to  be  their  Ensign  and  the  Captain  of  their  Salvation,  that  see  not 
'  with  the  heavenly  eye,  nor  hear  with  the  heavenly  ear,  to  see  and  hear 
'  their  heavenly  Ensign  and  Captain  of  their  Salvation,  to  convert  and 

*  heal  them ;  that  they  might  follow  him,  and  be  of  his  holy  camp,  his 
'  heavenly  soldiers,  to  whom  he  gives  spiritual  arms  and  armour,  the 
'  helmet  of  salvation,  the  breast-plate  of  righteousness,  the  armour  of 
'  light,  and  the  shield  of  faith,  which  will  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of 
'  Satan  and  give  victory,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  the  word  of  God, 
'  which  shall  cut,  hammer  down,  and  burn  up  all  the  strong  holds  of 
'  Satan.  Also  he  clotheth  his  soldiers  with  fine  linen,  white  and  clean,  his 
'  righteousness,  and  shoeth  them  with  the  everlasting  gospel  of  peace,  the 
'power  of  God;  which  clothes  and  shoes  will  never  wax  old.  And  all 
'  that  are  shod  with  the  everlasting  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  will  never 

*  wax  old ;  but  will  stand  all  storms  and  tempests  in  the  world.     They 

*  that  are  shod  with  the  gospel,  the  power  of  God,  can  in  it  tread  upon 
'  serpents,  vipers,  and  scorpions,  and  all  the  venomous  beasts  upon  the 
'  earth,  and  all  the  thorns,  briers,  brambles,  thistles,  sharp  rocks,  and 

*  mountains,  and  never  be  hurt,  nor  never  wear  out  their  shoes ;  for  their 
'  feet  were  always  beautiful  upon  the  mountains.  Moses,  a  captain,  the 
'  servant  of  the  Lord,  said  unto  the  people  of  Israel,  "  I  have  led  you 
"  forty  years  in  the  wilderness ;  your  clothes  are  not  waxen  old  upon 
"  you,  and  thy  shoe  is  not  waxen  old  upon  thy  foot,"  Deut.  xxix.  5.  Here 

*  ye  may  see,  the  Jews  in  the  Old  Testament,  their  clothes  and  their  shoes 
'  did  not  wax  old :  but  they,  who  are  Christ's  followers,  whom  he  shoeth 
'  with  his  everlasting  gospel  of  peace,  and  clotheth  with  his  fine  linen,  his 

*  righteousness,  and  arms  with  his  armour,  are  clothed,  shod,  and  armed, 
^  with  that  which  will  never  decay,  wax  old,  canker,  rust,  corrupt,  nor 

*  grow  blunt.     Now  all,  whether  Christians,  or  Jews,  or  Gentiles,  that 

*  hate  the  light  of  Christ,  close  their  eyes,  and  stop  their  ears  to  it,  are 


1690]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  639 

*  not  like  to  see  Christ  their  ensign  and  captain  of  their  salvation,  but  are 

*  blind.  As  no  outward  captain  would  list  a  company  of  blind  and  deaf 
'men,  and  clothe  and  arm  them  with  outward  armour,  so  such  as  are 
'  blind  and  deaf,  whose  eyes  are  closed,  and  ears  stopped  to  the  heavenly 

*  light  of  Christ,  he  is  not  Hke  to  clothe  with  his  fine  linen,  and  arm  with 
'his  heavenly  and  spiritual  armour;  nor  are  they  like  to  be  spiritually 

*  and  heavenly  disciplined,  and  to  see  and  know  his  holy,  spiritual,  living 

*  camp,  nor  to  follow  him,  while  they  are  deaf  and  blind,  and  hate  his 
'  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ.  For  it  is  the  light,  that  shines  in  the 
«  heart,  which  gives  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of 
'  Christ  Jesus ;  who  is  the  ensign  and  captain  of  men's  salvations,  and 
'  who  hath  brought,  and  doth  bring  many  sons  unto  glory :  praises, 
'  honour,  and  glory  be  unto  the  Lord  over  all,  who  liveth  for  ever.  Amen. 

'G.  F.' 
'  Gooses,  the  14th  of  the 
'  2d  month,  1690.' 

A  week  after  this  I  returned  to  London ;  and  after  a  little  stay  there, 
went  to  visit  friends  at  Kingston,  where  I  staid  not  long ;  but  came  back 
to  London,  and  remained  in  the  Lord's  work,  till  after  the  yearly  meet- 
ing, which  was  in  the  fourth  month  this  year ;  in  which  the  wonted  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  was  witnessed,  his  blessed  presence  enjoyed,  and  his 
heavenly  power  livingly  felt,  opening  the  hearts  of  his  people  unto  him, 
and  his  divine  treasures  of  Hfe  and  wisdom  in  and  unto  them ;  whereby 
many  useful  and  necessary  things,  relating  to  the  safety  of  friends,  and 
to  the  honour  and  prosperity  of  truth,  were  weightily  treated  of,  and 
unanimously  concluded. 

After  the  meeting,  I  wrote  the  following  paper  to  friends,  to  be  added 
to  the  epistle,  which  from  the  yearly  meeting  was  sent  into  the  several 
counties. 

'  All  friends  every-where,  that  are  alive  to  God  thro'  Jesus  Christ, 

*  and  are  living  members  of  Christ  the  holy  head ;  be  still,  and  stand  still 
'  in  the  Lord's  camp  of  holiness  and  righteousness,  and  therein  see  the 
'  salvation  of  God,  and  your  eternal  life,  rest,  and  peace.  In  it  you  may 
'  feel  and  see  the  Lord's  power  is  over  all;  and  how  the  Lord  is  at  work 
'  in  his  power,  ruling  the  nations  with  his  rod  of  iron,  and  breaking  (in 
'  the  nations)  the  old  leaky  vessels  and  cisterns  to  pieces,  like  the  potter's 
'  vessels,  that  will  not  hold  his  living  water  of  life,  who  are  erred  from 
'  the  Spirit.  But  blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  who  by 
'  his  eternal  arm  and  power  hath  settled  all  his  people  upon  the  living, 
'  holy  rock  and  foundation,  that  stands  sure ;  whom  he  hath  drawn  by 
'  his  Spirit  to  his  Son,  and  gathered  into  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  his 
'  only-begotten  Son,  full  of  grace  and  truth ;  who  hath  all  power  in 
'  heaven  and  earth  given  to  him.  Whose  name  is  above  every  name 
'  under  the  whole  heaven,  and  all  his  living  members  know,  there  is  no 
'  salvation  given  by  any  other  name  under  the  whole  heaven,  but  by  the 
'  name  of  Jesus ;  and  he,  their  salvation,  and  their  living  head,  is  felt  in 
'  the  midst  of  them  in  his  light,  life,  spirit,  grace,  and  truth,  and  his  word 
'  of  patience,  wisdom,  and  power :  who  is  his  people's  prophet,  that  God 
'  hath  raised  up,  in  his  New  Testament  and  covenant,  to  open  to  them ; 
'  and  their  living  shepherd,  that  hath  purchased,  redeemed,  and  bought 

*  them  with  his  precious  blood.     Christ,  the  living  One,  feeds  his  living 

*  sheep  in  his  living  pastures  of  life,  and  his  living  sheep  know  their  living 


640  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1690 

'  shepherd's  voice,  with  his  Hving  bread  and  water,  and  follow  him ;  and 
'  will  not  follow  any  of  the  world's  hirelings,  nor  thieves,  nor  robbers, 
'  nor  climbers,  that  are  without  Christ,  the  door.  Likewise  Christ's  liv- 
'  ing  children  know  Christ,  the  bishop  of  their  souls,  to  oversee  them  with 
'  his  heavenly  and  spiritual  eye,  that  they  may  be  preserved  in  his  fold 

*  of  life,  and  go  no  more  forth.  Also  they  know  Christ,  their  holy  priest, 
'  that  by  the  grace  of  God  tasted  death  for  them,  and  for  every  man,  and 
'  is  a  propitiation  for  their  sins ;  and  not  for  theirs  only,  but  for  the  sins 
'  of  the  whole  world :  and  by  the  one  offering  up  of  himself  he  hath  per- 
'  fected  for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified.     Such  an  high-priest  becomes 

*  Christ's  sheep  in  his  new  covenant  and  testament,  who  is  holy,  harm- 
'  less,  and  separate  from  sinners,  and  is  made  higher  than  the  heavens ; 
'  who  is  not  made  a  priest  after  the  order  of  Aaron  with  his  tythes,  offer- 
'  ings,  &c.  but  he  makes  an  end  of  all  those  things,  having  aboHshed 
'  them,  and  is  made  an  high-priest  after  the  power  of  an  endless  life,  who 

*  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  his  people ;  and  is  able  to  save  to 
'  the  uttermost,  all  that  come  to  God  through  him.     He  is  the  one  holy 

*  mediator  betwixt  God  and  man,  who  sanctifies  his  people,  his  church, 
'  that  he  is  head  of,  and  presents  them  to  God  without  spot,  or  wrinkle, 
'  or  blemish,  or  any  such  thing ;  and  makes  them  an  holy,  royal  priest- 

*  hood,  to  offer  up  spiritual,  holy  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus 
'  Christ,  who  is  King  of  all  kings,  and  Lord  of  all  lords  in  the  earth. 

*  So  an  holy,  heavenly  King,  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth 
'  given  to  him  ;  and  rules  in  all  the  hearts  of  his  sheep  and  lambs  by  his 

*  holy,  divine,  precious  faith,  that  is  held  in  all  the  pure  consciences  of 
'  his  people :  which  holy  faith,  Christ,  the  holy  one,  is  the  author  and 

*  finisher  of.     By  this  holy  faith  all  the  just  five,  in  which  holy,  divine, 

*  precious  faith  all  the  just  and  holy  ones  have  unity ;  and  by  it  quench 
'  all  the  fiery  darts  of  Satan ;  and  have  access  to  the  pure  God,  in  which 
'  they  please  him.  Christ,  who  is  set  on  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of 
'  the  Majesty  in  the  heavens,  in  his  New  Testament  and  new  covenant, 
'  is  the  minister  of  the  sanctuary  and  true  tabernacle,  which  the  Lord 
'  hath  pitched,  and  not  man.  Therefore  all  the  lambs  and  sheep  of  Christ 
'  must  feel  this  holy  minister  in  their  temple  and  sanctuary,  who  ministers 
'  spiritual,  holy,  and  heavenly  things  to  them  in  their  sanctuary  and  taber- 

*  nacle.     For  all  the  tabernacles  and  sanctuaries,  that  are  built  or  pitch'd 

*  by  man,  men  make  ministers  for  them ;  and  such  ministers  are  of  men 
'  and  by  men,  with  their  worldly  sanctuaries  and  tabernacles  of  men's 
'  pitching,  by  men's  hands. 

'  And  now,  dear  friends  and  brethren  every-where,  that  are  of  the  flock 

*  of  Christ :  Christ  our  passover  is  sacrificed  for  us.     Therefore  let  us 

*  all  keep  this  heavenly  feast  of  our  passover  in  his  new  testament  and 

*  covenant,  not  with  old  leaven,  neither  of  malice  nor  wickedness :  but 

*  let  all  that  be  purged  out,  with  the  sour  old  leavened  bread,  that  all 

*  may  become  a  new  lump :  and  so  keep  this  heavenly  feast  of  Christ, 
'  our  heavenly  Passover,  with  the  unleavened  bread  of  sincerity  and 
'truth.  Amen.  G.  F.' 

I  staid  in  town  between  three  weeks  and  a  month,  after  the  yearly 
meeting,  and  then  went  to  Tottenham-High-Cross,  where  was  a  meeting 
on  first-day,  which  I  was  at ;  and  then  went  to  Edward  Man's  at  Ford- 
Green  near  Winchmore-Hill :  and  the  first-day  following  to  the  meeting 
at  Enfield ;  where  the  Lord  gave  me  many  precious  openings  to  declare 


i 


1690]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  641 

to  the  people.  Afterwards,  moving  to  and  fro  amongst  friends  there- 
abouts, I  visited  the  meetings  at  Chesshunt,  Waltham-Abbey,  Enfield, 
Tottenham,  and  Winchmore-Hill  frequently ;  the  Lord  being  with  me, 
and  opening  many  deep  and  weighty  truths,  divine  and  heavenly  myste- 
ries to  his  people  through  me,  to  their  great  refreshment,  and  my  joy. 
After  some  time  I  went  to  Hertford,  to  visit  friends  there;  and  was  at 
their  m.eeting  on  a  first-day.  And  having  something  more  particular 
upon  me  to  the  ancient  friends  of  that  place,  I  had  a  meeting  with  some 
of  them  the  next  day,  and  imparted  to  them  what  the  Lord  had  given 
me  for  them.  Then  passing  to  Ware,  I  made  a  little  stay  amongst  friends 
there,  and  was  at  their  meeting.  After  which,  returning,  amongst  friends 
about  Edmonton  side  and  Tottenham,  and  taking  meetings  as  I  went,  I 
came  back  to  London  in  the  end  of  the  seventh  month. 

I  remained  at  London  till  the  beginning  of  the  ninth  month,  being  con- 
tinually exercised  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  either  in  publick  meetings, 
opening  the  way  of  truth  to  people,  and  building  up  and  establishing 
friends  therein,  or  in  other  services  relating  to  the  church  of  God.  For 
the  parliament  now  sitting,  and  having  a  bill  before  them  concerning 
oaths,  and  another  concerning  clandestine  marriages,  several  friends  did 
attend  the  house,  to  get  those  bills  so  worded,  that  they  might  not  be 
hurtful  to  friends.  In  this  service  I  also  assisted,  attending  on  the  parlia- 
ment, and  discoursing  the  matter  with  several  of  the  members- 
Having  staid  more  than  a  month  in  London,  and  much  spent  myself 
in  these  services,  I  went  to  Tottenham,  and  some  time  after  to  Ford- 
Green.  At  which  places  I  continued  several  weeks,  visiting  friends' 
meetings  round  about  at  Tottenham,  Enfield,  and  Winchmore-Hill.  In 
this  time  several  things  came  upon  me  to  write :  whereof  one  was  an 
epistle  "  to  friends  in  the  ministry ;"  as  followeth : 

'  All  friends  in  the  ministry  every-where,  to  whom  God  hath  given  a 
'  gift  of  the  ministry,  and  who  use  to  travel  up  and  down  in  the  gift  of 
'  the  ministry,  do  not  "  hide  your  talent,  nor  put  your  light  under  a  bushel ; 
"  nor  cumber  yourselves,  nor  entangle  yourselves  with  the  affairs  of  this 
"  world."  For  the  natural  soldiers  are  not  to  cumber  themselves  with 
'  the  world ;  much  less  the  soldiers  of  Christ,  who  are  not  of  this  world ; 
'  but  are  to  mind  the  riches  and  glory  of  the  world  that  is  everlasting. 
'  Therefore  stir  up  the  gift  of  God  in  you,  improve  it,  and  do  not  sit  down, 
'  Demas-like,  and  embrace  this  present  world,  that  will  have  an  end ;  lest 
'  ye  become  idolaters.  Be  valiant  for  God's  truth  upon  the  earth,  and 
'  spread  it  abroad  in  the  day-light  of  Christ,  you  who  have  sought  the 
'  kingdom  of  God,  and  the  righteousness  thereof,  and  have  received  it 
'  and  preached  it :  which  "  stands  in  righteousness  and  peace,  and  joy  in 
"  the  Holy  Ghost :"  As  able  ministers  of  the  Spirit  sow  to  the  Spirit,  that 
'  of  the  Spirit  ye  may  reap  life  everlasting.  Go  on  in  the  Spirit,  plowing 
'  with  it  in  the  purifying  hope ;  and  threshing,  with  the  power  and  Spirit 
'  of  God,  the  wheat  out  of  the  chaff"  of  corruption,  in  the  same  hope. 
'  For  he  that  looks  back  from  the  spiritual  plow  into  the  world,  is  not  fit 

*  for  the  spiritual  and  everlasting  kingdom  of  God ;  and  is  not  like  to 
'  press  into  it,  as  the  faithful  do.     Therefore  you  that  are  awakened  to 

*  righteousness,  and  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  keep  yourselves  awaken- 

*  ed  in  it :  then  the  enemy  cannot  sow  his  tares  in  your  field ;  for  truth 
'  and  righteousness  is  over  him,  and  before  he  was.     My  desires  are,  that 

*  all  may  fulfil  their  ministry,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  committed 

4  F 


642  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1690 

'  to  them ;  and  then  by  the  blood  (or  hfe)  and  testinnony  of  Jesus  you 
'  will  overcome  the  enemy  that  opposes  it,  within  and  without.  All  you 
'  that  preach  the  truth,  do  it  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  in  love ;  and  all  that  are 
'  believers  in  Jesus,  and  receivers  of  him,  he  gives  them  power  to  become 
'  the  Sons  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  whom  he  calleth  brethren ; 
'  and  he  gives  them  the  water  of  life,  which  shall  be  a  well  in  them, 
'  springing  up  to  eternal  life ;  that  they  may  water  the  spiritual  plants  of 
'  the  living  God.  So  that  all  may  be  spiritual  planters,  and  spiritual 
'  waterers ;  and  may  see  with  the  spiritual  eye  the  everlasting,  eternal 
'  God  over  all  to  give  the  increase,  who  is  the  infinite  fountain.  My  de- 
'  sires  are,  that  you  may  be  kept  out  of  all  the  beggarly  elements  of  the 
'  world,  which  is  below  the  spiritual  region,  to  Christ  the  head ;  and  may 
'  hold  him,  who  bruiseth  the  head  of  enmity,  and  was  before  it  was ;  that 

*  ye  may  all  be  united  together  in  love,  in  your  head,  Christ,  and  be  or- 
'  dered  by  his  heavenly,  gentle,  peaceable  wisdom  to  the  glory  of  God. 

*  For  all  that  be  in  Christ,  are  in  love,  peace,  and  unity.     In  him  they- 
'  are  strong,  and  in  a  full  persuasion ;  and  in  him,  who  is  the  first  and 

'  last,  they  are  in  a  heavenly  resolution  and  confidence  for  God's  ever- 

*  lasting  honour  and  glory.  Amen. 

'  From  him,  who  is  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,  with 
'  all  his  saints,  a  heavenly  salutation.  And  salute  one  another  with 
'  a  holy  kiss  of  charity,  that  never  faileth.  G.  F.' 

'  Ford-Green,  the  25th  of  the 
'  9th  month,  1690.' 

Another  epistle  I  wrote  soon  after,  more  particularly  to  the  friends  in 
the  ministry,  that  were  gone  into  America :  after  this  manner : 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren,  ministers,  exhorters,  and  admonishers, 

*  that  are  gone  into  America  and  the  islands  thereaway.  Stir  up  the  gift 
'  of  God  in  you,  and  the  pure  mind,  and  improve  your  talents ;  that  ye 

*  may  be  the  light  of  the  world,  a  city  set  upon  an  hill,  that  cannot  be 
'  hid.  Let  your  light  shine  among  the  Indians,  the  Blacks  and  the 
'  Whites ;  that  ye  may  answer  the  truth  in  them,  and  bring  them  to  the 

*  standard  and  ensign,  that  God  hath  set  up,  Christ  Jesus.  For  from  the 
'  rising  of  the  sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same,  God's  name  shall  be 
'  great  among  the  Gentiles ;  and  in  every  temple,  or  sanctified  heart, 
"  incense  shall  be  offered  up  to  God's  name."  And  have  salt  in  your- 
'  selves,  that  ye  may  be  the  salt  of  the  earth,  that  ye  may  salt  it ;  that  it 
'  may  be  preserved  from  corruption  and  putrefaction :  so  that  all  sacri- 

*  fices  ofifered  up  to  the  Lord  may  be  seasoned,  and  be  a  good  savour  to 
'  God.  All  grow  in  the  faith  and  grace  of  Christ,  that  ye  may  not  be 
'  like  dwarfs  ;  for  a  dwarf  shall  not  come  near  to  offer  upon  God's  altar ; 
'  though  he  may  eat  of  God's  bread,  that  he  may  grow  by  it.  And 
'  friends,  be  not  negligent,  but  keep  up  your  Negroes'  meetings  and  your 
'  family-meetings ;  and  have  meetings  with  the  Indian  kings,  and  their 
'  councils  and  subjects  every-where,  and  with  others.     Bring  them  all  to 

*  the  baptizing  and  circumcising  Spirit,  by  which  they  may  know  God, 

*  and  serve  and  worship  him.  And  all  take  heed  of  sitting  down  in  the 
'  earth,  and  having  your  minds  in  the  earthly  things,  coveting  and  striving 
'  for  the  earth :  for  to  be  carnally  minded  brings  death,  and  covetousness 
'  is  idolatry.  There  is  too  much  strife  and  contention  about  that  idol, 
'  which  makes  too  many  go  out  of  the  sense  and  fear  of  God ;  so  that 

*  some  have  lost  morality,  humanity,  and  true  Christian  charity.  0  there- 


1690]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  643 

'  fore,  be  awakened  to  righteousness,  and  keep  awakened ;  for  the  enemy 
'  soweth  his  tares,  while  men  and  women  sleep  in  carelessness  and  security. 
'  Therefore  so  many  slothful  ones  go  in  their  filthy  rags,  and  have  not 
'  the  fine  linen,  the  righteousness  of  .Christ ;  but  are  straggling,  and  plow- 
'  ing  with  their  ox  and  their  ass,  in  their  woollen  and  linen  garments, 
'  mixt  stuff,  feeding  upon  torn  food,  and  that  dieth  of  itself,  and  drinking 

*  of  the  dregs  of  their  old  bottle,  and  eating  the  sour,  leavened  bread, 
'  which  makes  their  hearts  burn  one  against  another.  But  all  are  to  keep 

*  the  feast  of  Christ,  our  passover,  with  the  unleavened  bread  of  sin- 
'  cerity  and  truth.  This  unleavened  bread  of  Life  from  heaven  makes 
'  all  hearts  and  souls  glad  and  joyful,  lightsome  and  cheerful,  to  serve 

*  and  love  God,  and  to  love  and  serve  one  another  in  the  peaceable  truth, 
'  and  to  keep  in  the  unity  of  God's  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  (the  Lord 
'  of  lords'  and  the  King  of  kings')  peace.  In  this  love  and  peace  God 
'  Almighty  keep  and  preserve  all  his  people,  and  make  them  valiant  for 
'  his  truth  upon  the  earth,  to  spread  it  abroad  in  doctrine,  good  life,  and 
'  conversation.    Amen. 

'  All  the  members  of  Christ  have  need  one  of  another.  For  the  foot 
'  hath  need  of  the  hand,  and  the  hand  hath  need  of  the  foot :  the  ear  hath 
'  need  of  the  eye,  and  the  eye  of  the  ear.  So  that  all  the  members  are 
'  serviceable  in  the  body  which  Christ  is  the  head  of;  and  the  head  sees 
'  their  service.     Therefore  let  none  despise  the  least  member. 

'  Have  a  care  to  keep  down  that  greedy  earthly  mind,  that  raveneth 
'  and  coveteth  after  the  riches  and  things  of  this  world  ;  lest  ye  fall  into 
'  the  low  region,  like  the  gentiles  or  heathen,  and  so  lose  the  kingdom  of 

*  God  that  is  everlasting :  but  seek  that  first,  and  God  knows  what  ye 
'  have  need  of;  who  takes  care  for  all  both  in  heaven  and  in  the  earth : 
'  thanks  be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gifts,  both  temporal  and  spir- 
'  itual !  G.  F.' 

'  Tottenham,  the  11th  of  the 
'  10th  month,  1690.' 

Not  long  after  I  returned  to  London,  and  was  almost  daily  with  friends 
at  meetings.  When  I  had  been  near  two  weeks  in  town,  the  sense  of 
the  great  hardships  and  sore  sufferings  that  friends  had  been  and  were 
under  in  Ireland  coming  with  great  weight  upon  me,  I  was  moved  to 
write  the  following  epistle,  as  a  word  of  consolation  unto  them : ' 

'  Dear  friends  and  brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  the  Lord 
'  by  his  eternal  arm  and  power  hath  upheld  through  your  great  suffer- 
'  ings,  exercises,  trials,  and  hardships,  more,  I  believe,  than  can  be  ut- 
'  tered,  up  and  down  that  nation,  which  I  am  very  sensible  of;  and  the 
'  rest  of  faithful  friends  that  have  been  partakers  with  you  in  your  suffer- 
'  ings :  who  cannot  but  suffer  with  the  Lord's  people  that  suffer.  My 
'  confidence  hath  been  in  the  Lord,  that  he  would  and  will  support  you 
'  in  all  your  sufferings;  and  that  he  would  preserve  all  the  faithful  in  his 
'  wisdom,  that  they  might  give  no  just  occasion  to  one  nor  other  to  make 
'  them  suffer  ;  and  if  you  did  suffer  wrongfully  or  unjustly,  that  the  right- 
'  eous  God  would  assist  and  uphold  you ;  and  reward  them  according  to 
'  their  works,  that  oppressed  or  wronged  you.  And  now  my  desire  is 
'  unto  the  Lord,  that  in  the  same  holy  and  heavenly  wisdom  of  God  ye 
'  may  all  be  preserved  to  the  end  of  your  days,  to  the  glory  of  God, 
'  minding  his  supporting  hand  and  power;  who  is  God  All-sutlicient,  to 
'  strengthen,  help,  and  refresh  in  time  of  need.  Let  none  forget  the  Lord's 


644  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [I6<30 

*  mercies  and  kindnesses,  which  endure  for  ever :  but  always  live  in  the 
'  sense  of  them.  And  truly,  friends,  when  I  consider  the  thing,  it  is  the 
'  great  mercy  of  the  Lord  that  ye  have  not  been  all  swallowed  up,  seeing 
'  with  what  spirits  ye  have  been  compassed  about.  But  the  Lord  car- 
'  rieth  his  lambs  in  his  arms,  and  they  are  as  tender  to  him  as  the  apple 
'  of  his  eye ;  and  his  power  is  his  hedge  about  his  vineyard  of  heavenly 
'  plants.  Therefore  it  is  good  for  all  his  children  to  be  given  up  to  the 
'  Lord  with  their  minds  and  souls,  hearts  and  spirits,  who  is  a  faithful 
'  keeper,  that  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps ;  but  is  able  to  preserve  and  keep 
'  you,  and  to  save  to  the  utmost,  and  none  can  hurt  so  much  as  an  hair 
'  of  your  heads,  except  he  sutler  it,  to  try  you ;  for  he  upholds  all  things 
'  in  heaven  and  earth,  by  the  Word  of  his  power :  all  things  were  made 
'  by  Christ :  and  by  him  all  things  consist  (mark,  consist)  whether  they 
'  be  visibles  or  invisibles,  &c.  So  he  hath  power  over  all ;  for  all  power 
'  in  heaven  and  earth  is  given  to  him :  and  to  you,  that  have  received 
'  him,  he  hath  given  power  to  become  the  sons  and  daughters  of  God; 
'  so  living  members  of  Christ,  the  living  head,  grafted  into  him  in  whom 
'  ye  have  eternal  life.  Christ  the  Seed  reigns,  and  his  power  is  over  all ; 
'  who  bruises  the  serpent's  head,  and  destroys  the  devil  and  his  works, 
'  and  was  before  he  was.  So  all  of  you  live  and  walk  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
'  that  nothing  may  be  between  you  and  God,  but  Christ,  in  whom  ye 
'  have  salvation,  life,  rest,  and  peace  with  God. 

'  As  for  the  affairs  of  truth  in  this  land»and  abroad,  I  hear,  that  in  Hol- 
'  land  and  Germany,  and  thereaway,   friends   are   in  love,  unity,  and 

*  peace :  and  in  Jamaica,  Barbadoes,  Nevis,  Antigua,  Maryland,  and  New- 
'  England,  I  hear  nothing,  but  friends  are  in  unity  and  peace.  The  Lord 
'  preserve  them  all  out  of  the  world  (in  which  there  is  trouble)  in  Christ 
'  Jesus,  in  whom  there  is  peace,  hfe,  love,  and  unity,  Amen.  My  love  in 
'  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  all  friends  every-where  in  your  land,  as  though 
'  I  named  them.  G.  F.' 

'  London,  the  10th  of  the 
'  nth  month,  1690.' 


DEATH  AND  BURIAL. 

Thus,  reader,  thou  hast  had  some  account  of  the  life  and  travels,  la- 
bours, sufferings,  and  manifold  trials  and  exercises  of  this  holy  man  of 
God,  from  his  youth  to  almost  the  time  of  his  death :  Of  which  himself 
kept  a  journal ;  whence  the  foregoing  sheets  were  transcribed.  It  re- 
mains, that  an  account  be  added  of  the  time,  place,  and  manner  of  his 
death  and  burial ;  which  was  thus : 

The  next  day,  after  he  had  written  the  foregoing  epistle  to  friends  in 
Ireland,  he  went  to  the  meeting  at  Gracechurch-street,  which  was  large 
(it  being  on  the  first-day  of  the  week :)  and  the  Lord  enabled  him  to 
preach  the  truth  fully  and  eflectually,  opening  many  deep  and  weighty 
things  with  great  power  and  clearness.  After  which  having  prayed, 
and  the  meeting  being  ended,  he  went  to  Henry  Gouldney's  (a  friend's 
house  in  White-hart  Court,  near  the  meeting-house :)  and  some  friends 
going  with  him,  he  told  them,  '  He  thought  he  felt  the  cold  strike  to  his 
'  heart,  as  he  came  out  of  the  meeting ;'  yet  added,  '  I  am  glad  I  was 


1690]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  645 

'  here ;  now  I  am  clear,  I  am  fully  clear.'  As  soon  as  those  friends  were 
withdrawn,  he  laid  down  upon  a  bed,  as  he  sometimes  used  to  do, 
through  weariness  after  a  meeting,  but  soon  rose  again ;  and  in  a  little 
time  laid  down  again,  complaining  still  of  cold.  And  his  strength  sensi- 
bly decaying,  he  was  fain  soon  after  to  go  into  the  bed ;  where  he  lay  in 
much  contentment  and  peace,  and  very  sensible  to  the  last.  And  as,  in 
the  whole  course  of  his  life,  his  spirit,  in  the  universal  love  of  God,  was 
set  and  bent  for  the  exalting  of  truth  and  righteousness,  and  the  making 
known  the  way  thereof  to  the  nations  and  people  afar  off;  so  now,  in 
the  time  of  his  outward  weakness,  his  mind  was  intent  upon,  and  wholly 
taken  up  with  that :  and  he  sent  for  some  particular  friends,  to  whom  he 
expressed  his  mind,  and  desire  for  the  spreading  friends'  books,  and 
truth  thereby  in  the  world.  Divers  friends  came  to  visit  him  in  his  ill- 
ness, unto  some  of  whom  he  said,  '  All  is  well :  the  Seed  of  God  reigns 
*  over  all,  and  over  death  itself.  And  though,'  said  he,  '  I  am  weak  in 
'  body ;  yet  the  power  of  God  is  over  all,  and  the  Seed  reigns  over  all 
'  disorderly  spirits.'  Thus  lying  in  an  heavenly  frame  of  mind,  his  spirit 
wholly  exercised  towards  the  Lord,  he  grew  weaker  and  weaker  in  his 
natural  strength ;  and  on  the  third  day  of  that  week,  between  the  hours 
of  nine  and  ten  in  the  evening,  he  quietly  departed  this  life  in  peace,  and 
sweetly  fell  asleep  in  the  Lord,  whose  blessed  truth  he  had  livingly  and 
powerfully  preached  in  the  meeting  but  two  days  before.  Thus  ended  he 
his  day  in  his  faithful  testimony,  in  perfect  love  and  unity  with  his  breth- 
ren, and  in  peace  and  good-will  to  all  men,  on  the  13th  of  the  11th  month 
1690,  being  then  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age. 

Upon  the  16th  of  the  same  month  (being  the  sixth  of  the  week,  and 
the  day  appointed  for  his  funeral)  a  very  great  concourse  of  friends,  and 
other  people  of  divers  sorts,  assembled  together  at  the  meeting-house  in 
White-hart  Court  near  Gracechurch-street,  about  the  middle  time  of  the 
day,  in  order  to  attend  his  body  to  the  grave.  The  meeting  was  held 
about  two  hours  with  great  and  heavenly  solemnity,  manifestly  attended 
with  the  Lord's  blessed  presence  and  glorious  power ;  in  which  divers 
living  testimonies  were  delivered,  from  a  lively  remembrance  and  sense 
of  the  blessed  ministry  of  this  dear  and  ancient  servant  of  the  Lord,  his 
early  entering  into  the  Lord's  work  at  the  breaking  forth  of  this  gospel 
day,  his  innocent  life,  long  and  great  travels,  and  unwearied  labours  of 
love  in  the  everlasting  gospel,  for  the  turning  and  gathering  many  thou- 
sands from  darkness  to  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  the  foundation  of  true 
faith;  the  manifold  sufferings,  afflictions,  and  oppositions,  which  he 
met  withal  for  his  faithful  testimony,  both  from  his  open  adversaries 
and  from  false  brethren ;  and  his  preservations,  deliverances,  and  do- 
minion in,  out  of,  and  over  them  all,  by  the  power  of  God :  to  whom  the 
glory  and  honour  always  was  by  him,  and  is  and  always  ought  to  be  by 
alj  ascribed. 

After  the  meeting  was  ended,  his  body  was  borne  by  friends,  and  ac- 
companied by  very  great  numbers,  to  friends'  burying-ground  near  Bun- 
hill  fields :  where,  after  a  solemn  waiting  upon  the  Lord,  and  several 
living  testimonies  borne,  recommending  the  company  to  the  guidance 
and  protection  of  that  divine  Spirit  and  power,  by  which  this  holy  man 
of  God  had  been  raised  up,  furnished,  supported  and  preserved  to  the  end 
of  his  day,  his  body  was  decently  committed  to  the  earth ;  but  his  memo- 
rial shall  remain,  and  be  everlastingly  blessed  among  the  righteous. 


646  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1690 

An  epistle  of  dear  George  Fox's,  writ  with  his  own  hand,  and  left  sealed 
up  with  this  superscription,  viz.  '  Not  to  be  opened  before  the  time ;' 
which  after  his  decease  being  opened,  was  thought  meet  to  be  print- 
ed, viz. 

*  For  the  yearly  and  Second-day's  meeting  in  London,  and  to  all  the 
'  children  of  God  in  all  places  in  the  world.     By  and  from  G.  F. 

'  This  for  all  the  children  of  God  every-where,  who  are  led  by  his 
'  Spirit,  and  walk  in  his  hght,  in  which  they  have  life,  unity,  and 
'  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  one  with  another. 

'  Keep  all  your  meetings  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  be  gath- 

*  ered  in  his  name  by  his  light,  grace,  truth,  power,  and  Spirit ;  by  which 

*  you  will  feel  his  blessed  and  refreshing  presence  among  you  and  in 

*  you,  to  your  comfort  and  God's  glory. 

'  And  now  friends,  all  your  meetings,  both  men's  and  women's,  month- 

*  ]y,  quarterly,  and  yearly,  &c.  were  set  up  by  the  power.  Spirit,  and 

*  wisdom  of  God;  and  in  them  you  know  that  you  have  felt  his  power, 
'  and  Spirit,  and  wisdom,  and  blessed  refreshing  presence  among  you, 
'  and  in  you,  to  his  praise  and  glory,  and  your  comfort :  so  that  you 
'  have  been  a  "  city  set  on  a  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid." 

'  And  although  many  loose  and  unruly  spirits  have  risen  betimes  to 
'  oppose  you  and  them,  in  print  and  other  ways,  you  have  seen  how  they 
'  have  come  to  nought.  The  Lord  hath  blasted  them,  brought  their  deeds 
'  to  light,  and  made  them  manifest  to  be  trees  without  fruit,  wells  with- 
'  out  water,  wandering  stars  from  the  firmament  of  God's  power,  and 
'  raging  waves  of  the  sea,  casting  up  their  mire  and  dirt ;  and  many  of 
'  them  are  like  the  dog  turned  to  his  old  vomit,  and  the  sow  that  was 

*  washed,  turned  again  to  the  mire.  This  hath  been  the  condition  of 
'  many,  God  knoweth,  and  his  people ! 

'  Therefore  all  stand  steadfast  in  Christ  Jesus  your  head,  in  whom  you 
'  are  all  one,  male  and  female,  and  know  his  government,  of  the  increase 
'  of  whose  government  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end  ;  but  there  will 
'  be  an  end  of  the  devil's,  and  of  all  that  are  out  of  Christ,  who  oppose  it 
'  and  him,  whose  judgment  doth  not  linger,  and  their  damnation  doth  not 
'  slumber.     Therefore  in  God  and  Christ's  light,  life.  Spirit,  and  power 

*  live  and  walk,  that  is  over  all  (and  the  Seed  of  it)  in  love,  in  innocency, 
'  and  simplicity.  In  righteousness  and  holiness  dwell,  and  in  his  power 
'  and  Holy  Ghost,  in  which  God's  kingdom  doth  stand.     All  children  of 

*  new  and  heavenly  Jerusalem,  that  is  from  above,  and  is  free,  with  all 

*  her  holy  spiritual  children,  to  her  keep  your  eyes. 

*  As  for  this  spirit  of  rebellion  and  opposition  that  hath  risen  formerly 
'  and  lately,  it  is  out  of  the  kingdom  of  God  and  heavenly  Jerusalem ; 
'  and  is  for  judgment  and  condemnation,  with  all  its  books,  words,  and 
'  v/orks.    Therefore  friends  are  to  live  and  walk  in  the  power  and  Spirit 

*  of  God  that  is  over  it,  and  in  the  Seed  that  will  bruise  and  break  it  to 
'  pieces.  In  which  Seed  you  have  joy  and  peace  with  God,  and  power 
'  and  authorit}^  to  judge  it;  and  your  unity  is  in  the  power  and  Spirit  of 

*  God,  that  doth  judge  it :  all  God's  witnesses  in  his  tabernacle  go  out 

*  against  it,  and  always  have  and  wdll. 

'  Let  no  man  live  to  self,  but  to  the  Lord,  as  they  will  die  in  him  ;  and 

*  seek  the  peace  of  the  church  of  Christ,  and  the  peace  of  all  men  in  him : 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  647  ' 

'  for  "  blessed  are  the  peace-makers."  Dwell  in  the  pure,  peaceable, 
'  heavenly  wisdom  of  God,  that  is  gentle  and  easy  to  be  intreated,  that 

*  is  full  of  mercy ;  all  striving  to  be  of  one  mind,  heart,  soul,  and  judg- 
'  ment  in  Christ,  having  his  mind  and  Spirit  dwelling  in  you,  building  up 
'  one  another  in  the  love  of  God,  which  doth  edify  the  body  of  Christ,  his 

*  church,  who  is  the  holy  head  thereof  Glory  to  God  through  Christ,  in 
'  this  age  and  all  other  ages,  who  is  the  Rock  and  Foundation,  the  Em- 
'  manuel,  God  with  us.  Amen,  over  all,  the  beginning  and  the  ending.  In 
'  him  live  and  walk,  in  whom  you  have  life  eternal,  in  him  you  will 
'  feel  me,  and  I  you. 

'  All  children  of  New  Jerusalem,  that  descends  from  above,  the  holy 

*  city,  which  the  Lord  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  of,  and  is  the  temple ; 
'  in  it  they  are  born  again  of  the  Spirit:  so  Jerusalem  that  is  above,  is 
'  the  mother  of  them  that  are  born  of  the  Spirit.     These  that  come  and 

*  are  come  to  heavenly  Jerusalem,  receive  Christ ;  and  he  giveth  them 
'  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  and  they  are  born  again  of  the  Spirit : 

*  so  Jerusalem  that  is  above,  is  their  mother.  Such  come  to  heavenly 
'  Mount  Sion,  and  the  innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  Spirits  of 
'just  men  madeperfect;  and  to  the  church  of  the  Living  God  written 
'  in  heaven,  and  have  the  name  of  God  written  upon  them.     So  here  is 

*  a  new  mother,  that  bringeth  forth  a  heavenly  and  spiritual  generation. 

'  There  is  no  schism,  no  division,  no  contention,  nor  strife  in  heavenly 

*  Jerusalem,  nor  in  the  body  of  Christ,  which  is  made  up  of  living  stones, 
'  a  spiritual  house.  Christ  is  not  divided,  for  in  him  there  is  peace.  Christ 
'  saith,  "  In  me  you  have  peace."  And  he  is  from  above,  and  not  of  this 
'  world ;  but  in  the  world  below,  in  the  spirit  of  it  there  is  trouble ;  there- 

*  fore  keep  in  Christ,  and  walk  in  him.  Amen.  G.  F.' 

'  Jerusalem  was  the  mother  of  all  true  Christians  before  the  apos- 
'  tacy ;  and  since  the  outward  christians  are  broken  into  many 
'  sects,  they  have  got  many  mothers ;  but  all  those  that  are  come 

*  out  of  the  apostacy  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  Christ,  Jerusa- 

*  lem  that  is  above  is  their  mother  (and  none  below  her ;)  who 

*  doth  nourish  all  her  spiritual  children.  G.  F.' 
Read  at  the  yearly  meeting 

in  London,  1691. 


Reader,  Please  to  note.  That  these  following  papers  and  epistles  (some 
of  which  being  mentioned  in  the  Journal,  p.  517,  &c.  and  there 
omitted)  are  found  meet  to  be  here  inserted ;  and  are  as  foUoweth : 

A  narrative  of  the  spreading  of  truth,  and  of  the  opposition  from  the 
powers  which  then  were,  written  by  George  Fox,  in  the  year  1676. 

'  The  truth  sprang  up  first  to  us,  so  as  to  be  a  people  to  the  Lord,  in 

*  Leicestershire  in  1644,  in  Warwickshire  in  1645,  in  Nottinghamshire 
'  in  1646,  in  Derbyshire  in  1647,  and  in  the  adjacent  counties  in  1648, 
'  1649,  and  1650;  in  Yorkshire  in  1651,  in  Lancashire  and  Westmore- 
'  land  in  1652,  in  Cumberland,  Durham,  and  Northumberland  in  1653,  in 

*  London  and  most  of  the  other  parts  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland, 

*  in  1654. 

'  In  1655  many  went  beyond  sea,  where  truth  also  sprang  up,  and  in 

*  1656  it  broke  forth  in  America  and  many  other  places. 


648  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1676 

'  In  the  authority  of  this  divine  truth  friends  stood  all  the  cruelties  and 
'  sufferings  that  were  inflicted  upon  them  by  the  long  parliament ;  to  the 

*  spoihng  of  goods,  imprisonment,  and  death,  and  over  all  reproaches, 
'  lies,  and  slanders ;  as  well  as  those  in  Oliver  Cromwell's  time,  and  all 
'  the  acts  made  by  him  and  his  parliament ;  his  son  Richard  after  him, 
'  and  the  committee  of  safety ;  and  after  withstood  and  outlasted  all  the 
'  acts  and  proclamations  since  16G0,  that  the  king  came  in. 

'  Friends  never  feared  their  acts,  prisons,  gaols,  houses  of  correction, 
'  banishment,  nor  spoiling  of  goods,  nay,  nor  the  loss  of  life  itself;  nor 
'  was  there  ever  any  persecution  that  came,  but  we  saw  in  the  event  it 
'would  be  productive  of  good;  nor  were  there  ever  any  prisons  that  I 
'  was  in,  or  sufferings,  but  it  was  for  the  bringing  multitudes  out  of  prison ; 

*  though  they  who  impiisoned  the  truth,  and  quenched  the  Spirit  in  them- 

*  selves,  would  imprison  and  quench  it  without  them  ;  so  that  there  was 
'  a  time  when  so  many  were  in  prison,  that  it  became  as  a  bye- word, 
"  truth  is  scarce  any-where  to  be  found  but  in  gaols." 

'  And  after  the  king  came  in,  divers  friends  suffered  much,  because 
'  they  would  not  drink  his  health,  and  say,  "  God  bless  the  king ;"  so  that 
'  many  friends  were  in  danger  of  their  lives  from  rude  persons,  who 
'  were  ready  to  run  them  through  with  their  swords  for  refusing  it,  until 
'  the  king  gave  forth  a  proclamation  against  drinking  healths ;  for  we 
'  were  and  are  against  drinking  any  healths,  and  all  excess,  both  before 
'  his  coming  in  and  after ;  and  we  desire  the  king's  good,  and  that  the 
'  blessing  of  God  might  come  upon  him  and  all  his  subjects,  and  all  peo- 

*  pie  upon  the  face  of  the  earth  ;  but  we  did  desire  people  not  to  drink 
'  the  king's  health,  but  let  him  have  his  health,  and  all  people  else ;  and 
'  to  drink  for  their  owm  health  and  necessity  only ;  for  that  way  of  drink- 
'  ing  healths,  and  to  excess,  was  not  for  the  king's  health,  nor  their  own, 
'  nor  any  others ;  which  excess  often  brought  forth  quarrelling  and  de- 
'  stroying  one  another :  for  they  destroyed  the  creation  and  one  another ; 
'  and  this  was  not  for  the  king's  wealth,  nor  health,  nor  honour,  but  might 
'  grieve  him  to  have  the  creatures  and  his  subjects  destroyed ;  and  so 
'  the  Lord's  power  gave  us  dominion  over  that  also,  and  all  our  other 
'  sufferings.     But, 

'  Oh  !  the  number  of  sufferers  in  the  commonwealth's  and  Oliver 
'  Cromwell's  days,  and  since ;  especially  those  who  were  haled  before 
'  the  courts  for  not  paying  tythes,  refusing  to  swear  on  their  juries,  not 
'  putting  off  their  hats,  and  for  going  to  meetings  on  the  first-days ;  un- 
'  der  pretence  of  breaking  the  sabbath ;  and  to  meetings  on  other  days 
'  of  the  week ;  who  were  abused  both  in  meetings  and  on  the  highways. 

'  Oh !  how  great  were  the  sufferings  we  then  sustained  upon  these  ac- 
'  counts !  for  sometimes  they  would  drive  friends  by  droves  into  the 
'  prison-houses  like  penfolds,  confine  them  on  the  first-days,  and  take 
'  their  horses  from  them,  and  keep  them  for  pretended  breach  of  their 
'  sabbath,  though  they  would  ride  in  their  coaches  and  upon  their  fat 
'  horses  to  the  steeple-houses  themselves,  and  yet  punish  others.  And 
'  many  friends  were  turned  out  of  their  copy-holds  and  customary  tene- 
'  ments,  because  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ  and  his  apostle, 
'  they  could  not  swear ;  and  as  they  went  to  meetings,  they  have  been 
'  stoned  through  the  streets,  and  otherwise  cruelly  abused.     Many  were 

*  fined  with  great  fines,  and  lay  long  in  prison  for  not  putting  off  their 
hats,  which  fines  friends  could  never  pay,  though  they  kept  them  in 


1676]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  649 

'  prison  till  they  had  satisfied  their  own  wills,  and  at  last  turned  them 
'  out,  alter  keeping  them  a  year  or  more  in  prison. 

'  Many  books  I  gave  forth  against  tythes,  shewing  how  the  priesthood 
'  was  changed  that  took  them;  and  that  Christ  sent  forth  his  twelve,  and 
'  afterwards  seventy  disciples,  saying  unto  them,  "  Freely  ye  have  re- 
"  ceived,  freely  give."  So  all  who  do  not  obey  the  doctrine  and  com- 
'  mand  of  Christ  therein,  w^e  cannot  receive  them. 

'  I  was  also  moved  to  give  forth  several  books  against  swearing,  and 
'  that  our  Yea  and  Nay  might  be  taken  instead  of  an  oath,  which  if  we 
'  broke,  let  us  suffer  the  same  punishment  as  they  who  broke  their  oaths. 
'  And  in  Jamaica  the  governor  and  the  assembly  granted  the  thing ;  it  is 
'  also  granted  in  some  other  places ;  and  several  of  the  parliament-men 
'  in  England  have  acknowledged  the  reasonableness  thereof.  The  magis- 
'  trates,  after  some  time,  when  they  saw  our  faithfulnss  in  Yea  and 
'  Nay,  they  who  were  moderate,  both  before  and  since  tie  king  came  in, 
'  would  put  friends  into  oifices  without  an  oath ;  but  the  cruel  and  envi- 
'  ous  would  fine  friends  to  get  money  of  them,  though  they  ould  not  pay 
'  them  any. 

'  Thus  the  Lord's  power  hath  carried  us  through  all,  anc  over  all,  to 
'  his  everlasting  glory  and  praise ;  for  God's  power  hatii  be3n  our  hedge, 
'  our  wall  and  our  keeper  (the  preserver  of  his  plants  and  nneyard)  who 
'  have  not  had  the  magistrates'  sword  and  staff'  to  helf  us,  nor  ever 
'  trusted  in  the  arm  of  flesh,  but  have  gone  without  these,  )r  Judas's  bag, 
'  to  preach  the  word  of  life,  which  was  in  the  beginniig  before  they 

*  were ;  which  word  reconciles  to  God.  And  thousan(fe  have  received 
'  this  word  of  reconcihation,  and  are  born  again  of  th^  immortal  Seed, 
'  by  the  Word  of  God ;  and  are  feeding  upon  the  milk  o/the  word,  which 
'  lives  and  abides  for  ever.  I 

'  Many  have  suffered  death  for  their  testimony,  in  Er^land  and  beyond 
'  the  seas,  both  before  and  since  the  king  came  in ;  \tiich  may  be  seen 

*  in  an  account  given  to  the  king  and  both  houses  of  oarliament ;  being 
'  a  brief,  plain,  and  true  relation  of  the  late  and  sac*'  sufferings  of  the 

*  people  of  God  in  scorn  called  Quakers,  for  worshiping  and  exercising 
'  a  good  conscience  towards  God  and  man.  ' 

'  By  reason  whereof  eighty-nine  have  suffered  till  Jeath,  thirty-two  of 

*  which  died  before  the  king  came  into  England,  aid  fifty-seven  since, 
'  by  hard  imprisonment  and  cruel  usage.  Forty-thi^e  have  died  in  the 
'  city  of  London  and  Southwark  since  the  Act  male  against  meetings, 

*  &c.  about  1661,  of  which  a  more  particular  account  was  given,  with 
'  the  naines  of  the  sufferers,  to  the  king  and  parliament,  about  1663. 

'  And  though  divers  laws  were  designed  against  us,  yet  never  could 
'  any  of  them  justly  touch  us,  being  wrested  and  misapplied  in  their  exe- 
'  cution  by  our  adversaries,  which  some  have  been  made  to  confess.  All 
'  those  laws  that  were  made,  and  the  oath  which  they  imprisoned  us  for, 

*  because,  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Christ  Jesus,  we  could  not 
'  swear  at  all,  were  not  originally  intended  against  us  ;  and  yet  we  suf- 
'  fered  by  the  several  powers,  and  their  laws,  both  spoiling  of  goods  and 

*  imprisonment,  even  to  death.  And  the  governor  of  Dover  castle,  when 
'  the  king  asked  him  if  he  had  dispersed  all  the  sectaries'  meetings  ?  said, 
'  that  he  had;  but  the  Qakers,  the  devil  himself  could  not;  for  if  he  did 
'  imprison  them,  and  break  up  their  meetings,  they  would  meet  again ; 

*  and  if  he  should  beat  them  or  knock  them  down,  or  kill  some  of  them, 
'  all  was  one,  they  would  meet,  and  not  resist  again.     Thus  the  Lord's 

4G 


650  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

'  power  did  support  and  keep  them  over  their  persecutors,  and  made 
'  them  to  justify  our  patience  and  lamb-like  nature.  This  was  about 
*-1671. 

'  Since  the  king  came  in,  three  acts  have  been  made  against  us,  be- 

*  sides  the  proclamations,  by  which  many  have  suffered  imprisonment 
'  and  banishment,  and  many  to  death.  And  yet  for  all  these  acts  and 
'  proclamations,  persecutions,  sufferings,  banishments,  faithful  friends  are 
'  as  fresh  as  ever  in  the  Lord's  power,  and  valiant  for  his  name  and 
'  truth. 

'  Some  weak  ones  there  were,  when  the  king  came  in,  who  did  take 
'  the  oath;  but  after  they  had  so  done,  they  were  sore  troubled  for  diso- 
'  beying  th?  command  of  Christ  and  the  apostle,  and  went  to  the  magis- 

*  trates,  condemned  themselves,  and  offered  to  go  to  prison. 

'  Thus  the  Loid,  in  his  everlasting  power,  hath»  been  the  support  and 

*  stay  of  his  people ;  and  still  his  Seed  reigns,  his  truth  is  over  all,  and 
'  exceedingly  spreads  unto  this  year  1676. 

'  A  warning  to  Ihe  magistrates  and  people  of  the  city  of  Oldenburg : 
'  Frietds, 

*Have  you  seen  and  felt  the  judgments  of  God  upon  your  city,  the 
'Lord  sending  lightning  from  heaven,  that  destroyed  and  burnt  it?  As  I 
'  passed  through  your  city  on  a  first-day  of  the  week,  which  you  call 
'  your  sabbath,!  saw  some  drinking,  soldiers  playing  at  shuffle-board,  and 
'  others  with  th'ir  shops  open,  and  trading,  when  they  should  have  been 
'  waiting  upon  Cod,  and  worshipping  him ;  and  your  people  were  light 
'  and  vain,  witbut  any  sense  of  God's  judgments,  or  repentance.  O 
'  therefore  repen;  lest  the  all-seeing  God,  who  sees  all  your  actions,  and 
'  is  over  all,  brin^  swift  judgment  upon  you  in  his  wrath,  fury,  and  indig- 
'  nation.  Repent  and  lay  aside  all  manner  of  evil,  wickedness,  ungodli- 
'  ness,  and  unrigheousness :  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  upon  all 
'  that  do  evil,  all  tie  workers  of  iniquity.  This  mighty  day  of  the  Lord 
'  will  find  them  allout,  and  will  burn  as  an  oven ;  burn  up  all  the  proud 
'  and  wicked,  and  leither  leave  them  root  nor  branch.  Therefore  all  ye 
'  magistrates,  pries?,  and  people,  search  in  yourselves  to  find  out  tlie 
'  cause,  and  what  edl  you  have  committed,  that  has  brought  the  wrath, 
'  vengeance,  and  jucgments  of  God  upon  you  and  your  city,  in  burning 

*  of  it.  All  return,  md  come  to  the  light  of  Christ  in  your  hearts,  to 
'  God's  Spirit,  to  the  grace  and  truth  in  your  hearts,  that  comes  by  Jesus 
'Christ;  that  with  it  ye  may  search  your  hearts.  Do  not  grieve,  nor 
'  vex,  nor  quench  God's  good  Spirit  in  your  hearts ;  walk  not  despitefully 
'  against  the  Spirit  of  grace,  nor  turn  from  it  into  wantonness  ;  and  yet 
'  make  a  profession  of  God  and  Christ  in  words,  when  your  hearts  are 
'  afar  off,  living  in  pleasures,  and  wantonly  upon  the  earth,  sporting  your- 
'  selves,  killing  the  just,  crucifying  to  yourselves  Christ  afresh,  and  put- 
'  ting  him  to  open  shame  ;  so  dishonouring  God,  Christ,  and  Christianity, 
'  yet  making  a  profession  and  a  trade  of  the  scriptures ;  keeping  people 
'  always  learning,  that  they  may  be  always  paying. 

'  Cease  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  and  look  unto  the 

*  Lord,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and  be  saved ;  for  the  Lord  God  of 
heaven  and  earth  is  come  to  teach  his  people  himself  by  his  light.  Spirit, 

'  grace,  and  truth,  and  to  bring  them  off  all  the  world's  teachers.  God 
'  hath  raised  up  Christ  Jesus  his  prophet,  whom  people  should  hear;  and 
'  saith,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him :"  and  Christ  saith,  "  Learn 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  651 

«'  of  me,  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life ;  and  no  man  comes  to  the 
"  Father,  but  by  me."  There  is.  no  salvation  by  any  other  name  under 
'  the  whole  heaven,  but  by  the  name  of  Jesus,  who  saith,  "  I  am  the  good 
"  Shepherd,  and  have  laid  down  my  life  for  my  sheep,  and  my  sheep 
*'  hear  my  voice  and  follow  me,  and  will  not  follow  the  hirehng :"  for 
'  Christ  feeds  them  in  the  pastures  of  life,  that  will  never  wither.     God 

*  hath  anointed  Christ  Jesus  to  preach,  if  you  will  hear  him ;  and  God 
'  hath  given  Christ  for  a  counsellor  and  a  leader,  if  you  will  be  led  and 
'  counselled  by  him ;  and  God  hath  given  Christ  for  a  bishop  to  oversee 
'  you,  and  a  king  to  rule  you,  if  you  will  be  overseen  and  ruled  by  him. 
'  You  that  will  not  have  Christ  to  rule  over  you,  who  never  sinned,  nor 

*  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth,  you  may  read  his  sentence  in  the  New 
'  Testament  upon  such.  Is  not  Christ  a  sufficient  teacher,  whose  blood 
'  was  shed  for  you,  and  tasted  death  for  every  man  1  Doth  not  Christ  say 

*  to  his  ministers,  "  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give  ?"  And  the  apos- 
'  tie  saith,  "  We  covet  no  man's  gold,  silver,  or  apparel."     They  labour- 

*  ed  with  their  hands,  and  kept  the  gospel  without  charge.     Have  they 

*  that  are  called  ministers  amongst  you  done  the  same,  and  kept  this 
'  command  of  Christ  Jesus  ?  Let  them  be  examined,  and  examine  them- 
'  selves.  Have  you  not  trimmed  your  outsides?  but  look  within  with  the 
'  light  and  Spirit  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  see  if  your  insides  be  not  black  and 
'  foul.  For  Christ  Jesus,  who  doth  enlighten  every  man  that  cometh  into 
'  the  world  with  the  life  in  himself,  saith,  "  Beheve  in  the  hght,  that  ye 
"  may  become  children  of  the  light."     With  the  light  ye  may  see  all  the 

*  evil  and  ungodly  deeds  that  ye  have  committed,  all  your  ungodly  words 
'  you  have  spoken,  and  all  your  ungodly  thoughts  ye  think ;  that  ye  may 
'  turn  from  them  to  Christ,  from  whence  the  light  comes :  who  is  your 

*  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  who  hath  given  you  a  light  to  see  your  sin,  and 
'  that  you  are  dead  in  Adam ;  that  with  the  same  light  you  may  see 
'  Christ,  the  quickening  Spirit,  who  makes  you  alive  to  God,  and  saves 

*  you  from  your  sin.     But  if  you  hate  the  light,  which  is  the  life  in  Christ, 

*  the  Prince  of  life ;  and  love  the  darkness  and  the  prince  of  darkness 
'  more  than  the  light  or  the  life  in  Christ,  because  it  will  reprove  you ; 
'  Christ  tells  you,   "  This  light  will  be   your  condemnation,"  John  iii. 

*  Therefore  be  warned  now  in  your  day.  While  you  have  time,  turn  to 
'  the  Lord.     Do  not  quench  the  Spirit  of  the  Father,  by  which  he  draws 

*  to  his  Son ;  nor  hate  the  light  of  Christ ;  for  if  you  do,  you  hate  the 

*  life  in  Christ,  and  so  remain  under  condemnation  from  God  and  Christ 
'  with  the  light,  who  now  speaks  to  his  people  by  his  Son,  as  he  did  in 

*  the  apostles'  days ;  the  same  God,  that  was  the  speaker  by  the  prophets 

*  to  the  fathers,  and  speaker  to  Adam  and  Eve  in  paradise :  and  happy 
'  had  Adam  and  Eve,  and  the  Jews,  and  all  Christians  been,  if  they  had 
'  kept  to  this  speaker,  and  not  have  followed  the  serpent,  that  false  speak- 
'  er,  and  his  instruments.  And  now  God  is  the  true  speaker  by  his  Son, 
'  who  bruises  the  head  of  the  serpent,  the  false  teacher,  the  head  of  all 

*  false  ways,  false  prophets,  false  churches,  and  false  religions  and  wor- 
'  ships.     So  God  in  Christ  is  bringing  people  to  the  pure  undefiled  reli- 

*  gion,  that  will  keep  them  from  the  spots  of  the  world,  into  the  new  and 
'  living  way  Christ  Jesus ;  and  to  the  Church  in  God,  which  Christ  is  tiie 
'  head  of,  as  he  was  in  the  apostles'  days ;  and  to  worship  God  in  the 
'  Spirit  and  truth,  which  worship  Christ  set  up  above  sixteen  hundred 
'  years  since.  Therefore  must  all  people  come  to  the  grace  and  Spirit 
'  of  truth  in  their  own  hearts,  to  know  the  God  of  truth,  who  is  a  Spirit, 


652  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [16T7 

• 
'  and  in  the  Spirit  and  truth  to  worship,  serve,  honour,  and  glorify  the 
'  Uving  God,  who  is  over  all,  and  worthy  of  all,  blessed  for  evermore, 
'  Amen ! 

'  Ye  magistrates  and  officers,  read  this  in  all  your  assemblies,  and 
'  cause  all  your  priests  to  read  it  in  their  churches ;  that  they  and  you, 
'  and  all  people  may  hear  and  fear  the  God  of  heaven,  as  you  will  answer 
'  it  at  the  great  and  terrible  day  of  judgment,  and  vengeance  of  the  Lord 
'  God  Almighty.  This  is  in  love  to  your  souls,  and  for  your  temporal 
'  and  eternal  good.  G.  F.' 

'  Amsterdam,  the  19th  of  the 
*  7th  month,  1677.' 

'  An  epistle  concerning  true  fasting,  true  prayer,  true  honour,  and  against 
'  persecution,  and  for  the  true  liberty  in  Christ  Jesus ;  that  all  may  have 

*  a  care  that  the  apostle  hath  not  bestowed  his  labour  in  vain  upon 
'  you  in  your  observing  of  days,  months,  times,  feasts,  and  years,  and 
'  of  coming  under  the  beggarly  elements,  and  the  yoke  of  bondage 
'  again,  and  of  bringing  and  forcing  people  into  them. 

'  Where  did  ever  Christ  or  his  apostles  command  any  believers  or 
'  Christians  to  observe  holy-days  or  feast-days  ?  Let  us  see  where  it  is 
'  written  in  the  New  Testament,  in  the  four  evangelists,  the  epistles,  or 
'  the  Revelation,  that  ever  Christ  or  his  apostles  commanded  Christians 
'  to  observe  the  time  called  Christmas,  or  a  day  for  Christ's  birth  1  or  to 
'  observe  the  time  called  Easter,  or  Whitsuntide,  or  Peter's,  Paul's,  Mark's, 

*  or  Luke's,  or  any  other  saint's  day  ? 

*  You,  that  profess  yourselves  to  be  reformed  churches  from  the  Pa- 
'  pists,  Jews,  and  Heathens,  and  the  scriptures  to  be  your  rule,  and  are 
'  professors  of  the  new  covenant,  where  do  you  prove  out  of  the  New 
'  Testament,  that  the  apostles  and  the  primitive  church  practised  or  forc- 
'  ed  any  such  thing,  or  that  Christ  and  his  apostles  gave  any  such  com- 
'  mand  to  the  churches,  that  they  should  practise  and  observe  any  such 
'  days?  Let  us  see  where  this  command  is  written.  Did  not  the  apostle 
'  say  to  the  Galatians  in  the  fourth  chapter,  "  But  now,  after  that  ye  have 
"  known  God,  or  rather  ye  are  known  of  God,  how  turn  ye  again  to  the 
"  weak  and  beggarly  elements,  whereunto  ye  desire  again  to  be  in  bond- 
"  age  1  Ye  observe  days,  and  months,  and  times,  and  years ;  I  am  afraid 
"  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed  upon  you  labour  in  vain."  And  in  the 
'  third  of  Galatians  it  is  said,  "  O  foolish  Galatians,  M^ho  hath  bewitched 
"  you,  that  you  should  not  obey  the  truth,"  &c.  And  in  Galatians  the 
'  fifth,  the  apostle  exhorts  them  to  "  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith 
"  Christ  hath  made  them  free :"  and  moreover  said,  "  Be  not  entangled 
"  again  with  the  yoke  of  bondage." 

'  Doth  not  this  manifest  there  were  some  teachers  that  were  drawincr 

*  the  church  of  the  Galatians  into  these  beggarly  elements,  and  bringing 
'  them  again  into  bondage,  in  observing  of  days,  months,  times,  and  years? 
'  It  was  the  apostle's  work  to  bring  them  out  of  those  bondages  and  beg- 
'  garly  elements ;  therefore  when  they  were  going  back  again  into  observ^- 
'  ing  days,  months,  times,  and  years,  he  was  afraid  that  he  had  "  bestow- 
"  ed  his  labour  upon  them  in  vain:"  and  he  exhorts  them  to  "  stand  fast 
"  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  them  free,  and  not  to 
"  be  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of  bondage :"  and  again  signifies, 
"  that  they  had  been  once  entangled  with  that  yoke  of  bondage  and  beg- 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  653 

*'  garly  elements."  But  O !  how  are  people,  called  Christians,  since  the 
'apostles'  days,  gone  again  under. this  yoke  of  bondage,  and  these  beg- 

*  garly  elements,  in  observing  days,  months,  times,  and  years,  let  their 

*  practice  declare.     Nay,  do  not  both  Papists  and  Protestants  force  peo- 

*  pie  to  observe  days,  months,  and  times  1  And  therefore  is  not  the  apos- 

*  tie's  labour  and  travail  bestovv^ed  upon  Christendom  in  vain,  which  was 

*  to  bring  people  from  under  such  beggarly  elements  and  that  yoke  of 

*  bondage  (which  the  law  did  require)  to  "  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  where- 
"  with  Christ  hath  made  them  free,  and  not  to  be  entangled  again  with 
"  the  yoke  of  bondage  ?"  It  was  and  is  Christ  that  hath  made  and  doth 
'  make  his  people  free  from  these  beggarly  elements ;  therefore  the  re- 

*  deemed  are  to  "  stand  fast  in  that  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made 
"  them  free."  This  hberty  all  true  Christians  are  to  stand  fast  in ;  they 
'  are  made  free  by  Christ,  and  not  by  man ;  for  man,  without  the  Spirit 
'  and  mind  of  Christ,  seeks  to  force  and  compel  Christ's  followers,  such 

*  as  he  hath  made  free  from  the  yoke  of  bondage,  to  outward  things  that 

*  the  law  commanded,  to  the  observing  of  days,  months,  times,  feasts,  and 

*  years.     From  such  weak,  beggarly  elements,  those  that  know  God,  or 

*  are  known  of  God  and  Christ,  arc  to  stand  fast  in  their  liberty,  and  not 

*  come  under  nor  be  entangled  with  the  yoke  of  bondage  again,  seeing 

*  he  hath  made  them  free.  For  they  that  are  in  such  things,  and  would 
'  force  others  to  them,  are  gone  from  that  which  gives  the  knowledge 

*  of  God,  and  have  not  stood  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  makes 

*  free. 

'  Concerning  prayer,  we  do  not  read  that  ever  Christ  or  his  apostles 

*  did  seek  by  force  to  compel  any  to  fast  or  pray  with  them.     But  Christ 

*  taught  them  how  they  should  pray,  and  be  distinct  from  the  hypocrites. 

*  His  words  are  as  followeth :  "  When  thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  be  as 
"  the  hypocrites  are ;  for  they  love  to  stand  praying  in  the  synagogues, 
"  and  in  the  corners  of  the  streets,  that  they  may  be  seen  of  men,  <fcc. 
"  But  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut 
*'  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret,  and  thy  Father,  that 
*'  seeth  in  secret,  will  reward  thee  openly.  But  when  you  pray,  use  not 
"  vain  repetitions,  as  the  heathen  do ;  for  they  think  that  they  shall  be 
"  heard  for  their  much  speaking.  Be  not  ye  therefore  like  them ;  for 
"  your  Father  knoweth  what  things  ye  have  need  of  before  ye  ask  him," 

*  &c.     As  the  apostles  and  saints  did,  so  do  we ;  we  pray  in  secret,  and 

*  we  pray  in  publick,  as  the  spirit  gives  us  utterance,  which  helps  our  in- 

*  firmities,  as  it  did  the  apostles  and  true  Christians:  after  this  manner 

*  we  pray  for  ourselves,  and  for  all  men  both  high  and  low. 

'  Concerning  fasting,  Christ  saith,  "  Moreover  when  ye  fast,  be  not  as 
"  the  hj^pocrites,  of  a  sad  countenance ;  for  they  disfigure  their  faces, 
"  that  they  may  appear  unto  men  to  fast.  But  when  thou  fastest,  anoint 
"  thy  head,  and  wash  thy  face,  that  thou  appear  not  unto  men  to  fast, 
"  but  unto  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret ;  and  thy  Father,  which  seeth 
"  in  secret,  shall  reward  thee  openly." 

'  You  may  see  in  Isaiah  Iviii.  what  the  true  fast  the  Lord  requires  is, 

*  where  it  is  said  to  the  prophet,  "  Cry  aloud,  and  spare  not,  lift  up  thy 
"  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  shew  my  people  their  transgression,  and  the 
"  house  of  Jacob  their  sins;  yet  they  seek  me  daily,  and  delight  to  know 
"  my  ways,  as  a  nation  that  did  righteousness,  and  forsook  not  the  ordi- 
*'  nance  of  their  God  ;  they  ask  of  me  tiie  ordinances  of  justice,  they  take 
"  delight  in  approaching  to  God.     Wherefore  have  we  fasted,  say  they, 


654  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  fl677 

"  and  thou  seest  not  ?  Wherefore  have  we  afflicted  our  soul,  and  thou 
"  takest  no  knowledge  ?  Behold,  in  the  day  of  your  fast  ye  find  pleasui'e, 
"  and  exact  all  your  labours.  Behold,  ye  fast  for  strife  and  debate,  and 
"  to  smite  with  the  fist  of  wickedness ;  ye  shall  not  fast  as  ye  do  this  day, 
*'  to  make  your  voice  to  be  heard  on  high.  Is  it  such  a  fast  that  I  have 
"  chosen  1  A  day  for  a  man  to  afflict  his  soul  ?  Is  it  to  bow  down  his 
"  head  as  a  bulrush,  and  to  spread  sackcloth  and  ashes  under  him?  Wilt 
"  thou  call  this  a  fast,  and  an  acceptable  day  to  the  Lord  1  Is  not  this 
"  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen,  saith  the  Lord ;  to  loose  the  bands  of  wick- 
"  edness,  to  undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and  to  let  the  oppressed  go  free, 
"  and  that  ye  break  every  yoke  'I"  So  this  fast  that  the  Lord  requires, 
'  is  not  to  lay  yokes,  to  oppress,  and  lay  heavy  burdens,  and  to  make  fast 

*  the  bands  of  wickedness ;  but  to  loose  and  break  such  things. 

'  Further,  Concerning  the  true  fast  the  Lord  requires,  "  Is  it  not  to 
*'  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  that  thou  bring  the  poor,  that  are 
*'  cast  out,  to  thy  house  ?  When  thou  seest  the  naked,  that  thou  cover 
"  him,  and  that  thou  hide  not  thyself  from  thy  own  flesh  1  Do  you  keep 
"  this  true  fast  ?  Then  shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morning,  and 
*'  thine  health  shall  spring  forth  speedily :  and  thy  righteousness  shall  go 
*'  before  thee,  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  rereward.  Then  shalt 
"  thou  call,  and  tlie  Lord  shall  answer;  thou  shalt  cry,  and  he  shall  say, 
"  Here  I  am :  If  thou  take  away  from  the  midst  of  thee  the  yokes,  the 
"  putting  forth  of  the  finger,  and  speaking  vanity ;  and  if  thou  draw  out 
"  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  and  satisfy  the  afflicted  soul ;  then  shall  thy 
"  light  arise  out  of  obscurity,  and  thy  darkness  be  as  tiie  noon-day.  And 
"  the  Lord  shall  guide  thee  continually,  and  satisfy  thy  soul  in  drought, 
"  and  make  fat  thy  bones :  and  thou  shalt  be  like  a  watered  garden,  and 
"  like  a  spring  of  water,  whose  waters  fail  not,"  &c. 

'  Here  is  the  practice  of  the  true  fast  the  Lord  requires  of  his  people ; 
'  and  to  them  that  observe  this  fast,  the  Lord  saith,  "  When  they  call,  he 
*'  will  answer."  You  may  see  what  glorious  and  happy  comforts  they 
'  receive  from  the  Lord,  that  keep  this  true  fast ;  but  such  as  fast  for 
'  strife  and  debate,  and  to  smite  with  the  fists  of  wickedness,  to  make 
"  their  voices  to  be  heard  on  high,  to  afflict  their  souls  for  a  day,  to  bow 
'  down  their  head  as  a  bulrush,  and  loose  not  the  bands  of  wickedness, 
"  nor  undo  every  heavy  burden,  break  off  every  yoke,  and  let  the  op- 
"  pressed  go  free,  that  does  not  deal  his  bread  to  the  hungry,  clothe  the 
"  naked,  and  bring  the  poor  to  his  house,  but  hides  himself  from  his  own 
"  flesh ;"  such  fasts  and  fasters  the  Lord  doth  not  accept,  neither  hath  he 
'  chosen  them.  These  appear  to  men  with  their  disfigured  faces,  hang- 
'  ing  down  their  heads  as  a  bulrush  for  a  day,  like  the  hypocrites,  to 
'  fast,  as  Christ  speaks  in  Matth.  vi. 

'  Is  it  not  the  command  of  Christ,  that  in  their  fast  they  should  not  ap- 

*  pear  unto  men  to  fast?     And  now  you,  that  would  force  us  to  shut  up 

*  our  shops  on  fasting-days,  or  for  a  day,  does  not  this  fast  appear  to 
'  men?  and  is  not  this  the  fast,  that  the  Lord  saith  in  Isaiah,  "  he  dotJi 
"  not  accept?"  for  he  saith,  "  Is  this  the  fast  that  Ihave  chosen,  a  day  for 
"  a  man  to  afflict  his  soul,  and  bow  dov/n  his  head  as  a  bulrush,"  &c.  Wilt 
"thou  call  this  a  fast,  and  an  acceptable  day  to  the  Lord?"  Isa.  Iviii. 

'  Therefore  all  God's  people  are  to  keep  the  true  fast  of  the  Lord  from 
'  debate  and  strife,  and  the  fists  of  wickedness ;  that  "  fast  that  breaks  the 
"  bands  of  wickedness,  undoes  every  heavy  burden,  breaks  every  yoke, 
"  lets  the  oppressed  go  free,  deals  bread  to  the  hungry,  clothes  the  naked, 


1577]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  655 

"  and  brings  the  poor  that  are  cast  out  to  his  own  house."  Every  one 
'  that  keeps  this  true  fast,  their  health  shall  grow,  and  when  they  call, 
'  the  Lord  will  hear  them ;  "  he  will  be  their  guide  continually,  satisfy 
"  their  souls  in  drought,  make  their  bones  fat,  and  they  shall  be  like  a 
"  watered  garden,  and  like  a  spring  of  water,  whose  waters  fail  not." 

*  Now  you,  that  keep  not  this  true  fast,  when  you  call  upon  the  Lord  on 
'  your  own  fasting-days,  does  the  Lord  answer  you,  and  say,  "  Here  I 
"  am  ?"  Doth  the  Lord  guide  you  continually  1  Are  your  bones  made  fat 

*  by  him,  and  your  souls  satisfied  in  drought  1  Are  you  like  a  watered  gar- 

*  den,  and  like  a  spring  whose  waters  fail  not  1  You  that  keep  not  this  true 
'  fast,  do  you  not  want  these  waters  which  fail  not  1  so  your  souls  are  not 
'  satisfied  in  drought,  but  your  bones  are  lean,  and  you  hear  not  the  voice 
'  of  the  Lord,  who  saith,  "  Here  I  am :"  so  you  lose  the  heritage  of  Jacob, 
'  and  ride  not  upon  the  high  places  there ;  but  come  under.  Therefore 
'  every  man  and  woman,  shut  your  hearts  against  all  manner  of  evil 
'  whatsoever,  and  trade  not  with  Babylon's  merchants  of  confusion ;  but 
'keep  the  supernatural  day  of  Christ,  that  is  sprung  from  on  high,  that 
'  is  kept  by  believing  and  walking  in  the  light  of  Christ,  and  being  grafted 

*  into  him.     This  will  bring  you  to  the  true  fast,  from  feeding  upon  any 

*  evil,  and  to  the  true  praying  in  the  Spirit,  as  Christ  and  the  apostles 
'  have  taught.  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  &c.  The  birth  of  the 
'  Spirit  is  not  a  persecuting  birth ;  but  he  that  is  born  of  the  flesh  will 
'  persecute  him  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit,  because  he  will  not  follow  the 
'  birth  of  the  flesh,  with  its  weak,  beggarly  elements,  that  entangles  with 

*  its  yoke  of  bondage,  and  its  observing  of  days,  months,  times,  fasts, 
'  feasts,  and  years :  which  the  birth  of  the  Spirit  is  to  stand  fast  against 
'  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  it  free. 

'  Do  you  not  know  that  the  Turks  keep  their  sabbath  on  the  sixth-day, 
'  the  Jews  upon  the  seventh-day,  and  the  Christians  meet  together  on  the 
'  first-day  of  the  week  ?  And  that  day,  which  the  Turks  keep,  the  Jews' 
'  and  Christians'  shops  are  open ;  and  that  day  the  Jews  keep.  Christians' 
'  and  Turks'  shops  are  open ;  and  the  first-days,  that  the  Christians  keep, 
'  both  Jews'  and  Turks'  shops  are  open  1  The  Turk  does  not  force  the 
'  Jews  nor  the  Christians  to  shut  up  their  shops  on  their  meeting-days, 
'  but  lets  them  have  their  liberty  in  Turkey.  And  where  do  you  read 
'  that  ever  the  Turks  forced  any  Christians  to  observe  any  of  their  holy 
'  days,  fasts,  or  feasts  1  If  not,  should  not  Christians  be  beyond  the  Turks 
'  in  giving  liberty  to  all  tender  consciences  to  serve  God,  seeing  Christ 
'  and  the  apostles  command  not  nor  force  people  to  observe  holy  days, 
'  or  times,  or  months,  or  years,  but  should  pray  always  in  the  Spirit,  and 
<  fast  always  from  strife  and  debate,  from  all  manner  of  sin  and  evil ; 
'  and  that  will  keep  down  the  fist  of  wickedness,  and  the  bond  of  ini- 
'  quity  1  Why  should  not  people  of  a  tender  conscience  have  their  lib- 
'  erty  to  exercise  their  consciences  towards  God,  that  they  may  have  a 
"  good  conscience  always,  towards  God  and  man,"  to  perform  that 
'  which  God  requires,  and  "  to  do  unto  all  men  as  they  would  have  them 
"  to  do  unto  them,  and  to  love  their  neighbours  as  themselves ;"  seeing 
'  so  many  debauched,  evil  and  seared  consciences,  as  with  an  hot  iron, 
'  have  liberty  in  their  loose  lives  and  conversations,  and  in  their  loose 

*  words,  whose  tongues  are  at  liberty  to  swear  and  curse,  and  their  spir- 
'  its  at  Hberty  in  drunkenness  and  uncleanness  ?  Let  the  magistrates  look 
'  and  see  how  this  evil  seared  conscience  hath  its  liberty  to  be  exercised 
'  in  all  manner  of  evil  things  all  Christendom  over ;  which  is  a  great 


656  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [1677 

shame  and  dishonour  to  God,  Christ,  and  Christianity,  yea,  and  human- 
ity. Therefore  why  should  not  God's  people  have  liberty  to  exercise 
their  good  and  tender  consciences  towards  God  and  man '?  The  mys- 
tery of  faitii,  which  Jesus  Christ  is  the  author  and  finisher  of,  is  held  in 
a  pure  conscience ;  and  should  not  the  work  of  the  true  Christian  magis- 
trate be  to  encourage  the  exercise  of  this  pure  conscience  towards  God 
and  man,  and  to  discourage  the  exercise  of  this  evil  seared  conscience 
that  dishonours  both  God  and  Christ,  and  true  Christianity  1  If  not, 
how  are  they  a  praise  to  them  that  do  well,  and  a  terror  to  evil  doers? 

'  Concerning  the  not  putting  off  our  hats  to  men.  Many  under  the 
name  of  Christians,  have  taken  offence  at  us  because  we  could  not  put 
off  our  hats,  and  bow  down  to  them;  which  we  find  no  command  from 
Christ  or  his  apostles  for,  but  rather  to  the  contrary.  For  Christ  saith, 
'  I  receive  not  honour  of  men"  (mark,  he  did  not  receive  honour  of  men) : 
and  further,  "  How  can  ye  believe,  which  receive  honour  one  of 
'  another,  and  seek  not  the  honour  that  comes  from  God  only  ?"  Now 
Christ  declares  it  to  be  a  m.ark  of  unbelievers,  that  seek  "  honour  one 
'  of  another,"  and  seek  not  that  "  honour  that  comes  from  God  only ;" 
and  is  not  the  putting  off  the  hat,  and  bowing  with  it,  an  honour  to  men, 
which  they  seek  one  of  another,  and  are  offended  if  they  have  it  not  ? 
Do  not  the  very  Turks  mock  at  the  Christians  in  their  proverb,  saying, 
'  The  Christians  spend  much  of  their  time  in  putting  off  their  hats,  and 
'  shewing  their  bare  head  to  one  another  1"  Should  not  those  be  beyond 
Turks,  that  bear  the  noble  name  of  Christian,  above  seeking  honour  one 
of  another,  and  persecuting  them  that  will  not  give  it,  when  all  true  be- 
lieving Christians  should  seek  the  honour  that  comes  from  God  only  ? 
which  is  the  duty  of  all  true  believers  in  Christ  Jesus,  for  he  would  not 
receive  honour  of  men.  And  "  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God, 
'  hath  everlasting  life :  and  he  that  beheveth  not  the  Son,  shall  not  see 
'  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  upon  him,"  John  iii.  36.  Is  not  the 
Turks'  proverb  a  reproach  to  the  Christians,  who  say,  "  That  the  Chris- 
'  tians  spend  much  of  their  time  in  putting  off  their  hats,  and  shewing 
'  their  bare  head  one  to  another  ?"  Have  you  not  fined  and  imprisoned 
many,  because  they  would  not  put  off  their  hats  to  you,  and  shew  you 
their  bare  heads  ?  In  many  of  your  courts  they  shall  not  have  right 
and  justice,  nor  liberty  and  freedom  in  cities  or  states,  though  they 
have  truly  served  their  time,  and  are  honest  and  civil  men,  unless  they 
will  put  off  their  hats,  and  shew  you  their  bare  head  ?  Have  you  not 
made  a  law  agahist  such,  that  they  must  forfeit  two  guilders  if  they  do 
it  not?  Do  not  you  seek  to  compel  and  force  them  to  do  it,  and  fine 
such  as  do  not,  as  at  Lansmeer  in  Waterland?  Is  not  this  the  honour 
that  you  seek  one  of  another  ?  Did  not  the  Pharisees  and  Jews  do  the 
same? 

'  As  for  your  saying,  "  The  apostle  commands  to  honour  all  men ;  and 
'  such  as  rule  well  are  worthy  of  double  honour :"  if  this  "  honouring  all 
'  men"  were-  to  put  off  their  hats  to  all  men,  and  shew  all  men  their  bare 
heads,  then  this  command  you  break  yourselves,  for  you  do  not  this  to 
all  men  generally;  and  if  they  that  rule  well,  must  have  double  hat- 
honour,  then  they  must  put  off  their  hats  twice,  and  shew  them  their 
bare  heads.  If  this  hat-honour,  and  shewing  the  bare  head,  be  an  in- 
vention of  men,  and  not  from  God,  and  ye  cannot  prove  it  by  scrip- 
'  ture,  yet  say,  "  It  is  your  rule ;"  then  you  act  beside  the  rule,  and  com- 
'  pel  people  to  act  contrary  to  your  rule.  For  where  did  ever  the  proph- 


1 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  657 

*  ets,  Christ,  or  the  apostles  command  any  such  thing  ?     Let  us  see  a 

*  command,  a  practice,  and  an  example  for  it.     Nebuchadnezzar,  who 

*  was  a  persecutor,  and  cast  the  three  children  of  Israel  into  the  fire  with 

*  their  hose,  cloaks,  and  hats,  we  do  not  read  that  he  was  offended  at 
'  them  because  they  did  not  put  off  their  hats,  and  shew  him  their  bare 

*  heads ;  but  because  they  would  not  bow  to  his  image.     And  is  it  not 

*  said  in  the  margin  of  the  bible,  where  it  is  said,  "  Honour  all  men," 
*'  Have  all  men  in  esteem  V     Then  they  that  rule  well,  are  worthy  of 

*  double  esteem ;  and  this  esteem  must  be  truly  in  the  heart,  without  any 
'  envy,  malice,  or  hatred.  As  all  men  are  the  workmanship  of  God,  they 

*  are  to  be  esteemed  in  the  heart  with  the  Spirit  of  God ;  and  they  that 

*  rule  well,  are  worthy  of  double  esteem ;  here  is  true  honour  from  the 

*  heart,  both  to  God  and  man,  his  workmanship.     For  people  may  put 

*  off  their  hats  and  shew  their  bare  heads  one  to  another  once,  or  twice 
'  to  the  officers  and  magistrates,  and  yet  be  full  of  envy,  malice,  hatred, 

*  and  murder  in  their  hearts  one  against  another ;  and  give  them  that 

*  honour,  as  you  call  it,  and  yet  speak  or  wish  evil  towards  them,  when 

*  they  have  turned  their  backs  off  them.     The  true  honour  or  esteem  in 

*  the  heart  to  all  men,  as  they  are  God's  creation,  is  without  any  evil 
'  wish  or  thought  in  the  heart  to  any,  and  they  that  rule  well  have  the 

*  double  esteem,  whom  God  hath  placed  over  people.  There  is  no  evil 
'  in  the  heart  that  gives  this  respect,  esteem,  or  honour,  and  brings  them 
'  to  love  their  neighbours  as  themselves,  and  to  "  do  unto  all  men  as  they 
"  would  have  them  do  unto  them,"  in  that  they  esteem  all  men,  and  have 

*  a  double  esteem  for  them  that  rule  well.    This  is  beyond  all  the  honour 

*  of  putting  off  the  hats  once  to  all  men,  and  f  wice  to  them  that  are  wor- 

*  thy  of  the  double-honour,  as  you  may  call  it.    But  we  would  ask  Chris- 

*  tians,  that  practise  this  hat-honour,  and  shewing  one  another  their  bare 
'  heads,  Who  invented  this  honour,  seeing  they  cannot  prove  that  ever 
'  Christ  or  the  apostles  did  command  or  practise  any  such  thing,  or 
'  Moses  in  the  time  of  the  law  1  Do  not  say  or  think  that  we  had  this 
'  practice  of  not  putting  off  our  hats  from  the  Turk ;  for  we  were  moved 
'  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  before  ever  we  heard  of  the  Turks'  proverb 

*  and  practice,  to  leave  ihe  honour  that  is  below,  and  seek  the  honour 

*  that  comes  from  above,  when  we  came  to  be  true  believers  in  Christ 

*  Jesus. 

'  Concerning  persecuting,  imprisoning,  and  banishing  God's  people,  in 

*  whom  Christ  is  manifest,  and  dwells  in  their  hearts,  doth  not  Christ  tell 

*  you,  that  in  so  doing  you  imprison  him  1  Then  do  you  not  banish  him, 
'  and  persecute  him  out  of  your  cities  and  corporations  ?     And  how  can 

*  you  enter  into  and  have  a  share  in  his  kingdom,  though  you  may  pro- 
'  fess  him  in  words  ?     Are  not  such  to  go  into  everlasting  punishment, 

*  that  do  not  visit  Christ  in  prison  1    Then  what  will  become  of  you,  that 

*  banish  and  imprison  him,  where  he  is  manifest  in  his  members,  nor  suf- 
'  fer  them  to  meet  together  to  enjoy  him  amongst  them,  according  to  his 
'  promise  ?  Therefore  you,  that  will  not  let  Christ  reign  in  his  people, 
'  and  have  his  liberty  in  them  in  your  cities  and  countries,  to  exercise 

*  his  offices,  you  will  not  have  your  liberty  in  heaven.  You  that  will  not 
'  let  Christ  reign  in  your  hearts,  nor  sutler  him  to  reign  in  his  people  here 

*  upon  the  earth,  in  this  world,  in  your  kingdoms,  you  will  not  reign  with 

*  Christ  in  heaven,  in  his  kingdom,  nor  in  the  world  without  end. 

'  You,  that  banish  the  truth  out  of  your  cities  or  countries,  or  his  peo- 

*  pie  for  its  sake,  you  banish  the  truth  and  Christ  out  of  your  hearts  from 

4H 


658  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  [167T 

*  ruling  there ;  so  you  yourselves  are  not  the  temples  of  God.    When 

*  you  have  banished  Christ  and  his  truth  out  of  your  own  hearts,  yoa 
'  banish  such,  in  whom  he  rules,  out  of  your  estates  and  country ;  then 

*  see  what  judgments  the  Lord  doth  bring  upon  you,  when  you  are  left 

*  to  yourselves ;  yea,  fears  and  troubles,  one  judgment  after  another, 
'  comes  upon  you,  till  you  are  even  filled  with  them.     But  the  banished, 

*  the  sufferers  for  truth  and  Christ's  sake,  have  a  peaceable  habitation  in 

*  the  truth,  which  the  devil  is  out  of,  and  cannot  get  into ;  which  habita- 

*  tion  will  outlast  all  the  habitations  of  the  wicked  and  persecutors, 
'  though  they  be  never  so  full  of  words  without  life  and  truth.     The  life 

*  and  the  truth  will  outlast  all  airy  notions ;  and  Christ  the  Lamb  and  his 
'  patient  Seed,  will  overcome  the  devourer  with  his  impatient  seed :  and 

*  they  that  have  the  garment,  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  which  is  the 
'  fine  Hnen,  will  find  it  to  outlast  all  the  rags  and  inventions  of  men. 
'  Christ  saith  to  his  learners,  "Be  of  good  cheer,  I  have  overcome  the 
"  world,  the  persecuting  world."  He  also  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Marvel 
"  not  if  that  the  world  hate  you,  for  it  hated  me  before  you."  Therefore 
'  let  all  that  profess  themselves  Christians,  lay  aside  persecution  about 
'  religion,  churches  or  worship,  fasting  or  praying  days ;  for  you  have 

*  no  command  from  Christ  and  his  apostles  to  persecute  any.  Christ, 
'  who  is  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,  when  they  called  him  a 

*  deceiver,  blasphemed  him,  and  said,  "  He  had  a  devil,"  did  not  perse- 
'  cute  any  of  them  for  it,  nor  force  or  compel  any  to  hear  and  believe 
'  him,  nor  the  apostles  after  him ;  but  he  bad  them,  that  would  have  been 
'  plucking  up  the  tares,  "  let  the  tares  and  the  wheat  grow  together  until 
"  the  harvest."  So  you  have  no  command  from  Christ  or  his  apostles 
'  to  persecute,  imprison,  banish,  or  spoil  the  goods  of  any  for  matter  of 
'  pure  conscience  and  religion,  w^orship,  faith,  and  church  in  the  gospel- 
'  times.  G.  F.' 

'  Harlingen  in  Friesland,  the  11th 
'  of  the  6th  month,  1677.' 

*  A  warning  to  the  magistrates,  priests,  and  people  of  the  city  of  Ham- 

'  burgh,  to  humble  themselves  before  the  Lord,  and  not  to  be  high- 
'  minded. 

'  Friends, 
*  You  have  painted  and  garnished  the  inside  of  your  outward  houses 

*  and  high  places ;  but  look  within  your  hearts  with  the  light  of  Christ, 
'  which  he  hath  enlightened  you  and  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
'  world  withal,  and  with  it  you  may  see  how  foul  your  hearts  and  in- 
'  sides  are  with  sin  and  evil,  which  Christ  tells  you  ye  should  make 
'  clean ;  who  told  the  Pharisees  how  they  "  painted  the  sepulchres  of  the 
•'  righteous,"  and  they  themselves  w^ere  full  of  rottenness  and  corruption. 
'  Therefore  look  into  yourselves  and  your  own  hearts,  what  you  are  full 
'  of  To  paint  the  sepulchres  of  the  righteous  apostles,  and  make  a  trade 
'  and  a  profession  of  their  words,  without  the  same  Holy  Ghost,  power, 
'  light,  and  truth  which  they  were  in,  will  not  stand  the  day  of  God's 
'  vengeance.     Therefore  repent  while  you  have  time,  turn  to  the  Lord 

*  with  your  whole  hearts,  and  do  not  think  yourselves  secure  without  a 
'  sense  of  his  immediate  almighty  protection.     For  it  is  not  all  your 

*  works,  nor  all  your  own  strength,  power,  and  defence  that  can  protect 
'  yon.  It  is  not  for  you  to  look  at  them,  and  think  yourselves  secure, 
'  and  to  sit  down  in  your  security,  and  let  your  hearts  be  merry,  and  at 


16771  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  659 

*  rest  and  ease.     When  the  Lord  brmgs  a  scourge  upon  you,  that  you 

*  are  filled  with  terrors  and  fears,  remember  you  were  warned,  that  you 
'  were  set  down,  but  not  in  the  true  rest.  Then  all  your  own  strength 
'  and  force  will  stand  you  in  no  stead ;  you  will  acknowledge  that  it 
'  must  be  God  that  must  protect  you.  Therefore  take  warning ;  for 
'  your  priests  and  people  are  too  high,  are  swallowed  up  too  much  in 

*  this  world.  The  vanities  of  it  carry  your  minds  away  from  God ;  your 
'  care  is  more  for  the  world  than  for  God,  and  more  after  the  riches  of 
'  this  world  than  after  the  riches  of  the  world  that  has  no  end.  Know 
'  you  not  that  all  your  heaps  of  outward  treasure  must  have  an  end,  and 
'  that  you  must  leave  them  all  behind  you?  Therefore  I  am  to  warn  and 
'  advise  you,  both  high  and  low,  priests  and  people,  to  come  to  the  grace, 
'  light,  and  truth  that  comes  by  Jesus  Christ;  to  the  manifestation  of  the 
'  good  Spirit  of  God,  which  is  given  you  to  profit  withal ;  that  with  this 
'  grace,  truth,  light,  and  Spirit  of  Christ,  you  may  turn  to  him  from 

*  whence  it  comes,  who  saith,  "  Learn  of  me ;"  and  God  saith,  "  This  is 
"  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him."  So  all  the  children  of  the  new  cove- 
'  nant,  that  walk  in  the  new  and  living  way,  do  hear  Christ  their  proph- 

*  et,  that  God  has  raised  up,  and  anointed  to  be  their  teacher  and  priesL 
'  So  now,  God  doth  speak  to  his  people  by  his  Son,  as  he  did  in  the  apos- 
'  ties'  days.  The  Lord  is  come  to  teach  his  people  himself  by  his  grace, 
'  light,  truth,  and  Spirit,  and  to  bring  them  off  from  all  the  world's  teach- 
'  ers,  made  by  men  since  the  apostles'  days ;  wdio  have  kept  people  al- 

*  ways  learning,  that  thej^  may  always  be  paying  of  them.     And  he  is 

*  come  to  bring  them  off  all  the  world's  religions,  to  the  religion  that  he 
'  set  up  in  the  apostles'  days  in  the  new  covenant,  which  is  pure  and  un- 

*  defiled  before  God  in  his  sight,  and  keeps  from  the  spots  of  the  world, 
'  &c.  And  the  Lord  is  come  to  bring  them  off  all  the  world's  churches, 
'  to  the  church  in  God,  which  Christ  the  heavenly  man  is  head  of;  and  to 
'  bring  them  off  all  the  world's  worships,  to  worship  God  in  Spirit  and  in 

*  truth,  which  Christ  set  up  above  sixteen  hundred  years  since.     So  all 

*  men  and  women  must  come  to  the  Spirit  and  truth  in  their  hearts,  by 
'  which  they  must  know  the  God  of  truth,  who  is  a  Spirit ;  and  then  in 

*  the  Spirit  and  truth  they  will  worship  him,  and  know  what  and  who 

*  they  worship.  Also  the  Lord  is  come  to  bring  his  people  off  all  the 
'  world's  temples,  that  with  the  Spirit  they  may  know  their  bodies  to  be 
« the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost.   And  the  Lord  is  come  to  bring  his  peo- 

*  pie  off  all  the  world's  crosses,  pictures,  images,  and  likenesses;  to  know 

*  that  the  power  of  .God  is  the  cross  of  Christ,  which  crucifies  them  to 

*  the  world,  and  brings  them  up  into  the  Hkeness  and  image  of  God  man 

*  and  woman  M'ere  in  before  they  fell ;  and  so  to  Christ  that  never  fell. 

*  This  work  must  all  know  in  their  hearts  by  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus, 

*  who  "  is  the  true  light  that  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
"  world."  It  is  called  the  light  in  man  and  woman,  and  the  life  in  Christ 
'  the  Word ;  who  saith,  "  Believe  in  the  light,  that  ye  may  become  chil- 
"  dren  of  the  light."  And  the  light  lets  you  see  all  your  evil  actions  that 
'  you  have  committed,  your  ungodly  ways  you  have  walked  in,  and  your 

*  ungodly  words  and  thoughts.  If  you  hate  this  light,  and  love  the  dark- 
'  ness,  and  the  prince  of  it,  more  than  this  light,  which  is  the  hfe  in 

*  Christ,  the  Prince  of  life,  and  will  not  come  to  it,  because  your  deeds 

*  be  evil,  and  it  will  reprove  you,  Christ  tells  you,  "  This  light  is  your 
"  condemnation."     Then  what  is  all  your  profession  good  for,  when  you 

*  remain  under  the  condemnation  of  the  true  light,  in  which  you  should 


660  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL,  [1677 

*  believe,  and  so  become  children  of  light,  and  out  of  condemnation  ? 
'  Therefore  every  one  must  believe  in  the  light,  if  they  receive  Christ 
'  Jesus;  and  to  as  many  as  receive  him,  he  gives  "  power  to  become  the 
*'  sons  of  God."     He  that  hath  the  Son  of  God,  hath  life ;  they  that  have 

*  not  the  Son  of  God,  have  not  life ;  and  if  you  have  not  life,  what  good 

*  doth  all  your  profession  of  the  scriptures  from  Genesis  to  Revelations 
'  do  you,  any  more  than  the  Jews,  Scribes,  and  Pharisees,  that  would 

*  not  receive  Christ  the  life,  upon  whom  God  brought  his  overflowing 
'  scourge.   Therefore  do  you  take  heed,  for  your  strength  will  be  no  bet- 

*  ter  than  theirs,  if  you  have  not  God  and  Christ's  supporting  power, 

*  when  God's  scourge  comes  upon  you,  and  you  are  filled  with  horrojs 
'  and  fears.  My  desires  are,  that  you  may  all  repent,  from  the  highest 
'  to  the  lowest,  and  not  grieve,  nor  quench,  nor  vex,  nor  rebel  against 
'  God's  good  Spirit  in  you,  nor  "  walk  despitefuUy  against  the  Spirit  of 
"  grace,"  nor  turn  from  it  unto  wantonness,  which  would  teach  you,  and 

*  bring  your  salvation.  If  you  do,  how  can  you  escape  the  overflowing 
'  scourge  of  the  Almighty,  and  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb  1  My  desires  are, 
'  that  you  may  all  obey  God's  good  Spirit  of  truth,  which  will  lead  you 
'  out  of  all  evil  into  all  truth,  and  reprove  you  for  your  own  righteous- 
'  ness,  and  for  your  own  judgment  and  sin,  and  bring  you  to  cleave  to 
'that  which  is  good,  to  forsake  that  which  is  evil,  and  to  turn  to  the 
'  Lord,  who  will  receive  you  in  his  mercy  and  kindness ;  by  which  means 
'  you  may  escape  the  overflowing  scourge  in  the  day  of  vengeance, 
'  which  dreadful  day  is  coming  upon  all  evil-doers.  This  is  a  warning 
'  to  you,  both  for  your  temporal  and  eternal  good ;  for  you  to  read  in 
'  your  assemblies,  and  your  priests  in  their  churches ;  so  that  all  people 
'  may  hear  and  fear,  as  you  will  answer  it  at  the  terrible  and  dreadful 
'  day  of  judgment.  G.  F.' 

*  Amsterdam,  the  19th  of  the 
'  7th  month,  1677.' 

*  For  the  ambassadors  that  are  met  to  treat  for  peace  at  the  city  of 

'  Nimeguen  in  the  States'  dominions. 

'  Christ  Jesus  saith,  "  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be 
*'  called  the  children  of  God,"  Matth.  v.  9.  so  all  Christian  men  are  to 
'  forsake  evil  and  do  good,  to  seek  peace  and  follow  it,  if  they  will  "  love 
"  life,  and  see  good  days,"  1  Pet.  iii.  11.    God  hath  called  all  true  Chris- 

*  tians  unto  peace,  1  Cor.  vii.  therefore  all  Christians  ought  to  follow  this 
'  peace,  which  God  calls  them  to.     They  should  let  the  peace  of  God 

*  rule  in  all  their  hearts ;  which  is  above  the  peace  of  this  world  that  is  so 
'  soon  broken.  For  the  apostle  commands  the  Christians  to  let  the  peace 
'  of  God  rule  in  their  hearts ;  to  which  all  Christians  should  be  subject. 
'  The  practice  of  this  should  be  among  all  that  profess  Christianity;  and 
'  this  peace  is  above  that  which  Christ  takes  from  the  earth.  Rev.  vi. 

*  which  is  the  peace  of  the  wicked.  The  apostle  saith  to  Christians,  "  Be 
"  at  peace  among  yourselves,"  1  Thess.  v.  All  Christians  should  obey 
'this  command,  and  be  at  peace  among  themselves;  not  in  wars  and 

*  strife.  Further,  the  apostle  exhorts  Christians  to  "  keep  the  unity  of 
"  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace."     So  this  unity,  this  bond  of  peace 

should  be  kept  (and  not  broken)  by  all  that  bear  that  noble  name,  Chris- 
'  tian.  They  should  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  the  bond  of 
'  the  Prince  of  princes,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords'  peace,  which  is 
'  the  duty  of  all  true  Christians.     Herein  they  may  honour  Christ,  in 


I 


1677]  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  661 

bringing  forth  the  fruits  of  peace,  which  are  love  and  charity.  For  the 
apostle  tells  you,  "  The  fruits,  of  the  good  Spirit  are  love,  joy,  and 

•  peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,"  &c.  Gal.  v. 

'  The  apostle  exhorts  Christians,  "  If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in 

*  you,  live  peaceably  with  all  men."  This  should  be  the  endeavour  of 
all  Christians.  For  it  is  no  honour  to  Christ,  that  Christians  should  war 
and  destroy  one  another,  that  profess  the  name  of  Christ,  who  saith, 

'  He  came  to  save  men's  lives,  not  to  destroy  them."  Christians  have 
enemies  enough  abroad  without  them,  and  therefore  they  should  love 
one  another,  as  Christ  commands,  who  saith,  "By  this  ye  shall ^be 
'  known  to  be  my  disciples,  if  ye  love  one  another."  Christians  are  com- 
manded to  love  enemies,  much  more  one  another.  And  Christ  saith, 
'  As  the  Father  hath  loved  me,  so  I  have  loved  you :  continue  ye  in  my 
'  love,"  John  xv.  8.  "  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disci- 
'  pies,  if  ye  love  one  another,"  John  xiii.  35.  But  if  Christians  v/ar  and 
destroy  one  another,  this  will  make  Jews,  Turks,  Tartars,  and  Hea- 
thens say,  you  are  not  disciples  of  Christ.  Therefore,  as  you  love  God, 
and  Christ,  and  Christianity,  and  its  peace,  all  make  peace,  as  far  as 
you  have  power,  among  Christians,  that  you  may  have  the  blessing. 
You  read,  Christians  were  called  the  household  of  faith,  the  household 
of  God,  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people :  and  they  are  commanded  to 
be  "  zealous  for  good  works,"  not  for  bad.  Christians  are  also  com- 
manded not  to  bite  and  devour  one  another,  lest  they  be  consumed  one 
of  another. 
'  Is  it  not  a  sad  thing  for  Christians  to  be  biting  and  consuming  one 
another  in  the  sight  of  the  Turks,  Tartars,  Jews,  and  heathens,  when 
they  should  "  love  one  another,  and  do  unto  all  men  as  they  would 
'  have  men  do  unto  them  ?"  Such  devouring  work  as  this  will  open  the 
mouths  of  Jews,  Turks,  Tartars,  and  heathens  to  blaspheme  the  name 
of  Christ,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,  and  cause  them  to  speak 
evil  of  Christianity,  for  them  to  see  how  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  is  broken' 
among  such  as  profess  Christ  and  Christ's  peace.  All  Christians  are  to 
mind  God  and  Christ's  teaching,  who  teach  Christians  to  love  one  another, 
yea,  enemies ;  and  persuade  kings  and  princes  to  give  liberty  to  all 
tender  consciences  in  matters  of  rehgion  and  worship,  they  living  peace- 
ably under  every  government :  so  that  for  the  time  to  come  there  may 
be  no  more  imprisonment  and  persecution  among  Christians  for  tender 
consciences  about  matters  of  faith,  worship,  and  religion,  that  the  Jews, 
Turks,  Tartars,  and  heathens  may  not  see  how  Christians  are  persecut- 
ing one  another  for  religion.  Seeing  from  Christ  and  the  apostles  Chris- 
tians have  no  such  command,  but,  on  the  contrary,  to  love  one  another; 
and  knowing  that  Christ  said  to  such  as  would  have  been  plucking  up 
tares,  "  Let  the  tares  and  the  wheat  grow  together  till  the  harvest 
'  (which  is  the  end  of  the  world)  lest  they  plucked  up  the  wheat ;"  and 
at  the  end  of  the  world  Christ  would  send  forth  his  angels,  and  they 
should  sever  the  wheat  from  the  tares.  So  Christ  tells  you,  it  is  the 
angels'  work  at  the  end  of  the  world,  and  not  men's  work  before  the 
harvest  at  the  end  of  the  world.  Hath  not  all  this  persecution,  banish- 
ing, imprisoning,  and  putting  to  death,  concerning  religion,  been  the 
pretence  of  plucking  up  tares?  and  hath  not  all  this  been  before  the 
harvest,  before  the  end  of  the  world  ?  Have  not  all  these  been  actors 
against  the  express  command  of  Christ,  the  king  of  heaven  1  All  kings 
and  rulers,  especially  those  that  call  themselves  Christians,  should  obey 


662  GEORGE  FOX'S  JOURNAL.  16T7 

*  their  Lord  and  Saviour's  command ;  "  Let  the  tares  and  the  wheat 

*  grow  together  till  the  harvest ;"  and  the  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  world. 

*  Also  Christ  told  some  of  his  disciples,  that  would  have  had  "  fire  to 
"  come  down  from  heaven,  to  destroy  such  as  would  not  receive  him 
*'  (in  their  zeal)  That  they  did  not  know  what  Spirit  they  were  of:"  and 

*  rebuked  them,  saying,  "  He  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save 
*'  them."     Have  all  such  as  have  destroyed  men's  lives  concerning  re- 

*  ligion,  and  the  worship  of  God,  known  what  spirit  they  have  been  of? 

*  Have  they  not  done  that  they  should  not  do  1     That  which  Christ  for- 

*  bad,  who  saith,  "  Lest  ye  should  pluck  up  the  wheat  with  the  tares," 
'  send  saith,  "  It  is  the  angels'  work  at  the  end  of  the  woz'ld  ?"    Hath  not 

*  God  shewed  unto  man  what  is  good,  and  his  duty,  to  "love  mercy,  to 
"  do  justly,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  his  God  1"  which  man  is  to  mind. 

'  And  the  apostle  exhorts  Christians  to  "  follow  peace  with  all  men, 
"  and  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  Heb.  xii.  14. 

*  Why  should  Christians  war  and  strive  one  with  another,  seeing  they  all 

*  own  in  words  one  King,  and  Lord  and  Saviour  Christ  Jesus,  whose 

*  command  is,  that  they  should  "  love  one  another ;"  which  is  a  mark  that 

*  they  shall  be  known  by,  to  be  Christ's  disciples,  as  I  said  before.     And 

*  Christ,  who  is  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,  saith,  "  As  I  have 
*'  loved  you,  so  love  one  another,"  John  xv.  12.  and  John  xiii.     And  the 

*  apostle  saith,  "  Christians  ought  to  be  patient  towards  all  men,"  1 
'Thess.  V.  14. 

'  From  him  who  is  a  lover  of  truth,  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  de- 

*  sires  your  temjwral  and  eternal  good ;  and  that  in  the  wisdom  of  God, 

*  that  is  pure,  gentle,  and  peaceable  from  above,  you  may  be  ordered,  and 

*  order  all  things  God  hath  committed  to  you  to  his  glory,  and  stop  those 

*  things  among  Christians,  so  far  as  you  have  power,  which  dishonour 

*  God,  Christ,  and  Christianity  ! 

'G.F.' 
'  Amsterdam,  the  21st  of  the 
'  7th  month,  1677.' 


I 


INDEX. 


Abuses  done  to  George  Fox,  112, 125, 127,    By  professors,  &c.  139, 152, 164, 19G,  259. 

Friends  abused,  152,  309,  325,  359,  406. 
Acton  in  the  fields,  near  London,  where  friends  had  been  much  abused,  G.  F.  had  a 

meeting',  309. 
Adam  the  first  and  second  compared,  603. 
Affections,  lusts  and  desires  mortified,  274. 
Aged  friend  of  100  years  old,  102 ;  one  aged  122,  369. 
Allegiance  to  the  king,  375,  377,  and  supremacy,  478. 
America,  G.  Fox's  travels  there,  from  Maryland  to  New-England,  &c.  through  the  woods 

and  wildernesses,  over  bogs  and  great  rivers  (not  without  imminent  danger 

of  some  of  their  lives)  and  lying  at  night  in  the  woods,  by  a  fire  in  a  very 

cold  season,  the  wolves  howling  about  them,  447  to  464.     Truth's  prosperity 

there,  522.     G.  F's  epistle  to  those  places,  635. 
Anointing  within  teacheth  the  believers,  58,  505. 
Antichrists.     See  false  prophets. 
Apostacy  entered  since  the  days  of  the  apostles,  245. 
Apostates,  backsliders,  and  false  brethren,  are  got  into  the  temple  of  God,  582,  599,  631, 

632. 
Apostles  were  tradesmen,  627. 
Apparel  for  pride  judged,  580. 

Apparition,  foreshowing  the  death  of  O.  C.  seen  by  G.  F.  308. 
Appeals  of  London  friends  tried,  592. 
Apprentices  put  forth  by  monthly  meetings,  424. 
Arminians,  strangers  to  the  spirit  of  the  apostles,  351. 
Assizes,     G.  F's  trials  at  Carlisle,  145 ;  Lancaster,  127,  372,  385,  390 ;  Lanceston,  203 ; 

Nottingham,  353 ;  Worcester,  475.     See  sessions. 
Astrologers.     See  star-gazers. 

B 

Backsliders  warned,  583.     See  apostates. 

Banishment  of  G.  F.  in  Scotland,  285.     Banishment  and  imprisoning  for  religion  is  no 

part  of  Christ's  doctrme,  523.     Friends  banished  in  England,  399 ;  at  Dant- 

zick,  629. 
Baptism,  197,  246,  253. 
Baptist  meetings,  65,  145,  170.     Baptists  discoursed  by  G.  F.  78,  144, 178.     A  teacher 

convinced,  152,  179,  193.     Baptists  in  Warwick,  195.     In  Nottinghamshire, 

68.     Baptists  and  Fiflh-monarchy-men,  prophesied  of  Christ  to  come  that 

year  to  reign,  231.     A  Baptist  woman  restored,  196.     Baptists  deny  G.  F, 

their  meetmg-house,  197.     Particular  Baptists,  198, 
Battledore,  the  author's  account  thereof,  349,  370, 
Believers  are  born  of  God,  58. 
Bible  given  to  G.  F.  to  swear  upon,  which  forbids  swearing,  388,  and  teaches  the  plain 

language,  396. 
Bonds  for  appearance  refused,  362.    Bonds  for  good  behaviour,  475. 
Book,  see  Bible.     Books  wi-it  and  answered  by  G.  F.  391,  402,  484,  485. 
Bowling  and  foolish  exercises  denied,  237. 
Bread  and  wine.     See  Papists. 
Brown's  prophecy  of  G.  F.  65. 
Brownists,  351,  504. 
Butchers  and  rude  people  bind  themselves  with  an  oath  to  kill  G.  F.  161. 

C 

Calvinists,  351. 

Cambridge,  scholars'  rudeness,  183. 

Captain  much  given  to  laughter  convinced,  198.     In  Scotland  his  impious  saying,  323. 

Carlifile  in  an  uproar,  145.     G.  F.  in  Carlisle  prison,  147,  151. 


664  INDEX. 

Cartmell  Wapentake  Court,  544. 

Certilicates  to  be  brought  by  friends  proceeding  to  marriage,  409. 

Cheat  discovered  by  G.  F.  410. 

Christ,  tlie  teacher  of  his  people,  143.     The  Rest,  577.     Sun  of  righteousness,  597.     A 

quickening  Spirit,  600.     Who  can  speak  to  men's  conditions,  60,  62,  65 ; 

and  is  known  by  revelation,  61,  &c. 
Church,  the  true  and  the  false,  294.     The  church  of  Christ  clothed  with  the  sun,  597; 
of  Rome  degenerated,  300,  350 ;  persecuting,  302. 
of  England's  faith,  308. 
Climate's  sudden  change  and  variety  in  America,  460. 
Cloisters,  monasteries,  &c.  there  is  no  scripture  for  them,  300. 
Colbeck  steeple-house ;  Robert  Widders  going  thither,  &c.  was  almost  killed  by  the 

people,  152. 
Colleges  cannot  make  ministers  of  Christ,  291. 
Collegians,  504,  507. 

Committee  of  safety,  &c.  their  proclaiming  fasts  is  like  Jezebel's,  306. 
Conjuror  (so  reputed)  reproved  by  G.  F.  in  gaol,  94. 
Coii-science,  a  witness  to  truth,  304  to  306 ;  is  not  to  be  forced,  587 ,  must  be  void  of 

offence,  593. 
Contentions  not  to  be  in  meetmgs,  531. 

Conventicle  act  is,  not  to  do  as  they  would  be  done  by,  426,  428. 
Convincements  in  the  nation  in  the  beginnmg,  64,  67,  68,  &c.  152,  154, 1.56,  157,  161 ; 

London,  171. 

In  Oliver  Cromwel's  house  and  family,  171. 
Cromwel,  Oliver,  his  discourse  with  G.  F.  168,  240.    A  friend  offers  himself  to  O.  C.  to 

lie  in  prison  for  G.  F.  234. 
Cross,  the  power  of  God,  62,  64,  298. 
Covetousness  of  wrecks,  &c.  reproved,  317,  642. 
Cutpurse  at  sessions  searching  friends'  pockets  is  set  at  liberty,  360. 

D 

Dangers  and  perils  of  G.  F.  75,  80,  110,  121,  125,  126,  131,  138, 141, 145, 147, 161,  201, 

204,  211,  242,  261,  269,  279,  299,  320,  322,  361,  367,  402,  406,  419 ;  at  sea, 

436 ;  by  knives,  rapiers,  rude  multitudes,  beatings,  bruisings,  and  binding 

themselves  with  an  oath  to  kill  him. 

Day  of  judgment  coming  upon  persecutors,  434.  The  day  of  the  Lord's  wrath  is  kindled 

upon  them,  175. 
Deceivers  beyond  the  priests  that  stand  in  deceit  described,  70. 
Declaration  of  G.  F's  offered  by  him  to  the  court  instead  of  the  oath,  478. 
Devil,  he  was  not  made  of  God,  180,  364. 
Differences  about  outward  things  to  be  shunned,  633. 
Disputes  at  Leicester,  67. 

with  the  priest  of  Grayrigg,  &c.  138,  139. 

at  Drayton,  163. 

G.  F.  with  priest  Wilkinson,  154. 
Dispute  of  James  Nayler  with  eight  priests,  193. 

A  vain  disputer  answered,  373.     Vain  janglings  to  be  shunned,  490. 
Dogs  did  not  move  their  tongues  against  them,  459. 
Do  unto  others  as  you  would  have  others,  &c.  75,  318,  587,  630,  634. 
Dreams  relied  on  by  a  people,  59. 
Drought  was  great  in  England,  262. 
Drunkenness  testified  against  by  G.  F.  at  inns  in  his  travels,  199,  242,  318. 

Great  drunkenness  at  the  choosing  of  parliament-men,  322. 
Dwarfs  not  to  come  nigh  the  altar  of  God,  619,  622. 

Out  of  Christ  all  mankind  are  imperfect  and  deformed,  605. 

E 

Egyptians  afflict  Israel  till  the  Lord  overthrows  them,  227 

Election  and  reprobation,  105,  144,  198,  267,  280,  421. 

Embassador  with  Irishmen  come  to  disturb  the  meeting,  345. 

Embassadors  at  Nimeguen :  G.  F's  epistle  to  them,  660  to  662. 

Enemies,  who  are  the  worst  to  truth,  494. 

Episcopal  men  camiot  affirm  they  have  the  same  spirit  as  the  apostles  had,  351, 


1 


INDEX.  665 

Errors  pleaded  in  Margaret  Fell's  indictment,  3S6. 

in  G.  F's  indictment  pleaded  by  himself,  386,  387,  and  the  second  indictment 

quashed  by  errors,  390. 
Examples.     See  judgments. 
Excise-men  warned,  80. 

Excommunicated  friends  in  Scotland,  none  was  to  buy  or  sell  witla  them,  286 ;  in  Eng- 
land, 397. 
Experiences  formerly  had,  or  other  men's  spoken  and  preached  from,  122,  488,  494. 


Faith  gives  victory  over  sin,  282.    Christ  is  the  author  of,  308.    Stands  in  the  power  of 

God,  487,  492. 
Fanatics,  who  and  what  they  are,  316,  328. 

Fasliions,  and  vanities  of  the  world  testified  against,  75,  636.     See  Apparel. 
Fast  of  G.  F's,  130,  140.     Of  a  woman  in  Lancashire,  64.     Proclaimed  by  O.  C.  for  rain, 

262.     A  day  of  humiliation,  304.    The  true  and  false,  262  to  265.  And  holy 

days  so  called,  468. 
Fasting  and  prayer,  653,  654. 

Feasting  and  sporting,  whilst  others  were,  G,  F.  visited  the  poor,  relieving  them,  58. 
Fees,  Marshal's,  337,  398.     G.  F.  could  not  pay,  being  innocent,  and  the  gaoler's,  236, 

Fell,  Judge,  sends  a  warrant  against  the  abusers  of  G.  F.  127,  and  grants  a  supersedeas 
of  a  warrant  against  him,  128. 

Fell,  Margaret,  shews  to  the  king  friends'  sufferings  and  innocency,  338. 

Fellowships  in  outward  things  will  corrupt  and  wither,  384. 

Fifth-monarchy-men's  uproar,  336.  They  cleared  friends  openly  at  their  execution,  343. 
They  look  for  Christ's  personal  coming,  351.     Are  fighters,  ibid. 

Fighters  are  not  of  Christ's  kingdom,  312.   Sion  needs  no  such,  ibid,  and  350.    See  wars. 

Fox,  George,  his  place  of  birth,  parents  and  relations,  55,  56,  88,  166,  322,  404,  470 ;  his 
clothes  and  wear,  103,  199 ;  his  marriage,  424 ;  a  great  weight  fell  upon 
his  spirit,  430;  his  travels  and  sufferings  at  Reading,  310,  311,  322,  336; 
offers  his  hair  and  cheek  to  tlie  threatener,  345 ;  and  labours  diligently  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  634 ;  his  persecutors  would  have  hanged  him,  145 ;  his 
care  for  truth  and  friends,  645 ;  he  prays  to  the  Lord,  66,  435  ;  and  for  the 
afflicted,  80,  559,  &c.  see  miracles  ;  his  weakness  of  body,  629,  645 ;  death 
and  burial,  644,  645 ;  whose  name  is  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life, 
which  was  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  73 ;  his  epistle  left  sealed  up,  646. 

Fox,  Mary,  mother  of  G.  F.  died,  475. 

Frederickstadt,  friends'  cause  pleaded  by  G.  F.  574  to  .577. 

Friends  much  abused  by  priest  and  people,  110,  125.    Their  charity  to  the  poor,  324. 

G 

Gaoler  of  Derby  watches  G.  F.  for  evil,  being  in  a  rage  agamst  him,  81,  his  vision  con- 
cerning G.  F.  85 ;  was  convinced  of  truth ;  G.  F.  finding  him  among  friends, 
322 ;  and  afterwards  he  wrote  a  sensible  letter  to  G.  F.  355. 

Gaolers  of  Carlisle,  their  cruelty  against  G.  F.  145,  147 ;  so  that  the  under-gaoler  was 
put  into  the  dungeon  to  G.  F.  for  using  him  so  badly,  152. 

Gaoler  at  Lanceston,  203,  his  wickedness  and  rage  against  G.  F.  &c.  209,  had  been  a 
thief  and  burnt  in  the  hand,  210,  and  afterwards  was  put  into  Doomsdale 
himself,  and  died  in  prison,  233. 

Under-Gaoler  at  Lancaster,  a  very  wicked  man,  327 ;  and  the  upper-gaoler,  Hunter,  was 
cut  off  in  young  days  for  his  wickedness  to  G.  F.  393,  401. 

Gaoler  at  Leicester  was  very  cruel  to  friends  in  prison  before  G.  F.  came  there,  359. 

Gaoler  at  Durham,  incensing  the  governor  and  soldiers  of  Scarborough  castle  against 
G.  F.  was  cut  off  in  his  wickedness,  401. 

God's  people  to  be  like  unto  liim,  610;  the  power  of  God  thundered  amongst  the  magis- 
trates of  Derby,  &c.  81. 

Good  behaviour,  G.  F.  could  not  consent  to  be  bound  to,  who  had  committed  no  ill  beha- 
viour, 88.     See  Bond. 

Good  morrow,  good  evening,  &c.  vain  customs  aad  traditions,  forbidden,  74. 

Goods  ill-gotten  are  a  curse  to  men,  318. 

Gospel  is  not  the  four  evangelists,  36.5. 

Governments,  cliange  of,  God  has  a  mighty  hand  therein,  332. 

Governor  of  Dover  convinced,  180. 

41 


666  INDEX. 

Governor  of  Tinmouih  Castle,  with  others,  visits  G.  F.  m  prison,  395. 

Grace  of  God  teaclies  tliose  that  turn  to  it,  73, 256 ;  which  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  396. 

Grammar  and  accidence  distinguish  the  singular  from  the  plural,  396. 

Groans  which  broke  forth  through  G.  F.  did  reach  to  people  and  strike  them,  101. 

H 

Habeas  Corpus,  &c.  for  G.  F's  removal,  330,  473,  478,  483. 

Hacker,  Col.  his  son  Needham's  wicked  saying  of  G.  F.  167. 

Hacker,  Col.  cut  off,  being  hanged  at  Tyburn,  168 ;  his  wife  and  marshal  convinced  of 

the  truth,  193. 
Hao-get,  judge,  his  wife  visits  G.  F.  in  Lanceston  gaol,  and  v/as  convinced,  222. 
Hair  worn  long  of  G.  F.  201,  239,  272. 
Hale,  judge,  his  answer  to  G.  F's  adversaries  in  court,  484. 
Hands  not  to  be  laid  on  any  suddenly,  295. 
Honour  hat,  proud  flesh  looks  for,  74,  75, 154,  203,  206, 208,  284, 289 ;  a  professor's  proof 

for  it  from  scripture  (pretendedly)  211 ;   professors  oftended  at  it,  259,  310 ; 

friends  fined  for  it,  230;  and  imprisoned,'&c.  267,  309,  428,  474. 

The  hat  kept  on  in  prayer  by  J.  Perrot  and  his  party,  404. 
Hebrew,  Greek,  and  Latin  make  no  ministers  of  Christ,  291. 

Hirelings  and  diviners  for  money  get  vast  sums  of  it  by  selling  the  scriptures,  76,  165. 
Honour,  the  true  from  the  false  distmguished,  75,  223,  297,  372,  402. 
Hornby  castle  robbed  of  the  wainscot,  and  buck's  horns  m  major  Porter's  house,  330. 
House-creepers  leading  silly  women  captive,  &c.  are  such  as  having  crept  into  temples, 

with  tythes  and  offerings,  keep  people  always  leai'ning  under  them,  &c.  308. 
House  of  Israel,  the  house  of  God,  625,  626. 
Humility  goes  before  honour,  223,  492,  537. 

I&J 

Jeroboam's  calves'  houses  likened  to  the  houses  called  clun-ches,  set  up  in  the  darkness 
of  popery,  124. 

Jerusalem  which  comes  down  from  heaven,  its  state  described,  433,  the  children  thereof, 
647. 

Jesuits,  two  of  them  (fawning  upon  friends)  discoursed  by  G.  F.  concerning  the  degene- 
racy of  the  church  of  Rome,  299,  301,  350 ;  who  are  filthy  dreamers,  dream- 
ing they  are  the  apostles'  successors,  351 ;  and  are  in  a  rage  against  the  work 
of  the  Lord,  421 ;  and  persecute  to  death  for  religion,  301. 

Jew  discoursed  by  G.  F.  concerning  the  coming  of  the  Messiah,  509 :  others  would  not 
discourse,  518. 

Imprisonments  for  not  swearing,  191 ;  for  tythes,  and  going  to  steeple-houses,  248,  267, 
27.5,  648 ;  G.  F.  imprisoned  in  a  filthy  prison  at  Nottingham,  76 ;  in  Derby 
prison,  81,  96 ;  in  Lanceston  prison,  203,  208 ;  Doomsdale,  209 ;  Lanceston 
gaol,  211 ;  at  Leicester,  358  to  360 ;  in  Lancaster  prison,  373  to  392 ;  in 
Scarborougli  castle,  393  to  400 ;  taken  in  London  meetings  and  had  before 
magistrates,  427  ;  in  Worcester  gaol,  468,  469  ;  being  premunired,  483  ; 
and  the  errors  of  the  indictment  pleaded  at  the  king's  bench  bar,  and  was 
set  at  liberty,  484 ;  friends  imprisoned  to  deatli,  355,  399,  649. 

Independents,  182,  351. 

Indian  kmg,  discoursed  by  G.  F.  and  several  Indians  at  the  king's  cabin,  461 ;  their 
gravity  and  attention,  463. 

Indictments,  errors,  pleaded  byG.  F.  386  to  391,  393,  479;  calls  it  a  bundle  of  lies,  477; 
is  quashed,  479. 

Informers  hired  in  Cumberland,  369 ;  set  at  work  by  priests,  a  papist  informer  against 
G.  F.  427.  they  make  spoil,  548 ;  Hilton,  550  ;  Shad,  566. 

Inn-keepers  in  Wales,  their  treachery  to  G.  F's  horse,  269 ;  anotlier  of  Topsham,  burns 
G.  F's  leathern  girdle,  199. 

Inquisition,  friends  travelling  in  the  service  of  the  Lord  were  many  tunes  in  danger 
thereof,  but  preserved,  157 ;  and  at  Dunkirk,  180 ;  two  women  friends  were 
in  that  at  Malta,  355. 

Ireland,  friends'  charity  for  the  relief  of  friends  sufferers  in  England,  585. 

Judges  and  juries'  wrong  proceedings  in  G.  F's  case,  476 ;  a  judge's  base  expression, 
475  ;  of  Holland  discoursed  by  G.  F.  518. 

Judgmg,  the  church  of  Christ  hath  power  and  ability  to  judge,  .528,  529,  .587,  591,  632. 

Judgments  of  God,  on  Derby,  97,  upon  a  false  accuser  of  G.  F.  109,  110 ;  on  a  perse- 
cutor, 133;  upon  Adam  Sands,  137;  on  two  persecuting  justices  of  Carlisle, 


I 


INDEX.  667 

156 ;  on  conspirators  against  G.  F.  161 ;  on  captain  Drury,  169  ;  on  a  mock- 
er of  friends'  meetings,  317  ;  on  Preston's  wife,  327 ;  upon  New-England, 
348 ;  an  independent  Scottish  pastor,  282,  283 ;  a  soldier  speaking  evil  of 
the  light,  288  ;  upon  persecuting,  envious  officers,  363 ;  upon  a  persecutor  in 
Cornwall,  365, 366 ;  in  Lancashire,  375  ;  on  justice  Fleming,  379 ;  on  major 
Wiggan,  379 ;  on  persecutors  and  bad  men,  399 ;  on  justices,  G.  F's  perse- 
cutors, 401 ;  upon  a  common  swearer  in  Barbadoes,  439  ;  on  justice  Simpson, 
480 ;  and  on  justice  Street,  ibid. ;  on  persecuting  powers,  315 ;  day  of  judg- 
ment.    See  day. 

Justices'  fair  promises  at  Worcester  assize  broken,  471  to  473 ;  ensnaring  questions,  498. 

Justices  sitting  about  hiring  servants  were  admonished  and  exhorted  by  G.  F.  to  justice, 
and  the  servants  to  do  their  duty,  68 ;  courts  of  justice  warned  by  G.  F.  to 
do  justly,  75. 

K 

Keat,  captain,  his  base  carriage  to  G.  F.  202. 

King  Charles  II.  his  coming  in,  310,  322,  330 ;  old  kmg's  judges  executed,  343 ;  to  the 

king  and  council,  a  declaration,  338. 
Kings  of  France  and  Spain,  and  the  Pope,  to  prove  all  things,  &c.  in  an  epistle  of  G.  F's 

to  the  pope  and  all  kings  and  rulers  in  Europe,  176. 
King's  bench  bar,  G.  F.  being  removed  by  Habeas  Corpus,  had  his  trial  there,  334,  335, 
474,  479,  483. 
evil,  a  friend's  daughter  being  healed  of,  485. 
Kingdom  of  Christ  has  been  set  up  above  1600  years  ago,  351. 
is  in  peace  and  righteousness,  339,  340. 
its  heirs  are  such  as  are  regenerated  and  born  again,  612  to  615. 


Landmark,  those  that  removed  it,  to  cause  the  blind  to  wander,  were  cursed,  627. 
Languages.     See  Tongues. 

Law  of  God  is  perfect,  63  ;  is  \vritten  in  the  heart,  339. 
Lawyers  must  be  reformed  and  brought  into  the  law  of  God,  70. 

Liberty  and  freedom  man  is  brought  into  by  the  ministry  of  Christ  and  his  teaching,  64 ; 
an  intention  was  in  the  government  of  gaining  friends  liberty,  335. 
true  liberty  is  that  which  puts  down  sin  and  iniquity,  534,  535. 
the  false  liberty  is  from  the  way  of  truth,  582. 
Life  eternal  is  in  Christ,  not  in  the  scriptures,  617,  618. 
Light  is  not  natural,  72, 167,  200,  204,  241,  253,  266,  267,  274, 
and  grace,  281. 

cursed  by  the  Scotch  priests,  282. 
all  are  enlightened,  379. 
denied  by  Dr.  Witty,  396. 
also  by  a  Dr.  in  Carolina,  4.58. 

which  gives  the  light  of  the  knowledge,  504,  615,  639. 
Little  Ease,  a  prison  whereinto  Richard  Sale  was  squeezed,  that  not  long  after  he  died, 

344. 
Love  of  God,  its  infiniteness,  62,  65. 

and  charity's  effects,  594,  633. 

and  unity  is  from  the  Spirit  of  God,  633. 

M 

Magistrates  must  yield  to  truth,  148  to  150. 

are  to  do  justice,  319. 

and  stop  profaneness,  332. 

their  sword  against  evil  doers,  371. 

of  Dantzick,  their  work  of  persecution,  522,  585,  629. 
Marriages,  58,  stated,  397, 401 ;  the  proceedings  thereof  settled,  408,  440,  497 ;  to  be  laid 

before  the  monthly  and  quarterly  meetings,  408,  and  to  have  certificates, 

409;  a  case  of  marriage  tried  at  Nottingham  assizes,  353;  marriage  in 

Rhode-Island,  451 ;  friends'  care  therein,  571. 
Major-general  of  Northamptonshire,  an  old  persecutor,  sharply  reproved  by  G.  F.  242. 
Meetings  with  friendly  people  in  Derbyshire,  59 ;  at  Broughton,  65 ;  of  friends  set  up, 

124 ;  at  T.  Leper's,  131 ;  Arnside,  140 ;  great  at  London,  170 ;  near  Acton 

in  the  fields,  171 ;  one  near  London,  where  friends  were  much  abused,  309 ; 


668  INDEX. 

montlily  and  quarterly,  men's  and  women's  set  up  in  London,  and  in  the 
nation,  404,  406,  409,  417 ;  in  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the  authority 
thereof,  490,  493  ;  and  are  of  God's  ordering,  596 ;  being  set  up  in  liis  wis- 
dom, 646 ;  of  women  set  up,  and  the  service  thereof,  467 ;  yearly  in  Bedford- 
shire, 293 ;  at  Balhy,  (Boultbie,  Yorkshire)  323 ;  York,  632 ;  and  at  London, 
436 ;  for  sufferings  at  Skipton  set  up,  324  ;  powerful  in  Ireland,  418. 

Ministers  went  forth,  140 ;  from  the  north  country  over  England,  157 ;   into  Scotland, 
171 ;  and  beyond  the  seas,  179. 
truth  spreading  in  England,  222. 

True  Minister's  trial,  177 ;  exercising  their  gift,  295 ;  and 
sounding  abroad  their  trumpets,  420. 
of  Christ,  58,  60,  64,  396,  489. 
take  no  hire,  452. 

Miracles  wrought  by  the  power  of  God,  193 ;  she  that  was  ready  to  die  raised  up  again, 
196 ;  the  lame  made  whole,  140 ;  the  diseased  restored,  485 ;  a  distracted 
woman  healed,  77.  See  trouble  of  mind ;  a  gi-eat  man  given  over  by  physi- 
cians restored,  80 ;  G.  F.  prays  for  a  distracted  woman  at  Chichester,  197 ; 
restores  J.  Jay's  neck,  (broke  as  the  people  said)  by  a  fall  from  a  horse  in 
East-Jersey,  4-54 ;  speaks  to  a  sick  man  in  Maryland,  who  was  raised  up  by 
the  Lord's  power,  455,  and  prays  the  Lord  to  rebuke  J.  C's  infirmity,  and  the 
Lord  by  his  power  soon  gave  him  ease,  &c.  558. 

Monk,  general,  his  order  requiring  all  officers  and  soldiers  to  forbear  disturbing  Quakers' 
meetings,  322  ;  which  are  not  seditious,  342. 

Mountebanks'  vanity,  75 ;  their  ignorance,  260. 

IVIontague,  Judge,  G.  F.  discoursing  him  at  his  chamber  in  London  about  tythes,  545. 

Muggletonians,  351. 

Musqiietoes  in  America,  little  flies  or  gnats,  452. 

Musick  and  singing,  75. 

N 

Names  are  given  to  things  according  to  their  nature,  69. 

Natures  of  creatures  outward  to  be  read  within  man,  65,  71,  122. 
That  all  things  come  by  nature,  refuted,  68. 

Nayler,  James,  running  into  imaginations,  is  warned  by  G.  F.  238.  His  recovery,  239. 
His  followers,  260. 

Nebuchadnezzar's  dream  of  Christ's  kingdom,  which  is  not  of  this  world,  351. 

Negroes  and  family  meetings  recommended,  642. 

New-England  professors  proclaimed  a  fast,  307.  Soon  after  put  four  friends  to  death, 
and  became  bloody  persecutors,  346.  G.  F.  charged  their  magistrates  with 
murdering  them,  accordmg  to  their  own  confession,  348,  who  felt  God's  judg- 
ments for  their  wickedness,  519. 

News  hearing  and  telling,  107,  629. 

Nicknames.     See  Sirrah.    • 

O 

Oath  or  engagement  to  O.  Cromwel,  156.  Swear  not  at  all,  162,  204,  205.  Oath  of 
abjuration,  190,  tendered  to  G.  F.  201.  His  paper  against  swearing  read  in 
court,  205.  Oaths  and  swearing,  375,  376,  634;  refused  by  G.  F.  372,  396 
to  398,  &c.  being  unlawful,  396. 

Oaths  of  allegiance  and  supremacy,  354,  358,  360,  372,  484.  Oath  taken  falsely  against 
friends,  363.  Oath  tendered  to  G.  F.  385,  388,  472.  Allegiance,  wherein 
it  consists,  395 ;  what  G.  F.  could  say  instead  of  it,  472 ;  and  of  supremacy, 
472,  474,  478. 

Offermg,  the  true  and  the  false,  606  to  608,  616,  619,  640. 

Old  cause,  the  setting  up  thereof  was  for  themselves,  316. 

Oldenburg,  magistrates  and  people,  a  warning  to  them,  650  to  652. 

Openings  of  G.  F's,  59,  60,  66,  72 ;  of  the  things  of  the  creation,  69 ;  of  physick,  di- 
vinity, and  law,  &c.  70. 

Opposers  of  the  faithful  come  to  nought,  646. 

Order  of  Bodmin  sessions  for  the  prisoners'  ease,  210. 

Order  and  discipline  in  the  church  of  Christ  maintained,  582,  .583 ;  is  of  the  Spirit,  599. 

Oxford  and  Cambridge  teacliers  cannot  make  ministers  of  Christ,  58,  60. 

Oxford  scholars'  rudeness,  243. 


INDEX.  669 

p 

Papists,  their  superstition  of  consecrated  bread  and  wine,  300,  301 ;  images,  crosses,  and 
relicks,  300,  355 ;  pray  by  beads,  351,  605 ;  and  sprinlde  children,  414 ;  their 
purgatory,  ib. ;  and  mother  church  pretended,  415 ;  a  warning  to  tliem,  175, 
176  ;  and  their  murdering  false  doctrine  confuted,  395. 

Pardon  being  offered  by  the  king  to  G.  F.  he  could  not  take  it,  482 ;  and  was  fairly  freed 
without  it,  483. 

Parliament-men  discoursing  G.  F.  in  prison,  396. 

Parnel,  James,  convinced,  (1653)  147 ;  was  at  a  dispute  of  G.  Fox's  against  eight  priests, 
&c.  at  Drayton,  on  an  hill,  (1654)  164 ;  imprisoned  in  Colchester  castle 
(1655)  147 ;  is  visited  by  G.  F.  in  prison,  181 ;  the  gaoler's  wife  threatened 
to  have  liis  blood,  ib.  who  died  by  a  fall  from  a  ladder  going  up  to  his  prison, 
147 ;  of  whom  professors  (to  cover  their  cruelty)  said  he  fasted  hunself  to 
death,  ib. 

Patience  and  faith's  exercise,  277. 

People  flew  like  chaff  before  the  dreadful  power  of  God,  81,  121 ;  people  trembled  and 
shook  in  Carlisle  steeple-house,  145.     See  Shaking. 

Perfection,  a  priest  discourses  G.  F.  about  it,  476. 

Perfection  m  Christ  is  above  Adam's,  441 ;  unperfection  pleaded  for  by  professors,  84, 
152. 

Persecution  judged,  1.32  to  134 ;  testified  against,  and  persecutors  warned,  212  to  222 ; 
they  being  blinded,  228,  275  to  277,  332,  and  not  knowing  what  spirit  they 
are  of,  331 ;  persecutors  to  blood,  411 ;  persecutors  restrained,  402,  403,  406, 
407,  419 ;  persecution  violent  at  London  meeting,  431 ;  testimonies  against 
it,  523,  52.5,  541,  543,  551,  552,  648,  649 ;  in  its  event  productive  of  good, 
650.     Four  friends  m  New-England  hanged,  346,  348. 

Physick  and  lettmg  blood,  a  priest's  remedy  agamst  a  troubled  mind,  58. 

Physicians  must  be  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  70. 

Pleasures  and  vain  delights  denied,  236,  2-37. 

Plots  and  fightings,  friends'  declaration  against,  339  to  342 ;  and  denied,  370,  372,  398. 

Poland's  exiled  Protestants,  303,  304 ;  king  of  Poland,  two  letters  to  him  from  G.  F. 
522,  and  585. 

Powers  of  the  earth,  299. 

Prayers  in  siglis  and  groans,  278  ;  how  to  pray,  605,  606. 

Preachers  (congregational)  at  a  meeting  with  G.  F.  266. 

Premunire  of  G.  F.  391 ;  of  two  friends  in  Devonshire,  411 ;  Counsellor  Corbet's  plea 
for  G.  F.  in  court,  483. 

Presbyterian  meeting  stufied  with  bread  and  cheese,  &c.  407. 

Press-masters  on  board  of  G.  F's  vessel,  436,  464. 

Pride  in  apparel,  174,  17.5. 

Priests  sell  the  scriptures,  76 ;  pray  by  form,  166 ;  their  spirit,  76 ;  they  are  hirelings, 
138,  164,  &c.  tythe-takers,  245 ;  robbers  of  the  people,  and  not  mmisters  of 
the  gospel,  391 ;  plead  for  sin  and  imperfection,  81,  8-5,  97  ;  are  confounded, 
103 ;  dreaded  the  man  in  leathern  breeches,  103 ;  a  priest  trembles.  111 ; 
hides  himself  from  G.  F.  119 ;  are  miserable  comforters,  .57 ;  reproved  by 
judge  Fell,  &c.  at  sessions,  for  their  gross  assertions,  128 ;  reproved  in  the 
streets,  129.  Eight  priests  dispute  against  G.  F.  164 ;  are  false  prophets  and 
antichrists,  141 ;  One  pleads  for  adultery,  473 ;  one  beats  friends,  417 ;  is 
choaked  by  a  parsonage,  80  ;  and  love  a  fat  benefice,  193,  396 ;  so  much  a 
year,  321 ;  the  devil's  lawyers  and  counsellors,  277 ;  oppressors,  96 ;  perse- 
cutors, 226,  403,  431. 

Prophecy  of  R.  Jones  vain,  160 ;  of  Brown's,  see  Browm ;  a  woman's  prophecy  of  the 
king's  coming  in,  310 ;  prophecy  of  priests  and  professors  against  tlie  Quakers 
vain,  1.54 ;  false  prophecies  and  false  prophets,  160. 

Prison  of  G.  F's,  its  badness,  386,  389 ;  and  that  of  Scarborough  castle,  393. 

Prison-keeper  struck  with  terror,  85  ;  prisoners  many,  307 ;  friends  offer  their  bodies  one 
for  another,  ib. ;  died  prisoners,  309,  354,  374,  376,  378,  399,  411. 

Prisoners  set  at  liberty  by  the  king,  335,  593. 

Pirates,  437,  448. 

Q 

Quakers  first  so  called,  85. 

love  to  all  men,  402. 
A  Quaker's  upright  verdict,  bemg  upon  a  jury,  commended  by  the  judge  in  court,  162. 
Quakers'  principle  stated  to  the  king  by  G.  F.  481,  482. 


670  INDEX. 

R 

Rain  fell  after  a  meeting  in  Cheshire,  in  a  sfreat  drought,  262. 

Ranters  confounded,  79,  101,  102,  162,  163,  170,  180,  243,  351 ;  a  ranting  woman  at  Loo, 
3&4 ;  their  wickedness,  and  the  judgment  fallen  on  them,  412, — G.  F.  had  a 
meeting  with  ranters  in  Rhode-Island,  451,  452. 
Rebellion  and  plots  denied,  581. 

Regeneration  must  be  known  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  612  to  615. 
Religion,  the  reformed  by  tradition,  304 ;  the  true  one  is  tlie  life  and  power  of  God,  331, 

505 ;  the  pope's,  300.     See  Papist, 
Repentance  of  some  that  had  run  out,  354. 

goes  before  the  gospel,  610,  611. 
Reports  raised  of  G.  F.  falsely,  259,  at  Nailsworth,  422 ;  of  G.  F.  and  friends  at  Barba- 

does,  443. 
Restitution  made  of  wrong  done,  77. 
Restoration  out  of  the  fall  into  the  state  that  never  fell,  434. 
Revelation  of  John  is  a  sealed  up  book,  said  the  priests  to  G.  F.  59 ;  by  revelation  God  is 

known,  61. 
Righteous  men  are  preserved  from  destruction,  601,  603. 
Rude  people  at  meetings  and  inns,  259. 
in  Wales,  268,  269. 
at  Manchester,  273. 
in  Scotland,  283. 
fellows  by  the  way-side,  287. 

serving-men  abusive  to  friends  in  and  out  of  meetings,  132 ;  and  to  women 
going  home,  324 ;   fellows  encompassing  G.  F.  by  the  way,  242 ;  rude 
priests,  327 ;  rude  people,  345,  368,  410. 
Rule  of  life,  476. 

S 

Sacrament  of  bread  and  wine,  the  denial  of  it  objected  and  answered,  247,'248. 

Sallee  man  of  war  that  gave  chase  to  the  vessel  G.  F.  went  in  to  America,  his  report 
thereof,  436. 

Salutation  of  G.  F.  to  the  council  of  Edinburgh,  bemg  had  before  them,  284. 

Schools  set  up  for  friends'  children,  one  at  Waltham  Abbey  for  boys,  409 ;  and  at  Shack- 
elwell,  another  for  girls,  ibid. 

Scots,  challenging  a  dispute  with  friends,  were  overthrown,  282 ;  a  Scotch  officer's  im- 
perious sayings,  283 ;  Scotch  priests'  prmciples,  282 ;  curses,  ib. ;  blindness, 
283. 

Scriptures  are  the  words,  not  the  word  of  God,  138,  231 ;  and  understood  by  the  Spirit, 
72,  563 ;  being  given  forth  by  it,  505. 

Scripture-knowledge  witliout  the  life,  vain,  61,  505. 

Seekers,  351,  504. 

Separation  and  its  spirit,  a  warning  against  it,  495  to  497 ;  pleads  a  liberty,  503 ;  has  the 
name  of  truth,  but  not  the  nature,  503,  512,  514,  527,  530,  568,  .595 ;  unruly 
spirits  at  Reading,  520 ;  in  America  G.  F.  had  a  meeting  with  them,  450. 

Serpent,  speaking  in  people,  65. 

Serving-men.     See  Rude. 

Sessions  at  Lancaster,  127,  131,  372 ;  Leicester,  359 ;  Worcester,  471,  477 ;  Bodmin,  210. 

Shaking  of  the  house,  G.  F.  praying,  66 ;  a  meeting  of  friends  was  greatly  shaken,  68 ; 
people  shook,  145.     See  Steeple-house. 

Sheriff  of  Dncoln  convinced,  161. 

Sheriffs  to  be  chosen  by  friends,  such  as  they  can  give  their  voices  for,  549. 

Shipwrecks  called  God's  grace,  317. 

Sick  and  afflicted  restored.     See  Troubled  in  mind,  and  Miracles. 

Sign,  Thomas  Aldam  a  sign  to  O.  Crom.v,'e],  311 ;  Robert  Huntingdon,  344 ;  some  in 
sackcloth  and  ashes,  392,  400 ;  another  before  the  fire  of  London,  ib. ;  another 
going  naked,  ib. ;  a  woman  going  before  the  parliament,  &c.  311.  See  Pro- 
phecy.    Richard  Sale  carrying  a  lanthorn  and  candle,  344. 

Silent  meeting,  106. 

Singing  in  the  Spirit  with  a  melodious  sound,  287. 

Sin,  priests  preach  up  for  term  of  life,  81. 

Sin's  entail  and  original  cut  off,  277  ;  professors  distinguish  the  guilt  and  the  power  of 
it,  281 ;  and  plead  for  sin,  476 ;  sin's  deceitfulness  to  be  watched  against,  560. 

Sirrah,  and  other  reproachful  nick-names  given  by  magistrates  to  prisoners  reproved,  375. 

Slander  raised  by  a  priest  on  a  meeting  he  was  at,  138. 


INDEX.  671 

Socinians,  351. 

Soldiers,  one  proffered  G.  F.  to  assist  him,  125 ;  others  were  convinced,  and  their  wives, 
at  meetings,  141,  142,  143,'  and  at  Cranbrook,  179 ;  another  draws  his  sword 
at  a  friend,  211 ;  some  could  not  take  the  oath  to  O.  C.  156;  otliers  took  it 
and  fell  into  danger,  157 ;  a  soldier's  wicked  saying  of  Christ,  233 ;  several 
officers  convinced  in  Scotland,  290 ;  some  soldiers  striking  friends  at  meet- 
ing, 320 ;  troopers  came  to  see  G.  F.  when  prisoner,  393 ;  soldiers'  testimony 
of  him,  400 ;  lewd  soldiers  in  Germany,  510 ;  blind  men  are  not  listed  for 
soldiers  (neither  outward  nor  mward)  639. 

Somerset-house,  310. 

Soul,  a  people  holding  that  women  have  no  souls,  59. 

Spirit  of  discerning  in  G.  F.  66,  143 ;  the  Spirit  tries  doctrines,  76 ;  and  leads  into  all 
truth,  254 ;  a  measure  of  it  is  given  to  every  one,  379 ;  its  fruits,  if  obeyed, 
481 ;  a  spirit  in  the  ship  and  in  the  steeple-house,  99,  437. 

Sports  and  feastmgs,  58. 

Steeple-houses  and  markets,  truth  preached  in  them,  275 ;  the  sound  of  its  bell  seemed 
like  a  market  bell,  76,  80 ;  G.  F.  in  the  steeple-house  at  Beverly  and  Crant- 
sick,  98,  99;  Mansfield  Woodhouse,  the  people  fall  upon  hun,  78;  steeple- 
house  shook,  122,  145 ;  friends  declaring  truth  in  steeple-houses,  178,  201, 
210 ;  others  admonished  the  bowlers,  238. 

Streets,  truth  preached  in  them,  261,  268. 

Stone  laid  in  Sion  rejected,  534 ;  that  became  a  great  mountain,  618. 

Stillness,  the  muid  feels  the  principle  of  God  in  it,  302. 

Students  at  Aberdeen,  some  convinced,  485. 

Suiferings  of  G.  F.  and  friends  for  being  contrary  to  the  world's  ways  and  customs,  75 ; 
G.  F.  cruelly  beaten  by  a  clerk  in  the  steeple-house.  111 ;  by  a  rude  multi- 
tude, 126 ;  banished.     See  Banishments.     Suffered  in  bad  prisons,  386,  &c. 

Sufferings  of  friends  for  travelling  about  their  occasions,  222 ;  for  going  to  steeple-houses, 
275;  laid  before  O.  C.  308. 

Sufferings  of  friends  at  meetings,  309 ;  by  imprisonments,  ib.,  354,  391,  413 ;  and  after 
the  monarchy-men's  rising,  337 ;  some  banished,  &c.  Dantzick  friends'  suf- 
ferings, 522,  526,  585,  629. 

Swear  not  at  all,  &c.  388 ;  friends  not  swearing  how  discerned  from  others  not  swearing, 
416 ;  offices  served  by  friends  without  swearins",  634 ;  justices  and  jury  for- 
sworn at  Lancaster  assizes  in  G.  Fox's  case,  385,  388 ;  three  officers  of  the 
court  forsworn  in  tlie  same  case,  390. 

Syllogisms  and  sophistick  arguments  overthrown,  284. 

T 

Talents,  256 ;  and  the  slothful  servant,  643. 

Talkers,  airy,  61,  209. 

Teacher ;  God  was  the  first  teacher  in  paradise,  467. 

Tempest,  great,  with  thunder  and  rain,  403. 

Temples  made  with  hands  God  dwells  not  in,  59,  80. 

Temptations  to  despair  upon  G.  F.  56,  59,  61 ;  for  the  trial  of  his  faith,  62  ;  was  under 

great  temptations  sometunes,  65. 
Thee  and  thou  to  a  single  person,  289,  310,  316,  396.     See  Hat. 
Tliieves  lying  hid  by  the  highway  in  Scotland,  reproved  by  G.  F.  287. 
Tythes,  Quakers  cannot  pay,  152,  337 ;  great  havock  and  spoil  made  for  them  by  priests, 
189,  344 ;  some  imprisoned  to  death  for  them,  374,  376 ;  friends  to  keep  up 
the  testimony  against  them,  500 ;  tythes  pleaded  for  by  the  priests,  245. 
Tongues  and  languages  the  beast  has  power  over,  291. 
Toleration  prayed  against  by  a  priest,  345 ;  how  to  use  it,  608. 
Two  Thirsts  in  man,  61. 
Thrones  on  earth  contended  for,  626. 

Trading  of  friends  increased,  people  seeing  their  honest  dealing,  155. 
Transgression  of  the  life  of  God,  what  it  leads  to,  302,  303. 
Travels  of  G.  F.  into 

1657  Wales,  260,  265. 
Scotland,  280. 

1669  Ireland,  418  to  421. 

1671  Barbadoes,  438,  44-6. 
Jamaica,  4^17. 

1672  Maryland,  447. 

East  and  West  Jersey,  449- 


672  INDEX. 

Long-Island,  in  New-England,  450. 
Rhode-Island,  450. 
Jerseys,  454. 
Maryland,  456,  457. 
Virginia,  457. 
Carolina,  458,  459. 
Virginia,  459,  460. 
1673  Maryland,  460,  463. 

Returning  thence  to  England,  he  went  over  to 
1677  Holland,  &c.  502,  518. 
1684  Holland  and  Friesland,  570,  572. 
Trembling  and  quaking  owned,  184,  187. 
Trials  of  G.  F.  &c.     See  Assize. 
Two  Triers  sent  from  Wales,  both  were  convinced,  156. 
a  pretended  trier  of  spirits  confounded,  178. 
a  day  of  trial  is  coming  upon  all,  384,  582,  624. 
Troubles  of  mind  spoken  to,  77,  302 ;  of  a  woman  in  Maryland,  for  whom  G.  F.  intreat- 

ed  the  Lord,  462 ;  troubles  upon  a  trooper  concerniHg  G.  F.  91. 
Truth  is  honourable,  297 ;  is  peaceable,  544 ;  m  unity,  595 ;  the  pearl,  609 ;  a  narrative 

of  the  spreading  thereof,  647. 
Tumult  of  the  people  at  Brecknock,  261. 
Turks  and  Turkish  patroons  give  liberty  of  religion,  631. 

V 

Vengeance  is  the  Lord's,  348. 

Victory  and  overcoming  of  temptations  known,  61. 

Vision  of  G.  F.  of  a  bear,  &c.  Ill ;  of  a  desperate  creature,  279 ;  of  New-England 
sufferings  to  death,  346 ;  concerning  the  Turk,  .391 ;  of  himself  to  be  taken 
prisoner,  468 ;  a  vision  in  Ireland,  419 ;  and  in  his  voyage  for  America,  437 ; 
the  Christians  at  Jerusalem  had  a  vision  before  its  destruction,  601. 

Voice  coming  to  G.  F.  60.     See  openings ;  the  voice  of  the  Lord  to  a  trooper,  91. 

Voyages  of  G.  F.  to  Ireland,  418 ;  for  England,  422 ;  to  Barbadoes,  436  ;  &c. 

W 

Waiting  upon  God,  314. 

Wales ;  the  governor  of  Tenby  must  yield  to  truth,  267 ;  and  magistrates  in  other  places, 
269 ;  the  moderation  of  a  town  in  Wales,  270 ;  a  lady  and  her  preacher  send 
for  G.  F.  272. 

Warrants  against  G.  F.  152,  202,  279,  288,  314,  322,  325,  403,  417,  430 ;  for  tythes,  -545 ; 
warrants  against  all  Quakers,  224. 

Wars  and  fightings  denied  by  G.  F.  57,  92,  94 ;  they  arise  from  the  lusts  in  the  fall,  312 ; 
none  to  go  down  to  Egypt  for  help,  313 ;  it  is  not  our  principle,  339 ,  but  to 
testify  against  it,  382 ;  and  is  not  becoming  Christianity,  660 ;  being  a  work 
of  darkness,  168. 

Watches  set  up  in  the  streets  and  highways  in  Cornwall,  &c.  to  stop  friends  from  travel- 
ling, 222,  223,  224,  228. 

Weakness  of  G.  F's  body,  404 ;  by  long  and  close  imprisonment,  391,  485,  606 ;  by  con- 
tinual travail,  500 ;  and  spent  at  meetings.  Sic.  609 ;  his  health  being  much 
impaired,  623 ;  a  great  exercise  came  upon  him,  624. 

Wicked  man  plagued,  398,  399. 

W'orsliip,  the  world's,  74. 

Will-worsliip,  232 ;  The  dragon's  and  the  beast's,  244 ;  the  worship  in  tlie  Spirit,  349. 

Wrong.     See  Restitution. 

Y 

Yea  and  Nay,  55,  154 ;  is  more  binding  than  an  oath  to  many,  388,  482. 

Z 
Zeal  against  unrighteousness,  many  will  God  provoke  unto,  332. 


THE  END. 


Date  Due 

kM.    '-2  1     'l..? 

A[J  21  '53 

•^■WMn 

m 

i 

f) 

i^'*^!P"i?^PP'^^ 


